Based On My Tweet:

So this kind of dialogue from Rei really put me off when these chapters first came out. But it's significantly less jarring after the later context and after just gaining more life experience.

The Hellish Todoroki Family Subplot can be viewed as an allegory for the different responses to abuse. For that allegory to be complete, someone had to stay with/prop up Enji because some victims of domestic violence choose not to leave even when given a real opportunity to do so.

And though it seems counterintuitive, it actually makes the most sense for Rei to fulfill this role than any of the Todoroki children. Look, I've met more domestic violence survivors than most people. It's an unfortunate trend but from observation, the most severely abused are the ones more likely to return to their abusers.

However, it's still annoying that Rei's portion of the narrative is primarily covering for Endeavor. Rei making bad life decisions isn't the problem. The issue is there needed to be more from Rei to make this not feel like abuse apologia.

There were plot points from canon to work with to accomplish that. Rei was raised by a clan that was eugenicist and was selling off its members including herself to maintain its lifestyle. Did Rei grow up in an abusive household making it difficult for her to grapple with the severity of Enji's actions? Was she numb to Enji's quirk marriage scheme because everyone in her family was involved in quirk eugenics? Enji visited Rei and left flowers but there was nothing to indicate that any of the Himuras visited. Does she lean on Enji because the Himuras abandoned her?

Having the domestic abuse victim who was still hospitalized from that abuse say everyone should give Endeavor a chance actually without more context just feels gross. The dialogue itself isn't the problem. Given the sensitivity needed to properly handle an issue like domestic violence, more was needed to show that what Rei said here shouldn't be taken at face value.

Thanks, Anon!

-submit your poll!-

i am so easily impressed by trees

Happy divorce party for Rei 💙❄️

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PS This was originally a polaroid strip print that I sent to my patreons last month! If you want some cute merch every month consider supporting me at patreon.com/beibi 🌻♥👁👁

Trios that would have been more compelling and less obnoxious than the "Wonder Trio":

Izuku, Tenya, Ochako: This needs no explanation

Izuku, Tenya, Shouto: Again, this really needs no champion vouching for it. The Stain arc and the subsequent character work that came with it will never be matched by any other arc in MHA.

Izuku, Denki, Yuga: These three all have self-harming quirks that can be really dangerous and inconvenient during a battle. It was truly a lost opportunity to see these three bond over their issues. Making Izuku and Yuga being close friends right off the bat would've have been really beneficial in sowing the traitor plot point early on and would've have also been far more devastating for Izuku during the reveal. And honestly, Yuga being formerly quirkless and having a self-harming quirk is a much better narrative parallel than the "Save to Win and Win to Save" bullshit that we got. Denki and Yuga just seem like they'd have really good chemistry.

Izuku, Tenya, Momo: These 3 intelligent specimens would've have been extremely overpowered if Hori actually cared enough to develop them. Also, Momo would get to shine because her quirk is powerful as hell (I actually head canon that she has the strongest/most versatile quirk in 1A and maybe enough the BNHA verse as a whole) and it's a crime that her intelligence and OP quirk went underutilized. Also, Momo and Izuku helping each other through their lack of self confidence would have been really touching and maybe have Izuku reflect on his life and how he was treated pre OFA. Momo and Tenya also seemed really no nonsense in the beginning when she ruthlessly criticized Bakugou, so this could help Izuku cut Bakugou off much earlier and allow him to grow.

Izuku, Tsuyu, Mineta: Yes I know, I know. Mineta sucks. But even so, these three were super compelling and interesting to watch during the USJ arc. The ways in which they used their quirks to escape death has way more charm and personality in their hair follicles than post season 3 ShoBakuDeku have in their entire bodies. Also, since Tsuyu was one of the first to call Bakugou out, I feel like her bluntness would be a really good reality check for Izuku to realize that the way Bakugou (and Aizawa) treat him is not okay. Also, Mineta already idolizes Izuku (which is actually sort of sweet) so this could have been used to develop his character rather than the awful and repetitive perv shtick that we're unfortunately stuck with.

Izuku, Shoji, Tokoyami: Like with the above trio, their forest camp sequence in trying to escape dark shadow has more personality and authenticity in their hair follicles than anything having to do with the stupid wonder trio. After all, the whole thing started because of Tokoyami witnessing Shoji being harmed by moonfish, which feels really raw and touching. Shoji also carrying Izuku on his back is super cute. These three also could've been used to address quirk-based discrimination, which is basically that backbone of BNHA's premise (even if it is always glossed over). Tokoyami and Shoji would've had to be victims of heteromorph discrimination (I think it was even confirmed in later chapters) which could drawn the three to each other. No offense to Shouto (and full offense of Bakugo) the two of them could never really relate to Izuku's trauma especially since Bakugou is responsible for 85% of it. They're both rich, they were both born with extremely powerful quirks. While Shouto is tragic because he was abused, he also benefits from the system of powerful quirks being favored which makes the two of them privileged. I also feel like Shoji and Tokoyami finding out about OFA and Izuku's previous quirklessness would just strengthen their bond and would motivate them to help and protect Izuku in any way they can unlike Bakugou who was a total nuisance the entire time.

Izuku, Mei, Ochako: Again, like with the last two, their admittedly limited time on screen together has more charm and personality than the stupid Wonder Trio.

These are the ones that I could think of from the top of my head. Feel free to add anymore.

These are all so cool! I especially liked Izuku, Denki, and Yuga. I always thought Izuku and Denki should have had more interactions anyway. And of course I love Izuku's scenes with Yuga. This is definitely a more unique one.

I would add Izuku, Momo, and Shoto to the list because I love the thought of Izuku being super intimidated by them only to be like, "Oh, oh no they're just isolated rich kids who have never talked to another kid their age and they're mine now" and adopts them.

Also, Izuku, Fumikage, and Shoto. I feel like they're fun.

It's not an Izuku trio but I'd also love Ochako, Tsu, and Momo just because they're best girls

雨の日

Hehe couldn't resist 😊💖 Based on that one photo of Daiki and Nobuhiko

i have spinner brainrot

side note more people should make characters schizospec. just for shits and also because everybody loves us forever

All Might sketchbook entry

rehhehehe :3 I can’t stop. Don’t mind the random eraser bits