The overall composition of the second My Hero Academia season works relatively well, focusing on a narrative framework around the first trimester and showcasing the various activities and milestones of the students during this time. What would have made it even more organic would have been individual classroom situations that could have embedded the whole experience a bit more. Instead, the larger events were so central that they were perceived less as events.

The individual events were mostly well-executed. All three rounds of the tournament were distinct, featuring creative character constellations where Deku's ability to plan and strategize took the spotlight without making him overpowering. Particularly, Shoto's character journey was portrayed believably, helping to characterize him, but given that it was a tournament arc, the focus on individual characters and fights was a bit too narrow. Shoto/Deku, Ochako/Bakugo, and Shoto/Bakugo were all very strong, but many others felt like nothing more but a footnote, especially in a tournament setting that offers the opportunity to subtly delve into deeper stories about characters and their relationships.

A similar ambivalence extends to the internships. While it was a great moment for characters like Deku, facing the challenges he's been struggling with since the first episode, and Shoto, putting the lessons from the tournament into practice and showing character growth, they somewhat took the focus away from Tenya, who was emotionally most invested in the conflict. This slightly diminished the strong personal connection that I appreciated in each conflict in Season 1. However, I found it fitting that the internships varied in quality, from exciting adventures like Tsuyu's to dull patrols like Bakugo's, creating a realistic picture of the life as a hero and the different personalities at play.

The practical exam, on the other hand, was another highlight. All characters were put into situations where they had to overcome their weaknesses or break under pressure and had to coordinate with their partners. No character was left behind, and by the end, it was clear why they either failed or succeeded. Additionally, many teachers were properly showcased for the first time.

What was somewhat peculiar was the League of Villains, which lurks in the background but currently appears so incompetent and passive that I'm curious if they will ever become a serious threat. However, I'm very intrigued to see how the All-for-One and One-for-All lore will develop.

Overall, I found this season weaker than the first, but I can appreciate how, despite some issues, the series still manages to juggle so many characters without egregiously neglecting some or disproportionately highlighting others. The narrative framework that spans all these arcs has turned them into a coherent whole, clearly showcasing the strengths of the seasonal format. At times, it feels like there was a lot of setup in this season for concepts and story arcs that will pay off later, so I'm eagerly looking forward to Season 3.