My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 10: The Girl Who Loves Smiles – A Gut-Punch of Heart and Healing

Let’s get real—after all the explosions, epic battles, and the final showdown with All For One, I thought My Hero Academia’s final season would wrap up with nonstop action. But Episode 10, “The Girl Who Loves Smiles,” took a left turn into the feels, and I’m here for every messy, human second of it.

This is the penultimate episode (only one left—can you believe it?), and instead of ramping up for another fight, it dives deep into the characters we’ve grown to love (and love to hate) as they pick up the pieces after the war. Life is slowly getting back to normal for most heroes, but as CBR put it, “not everyone is settling in to the new status quo.” And that’s where the magic of this episode lies: it’s not about who can punch hardest—it’s about who can heal.

Let’s start with Himiko Toga, the episode’s namesake. Oh man, her arc here is a gut punch. We finally get to see why she’s always grinning like she’s up to no good: that smile was a mask. As a kid, her quirk (blood manipulation) made everyone scared of her—even her own parents. She tried so hard to fit in, to smile and be the “normal” girl they wanted, but nothing worked. The flashback where she sits alone at her desk, drawing pictures of friends she doesn’t have, had me sitting there like, “Why do you have to hurt me like this, MHA?”

Toga’s not just a villain—she’s a kid who was never given a chance to be herself. When she finally lets her true feelings out (crying, yelling, saying she just wanted to be loved), it’s impossible not to sympathize. This episode reminds us that villains aren’t born—they’re made by a world that fails them. And that’s the beauty of MHA: it doesn’t just make heroes look cool; it makes villains feel human too.

Then there’s Izuku and Ochaco. After saving the world, you’d think they’d be celebrating, but no—they’re still carrying so much baggage. Izuku’s probably replaying every mistake he made during the battles, wondering if he could’ve saved more people. Ochaco, the eternal optimist, looks like she’s one bad day away from breaking. The quiet scene where they sit on a bench, not saying anything but just being there for each other, is so simple yet so powerful. Sometimes, you don’t need words to know someone’s hurting.

Some fans might complain this episode is too slow, but honestly? That’s the point. After all the nonstop action of the final season, we need these quiet beats to understand what the characters are going through. Healing takes time—you can’t fix everything with a quirk or a speech. And that’s what makes this episode so strong: it’s raw, it’s real, and it stays with you long after the credits roll.

“The Girl Who Loves Smiles” sets up the final episode perfectly by giving us closure on some of the series’ most complex characters. Toga’s story isn’t just about being a villain—it’s about being a kid who was failed by the world. And Izuku and Ochaco’s struggles remind us that even heroes have internal demons to fight.

If you’re a fan of character-driven stories over nonstop action, this episode is a must-watch. It’s the kind of episode that makes you think long after you turn off the screen: What if Toga had been given a hero to look up to? What if Izuku didn’t have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders? These are the questions that make MHA such a great show—because it doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff.

I’m already counting down the days until the final episode, but this one left me with so many feelings. It’s a reminder that heroes and villains aren’t just black and white—they’re people, with hopes, fears, and dreams. And that’s why I love My Hero Academia so much.

So grab your tissues, sit down, and watch this episode. It’s streaming on Crunchyroll right now, and trust me—you won’t regret the feels. Toga’s backstory hits hard, the quiet moments between Izuku and Ochaco are heartwarming, and this episode proves that even the slowest moments can be the most powerful.

MHA’s final season is wrapping up with a bang (well, a quiet, emotional bang), and I can’t wait to see how it all ends. But for now, “The Girl Who Loves Smiles” is a 10/10 from me. It’s the kind of episode that makes you fall in love with MHA all over again.

Go watch it. And if you do, come back and tell me—did Toga’s story make you cry? I know I did.

P.S. This is the penultimate episode, so don’t miss out. The end of an era is almost here, and this episode is the perfect setup for what’s sure to be an epic finale.

— A fellow MHA fan who’s still recovering from the feels.
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