My Hero Academia Episode 36: Stripping the Varnish

Thirteen traps Ochaco and Yuga, advancing on them using her Quirk. Yuga asks Ochaco if she likes Izuku, causing her to become embarrassed and let go of the rail they are holding. She flies towards Thirteen, who stops her Quirk to prevent harming the student. Ochaco then uses martial arts to pin down the hero, remembering her training. Yuga jumps on Thirteen as well, and they handcuff the hero to pass the exam.

In the monitoring room, Izuku observes that Ochaco used her close-range advantage effectively, but Tsuyu suggests Yuga might have distracted Ochaco. Tenya and Momo enter, and Izuku congratulates them on passing. They watch the sixth match begin between Principal Nezu and students Denki and Mina.

At Field Gamma, Denki and Mina plan to use electricity against the principal, believing him to be small and weak. However, Nezu operates a crane from a distance, systematically destroying buildings. His Quirk grants him high intelligence, allowing him to predict the chain reactions of his destruction. Denki and Mina attempt to reach the escape gate, but the principal consistently stays ahead, destroying all but one path. They run out of time before understanding Nezu's strategy and fail the test, revealing their weakness against intellectual opponents.

Ochaco enters the monitoring room, disappointed by Mina's failure. Tsuyu asks what Yuga said to Ochaco during their match, but Ochaco gives an evasive, embarrassed answer. The seventh match starts, featuring Present Mic against Kyoka and Koji. Kyoka suggests heading for the escape gate, but Present Mic's loud and powerful Quirk stops them. She asks Koji to use his Quirk to command birds to attack, but Koji says it won't work. Kyoka notes that Present Mic's power is a superior version of her own as he continues to barrage them with sound waves throughout the forest.

Kyoka observes an ant unaffected by the sound and asks Koji if he can control it. Koji, afraid of bugs, runs away. Kyoka manages to cancel one sound attack, but the continuous waves prevent them from advancing. She again asks Koji if he can control bugs, and he confirms he can. She pleads with him to do so, stating there is no other option.

Koji sees Kyoka bleeding from her ears and recalls his entrance exam. Blaming himself for running, he decides to embody the spirit of a U.A. student. Overcoming his fear, Koji commands bugs to attack Present Mic from underground, where sound cannot reach. Kyoka comments on him talking. The bugs overwhelm the hero, allowing Koji and Kyoka to escape. Students in the monitoring room comment on the harsh ending, while Recovery Girl expresses disappointment that her colleague was defeated by insects.

In the eighth match, Mezo and Toru are pinned down by Snipe in a corridor with pillars. Snipe throws a smoke grenade and destroys the pillar they are hiding behind. Mezo moves, noticing Toru has removed her clothes. Realizing her plan, Mezo draws Snipe's attention and is caught. This creates an opening for Toru to handcuff Snipe. The ninth match between Hanta, Minoru, and Midnight then begins.

Ochaco tells Izuku to prepare for his test against All Might, but he wants to watch everyone else first. Izuku then sees Minoru running from Midnight, complaining about the unfair matchup. Hanta has already been subdued by Midnight's Quirk after saving Minoru earlier. Recovery Girl suggests U.A. might not be suitable for Minoru due to his lack of long-term goals. Minoru eventually stops running, recalling his desire to become a hero to impress women. Midnight pursues him, forcing him to flee again. He remembers realizing after the U.S.J. attack that heroes are defined by their actions.

Midnight believes she has Minoru cornered, but he reveals he was a fan of hers and knows how to defeat her. He states his scared act was to draw her away from the escape gate. He then reveals himself with Hanta's tape wrapped around his face to nullify Midnight's Quirk. She tries to whip him, but Minoru counters with his special move, "Grape Rush." He uses his Quirk to stick Midnight and her whip to the ground far from the escape gate. Midnight is impressed by his ingenuity. Recovery Girl admits she was wrong about Minoru as he drags an unconscious Hanta through the escape gate, securing their victory.

Ochaco gestures to tell Izuku it's his turn, but he has already left. He arrives at the stage for his exam, where Katsuki is waiting. They stand in silence as their battle against All Might approaches.