The students of Class 1-A have new ultimate moves and costume upgrades following the training period. Aizawa reveals that due to the low passing rate enforced at the individual facilities, Classes 1-A and 1-B will be sent to separate testing venues. In the dorms, the girls reflect on the license exam.
On the day of the license exam, Class 1-A meets students from other high schools. Among them is Shiketsu's Yoroashi, a top candidate for recommendation into U.A., but who turned down his acceptance, and Ketsubutsu's Shindo, whose sincerity Bakugo doubts. The mechanics for the first round are explained — each student must place three targets on their body, and aim to eliminate other candidates by throwing balls at their targetsnote . The first 100 applicants to eliminate two people will move on to the next round.
One of Ketsubutsu's teachers, Ms. Joke, asks Aizawa why he didn't warn them about the event that happens at the start of every license exam — other schools ganging up on the U.A. students. Indeed, Class 1-A now has to fend off an attack by multiple other students.
Tropes:
- Foreshadowing: Camie has a noticeable reaction to Yoroashi’s bleeding, hinting at her true identity as Toga.
- I Work Alone: Shoto and Bakugo immediately split off from the U.A. group for different reasons - Bakugo refuses to accept help, but Shoto points out that his Quirk isn't exactly subtle and he doesn't want to endanger his classmates.
- Mêlée à Trois: The first phase consists of an elimination of sorts, with only 100 participants allowed to pass. Groups and even schools can rally together to survive, but it is still everyone for themselves.
- The Perils of Being the Best: "The Crushing of U.A." happens because the students' Quirks are highly publicized, as participants in the Sports Festival and students of the top hero school in the country.
- Ship Tease: When queried about whether or not she likes Iida or Midoriya, Uraraka blushes and floats away; she later affectionately observes Midoriya practicing.
- Sink or Swim Mentor: Aizawa made no attempt to warn his kids that U.A. would be everyone's primary target.Aizawa: Real heroes could turn this situation around. Besides, if they become pros, they'll face villains that already know their Quirks.
- Took a Level in Badass: Most of the U.A. kids have progressed in one way or another since the sports festival, thanks to their intensive training at the summer camp and costume upgrades. Shindo immediately calls out Izuku's habit of breaking his own bones with his Quirk, not knowing that Izuku's new Shoot Style bypasses that problem.
