EPISODE CONTEXT

Episodes 1-3 established Izuku's quirkless origins, his fateful encounter with All Might, and the grueling physical training that followed — 'Start Line' is the culmination of that entire setup, serving as the gateway into U.A. High School and everything that comes with it. Positioned early at episode 4 of 13, this is the season's first major turning point, transitioning from origin story into the academic and combat-driven arcs that will define the rest of the season. What happens here directly determines the trajectory of Izuku's journey alongside his future classmates.