WARNING: Spoilers ahead for The Boys season 3, episode 6.
For a moment in The Boys season 3, episode 6, "Herogasm," it looked like Kimiko might have gotten her powers back. Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) has been a pivotal member of Butcher's team, often taking on the more dangerous responsibilities because of her superhuman abilities. Without Kimiko's powers and abilities, the team has had to resort to more risky tactics for dealing with their foes. However, powers or no powers, this episode proved Kimiko is still not to be messed with.
Kimiko's character arc this season has seen her struggle with internal conflict. She has become increasingly frustrated not only with being the group's muscle but also with her powers. Kimiko has already expressed this season that she wished she never had powers and yearned for a normal life; it's clearer than ever that she hates being a killer and hates the violence she's capable of. She got her wish after her encounter with Soldier Boy in The Boys season 3, episode 4 left her powerless and injured. While the rest of the Boys might have seen this as a massive blow to the team, Kimiko was relieved. To the surprise of many, Kimiko uttered her first words in The Boys after not speaking throughout the first two seasons.
However, a fight in The Boys season 3 episode "Herogasm" makes it appear for a moment as though Kimiko's powers may have returned. Ultimately, they didn't, but she proved she is still a force to be reckoned with. Little Nina has Kimiko captured in order to get back at Frenchie for his repeated failures. Little Nina attempts to make Frenchie choose between Kimiko and Cherie, hinting at a potentially bleak ending. However, Kimiko, still very cunning, managed to escape her predicament and engage the henchman. Still a highly skilled combatant, Kimiko managed to defeat a man twice her size by using the henchman as a shield to block bullets. Despite being a highly effective fighter, a close watch showed Kimiko's powers had not returned. Even though she was the victor, blows that normally wouldn't have had much effect clearly slowed Kimiko down. It is unknown if Kimiko will get her powers back, but with her skills, she might not need them.
All of Butcher's team members have shown to be effective despite not having super abilities. Despite both Buther and Huey displaying addictive behaviors with the temporary V24, a staple of the team is that they have never stopped to the level of the supes they hunted. Kimiko proved that even without powers, she can still be an instrumental part of the team if and when they reconnect. It's possible that she can show Butcher and Hughie that there's a better way to fight, even if they don't have temporary superpowers.
Kimiko's character has grown leaps and bounds in The Boys season 3. Her struggles with her childhood and powers have added a new layer of depth to the character this season. The silent assassin of the team has grown to show remorse for those affected by her actions. She has also seemingly found a way to express herself through song, lending a lot more nuance to the Kimiko of the TV show than the Kimiko of The Boys comics. "Herogasm" offered a glimpse of what she can accomplish without her powers, but the rest of the season will undoubtedly reveal more.
New episodes of The Boys are released Fridays on Prime Video.
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