The hit series returns with style but carries some familiar flaws.

Part 2 of Sakamoto Days picks up the pace and raises the stakes in all the right ways. The retired hitman turned family-man Sakamoto is drawn further back into the world he tried to escape, and the show uses that setup to deliver flashier action, more ruthless villains, and bigger conspiracies. The good news: the ambition is clear. The less good news: the execution still stumbles in places.

Bigger Threats, Deeper Past

This second batch brings in new adversaries, elite assassins, and a villain known as Slur whose motives go far beyond simple chaos. We get more of Sakamoto’s past-life creeping back in, and the way the show links his old world with the current threat is effective. There are high-stakes missions, moral compromises, and the sense that Sakamoto’s peaceful life is a fragile illusion.

Animation and Tone: Upgrades and Weak Spots

Visually, Part 2 shows real improvement. Fight scenes flow better, frames feel more detailed, and the energy is higher than the show’s first run. That said, some episodes still lean heavily on action set-pieces rather than character moments, and when the story slows down the momentum can dip. Some critics highlight that while the animation jumps ahead, storytelling hasn’t fully closed the gap yet.

Character Moments and Missed Potential

Characters like Shin and Lu step up this season. Shin’s powers evolve in interesting ways, and Lu’s role expands. But the core cast still gets less emotional weight than you might hope, given how much setup the earlier episodes laid down. Many scenes feel built for spectacle rather than inner struggle.

Final Verdict

Sakamoto Days Part 2 is a thrilling ride for fans of big action and slick assassin-drama. It improves in visuals and scale and sets promising new directions. But for those looking for deeper narrative payoff or emotional depth, it falls just short of its ambition.

Score: 7.5 out of 10.

Strong upgrades, fun moments, but still holding back from being truly great.

My Hero Academia steps into its last stretch with a premiere that feels like a deep breath before a long, brutal sprint. The episode wastes little time reminding viewers how fractured the world has become. Cities lie in ruins, trust in heroes has collapsed, and even the strongest characters carry the weight of the previous battles in their eyes. It is not flashy or explosive in every moment, but it sets the tone for a finale that is determined to tie every thread together.

A World Past the Breaking Point

The premiere opens in a society that no longer resembles the hopeful world of early seasons. Civilians are exhausted, the remaining Pro Heroes are running on fumes, and the villains are bolder than ever. The show leans into this atmosphere with a confidence that makes the stakes feel heavier than before.

Instead of rushing into action, the episode wisely centers on the aftermath. All Might, once a symbol of absolute strength, is now a man held together by pure resolve. His presence is quieter, his posture weaker, but his impact is sharper than ever. Every scene he appears in underscores just how far this conflict has pushed him.

The slow, grim pacing in these moments pays off. You can feel the end approaching.

All Might vs. All For One Begins Its Final Chapter

The premiere’s biggest highlight is the early confrontation between All Might and All For One. It is less about fists and more about tension, ideology, and the raw hatred that has built between them for decades. Even in his weakened state, All Might stands tall with an intensity the series has not shown in years.

All For One continues to be a chilling presence, but the premiere adds a layer of desperation to him that hints his time is running out. Their verbal clash carries as much emotional weight as any fight they’ve had in the past.

It is clear the season is laying the groundwork for a showdown that will define the entire franchise.

A Strong Emotional Core

While the plot moves slowly in parts, there is a clear intention behind the pacing. The premiere focuses heavily on reflection and emotional payoff, giving characters room to breathe after the catastrophic battles of the previous season.

Izuku Midoriya in particular feels more composed. He has shed the frantic energy he carried through the Dark Deku arc and stands more firmly in his role as the future of hero society. His scenes are short here, but they are purposeful, signaling that he is ready for what is coming.

Visuals and Direction Hold Steady

The episode’s animation is not trying to shock with spectacle, but the quieter artistic choices land well. Lighting, framing, and still moments do most of the heavy lifting. The few bursts of action are crisp and well edited, giving a reassuring glimpse of what the season will look like when the major battles begin.

The soundtrack returns with familiar motifs, but with darker undertones that match the story's somber direction.

Where the Premiere Slows Down

There is a noticeable portion of the episode dedicated to recap and reorientation. While helpful for setting up the final conflict, it occasionally stalls the momentum. Some sequences repeat visual footage from previous seasons, which may feel unnecessary for dedicated fans who already know this material by heart.

Still, for a series entering its last season, the slower pacing can be forgiven. The episode seems more interested in reaffirming emotional stakes than rushing to the next explosion.

Verdict

The Final Season premiere of My Hero Academia is not the flashiest opener the series has had, but it is one of its most grounded and emotionally focused. It sets up the last act with clarity, intensity, and a sense of weariness that suits a world on the edge of collapse. If this episode is any indication, the final season is preparing for a powerful end.

Score: 8 out of 10. Great.

A thoughtful and heavy premiere that lays strong foundations for the series’ final chapter, even if some pacing choices slow it down.

The latest run of Dr. Stone: the “Science Future” arc continues to impress as it steers toward its final act. Part 2 of this season picks up the pace, raises the questions, and positions the series not just as a shonen about rebuilding humanity, but one about who controls the future.

From Invention to Power Struggles

What the show does so well in these episodes is shift from “build the technology” to “decide the rules for using it.” The Medusa devices—which can petrify or grant immortality—take center stage. It’s no longer just about surviving or rebuilding: it’s about what kind of society you want to rebuild. That puts characters like Senku in rare territory: he’s not just creating things, he’s deciding what they should be used for.

Character Moments With Weight

Senku, Tsukasa, Suika and the rest all get meaningful moments. Senku has to face the fact that his scientific genius also comes with ethical weight. Tsukasa’s warnings about technology’s misuse feel more grounded than ever. And Suika is finally allowed to step up in her own right, not just as a side character, but as someone who has lived through the Stone World and is ready to lead. All of these shifts feel earned.

The Finale Sets Up the Endgame

Part 2 ends in an episode that feels like both a victory and a turning point. The immediate threat is handled, but the show leaves you anticipating something even bigger. Are the Medusas really human-made? Is there something beyond Earth responsible? The finale teases these questions boldly, giving fans room to wonder—and setting the table for a high-stakes conclusion.

Presentation and Tone

The production keeps its signature smart-shonen blend of science, action and humor, but with deeper shadows creeping in. The animation handles large scale moments and also holds together when the drama is quiet. The soundtrack leans into tension instead of just whimsy. This season feels more mature without losing the fun.

Verdict

Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 2 is a strong middle piece of what will be the show’s final chapter. If you loved the imaginative inventions in earlier seasons, you’ll appreciate the way this one asks bigger questions.

Score: 9 out of 10.

A thrilling run that makes you excited for what comes next.