My Hero Academia: Thunder God

Today was Saturday, the highly anticipated day when "Pokémon," starring Kaminari, was set to officially premiere on TV Tokyo.

At 3:10 in the afternoon, Class 1-A's Hero Course was granted a rare early dismissal, ending all lessons after the sixth period. Classes were done for the day.

As soon as Aizawa-sensei left, the students began clearing their desks and chatting excitedly about the weekend. Kaminari flashed a charming smile and addressed the class, inviting everyone to take an hour out of their evening to watch the first episode of Pokémon.

"You've got to see it," he said confidently. "Even though I won't appear until tomorrow's episode, you don't want to miss it."

Kyoka and Momo, standing nearby, backed him up, urging their friends like Uraraka, Asui, and the others to tune in as well.

"Heh, I already knew!" Mina Ashido exclaimed, pumping her pink fist in the air. "The subway is plastered with your posters, Kaminari!"

"Yeah, I practically have the date and time memorized," Tsuyu Asui added, her lips quirking in amusement.

"I can't wait to see one of our classmates in an anime!" Kirishima said, looking at Kaminari with a glint of admiration. "Maybe I'll get to be in it too someday."

Mineta, however, had a different reaction. With a suggestive smirk, he leaned forward. "Hey, maybe they could add more Class 1-A students. I wouldn't mind meeting some cute anime girls…"

"If that happens, my radiant charm could outshine everyone and make me the true protagonist!" Aoyama Yuga declared, striking a dramatic pose, hand to his face as he sparkled with self-admiration.

"Tch, lame!" Bakugo scoffed, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he headed for the door. "I don't need to waste time watching some stupid show. I've got training to do. No way I'm watching!"

Kaminari just laughed. By now, he understood Bakugo's personality well enough to know he didn't mean half of what he said. Despite his brash attitude and harsh words, Bakugo never crossed the line into real bullying—except, perhaps, when it came to Midoriya, and that was a whole other story.

But Mineta's suggestion did spark an idea. Having more Class 1-A students appear in Pokémon could be fun, and they did need a large cast for the show. With a quick glance at Yaoyorozu, the two exchanged knowing nods, then Kaminari spoke up again.

"Alright, if any of you are interested in making a cameo in the Pokémon world, come see me now. Just give me your name and address, and I'll arrange for the company to send you a portrait licensing contract."

A wave of excitement rippled through the room.

"Really? We can actually be in it?" Mineta shouted in delight, visions of anime girls dancing in his mind.

"I want in!" Mina cried, bouncing with excitement. She grabbed Uraraka's hand and added, "Ochaco and I are both signing up!"

"Eh?!" Uraraka stammered, her cheeks turning pink. The idea of appearing on TV was thrilling but also nerve-wracking. "I… I don't want to cause any trouble…"

Despite her hesitation, the glimmer of excitement in her eyes was unmistakable.

"With my unique charm, I'll surely add some sparkle to the animation," Aoyama said with a dramatic flair, as if it were a given.

"Make me the manliest character possible!" Kirishima demanded, flexing his arms proudly.

"Not a chance!" Tetsutetsu interrupted, bumping fists with him. "I'll prove at the Sports Festival that I'm the toughest in Class 1-A!"

"Hah! Bring it on!" Kirishima shot back, locking eyes with Tetsutetsu as their fiery rivalry reignited, an intense spark crackling between them.

While the others clamored to write down their details, students like Tokoyami and Shoji watched from the sidelines, not signing up but also not leaving the room.

Ten minutes later, Kaminari looked over the list of names and addresses on the paper, nodding with satisfaction. Nearly the whole class had signed up, except for Bakugo, Todoroki, and Iida, who was probably still running laps outside, and Midoriya, who had disappeared somewhere.

With a cheerful farewell, the students packed up and headed home. Kaminari, however, didn't follow Momo or join Tetsutetsu on the way out. Instead, he made his way to the principal's office.

Aizawa-sensei had mentioned during lunch that Principal Nezu wanted to see him, though he hadn't said why. Kaminari couldn't help but wonder what the eccentric principal had in store.

As for Momo, she had her own studies to focus on, preparing for the upcoming Hero Experience Festival. That meant their private study sessions were on hold for now—a bit of a relief for Kaminari, since it gave him more time to work on his special moves.

---

7 p.m.

In the Kaminari household, the family gathered in the living room, snacking on fresh pineapple cut by Kaminari's mom as they waited eagerly for 7:30.

This was it—the broadcast time for Pokémon, airing in the prime Saturday night slot. Securing this time slot had taken considerable influence from Mitsui, which only highlighted the company's pull.

Mitsui and the Yaoyorozu family had divided the responsibilities for the project. Mitsui handled the animation production and promotion, while the Yaoyorozu family managed the Pikachu Band.

Of course, since Kaminari insisted on keeping the band strictly "student-led," he'd turned down all business performances for now. Besides, with the U.A. Sports Festival approaching, there wasn't much for Yaoyorozu's side to manage apart from keeping the band's online presence alive with occasional news snippets and ads.

Thinking of performances reminded Kaminari of what the principal had discussed with him.

"Dad, Principal Nezu talked to me after school today," he began, taking a sip of his drink.

"Oh? What about?" his father asked, popping another slice of pineapple into his mouth. Kaminari's mom looked equally curious. After all, it wasn't every day that the principal of U.A. wanted to have a private chat.

"He asked if Kyoka and I could perform the opening song for the first-year class during the Sports Festival," Kaminari replied with a casual grin. "He wants us to do it under the name of the Pikachu Band, with a song that matches U.A.'s values."

"What?!"

Kaminari's parents both exclaimed in shock.

Did they hear that right? Their son had been invited to perform the opening act for the U.A. Sports Festival?!