My Hero Academia voice actor Masakazu Nishida, who portrays Mezo Shoji, reveals, "Honestly, I felt the most anxious," as he reflects on the upcoming Episode 152, titled "With Shoji". The synopsis and scene cuts for the highly anticipated episode have been released.

In last week's Episode 151, "Linking the Stars," Deku finally arrives at the UA Sky Coffin, leading to an intense direct showdown with Shigaraki Tomura = All For One. Deku unleashes the Quirk "Gearshift," passed down from the second wielder of One For All, completely overwhelming Shigaraki. The breathtaking battle scenes caused a stir on social media, with comments such as, "Deku is too cool!" and "The animation is Plus Ultra!" flooding the internet.

The upcoming Episode 152, airing on August 24, continues the epic clash between heroes and villains.

This episode shifts the focus to the battlefield near Central Hospital, where Spinner and other villains with mutant-type Quirks launch an assault to reclaim Kurogiri, whom All For One considers the "key" to their ultimate plan. Among them are civilians, people who have been persecuted by society due to their appearances stemming from mutant-type Quirks. With Japan in ruins, these long-harbored resentments explode, leading them to rise up alongside the villains.

Standing in their way is Mezo Shoji, a hero who also possesses a mutant-type Quirk and who was cruelly persecuted and hurt as a child. Now, he faces a dilemma: does having been hurt in the past justify hurting others now? Is there any meaning or future in such actions? Shoji cries out desperately—will his voice reach those in need?

Interview with Masakazu Nishida

– How do you feel about the story so far in Season 7, both as a performer and a viewer?

Nishida: "The story has been so intense that I find myself completely absorbed, even forgetting to breathe at times. The animation, sound, and the power of the voice performances have all been incredibly overwhelming. I really feel that this is a project being made by an extraordinary team, and I'm so happy to be part of it."

– What were your thoughts when you read the "With Shoji" episode in the original manga?

Nishida: "As a reader, I found it fascinating to see the spotlight on Shoji and the exploration of his past. But as a performer, honestly, I felt a lot of anxiety. I was worried about whether I could deliver a performance that felt natural and did justice to the character. The episode carries a strong message, and I was concerned that my portrayal might stray from what Horikoshi-sensei intended. Even from reading the manga, I knew that this would be a challenging job for me when it was adapted into anime."

– How did you prepare for the recording of "With Shoji"?

Nishida: "I wanted to improve the quality as much as possible, so I began imagining and testing out Shoji's voice long before the recording schedule was even set. I also worked on strengthening my body to the best of my ability and stayed on set during the recording of the other characters’ intense battles to absorb the atmosphere. On the day of the recording, thanks to the support of the director and the staff, I felt like they helped me reach the place where Shoji needed to be."

– Please share a message for the viewers looking forward to "With Shoji" and the rest of Season 7.

Nishida: "Thanks to the many dedicated staff members, I'm sure this episode will deliver its message clearly. I am so happy to have been part of creating 'With Shoji' as a member of this incredible team. I hope viewers will watch it closely and see what this episode has to offer. And going forward, there are still many Plus Ultra moments in store, so I look forward to continuing to enjoy Season 7 together with all of you."

Source : ORICON NEWS