My Hero Academia season 8 episode 3 review: Did Studio Bones do Justice to Bakugo vs. All for One?

When I say My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 3 absolutely blew me away, I mean it literally, like Bakugo’s explosions themselves reached through the screen and slapped me in the face with pure sakuga brilliance.

I was already excited when the staff lineup was revealed on Twitter; names like Vincent Chansard, Kouhei, Honehone, and Nanami had me expecting something beautiful. But what the team delivered wasn’t just “beautiful.” It was a once-in-a-generation anime episode.

This was Studio Bones at their absolute peak, and honestly, this might be my favorite episode in the entire series. From the very first frame of My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 3, you could tell something special was brewing. The lighting, the pacing, the atmosphere, everything screamed “movie-level production.”

The moment Bakugo came back into action felt like time itself froze. The raindrops slowed, All Might was seconds from doom, and then BOOM, our boy exploded back onto the battlefield.

Bakugo in My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 3 streaked across the sky like a meteor, propelled by Deku’s Gearshift, and every bit of animation in that sequence looked handcrafted with love. I got chills seeing the camera spin with him through explosions that glowed like firecrackers in a storm.

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Bakugo’s emotional breakthrough

And let’s talk about the emotional side of My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 3. Bakugo’s grin, that childlike, innocent smile when he saw All Might again, hit me right in the chest. For years, this character carried guilt and frustration, blaming himself for All Might’s fall. And now here he was, saving his hero, not out of pity or anger, but pure respect and admiration.

That little arm brace All Might handed him wasn’t just a piece of support gear; it was symbolic. “This is all I can give you,” All Might said, and it carried decades of meaning. It wasn’t a gift to a student anymore; it was an acknowledgment between equals. Seeing Bakugo beam like that was one of those “I’m not crying, you’re crying” moments.

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Animation and sound: Pure brilliance

Studio Bones didn’t just do justice to Bakugo vs. All For One; they elevated it to legend status. Every explosion looked tangible, every impact felt like a thunderclap.

The sound design deserves its own award. From the crackle of Bakugo’s quirk to the distorted echo of AFO’s power, the episode sounded as alive as it looked. Even AFO’s horror-stricken expression when Bakugo appeared was priceless, like he’d just realized the universe itself had decided to bully him back.

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My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 3: Emotion in motion

The choreography was intense, but what stood out most wasn’t complex martial arts; it was emotion in motion. My Hero Academia has always favored feelings over finesse, and this episode was no exception.

Every blow told a story. You could feel Bakugo’s desperation, his determination to protect All Might, and that insane, almost divine energy he radiated in the face of evil. The animators used chaos as language, and every frame spoke of catharsis.

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Fandom’s reaction and the updated opening

What also made me grin ear to ear was the updated opening. When Bakugo showed up in My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 3 opening, I literally pointed at the screen like the Leonardo DiCaprio meme. It felt like the show itself was saying, “Yeah, he’s back, and this is his moment.” The fandom knew it too; the reaction online was electric.

Reddit threads were filled with people cheering, crying, and even joking about “Bakugo committing elder abuse on AFO.” But beyond the jokes, there’s genuine admiration. This episode reminded me why I’ve stuck with My Hero Academia for nearly a decade.

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Final Verdict

So, did Studio Bones do justice to Bakugo vs. All For One? Without a shadow of a doubt, yes. They didn’t just do it justice, they redefined what justice looks like. My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 3 is pure cinematic brilliance: heartfelt, explosive, and unforgettable.

If this is what Bones is bringing to the table for the rest of the season, I can’t wait to see what kind of emotional chaos they’ll unleash next. Bakugo would never settle for less, and neither would they.