“Long Time No See, Selkie” props up some of My Hero Academia’s worthiest 1-A students, but the unsung star of this installment is the anthropomorphic seal, Selkie the Shipwreck Hero. Selkie first made a big splash during the tail end of My Hero Academia’s second season during the onslaught against Stain. Ever since, Selkie has largely remained in the background other than Tsuyu’s fleeting interest in working for him before her priorities ultimately shifted over to Ryuku’s Hero Agency. ”Long Time No See, Selkie” gets to add a bit of closure to that lingering piece of character development when Tsuyu’s time with Ryuku directly comes to a head with Selkie’s organization and she gets to experience a little of the road not traveled.
When given the opportunity, Tsuyu Asui always rises to the occasion and proves that she’s not just some quirky frog girl. The Joint Training Competition helped demonstrate how Tsuyu has improved as a hero, but her spontaneous actions here speak even more to this. Tsuyu attempts to stop a plane with her tongue, which may not work, but it’s incredibly bad-ass and proves how she continues to grow and has become even more fearless in battle. Alternatively, the chemistry between Selkie and his second-in-command, Sirius, is really entertaining. The constant debates over whether his strange shtick is actually cute or not is a running gag that works each time. Selkie’s mighty “Selkie Punch” also blurs the lines more between this aquatic captain and Captain Falcon.
Captain Selkie and his mission make it seem like they’ll be the only heroes here, but Ryuku and her team soon play a vital role once additional air support is necessary after Selkie gets overwhelmed on the water. Tsuyu thrives with Selkie, but it’s Ryuku that gives Uraraka her biggest opportunity. Nejire Hado of the Big 3 is also an important member of this team, which helps demystify the hero a little more and make her more of an actual character. Ryuku and Nejire’s airborne sequence is really beautiful and a nice contrast to the “Oki Mariner’s” voyage, especially when these two group attacks come together. It’s an excellent counterpoint to Selkie and Tsuyu’s tandem underwater sonar maneuver. All of these Quirk attacks on the water also really make “Long Time No See, Selkie” occasionally feel like an episode of One Piece.
It’s beneficial to have these teams all work together, but “Long Time No See, Selkie” briefly turns into a beach episode with the girls while they’re allowed to enjoy some downtime before matters intensify. It’s a shame that Minoru Mineta couldn’t swing an internship with Ryuku’s Hero Agency. Also, did the episode imply that these carefree girls cooked and ate a sea turtle for their afternoon snack? This burst of fun adds to the filler nature feeling of the episode, but this temporary peace also reflects the darkness that’s on its way. Selkie can feel this and these fun and games are tolerated because it may be the last opportunity for them for a while. It’s an effective way to add tension to these lighter scenes and help justify this sillier material when the circumstances behind them are surprisingly nihilistic.
The light thief storyline culminates in Selkie and Tsuyu taking care of business on the enemy vessel, but the actual time spent with the threat is very fleeting. The majority of “Long Time No See, Selkie” is devoted to the scenic reconnaissance sequences where Selkie, Ryuku, and company search for their target, or the relaxed celebration that happens before and after it all. “Long Time No See, Selkie” aims to be a breezier episode that momentarily turns down the danger before it returns with Endeavor and his squad, but it still feels like a more effective balance could be reached here where these villains actually come across as a more substantial threat.
These enemies are non-entities and they become excuses to show off everyone else’s powers and teamwork rather than amounting to a real danger. It’s still very effective how “Long Time No See, Selkie” gives everyone their opportunity to shine. The climax where Sirius and Uraraka work together and give this encounter a glorious aerial finish is a satisfying way to properly play all of these characters to their strengths. It’s also a lot easier to be on point and focused on success when the prospect of a beachside barbecue looms overhead as the reward. Uraraka temporarily has to go all Sully Sullenberger, but it’s an exciting finish that’s a change of pace for how most situations in My Hero Academia get resolved. Her new hero costume is also a blast.