My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 9 Review: Is Dabi Really Gone?

My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 9 was engaging and showcased multiple battles. Let’s discuss what transpired in Season 7, Episode 9 of My Hero Academia.

My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 8 Recap

In this episode, we delve into Dabi’s past and learn how he managed to survive. When Dabi lost control of his flames and was severely burned, it was All For One, not his father, who saved him. All For One took Dabi to his hideout, intending to groom him as a backup for Tomura. Dabi woke up three years later, shocked to be alive and grown. Anxious to return home, he was told his treatment had failed, and he wasn’t fully healed. Ignoring the warnings, Dabi burned down the hideout and rushed home, only to face disappointment.

He realized nothing had changed; he still felt like a failure in his father’s eyes and couldn’t compete with his younger brother. This fueled a deep-seated hatred for his family, and he started blaming his father for his situation. Obsessed with surpassing Endeavor, he studied his every move, even at the cost of his own well-being.

Dabi’s sole motivation is hatred, making him one of the most tragic yet dangerous characters in MHA. His lack of a broader ambition leads him on a self-destructive path, with no regard for his own life.

My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 9 Review and Recap

Today’s episode starts with the news that Shoto has finally managed to defeat his brother, Dabi. Not only that, but every hero hears about it and becomes ecstatic. In one sector, Mina, Red Riot and Mineta try to defeat the group that wants to get hold of Gigantomacchia, and they, too, are overjoyed about their classmate securing his victory.

This story has also reached All Might himself, and he couldn’t be happier hearing this. At first, with the transportation of Deku to another site, felt like the whole plan would go to bust. But now that Shoto has managed to turn the tide, it feels like victory is near. All the other heroes are also hyped about this, and they get a huge morale boost with this single achievement. However, at the base where Kurogiri is captured, we have Spinner, who acquired more quirk to help him in the fight. He completely refuses to believe that Dabi, who is immensely vengeful and has the power to back it up, can be defeated so early in the battle.

Other than them, we see that Kunieda, an escapee from Tartarus, will be facing Aoyama, along with Fat Gum. But the most important clash is happening between Endeavour, Hawks and All For One. Endeavour also gets the news about his younger son defeating the older one, and even though he is sad, he sucks it up and fights his opponent. But fighting with All For One is not that easy as apart from physical prowess, he is also extremely manipulative. He starts to psychologically attack Endeavour, who is clearly distraught about his past mistakes and almost gains an upper hand, until, Earphone Jack and Tokoyami come to support him.

Verdict

This episode tried to really sell the fact that Shoto has indeed defeated Dabi, but I do not believe it. Dabi is one of the most important characters of this season and it does not make any sense to make him this weak only within one episode. I’m sure he is going to come back stronger than ever. Other than that, we now have a more or less clear picture as to who is fighting whom, and it seems that the heroes are slowly but surely gaining the upper hand.

Must Read: My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 8 Review: Dabi’s Tragic Past