My Hero Academia Episode 20: Victory or Defeat

The first match of the finals begins with Izuku Midoriya and Hitoshi Shinso. Izuku suddenly stops moving, and the announcer attributes this to Hitoshi's Quirk. Another commentator notes that Hitoshi's powerful Quirk, which allows him to control anyone who talks to him, highlights a flaw in the U.A. Entrance Exam's focus on combat against robotic villains.

Hitoshi tells Izuku he is fortunate to have a heroic Quirk and orders him to walk out of bounds. Izuku obeys, moving towards the edge of the ring despite internal struggle. He remembers Mashirao Ojiro's warning about Hitoshi's Quirk and how Mashirao was brainwashed during the Cavalry Battle until he bumped into another student. Izuku realizes he could have avoided this by not speaking to Hitoshi.

As Izuku nears the boundary, he sees a vision of eight silhouettes. Suddenly, his power activates, allowing him to move his fingers and break Hitoshi's control. Hitoshi watches in dismay and tries to make Izuku speak again. Izuku, now aware of Hitoshi's Quirk, avoids talking and focuses on the fight. Hitoshi tries to provoke Izuku by discussing the perceived disadvantage of his own Quirk compared to Izuku's.

Despite feeling sympathy for Hitoshi, Izuku continues to fight, attempting to push him out of bounds. Hitoshi punches Izuku, targeting his previously injured fingers, and tries to push him. Izuku counters with a shoulder throw, sending Hitoshi out of the ring.

Hitoshi, defeated, recalls his past where classmates often called his Quirk villainous, yet he remained determined to become a hero. Izuku is declared the winner. A commentator remarks that Izuku used every trick he learned at U.A. to win.

After the match, Izuku asks Hitoshi about his motivation to be a hero. Hitoshi replies that he cannot help what his heart desires. Izuku reflects on how he can relate to Hitoshi, believing he was similar before gaining his power. As Hitoshi leaves, his classmates congratulate him, and Pro Heroes are overheard praising his abilities despite him not being in the Hero Course. Hitoshi tells Izuku he will still become a hero.

Izuku goes to the nurse's office to have his injuries treated. He tells All Might about his vision, but All Might seems unaware of it. All Might suggests Izuku's passion, not the vision, allowed him to overcome Hitoshi's power, which Izuku finds unsatisfactory. After Izuku leaves, All Might and the nurse discuss the vision, with All Might stating that Izuku seeing him in the vision is "a good thing."

Shoto Todoroki encounters his father, Endeavor, on his way to the ring. Endeavor criticizes Shoto's behavior, calling it a childish rebellion. Shoto, irritated, declares he will win the tournament without using his fire abilities. Endeavor responds that Shoto will soon reach the limits of his mother's power, which visibly angers Shoto.

Izuku returns to the stands, receiving a congratulatory nod from Mashirao. The next match begins between Hanta Sero and Shoto. Hanta starts strong, nearly pushing Shoto out of the ring. Shoto, fueled by his anger, retaliates by freezing Hanta in a large ice formation. Everyone is surprised by Shoto's power. The referee confirms Hanta is immobilized, giving Shoto the win. Shoto apologizes to Hanta for his excessive use of power, blaming his anger. He uses his left arm to melt the ice, and Izuku observes that Shoto appears very sad.