My Hero Academia, the phenomenal manga created by Kohei Horikoshi and published in Weekly Shōnen Jump, has redefined the superhero genre within anime and manga. Since its debut in 2014, the series has followed Izuku Midoriya, a Quirkless boy who inherits the power of the world’s greatest hero, All Might, and enrolls at U.A. High School to become a professional hero. The story unfolds through a series of tightly interwoven story arcs, each building on the last to escalate stakes, deepen character relationships, and explore what it truly means to be a hero. Whether you are a new fan catching up on the anime or a dedicated manga reader, understanding the chronological order of My Hero Academia’s story arcs is essential to fully appreciating the narrative’s emotional weight and intricate plotting.

Below, we break down every major arc in the series — from the humble entrance exam to the world-shattering events of the Final War — in the official chronological sequence as they appear in the Viz Media manga and the corresponding anime adaptation on Crunchyroll. Along the way, we’ll highlight the key developments and must-watch episodes that define each chapter of this beloved superhero epic.

The Complete Chronological Order of My Hero Academia Arcs

1. U.A. Entrance Exam Arc

Manga Chapters: 1–4 | Anime: Season 1, Episodes 1–4

The series opens with the U.A. Entrance Exam Arc, where we meet middle schooler Izuku Midoriya, bullied for being Quirkless, yet still dreaming of becoming a hero. After a fateful encounter with his idol All Might and a grueling ten-month training regimen, Midoriya inherits the Quirk “One For All” and applies to U.A. High School. The entrance exam itself pits applicants against giant faux-villain robots in a battle royale-style test that values not just combat strength but also rescue instincts. This arc introduces the series’ core duo — Midoriya and the explosive Katsuki Bakugo — as well as the charming Ochaco Uraraka and the stoic Tenya Iida. It sets the stage for a story about growth, friendship, and the true meaning of heroism.

2. Quirk Apprehension Test Arc

Manga Chapters: 5–7 | Anime: Season 1, Episodes 5–6

Freshly enrolled in Class 1-A, the students face Shota Aizawa’s unorthodox Quirk apprehension test. Using their Quirks in any way they see fit, they must perform standard physical fitness assessments — with the threat of expulsion for the lowest scorer. This arc immediately establishes the rigorous standards of U.A. and provides a creative showcase of each student’s abilities, from Yuga Aoyama’s Navel Laser to Tsuyu Asui’s frog-like agility. More importantly, it highlights Midoriya’s struggle to control One For All without shattering his body, earning Aizawa’s reluctant acknowledgment and confirming that Midoriya’s analytical mind is a weapon in itself.

3. Battle Trial Arc

Manga Chapters: 8–11 | Anime: Season 1, Episodes 6–8

Class 1-A’s first heroics class is a two-on-two indoor battle simulation, with Midoriya and Uraraka facing Bakugo and Iida. The exercise forces Midoriya into a direct confrontation with Bakugo, whose pride and explosive temper fuel a ruthless assault. The arc masterfully reveals the deep-seated inferiority complex Bakugo harbors toward Midoriya and introduces the tactical thinking that will become a hallmark of the series. Though Midoriya’s team loses the technical match, All Might’s praise reinforces the idea that heroism isn’t merely about winning — it’s about protecting others, even at great personal cost.

4. U.S.J. Arc (Unforeseen Simulation Joint)

Manga Chapters: 12–21 | Anime: Season 1, Episodes 9–13

The first major villain attack on U.A. occurs when the League of Villains, led by the warping Kurogiri and the hand-obsessed Tomura Shigaraki, invades the Unforeseen Simulation Joint. Scattered across different disaster zones, Class 1-A must fight for survival while the faculty races to their aid. The arc introduces the monstrous bio-engineered creature Nomu, All Might’s iconic “Plus Ultra” punch, and the chilling revelation that a far greater threat — All For One — lurks in the shadows. It’s a turning point that shatters the students’ innocence and solidifies Shigaraki as a legitimate danger, setting up the central hero-villain conflict for the entire series.

5. U.A. Sports Festival Arc

Manga Chapters: 22–44 | Anime: Season 2, Episodes 2–25

One of the most beloved arcs in My Hero Academia, the U.A. Sports Festival is a nationally televised tournament that replaces the Olympic Games in this superhuman society. The arc is split into an obstacle race, a cavalry battle, and a one-on-one fighting tournament. It’s here that characters like Shoto Todoroki, with his dual fire-and-ice Quirk and traumatic family backstory, take center stage. Midoriya’s bone-breaking fight against Todoroki pushes the latter to finally embrace his fire side, marking a turning point in Todoroki’s character arc. The festival also introduces the professional hero scene more broadly, with scouts like Endeavor and Best Jeanist evaluating the next generation of heroes.

6. Vs. Hero Killer Arc (Internships)

Manga Chapters: 45–59 | Anime: Season 2, Episodes 26–33

Following the Sports Festival, students undertake week-long internships with professional heroes. Midoriya trains with Gran Torino, who helps him unlock the Full Cowling technique, while Iida, consumed by revenge after his brother is attacked by the Hero Killer Stain, seeks out the villain in Hosu City. The arc climaxes in a brutal three-on-one fight between Midoriya, Iida, Todoroki, and the charismatic but deadly Stain, whose philosophy about false heroes shakes society. The fight’s viral footage inspires both new heroes and villains, cementing the Hero Killer as a catalyst for the series’ ideological divide. The arc also introduces the League of Villains’ next moves, deeply affecting Shigaraki’s development.

7. Final Exams Arc

Manga Chapters: 60–69 | Anime: Season 2, Episodes 34–38

Before summer break, Class 1-A faces written and practical exams — but with a twist: they must fight their own teachers in paired battles. The matchups are designed to exploit each student’s weaknesses: Bakugo and Midoriya must cooperate against All Might, while others face similarly daunting odds. This arc highlights the students’ growth under pressure and the teachers’ depth, particularly the formidable abilities of heroes like Present Mic and Midnight. It’s a crucial lesson that sometimes brains and teamwork outweigh raw power, culminating in Midoriya and Bakugo’s uneasy but effective alliance — a dynamic that will recur throughout the series.

8. Forest Training Camp Arc

Manga Chapters: 70–83 | Anime: Season 3, Episodes 39–44

Class 1-A travels to a remote forest camp for a summer boot camp aimed at strengthening their Quirks. The training intensifies under the guidance of the Wild, Wild Pussycats, pushing students to their absolute limits. However, the League of Villains, newly emboldened and armed with information from the traitor within U.A., launches a vicious nighttime assault. The arc introduces the terrifying Muscular, who nearly kills Midoriya while protecting Kota, and sees Bakugo kidnapped by the Vanguard Action Squad. It’s a harrowing arc that marks the first time the heroes suffer a devastating loss, setting the stage for the desperate rescue mission to come.

9. Hideout Raid Arc (Kamino Ward)

Manga Chapters: 84–97 | Anime: Season 3, Episodes 45–50

In direct response to Bakugo’s abduction, a small group of students — led by Midoriya, Todoroki, and Kirishima — covertly attempts a rescue while the pro heroes prepare a full-scale raid on the League of Villains’ hideout. The operation unfolds in Kamino Ward, culminating in the monumental clash between All Might and his nemesis All For One. The battle, televised worldwide, ends with All Might’s final embers of One For All extinguishing as he points to the camera and declares, “You’re next.” It’s one of the most iconic moments of the series, symbolizing the passing of the torch to a new generation and permanently altering the hero society’s power balance.

10. Provisional Hero License Exam Arc

Manga Chapters: 98–121 | Anime: Season 3, Episodes 51–62

With All Might retired, U.A. accelerates its curriculum. The students attend the provisional hero license exam, where they must compete against hundreds of examinees from other schools, including the arrogant Shiketsu High. The exam introduces playful yet deadly opponents like Camie Utsushimi (actually Toga in disguise) and the wind-manipulating Inasa Yoarashi. Midoriya’s inability to control his new air-snapping style forces him to rely on analytical thinking and support gear. While most of Class 1-A passes, both Bakugo and Todoroki fail due to their interpersonal flaws, setting up important remedial arcs. The exam also introduces Gentle Criminal lurking in the background, teasing future events.

11. Shie Hassaikai Arc (Overhaul Arc)

Manga Chapters: 122–162 | Anime: Season 4, Episodes 64–77

This arc represents a darker, grittier turn. Midoriya interns with Sir Nighteye, All Might’s former sidekick, to investigate the yakuza group Shie Hassaikai, led by the germophobic Kai Chisaki — Overhaul. Chisaki has been using his granddaughter Eri’s rewind Quirk to manufacture Quirk-destroying bullets, threatening the very foundation of hero society. The arc features intense team battles as the heroes raid the Hassaikai headquarters, culminating in Midoriya’s full-cowl, 100% smash against Overhaul’s fused monster form while carrying Eri on his back. Eri’s rescue is heartbreaking and hopeful, and the arc solidifies Mirio Togata’s incredible heroism as he loses his Quirk but never his spirit.

12. Remedial Course Arc

Manga Chapters: 163–168 | Anime: Season 4, Episodes 78–80

While the main cast recovers, Bakugo and Todoroki attend a special course to make up for the license exam failure. Under the hilariously stern guidance of Masegaki Elementary’s kids and the pro hero Gang Orca, they learn that heroism isn’t just about fighting but also about winning the hearts of the public — especially children. This shorter arc provides much-needed levity and showcases the duo’s awkward but significant personal growth.

13. U.A. School Festival Arc (Cultural Festival)

Manga Chapters: 169–183 | Anime: Season 4, Episodes 81–86

Class 1-A organizes a concert for the U.A. Cultural Festival to lift the spirits of a public shaken by recent villain attacks. Midoriya’s group battles the gentle-hearted, Quixotic villain Gentle Criminal, whose misguided attempt to crash the festival becomes a surprisingly emotional fight about dreams and society’s outcasts. The arc ends with Eri’s first genuine smile during Class 1-A’s rock performance, a moment that reaffirms the series’ core message: heroes exist to bring hope and joy, not just to fight villains.

14. Joint Training Arc (Class A vs. Class B)

Manga Chapters: 194–217 | Anime: Season 5, Episodes 88–99

To prepare for future conflicts, Classes 1-A and 1-B engage in a series of five-on-five mock battles. The arc gives long-overdue spotlight to the often-overlooked Class 1-B students, with unique Quirks like Mushroom and Comic, while also revealing new capabilities for main characters. Midoriya’s sudden outburst of Blackwhip — a vestige of One For All’s past users — frightens everyone and introduces the concept of multiple Quirks awakening within him. Meanwhile, Shinso Hitoshi from the general department trains to join the hero course, showcasing his brainwashing Quirk’s evolution. The arc’s biggest revelation, however, is the shared secret between One For All and All For One that will shape the final act.

15. Meta Liberation Army Arc (My Villain Academia)

Manga Chapters: 218–240 | Anime: Season 5, Episodes 100–113

A revolutionary arc that shifts perspective entirely to the villains. Shigaraki and the League find themselves pitted against the massive Meta Liberation Army, a movement that believes Quirk usage should be completely free and unregulated. In their desperate battle, Shigaraki’s traumatic past is unveiled, and he finally embraces his destructive nature, awakening the true power of Decay. The League is reborn as the Paranormal Liberation Front, a colossal threat that merges both ideologies. This arc provides vital context for the antagonists, making the eventual war far more personal and terrifying. For many fans, this is where Shigaraki cements his status as one of manga’s greatest villains.

16. Endeavor Agency Arc

Manga Chapters: 241–252 | Anime: Season 5, Episodes 100–106 (partially, then end of season)

With the hero world reeling, Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki intern under the new Number One Hero, Endeavor. Todoroki confronts his family’s painful legacy head-on as he works alongside his father, witnessing Endeavor’s genuine attempts at atonement. The arc features a rapid response to a threat that showcases Endeavor’s hellish power and highlights the trio’s developing teamwork. It serves as a quieter, character-focused interlude before the storm, laying the emotional groundwork for the Todoroki family’s central role in the upcoming war.

17. Paranormal Liberation War Arc

Manga Chapters: 253–306 | Anime: Season 6, Episodes 114–131

This cataclysmic arc is the series’ version of a large-scale war. On the eve of spring, the heroes launch a simultaneous raid on the Paranormal Liberation Front’s stronghold and the hospital where Shigaraki is undergoing a body-shattering procedure to gain All For One’s power. The battles are brutal, spanning dozens of heroes and villains. Mirko’s fierce assault, Midnight’s sacrifice, Dabi’s horrifying confession that he is Toya Todoroki, and Shigaraki’s near-death awakening all unfold in real-time chaos. The war devastates hero society, leaving cities in ruins and claiming countless lives. It ends with Midoriya confronting a fully awakened Shigaraki, an encounter that reveals the Vestige realm and hints at the final confrontation to come.

18. Tartarus Escapees Arc (Villain Hunt)

Manga Chapters: 307–328 | Anime: Season 6, Episodes 132–138

In the aftermath of the war, All For One escapes Tartarus along with thousands of dangerous convicts, plunging Japan into anarchy. Public trust in heroes evaporates. Midoriya, burdened by a desperate sense of responsibility, abandons U.A. to hunt down the escaped villains alone, aided by the vestiges of previous One For All users and top pros like Endeavor and Hawks. This arc traces Midoriya’s dark, self-destructive journey as he becomes a ragged, vigilante-like figure, pushing his body past its limits. Only through the combined effort of his classmates — who physically bring him back to U.A. — is he able to accept that heroism requires not only saving others but also allowing oneself to be saved.

19. Star and Stripe Arc

Manga Chapters: 329–334 | Anime: Season 7, Episodes 1–4

As Shigaraki’s body nears completion to host All For One’s full power, America’s Number One Hero, Star and Stripe (Cassandra), arrives in Japan to confront him. With a Quirk called “New Order” that allows her to impose two rules on reality itself, she represents the world’s last line of defense. The battle is a tactical chess match of unimaginable scale, demonstrating the terrifying global reach of the villain threat. Star and Stripe’s heroic sacrifice buys precious time for the heroes in Japan, but her defeat means that Shigaraki acquires knowledge of how to steal Quirks worldwide, raising the stakes beyond national borders.

20. U.A. Traitor Arc

Manga Chapters: 335–342 | Anime: Season 7, Episodes 5–9

Years of suspicion finally come to a head when the identity of the U.A. traitor is revealed. The arc focuses on the emotional fallout within Class 1-A, particularly the heartbreaking confrontation involving Yuga Aoyama and his parents, who were coerced by All For One. Instead of shunning their classmate, Midoriya and the others extend forgiveness and turn the situation into a strategic advantage, planting misinformation to misdirect the villain. This arc underscores the series’ theme that people can change and that a hero’s greatest strength lies in empathy and solidarity.

21. Final War Arc

Manga Chapters: 343–ongoing | Anime: Season 7, Episodes 10–current

The climactic battle for Japan’s future begins as the heroes, now united with international support, launch a final assault against All For One and Shigaraki’s forces across multiple floating U.A. platforms and on the ground. Every surviving hero, student, and even former villains join the fray. The arc delivers long-awaited showdowns: Dabi vs. Todoroki family, Bakugo’s ultimate sacrifice and return, Ochaco vs. Toga in a battle of ideals, and Midoriya’s desperate final gambit against Shigaraki within the Vestige world. It’s an all-encompassing conflict that tests every character’s resolve and promises to bring the central themes of legacy, redemption, and heroism to a spectacular resolution.

For a continuously updated list of arcs and their status, fans can consult the My Hero Academia Wiki, which tracks the manga’s progress alongside the anime adaptation.

My Hero Academia’s chronological arcs demonstrate masterful long-form storytelling: each section builds on prior events, deepening the lore and raising the emotional stakes without losing sight of the characters’ growth. From the lighthearted early days at U.A. to the dark, all-out war that now defines the series, the journey of Midoriya and his classmates remains a powerful reminder that even in a world of superpowers, the most heroic victories come from courage, compassion, and the refusal to give up. For fans watching the anime, the entire saga is available to stream on Crunchyroll, while the original manga can be read through VIZ Media.