23 : Let It Flow! School Festival! Apr 2026

Keeping the energy high throughout the auditorium. The Goal: Eri’s Smile

The episode is lauded for its high-quality animation during the dance sequence and the original song "Hero too," which was specifically composed for this scene. 23 : Let It Flow! School Festival!

Critics often highlight this episode for its shift in tone from the series' typical high-stakes combat to a "slice-of-life" celebration of heroism through art and community. Keeping the energy high throughout the auditorium

Using their Quirks to create professional-grade lighting and effects. Using their Quirks to create professional-grade lighting and

The emotional core of the episode is the mission to help —a young girl traumatized by Overhaul—experience joy for the first time. As the music peaks during the song "Hero too," the visual representation of Eri’s "darkness" shattering remains one of the series' most celebrated moments. The performance successfully breaks her psychological barriers, ending the episode with her first genuine smile. Critical Reception

described it as a powerful testament to why these students want to be heroes—not just to fight, but to provide hope and happiness to others. You can read their full analysis in the Episode 23 Review .

The episode captures the culmination of Class 1-A’s hard work as they perform for the rest of the U.A. High students. Following Izuku Midoriya's exhausting battle with Gentle Criminal, he makes it back just in time for the show. The performance is designed as a multi-sensory experience featuring: