Going back to study the first episode of the first season was very rewarding.
These are my real-time personal notes from the first ~10 minutes of MHA (minus theme song). Yes, the show conveys all these things within 10 minutes.
Premise seems very clear from the get-go: “anyone can become a hero through their actions.”
1. Izuku is a kid who wants to protect others, living in a world with powers, but he has none so he’s weak. #empathy #obstacle #THEME
2. They live in a world that has superpowers and heroes and villains. #wonder
3. Introduces some heroes and the profession, and their various motivations, and popularity #wonder
4. Names the top hero in the world #goal
5. He’s very motivated to become a hero. #goal
6. Names the #1 hero school in the country, UA, with a very low acceptance rate. #goal
7. Introduces his main rival, Bakugo, and his pettiness, bullying, arrogant personality #goal #obstacle
8. Shows Izuku’s pain and frustration and the insurmountable odds ahead of him. #empathy
9. Sets up the present moment and anticipation for what’s about to happen. #foreboding #tension
After 10 minutes have passed:
Adds emotional weight to his situation:
10. Why is his dream so important — being a childhood fan of All Might
11. All Might’s personality
12. Shock and trauma: being told to give up
13. Present day: he still hasn’t given up. He’s trying to motivate himself.
