My Hero Academia: School Briefs, Vol. 4: Festival For All

My Hero Academia Light Novels #4

by Anri Yoshi

Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy.

Prose short stories featuring the everyday school lives of My Hero Academia’s fan-favorite characters.

Though U.A. High trains aspiring heroes, the school still holds plenty of normal events, like the school festival, for students from all of U.A.’s educational courses. In an effort to delight and entertain their peers, the students of class 1-A pour their hearts and souls into staging a live concert at the festival. Even if their performance and some other events end up a little quirky, the whole thing ought to be a blast!

Genres: Manga, Light Novel, Fantasy, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult

265 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2019

Reviews

[sally ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

That last story with the drunk U.A. teachers has to be the most hilarious and awkward thing I've read in a while.

also, Izuku is such a nerd, I love him so much.

[Christy Rasmussen · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are light, fun reads. You get to explore the MHA world a bit more outside of just class 1-A. This one was a bit of a struggle to get through. The section of class 1-B's skit was really tedious. The chapters at the end made up for it, fortunately.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The newest installment of MHA: School Briefs brings us six stories that happen before, during, and after the school festival. Instead of focusing the story on one individual character, the POVs float around a bit to encompass a number of people.

Part 1: Starts off with Mirio's POV after leaving Sir Nighteye's office right after Midoriya failed his test but was accepted into the agency anyway.

It then switches to Tokoyami, training under Hawks who asks a series of questions about Endeavor and Shoto Todoroki that make Tokoyami suspicious of Hawks true motives.

Then it stops briefly at Ryukyu's office where Nejire, Uraraka, and Asui are gossiping about school lunches.

Before finally arriving in Osaka with Kirishima, Amajiki, and Fat Gum patrolling a rowdy festival. The trio are forced to break apart, with Amajiki and Kirishima going undercover as festival goers to try to find a bank robber. While patrolling Kirishima and Amajiki run into a young man named Ei who always dreamed of being a cartwright, an accident has left him unsure of if his dream is meant to be even. Being reminded of himself, Kirishima gives the man a pep talk but is soundly dejected when the young man decides to quit his position right after.

Shortly after the bank robber is found and takes a young boy hostage, leaving Kirishima and his new friend Ei to use their wits, experience, and new found confidence to try to save him.

Part 2: Starts off with the festival prep underway. The story begins with Aizawa visiting Eri in the hospital before switching the rest of the chapter to Shinso's POV.

This chapter covers some of Shinso's internal struggles with a potential transfer to the hero course, how he feels about Class 1-A (Midoriya in particular) as he passes by them and eavesdrops on their own preparations, the guilt he feels over using his quirk during the tournament, and touches on how he feels about becoming an apprentice to Aizawa.

It was fun to learn that the overly serious and stern Shinso is actually very sensitive and has a sense of humor deep down.

Part 3: Covers the entirety of Class 1B's play, written entirely by Monoma (who swears its an original work and anything that seems like it comes from other things is totally a coincidence).

This is actually my least favorite chapter and it felt like it was dragged out far too much. It literally covered every minute detail of the play. A book I would have devoured in one day took me two just because I couldn't stand this chapter.

Nothing against Class B, it just felt unnecessary and was totally awkward to read the worst fanfiction mash up in history. It also didn't really give Class B much of a chance to shine or show their true personalities. It focused mostly on their jobs and the characters they were playing.

Part 4: Contains Kendo's POV involving the Beauty Pageant.

Of all the stories in this book, this is my second favorite. It gave us a more in depth look at the seemingly arrogant Bibimi Kenranzaki and how bonds between women are stronger than the petty underhanded cattiness generally portrayed in movies and stories. It also challenges the perception that the only way a woman can be traditionally beautiful is by being a Barbie Doll instead of just being herself.

The only complaint I had was how talkative and comfortable Amajiki (who suffers maximum levels of social anxiety) was around a group of complete strangers.

Part 5: Covers class 1-A walking around the festival enjoying it and getting into trouble. The chapter begins with Eri walk around with her favorite people.

It also covers the rest the class. Including Bakugo, Kirishima, and Ojiro doing obstacle courses. Tokoyami, Todoroki, and Koda riding a kiddie train with the ever serious Ida. Ashido, Kaminari, Mineta, and Hagakure going through Shinso's classes haunted house, and Aoyama getting caught up into a job he didn't want at a takoyaki stand with Sato and Shoji. Jiro and Yaoyorozu bonding after the music festival.

The chapter ends with the class coming together to celebrate and a challenge from Bakugo to Midoriya about the obstacle courses next year.

Part 5: Is the teachers celebrating back in their dorms. They talk about the day, where Eri will sleep, and end up partying and display their secret talents as a drinking game. Until they're caught goofing off by Principal Nezu.

[Marjo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love those tie-in light novels so much! The fun, slice-of-life downtime of UA high that the main story can't focus on; I live for it!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the previous three, this was yet another simple light novel that filled in some gaps during the School Festival and gave more behind the scenes to some of the scenes in the anime.

Admittedly some stories were quite boring and I found myself skim reading them (the first one and the story that followed class 1-B and their performance). I definitely enjoyed the appearance of more of the characters, especially one of my favourites- Tamaki Amajiki. Seeing more of the work studies was interesting, and the subtle hints at the main plot to come in the manga/anime was cool to see.

The rest of the stories were so heartwarming though. The prepping for the school festival was interesting to see, and we even got a story from Shinso who is an interesting character. The beauty pagent story with Kendo, Neijire and Mei was sweet, I really enjoyed the talks of not looking or acting feminine but still feeling it, Kendo and Mei are such awesome role models when it comes to being strong and smart!

The fifth story was by far my favourite though, since it was about all the characters enjoying the festival and the activities offered. I particularly loved seeing little Eri laugh and have the childlike wonder she deserves, as usual Midoriya and Togata are the best big brothers, and Aizawa is such a dad to everyone (ugh, I love him!). I loved the small details and snippets of information we learn, like how Midoriya gets Eri the candy apple and Aizawa taking Eri to a cat cafe.

The final story followed the staff of UA finally relieved that the school festival is over. As usual, seeing all the teachers together is always so funny, especially Aizawa and Present Mic. I loved how the staff made fun of Aizawa for getting Eri cat clothes, and seeing their 'magic tricks'. The ending wraps up sudden but happy, and I can't wait to read the next book.

3/5 🌟

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite so far in this series, but it’s still my wacky superhero babies so I still enjoyed it overall

My favorite story is definitely “Festival For All” because watching these goofy teens have fun is always a delight, plus Eri with Deku and Togata? Pure, wholesome adorableness. I melt every time she admires them, it’s so sweet and cute. 🥰

I do wish Mineta would shut up though, his pervy comments went TOO far this time and nearly ruined the entire book but thankfully there were only two so it only ruined those parts, heh. Also Thirteen was misgendered as a guy again, which makes me wonder when the mangaka decided she was female since Volume 5 of this series has her as a “she”, but at least it happened so oh well for this time, haha.

I did skip the story about Class-B’s play because I really don’t care about those characters plus I don’t really want to know details, as the bit we get in the manga/anime is enough for me in all its brief hilarity and I’d rather leave it as a comical mystery.

Overall fun but underwhelming compared to volumes 3 and 5.


‼️Content‼️

Language: heck; heckuva; ass; hell; damn; damn it; crud; sucks; crap; what the hell; gah; what the heck; freaking; screw this up

Violence: fighting with weapons, superpowers, and hand to hand (PG); a villain takes a kid hostage and threatens him with a knife (nothing happens)

Sexual: a teen guy is a pervert; “pervy crap”; a teen guy makes a couple of medium suggestive suggestions/comments including one referring to “licking a banana” (not shown as positive behavior)

Alcohol/Drugs: a mention of a superhero removing drug; adults drink beer and get drunk

Other: superheroes/supervillains/superpowers

[Helen Praspro · Rating 4 out of 5]

چهارمین ناول آکادمی قهرمانی من. کوتاه، شیرین، و پر از مومنت های پشت صحنه ای از شخصیت هایی که زیاد ازشون چیزی نمیبینیم! موضوع این ناول جشنواره‌ی فرهنگیه. از نمایش کلاس B گرفته، تا افکار شینسو یه کم قبل از آرک تمرین مشترک کلاس a و b. البته من حس می کنم به جز قسمت نمایش کلاسی B، بقیه ی ناول به خوبی سه تای قبلی نبود.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love my queens Hatsume, Kendo and Hado, and Monoma the diva was truly born to be on stage lol.

1 star off because I had really expected and hoped for more Class A content in this. The school festival arc is one of my favourites and I would’ve loved to see some more behind-the-scenes shenanigans from the band and dance practices and performance.

[Beni · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a fun read I have loved the last three volumes the first was not my thing but this adds to the story in an odd way. Not sure I want another U.A. teachers are drunk story but the story with Eri made me smile it was so cute.

[Lexine Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I adore this spin-off series of light novels. As a big fan of the main series, I'm always eager to soak up any extra content on this world and its characters, and this series is no exception. School Briefs 4 is set during the 4th season of the anime, during the Work Studies/Overhaul arc and the U.A. School Festival arc.

The main reason I enjoy these light novels is because they flesh out characters by providing extra scenes with them, in particular those who don't get a lot of screentime in the main series due to them not being that closely connected to the plot. This novel highlights many characters who I wished we could've seen more of in the main series, starting with those involved in the Work Studies arc.

The first story focuses on Kirishima and his development as a hero; how he's changed from when he was a shy, nervous teen. He works with Fat Gum and Amajiki during a festival which the trio patrol, and Kirishima's warm and kind personality shines through as the heroes have to take down a threat. It was also cool to learn the inspiration behind Kirishima's final push to begin training in preparation for the U.A. entry exams, featuring a certain green-haired student's actions during his middle-school days. We're also given snippets of other work studies, such as Uraraka and Asui's as they work with Ryukyu and Hado. The focus of the main series was of course on Deku and Mirio during this arc, but this novel gives us little snippets as to what everyone else was getting up to at the time.

Then the following stories are about the U.A. School festival, highlighting even more characters, such as Shinsou Hitoshi! I was so happy to see him again. It was so interesting to get inside his head as he helped his 1-C classmates prepare their haunted house for the festival, seeing how he perceives his classmates in 1-C and those in 1-B and 1-A. We even get some Aizawa and Shinsou interaction! He's my favourite character of the series, and I hope that we get to see more of him in both these light novels and the main series (and possibly other spin-offs too, like Team-Up Missions).

Mixed in with casual, slice of life scenes of several of the U.A. kids (which is always lovely to see and a nice change from seeing the kids always fighting for their lives against villains), we get to see the other events of the festival that were only really shown in a slideshow in the anime, if I recall correctly. First we get a full recount of the 1-B play from start to finish, which had me physically laughing out loud, it was so amusing. Then there's the beauty pageant with a mixture of 1-B and support course characters, Shinsou and 1-C's haunted house, food stalls, and obstacle courses, among others. We get to see what else was happening at the festival as 1-A performed their show, giving more screentime to many characters who deserve it!

The highlight was definitely getting to see more of little Eri. We see how she is around Mirio, Deku, and my personal favourite, Aizawa. We see more of how she opened up after the festival and is really starting to become a kid, like she should be. It's also adorable to see how everyone treats her.

We even get a chapter featuring the U.A. teachers kicking back and relaxing after the festival, having drinks together in the teachers' dorm. Through them we get to learn more about each of the teachers when they're not in 'teacher mode', but also about the festival, and how there used to be a section where the teachers themselves would perform! Oh how I wish they could've performed this year!

Overall, this was a hilarious read that's silly, fun, and light-hearted. If you're a My Hero Academia fan, I highly recommend picking it up.

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[♡ India ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute and quick read. While it was nothing extraordinary, it was super sweet and heart-warming, especially any chapters with Eri. I didn't actually read the chapter with Class 1B's performance since I don't care much for those characters, but I'm sure it was good. As for the rest of the chapters, I enjoyed reading them. Though I did skim through the last chapter with the teachers, because the idea of them actually being grown-up and referring to things you wouldn't expect would be referred in MHA because it's a kid show is just weird. The cover is really cute and I like the addition of different panels in the background, and the blue text with the brown backdrop fits perfectly. The writing was good, while it was cheesy most of the time and in a way cringe, the demographic for this book is for younger kids so I can't really complain there.

That's all I've got to say without spoiling it, but if you like MHA and want more content with the characters without too many action, I definitely recommend picking this up and trying it out! There's 4 other volumes of School Briefs so I'll make sure to read the rest as soon as possible.

[Nanalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I preferred the chapters towards the end. Some sections were longer than others when I felt it could have been used to talk about other characters preparation for the school festival or their activities at it. My favorite chapter would probably be with Ida and Todoroki being worried about Midoriya. Their friendship is so precious. I love how they joked about Midoriya being late and calling it baby’s first errand. Mineta too I thought was really wilding in this volume of school briefs during the harem dance practice and the candied fruit party. The jokes in this volume of school briefs I actually found to be pretty funny.

I like how they had a character sheet for the students in class 1 A and B, but I wished they showed all the members of class B in it. There were several people in the book that played crucial roles in the play but their picture wasn’t there. Class 1 B isn’t shown that much in the anime so I tend to forgot their names. I kind of wish they had their pictures so I could easily picture who was talking.

All in all, an enjoyable read for any fans of MHA. Would recommend especially if one was curious what 1B’s play is about.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked up the fourth volume in the series, I was just as excited to read it like I did when reading the other volumes. Now after reading it, I found that for the most part, the book was enjoyable. However, I did find some of the stories to be rather dull compared to the others. That aside, I still quite enjoyed the book nonetheless. Like this volume's previous installments, this book truly captured the feeling of everyday life at U.A. High. It really expressed the excitement and joy found in festivals. While there might have been some stories lacking in the excitement, I still rather enjoyed the collection of stories. With all that said, I cannot wait for the next volume when it comes to shelves.

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The third book is easily the best in this series of light novels. There were some cute moments in this one, but it just wasn’t nearly as fun. Part of that might be that this takes place during my least favorite arc in the manga and the anime, but I also just wasn’t all that interested in the goings on of the General Studies class and Class 1-B’s play.

I was surprisingly interested in the story with Nejire and Kendo but that was mostly because the women hardly get focus in this series. It was cool to read about a story focused on female characters that aren’t even the bigger female characters in the series.

The best part of this one for me were the little stories about Class 1-A enjoying the festival.

[Navya Chopra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5 stars
As much as I enjoyed the little tidbits of characters and their lives, the book was very underwhelming. The last two chapters are amazing and probably the only interesting and new material. I also liked the second chapter "The Prep", especially because of the Shinso PoV we got. But the first chapter, "Float Filled Work-Study" seemed more like a manga/anime recap and the third chapter, featuring Class 1B's play in-depth was particularly boring because of its unoriginal plot and the long-drawn interactions between rather unfamiliar people. Chapter 4, "The Beauty Pageant", though insightful in its own right was also quite uninteresting.
All in all, a solid 3.25 stars for a book focused on fanservice with a few good stories.

[Emma Moler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brak oczekiwań to najlepsze co może spotkać czytelnika. Po 3 poprzednich tomach które nie wyrywały z kapci ten też nie dawał mi nadzieji na nic więcej. Nie mniej cieszyłam się na ten tom najbardziej bo był o festiwalu kultury, gdzie w mandzie przeszedł on bez echa, więc tu mogłam się nim i postaciami nacieszyć jak głupia. Pokazali występ 1B, jak inni spędzili dzień festiwalu, było więcej o postaciach sześciomplanowych, miłe przekazy. Do wywalenia jedynie pierwsza historia która wcale nie wpisywała się w klimat, wręcz go psuła i poprawienie historii Shinso, gdzie to miałam nadzieje że będzie więcej o nim, a tak na prawdę to jego postać sprowadzała się do roli słuchacza interakcji innych. Jak komuś mało było festiwalu kultury to śmiało może czytać.

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my God this one was just pure fun! I won't say much, because I really think you should go into this one blind outside of knowing it elaborates on the school cultural festival from the end of s4 of the anime, but if anyone else really wanted to know more regarding Class 1-B's absolutely off-the-wall mishmash play, it's in this light novel. (Shame, I would have loved seeing an entire animated episode focused on that particular clownery.) This was really fun and cute, I highly recommend it to all MHA fans!

[Brenda A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series, unfortunately, I feel it's more of a 3.5 stars. Seeing FatGum, Eri, Nejire, and especially Shinso was definitely a highlight, but there was just way too much Monoma for my taste. Almost (almost) as annoying as Mineta, whose presence, once again, was the low point of the book.
That said, it was fun to get more of the festival atmosphere and to see Aizawa and the rest of the UA teachers being so soft and protective with Eri. Those quiet, caring moments were a real treat.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little read. If I'm being 100-percent honest, the writing style is about on the level of the average fan fiction. (Not bad, just kind of average.) Some of that might be the result of translation, but if you're looking for a super-engaging read, that's not what this is. It's meant to be short little moments in the more "humdrum" parts of these characters' lives. If you love the characters and you need your appetite whet in between seasons/books, then this will definitely do the trick.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but doesn't quite compared to the third volume (although I am bias, I came to mostly read class 1-A).

A large chunk of the book is on Class 1-B and the beauty pageant event, neither which interested me so I just skimmed it.

I did like the bits about Class 1-A enjoying the festival and drunk teachers again.

As usual, nothing to write home about the writing. It feels like fanfiction (which is exactly what it is, official fanfiction).

[Danica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm guessing it would be better in Japanese, but the writing was rather boring despite interesting things happening. I wanted to know more about the ridiculous play "Romeo and Juliet and the Return of the Prisoner King of Azkabum" but it was one of the more boring chapters to read.
The writing overexplains everything rather than leaving anything up for interpretation. It's trying to be funny, but jokes aren't funny when you overexplain them. It just felt tiresome.

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

the number of times i laughed out loud reading this was insane i love these light novels SO MUCH
(also are we all just gonna ignore momo blatantly flirting with jiro and kendo's many thoughts about gender? we are? ok then)

[Hannah Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While still a good read, it doesn't really measure up to the first three novels in the series. It's a little slow and the plot sometimes seemed to drag, but the author still did a great job with the characters and the plot ideas.

Can't wait to read the next book!

[Neri · Rating 4 out of 5]

It shows off all of the parts of the cultural festival that the main series misses, including Class B's play! A great and hilarious read that gives spotlight to a lot of background characters too!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[ReadingFrog · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nejire and kendo content 🤩

Also eri with deku and mirio was adorable 🥰

[Kirsty Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, short, easy read with fun details about some of our favorite MHA characters.

[Alex Barrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the class 1-B play was a little long, I really enjoyed this book and I love how peaceful and heartwarming it was.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not going to lie I may have skipped some of the 1-B theatre part chapter but everything else I enjoyed a lot.