My Hero Academia season 7 episode 3: Anime vs manga comparison

My Hero Academia season 7 episode 3 was released on May 18, 2024, and the episode was pretty faithful to its source, the manga series, with a few anime original scenes added, a recurring trend in this sequel since its first episode.

The episode revealed the U.A. traitor and showcased Class 1-A engaging in training. Surprisingly, where the episode should have solely focused on the reveal of Aoyama as the traitor of U.A. High, according to the manga, it gave each of its elements proper screen time, be it the class training or the interrogation of Aoyama's family.

This article will talk about the different aspects of the episode and see what anime-original scenes were added to the episode and what impact the direction had on the episode.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from My Hero Academia season 7 episode 3 and has the author's opinion.

Comparing My Hero Academia season 7 episode 3 to its manga chapters

The training of Class 1-A

Todoroki as seen in the episode (Image via Bones)

My Hero Academia season 7 episode 3 was titled Villain and was adapted from chapters 335-337 with the first few panels of chapter 338. The episode commenced with a brief flashback to the fight between Star and Stripe, and TomurAFO, which was an anime-original detail.

Surprisingly, the next scene from the manga was improvised. In the manga, after All Might told Class 1-A to train harder, Bakugo argued that they were already doing their best and would continue until the villains attacked them. This scene was excluded from the anime, and in its place, the episode added new scenes from the Class 1-A training session.

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Moreover, the anime also improvised the scene where Bakugo hits Midoriya with his Cluster attack. The training of the rest of the students was also improvised, except for Todoroki's, whose panel was adapted just like the manga.

During the training, Midoriya said that he would take care of the villains, to which Iida interrupted and said 'we' would take care. After he said this, My Hero Academia season 7 episode 3 saw all of Class 1-A supporting this statement, which was not in the manga. The scene where All for One talked with his allies was completely faithful to the manga with no addition or exclusion.

The Traitor of U.A. High School

Aoyama as seen in the episode (Image via Bones)

While Class 1-A continued their training, Midoriya noticed the absence of Aoyama. On the other hand, the episode saw Hagakure standing in the middle of the forest, which surrounded U.A. High School, listening to some people talk. These were Aoyama and his parent, who were consoling their son that everything would be fine if he continued his job.

The episode then saw Aoyama go through his past, where he acted differently compared to other students. The spotlight of My Hero Academia season 7 episode 3 was the reveal of the parents of Aoyama when it was revealed that their son would be quirkless his whole life. The episode used red color to showcase Aoyama's tension, which was a commendable addition.

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A series of anime-original scenes were added where Aoyama's parents were torn after this news and how Aoyama was gifted the Naval Laser one day, with the help of All for One. As My Hero Academia season 7 episode 3 continued, it was already obvious that Aoyama was the traitor. Just like the fans, Hagakure also got a hold of the truth and looked for someone nearby.

Fortunately, Deku arrived on time and questioned Aoyama about everything his parents had said. Aoyama's parents made a run alongside their son in a frenzy, as the hero tried to shoot Deku with his Navel Laser out of desperation.

Hagakure as seen in the episode (Image via Bones)

This was where Hagakure interfered, and fans saw another anime-original detail of Hagakure's words to Aoyama. Hagakure deflected Aoyama's Navel Laser and questioned him about what his feelings were all this time.

The episode also featured Hagakure's face reveal. During this conversation, Midoriya took advantage of Aoyama's defenseless state and caught him, alongside his parents, with his Black Whip quirk. Moreover, the episode also saw Midoriya begging Aoyama to stop, with teary eyes.

The interrogation

After capturing the criminals, Aoyama and his family were brought to U.A. High, where the teachers and the principal interrogated them. Class 1-A was also standing on the sides, with shocked reactions. The principal asked the students to leave, but they declined.

As the interrogation continued, Midoriya spoke to Aoyama and declared that he could still be a hero if he helped U.A. High School defeat All for One. Unfortunately, Aoyama's family had no contact with All for One.

My Hero Academia season 7 episode 3 ended with Midoriya repeating his words that Aoyama could still be a hero. This was an anime-original scene that acted as a hope for the heroes.

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