Why are the My Hero Academia anime's backgrounds so controversial? Explained

My Hero Academia's anime is a very interesting case when analyzing adaptations and the way they can influence a series' public perception. Bones Studio has done a good job with Kohei Horikoshi's manga and has helped the series become a worldwide success. However, there is no denying that they have received their own fair share of criticism as well.

For example, one element of the My Hero Academia anime adaptation that has been criticized in recent seasons is the way the backgrounds are depicted. This may sound insignificant at first glance but it shows an important element of interpretation when considering Horikoshi's series. It shows how his art has changed greatly over the years, which is something that Bones has struggled with.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the My Hero Academia series.

---

The My Hero Academia anime adaptation is having some issues with the backgrounds

The more the My Hero Academia manga has progressed over the years, the more Kohei Horikoshi's art has improved and this has helped with the tone of the story. While still maintaining its hopeful message and feel, the shading and use of black on the pages have become much darker and more detailed. This gives a more precise and complex look to each chapter of the manga.

However, recent seasons, particularly the sixth and latest one, have failed to truly capture that with the backgrounds. They feel extremely similar to the first ones in style. It makes sense because Studio Bones has been using the same creative team for quite some time for this series. While their success can't be disputed, there is an argument to be made that something is lost in the translation.

Horikoshi's art is arguably the strongest element of the manga and the use of backgrounds for a darker and more particular feel affects the series in the anime. For example, the backgrounds in the sunny and optimistic Sports Festival in the second season don't look or feel very different compared to the first War arc in the sixth season, despite having very opposing tones.

---

What to expect from the seventh My Hero Academia season?

The seventh season of the anime has been confirmed to be released in April and is fair to say that Studio Bones have to win over the fandom with this one. While they already have an established style and approach with this series, this season is bound to cover the final War arc, at least when it comes to its opening stages. Thus the studio needs to bring their absolute to the table.

Considering this is probably the second-to-last season of the My Hero Academia anime, some moments are going to need top-notch animation. Star and Stripes, a character a lot of manga readers would have liked to see a lot more of, is only going to have one battle and is against Tomura Shigaraki. So hopefully the character is going to get a very decent animation treatment and the American hero can go down in a blaze of glory.

This season is also bound to cover the first couple of fights of the War arc. These could include the group of heroes including Katsuki Bakugo against Tomura Shigaraki, and others such as Endeavor against All For One and Shoto Todoroki against Dabi. Those are great moments for all the characters involved, and hopefully, Studio Bones can give them the treatment they deserve.

---

Final thoughts

The My Hero Academia anime adaptation has received criticism for the use of too many blue backgrounds that don't fit with the series' increasingly darker tones from the manga. Hopefully, this is something that the seventh season is going to remedy.