My Hero Academia Episode 81: School Festival

Aizawa announces to Class 1-A that U.A. will hold a **school festival**, and the class immediately starts arguing over what they should do for it. The episode then follows three parallel threads: the class choosing a performance, Izuku and Mirio visiting Eri in the hospital, and a new villain calling himself **Gentle Criminal** making a flashy crime video with his partner **La Brava**.

Aizawa explains that the festival is meant to give students and staff a chance to relax after the strain of recent events, and the class begins tossing around ideas for their contribution. Suggestions range from lighthearted and silly to more ambitious, but the discussion gets nowhere for a while because everyone has different preferences. Mina Ashido helps Izuku and Aoyama practice dancing, which makes the idea of a performance feel more viable. After the debate continues into the evening, Shoto proposes that Class 1-A put on a **music-and-dance show**. The idea gains traction, and the class starts settling into a plan centered on a live performance.

The episode then shifts to Eri in the hospital, where Izuku and Mirio visit her. Her condition has stabilized, but she is still quiet and withdrawn. Izuku and Mirio try to cheer her up, and Izuku becomes determined to help her experience something joyful rather than only safety and recovery. He asks Aizawa whether Eri might be allowed to attend the school festival, and Aizawa says he will try to get permission from the principal.

While the festival planning continues, the episode introduces **Gentle Criminal** and **La Brava**. Gentle robs a convenience store in a theatrical manner and easily defeats the heroes who arrive to stop him, treating the whole incident as part of his performance. He records the encounter and uploads it online, clearly wanting attention and recognition for his crimes. The episode ends with this pair framed as the looming disruption to the festival and the class’s hopeful preparations.