Table of Contents

For millions of fans around the world, My Hero Academia is one of the most faithful anime adaptations ever created. Studio Bones has translated Kohei Horikoshi’s manga into a visual spectacle that keeps the heart of the story intact while occasionally adding its own flavor. Yet, for readers who follow both the anime and the manga, a single question always lingers: how closely do the seasons follow the source material? This detailed guide breaks down every season, episode by episode, highlighting exactly which manga chapters are covered, where the anime expands or diverges, and what makes each adaptation choice stand out. Whether you are an anime-only viewer looking to pick up the manga or a longtime reader curious about what changed, this breakdown will give you a clear roadmap of the My Hero Academia timeline.

Season 1: A Hero Rises (Chapters 1–21)

The debut season is a compact introduction to the world of Quirks, heroes, and villains. With only 13 episodes, it moves briskly through the early story arcs, trimming very little fat and setting up the emotional core of Izuku Midoriya’s journey from Quirkless dreamer to the heir of One For All.

The Entrance Exam Arc (Episodes 1–4)

  • Episodes 1–2: Cover chapters 1–4, from Midoriya’s fateful meeting with All Might through the sludge villain incident and the revelation of One For All. The anime expands some backstory moments, such as a flashback to All Might’s own training.
  • Episodes 3–4: Adapt chapters 5–9, featuring the U.A. Entrance Exam. Midoriya’s desperate save of Ochaco Uraraka is almost identical to the manga, with minimal filler added to show other applicants’ perspectives.

The Quirk Apprehension Test and Battle Trial Arcs (Episodes 5–8)

  • Episode 5: Chapters 6–7 (partially overlapping with the exam) and the Quirk Apprehension Test from chapter 8. The anime rearranges some scenes to maintain pacing.
  • Episodes 6–8: The Battle Trial arc (chapters 8–11), where Midoriya and Bakugo clash for the first time in U.A. settings. The anime adds a brief moment showing Class 1-A’s other battles, but the core conflict remains unchanged.

The Unforeseen Simulation Joint Arc (Episodes 9–13)

  • Episodes 9–13: This arc spans chapters 12–21, featuring the League of Villains’ attack at the USJ. The anime paces the action with fluid animation, and one notable addition is an extended sequence where All Might fights the Nomu, making the clash even more dramatic than the manga’s already intense panels.

Season 1 is an almost page-by-page adaptation, with the only real divergences being slight expansions of action scenes and a small original epilogue that teases upcoming characters. For readers who want to start the manga after the anime, chapter 22 is the perfect jumping-on point.

Season 2: The Tournament of Power and the Hero Killer (Chapters 22–69)

With 25 episodes, Season 2 covers three massive arcs that define the early years at U.A. High. The adaptation stays remarkably true to the manga, though a few episodes rearrange or add content to build suspense between competitions.

U.A. Sports Festival Arc (Episodes 14–25)

  • Episodes 14–15: Chapters 22–26, introducing the obstacle course and cavalry battle. The anime adds brief character moments for class 1-B and other schools but otherwise follows the manga precisely.
  • Episodes 16–25: The one-on-one tournament matches, covering chapters 27–44. Midoriya versus Todoroki is a highlight, adapted with striking animation and voice acting that magnify the emotional weight of the Shoto Todoroki backstory. A filler episode (episode 17, “Strategy, Strategy, Strategy”) expands on side characters during the break between rounds, but it’s woven organically.

Vs. Hero Killer Arc (Episodes 26–33)

  • Episodes 26–27: Chapters 45–48, introducing internships. The anime adds short scenes of Midoriya’s training with Gran Torino that clarify his struggle to control One For All.
  • Episodes 28–33: Chapters 49–58, the battle against Stain. The adaptation slightly extends the fight with the Nomu in Hosu, but every major beat—Ida’s vengeance, Stain’s ideology, and the final standoff—is lifted directly from the page.

Final Exams Arc (Episodes 34–38)

  • Episodes 34–38: Chapters 59–69. The pairs and their matchups are identical to the manga, though the anime adds short comedic interludes during the written exam. Nothing of substance is changed.

At the end of Season 2, the manga was at chapter 69. The anime’s careful adaptation made sure that no critical story element was lost, and the extra content only deepened the connection to the characters.

Season 3: Crisis at the Camp and the License Exam (Chapters 70–121)

Season 3 pushes the series into darker territory, yet the anime’s pacing mirrors the manga’s tension while delivering some of the most iconic moments in My Hero Academia history.

Forest Training Camp Arc (Episodes 39–45)

  • Episodes 39–40: Chapters 70–74, the quirk training and the arrival of the Vanguard Action Squad. The anime adds an original scene of Kota’s parents’ death to heighten the emotional stakes.
  • Episodes 41–45: Chapters 75–83, concluding with Bakugo’s capture. The adaptation matches the manga’s intensity, with the Midoriya vs. Muscular fight and the aftermath portrayed with minimal censorship.

Hideout Raid Arc (Episodes 46–50)

  • Episodes 46–50: Chapters 84–94. The Kamino Ward confrontation between All Might and All For One is expanded with additional flashbacks to the early days of quirk society, but the core fight is faithfully reproduced. The anime also includes a brief original scene showing the public’s reaction across Japan.

Provisional Hero License Exam Arc (Episodes 51–63)

  • Episodes 51–54: Chapters 95–102, covering the move into the dorms and the exam’s first phase. The filler episode “Class 1-A’s Room King” (episode 52) is entirely original but fits the lighter tone before the exam.
  • Episodes 55–63: Chapters 103–121, concluding with the exam’s second phase, the rescue exercise, and the aftermath with Bakugo and Midoriya’s fight. The anime rearranges some scenes to place the fight earlier for dramatic effect, but the dialogue and outcomes remain the same.

Season 3 ends at chapter 121 of the manga. A small teaser for the Shie Hassaikai arc appears in the final moments, setting the stage for the next season’s more intricate narrative.

Season 4: The Yakuza and the School Festival (Chapters 122–190)

Season 4 is notable for its tonal shifts—from the grim Shie Hassaikai arc to the upbeat School Festival. The anime adapts the material with a careful eye on emotional beats, though the pacing in the first half occasionally slows down.

Shie Hassaikai Arc (Episodes 64–78)

  • Episodes 64–68: Chapters 122–139, introducing Overhaul, Eri, and the hero work studies. The anime expands on the Big Three’s introduction and adds short scenes for Class 1-A’s agency internships.
  • Episodes 69–78: Chapters 140–162. The lengthy raid on the Shie Hassaikai headquarters is broken into multiple episodes with occasional flashbacks to Mirio’s past and Eri’s trauma. The climactic battle between Midoriya and Overhaul is given a cinematic treatment that stays faithful to the manga’s panels. A notable addition is the anime-original musical number during the credits of episode 76, which pays tribute to the culture festival theme.

Remedial Course and School Festival Arcs (Episodes 79–88)

  • Episodes 79–80: Chapters 163–168, focusing on training for the provisional license remedial course and the strange encounter with Gentle Criminal. Some original gags with Bakugo and Todoroki’s remedial class are included but do not affect the story.
  • Episodes 81–86: Chapters 169–183, the School Festival. The anime expands the performance of Class 1-A’s concert, adding an extended song and dance number that was only hinted at in the manga. The Gentle Criminal backstory is expanded slightly to make him more sympathetic.
  • Episodes 87–88: Chapters 184–190, the Pro Hero arc. This short but pivotal arc featuring Endeavor and Hawks is adapted faithfully, with the High-End Nomu fight given the same visual priority as previous major battles.

Season 4 ends at chapter 190. The adaptation skillfully balances the contrasting tones, ensuring that the shift from the darkness of the Overhaul arc to the hopeful festival feels natural.

Season 5: Training, Villains, and a Shuffled Timeline (Chapters 191–258)

Season 5 is where the adaptation makes its first significant structural change. While still respectful to the source, the anime reorders the Joint Training and My Villain Academia arcs, a decision that sparked debate among fans.

Joint Training Arc (Episodes 89–100)

  • Episodes 89–100: Chapters 194–217. These episodes adapt the inter-class battles between 1-A and 1-B almost panel-for-panel. The anime adds a few off-screen training moments and short conversations that flesh out the rivalry. All major developments, including the awakening of a new quirk within One For All, appear exactly as in the manga, though the pacing is occasionally stretched to fit the episodic format.

Meta Liberation Army Arc (Episodes 101–107)

  • Episodes 101–107: Chapters 218–240 (but aired after the Endeavor Agency arc in the anime). Originally, the manga placed this villain-centric arc directly after Joint Training, but the anime moved it to the end of the season. This meant the League of Villains’ battle against the Meta Liberation Army was shown after the Endeavor Agency arc, which altered the suspense arc for anime-only viewers. The adaptation heavily censored some of the more gruesome manga visuals, such as Twice’s clones being destroyed, and rushed certain key moments to fit into fewer episodes. Nevertheless, the main plot points—Skeptic’s attack, Shigaraki’s awakening, and the liberation army’s absorption—are preserved.

Endeavor Agency Arc (Episodes 107–113)

  • Episodes 107–113: Chapters 241–252. The anime originally aired this arc first, despite it coming later in the manga timeline. This rearrangement gave viewers an early glimpse of Endeavor’s family drama and the internship with Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki. Aside from some added slice-of-life moments, the adaptation remains true to the manga’s character developments, including the dinner scene at the Todoroki household.

Season 5 concludes at chapter 252 of the manga, but the reordering means that readers who jump to the manga will find the My Villain Academia arc already concluded before the Endeavor Agency arc. This is a key point where the two mediums diverge in narrative structure, even if all the same events occur.

Season 6: War and a Fallen Hero (Chapters 253–306)

Season 6 is a relentless 25-episode sprint through the most devastating battle the hero society has ever faced and the harrowing vigilante arc that follows. The adaptation tightens the manga’s already breakneck pacing while adding crucial emotional weight.

Paranormal Liberation War Arc (Episodes 114–130)

  • Episodes 114–130: Chapters 253–293. The anime condenses the sprawling war into an almost real-time chronicle. Key moments—Midoriya’s multiple quirk revelations, Dabi’s dance, Twice’s death, and the tragic fall of many heroes—are all portrayed with striking animation and minimal filler. Some scenes are slightly rearranged for clarity, particularly the simultaneous battles across different locations. The anime also includes additional flashbacks to the League’s founding, enriching the context without deviating from canon.

Dark Hero Arc (Episodes 131–138)

  • Episodes 131–135: Chapters 294–306. Midoriya’s solo mission as a ragged vigilante is adapted with a moody, desaturated color palette that underscores his isolation. The anime extends the rooftop conversation with Lady Nagant, adding an extra beat of hesitation, but otherwise follows the manga precisely. The All Might and Stain encounter is given the space it deserves.
  • Episodes 136–138: Chapters 306 (end) and some transitional original content to bridge to the next season. The emotional climax of Class 1-A bringing Midoriya back is exactly as drawn, and the season ends with a cliffhanger that sets up the final war.

Season 6 ends at chapter 306, with a small post-credits tease. The anime’s handling of the war arc is widely considered a series high point, with the tension and devastation translating perfectly from the page.

Season 7 and Beyond: The Final Act (Chapters 329–424 and Ongoing)

As of this writing, Season 7 is airing and covers the final saga of My Hero Academia. The adaptation leaps forward in the manga timeline to begin with the Star and Stripe arc, then moves into the U.A. Traitor arc and the explosive Final War arc.

Star and Stripe Arc (Episodes 139–141)

  • Episodes 139–141: Chapters 329–334. The anime reintroduces the international stage with America’s No. 1 hero, and the brief but crucial battle is adapted with cinematic flair. The anime adds a bridging episode (episode 138.5) titled “The Ones Who Step Up” to catch viewers up on the skipped manga chapters (307–328) through narration and flashbacks, ensuring continuity without animating every detail.

U.A. Traitor Arc (Episodes 142–143)

  • Episodes 142–143: Chapters 335–342 (with some earlier setup from 307–328 condensed). The reveal of the U.A. traitor is handled with careful pacing, and the anime includes extended dialogue scenes that explore the character’s motivations, making the betrayal hit even harder than in the manga.

Final War Arc (Episode 144–ongoing)

  • Current episodes: Chapters 343–the final chapter (424, when completed). The adaptation is currently in progress, with the massive battle split into multiple fronts. Early episodes show the anime’s commitment to faithful yet expanded action—adding extra choreography to fights like Dabi vs. Shoto and All Might’s final stand. The finale of the manga has been reached, and the anime is expected to adapt it completely over the remaining episodes.

For readers who want to follow along, the anime is currently adapting the end of the series at a steady pace. You can read ahead on Viz Media’s Shonen Jump or watch the latest episodes on Crunchyroll.

Filler Episodes and OVAs: Extra Content That Adds Flavor

While overwhelmingly faithful, My Hero Academia does include anime-original material. These additions are rarely pure filler in the traditional sense; they often expand character interactions or adapt side manga stories.

  • Episode 32 (Season 2): “Everyone’s Internships” — a recap with original footage.
  • Episode 58 (Season 3): “Special Episode: Save the World with Love!” — a comedic original story set after the license exam.
  • Episode 64 (Season 4): “The Scoop on U.A. Class 1-A” — a recap plus original moments.
  • OVAs: “Training of the Dead,” “Hero Notebook,” and “All Might: Rising” adapt original stories by Horikoshi or expand on backstories. The latter draws from the All Might Rising bonus manga.
  • Episode 138.5 (Season 7): “The Ones Who Step Up” — a bridge episode that condenses skipped manga material.

These fillers can be skipped without losing the main narrative, but they often provide charming asides that deepen the world.

Comparing the Adaptation: Faithfulness, Pacing, and Visual Flourish

Across more than seven seasons, the My Hero Academia anime has earned a reputation for loyalty. The changes it makes are almost always additive: extended fight scenes, extra dialogue, and occasional reordering to enhance dramatic tension. Here are the key areas where the adaptation differs from the manga:

  • Pacing and Reordering: The most notable example is Season 5’s arc shuffle, which altered the villain arc’s impact. Otherwise, the anime generally follows the manga’s chapter order, though it occasionally stretches or compresses arcs to fit the cour structure.
  • Censorship: The TV broadcast sometimes tones down graphic violence, especially during the My Villain Academia arc and the war arc. The home video releases often restore some of this content, but purists may prefer the manga’s unfiltered panels.
  • Expanded Emotional Beats: The anime frequently uses music and voice acting to amplify moments that the manga conveys through static art. The concert episode, All Might’s final “United States of Smash,” and the vigilante Deku scenes gain a new dimension in animation.
  • Visual Storytelling: Studio Bones’ animation style adds motion and dynamic angles that the manga can only imply. While the manga’s artwork is deeply expressive, the anime’s fight choreography and color usage offer a different but equally valid interpretation.

Where to Start the Manga After Each Season

If you have only watched the anime and want to jump into the manga without missing or retreading, here is a straightforward guide based on the season finales:

  • After Season 1: Start at Chapter 22.
  • After Season 2: Start at Chapter 70.
  • After Season 3: Start at Chapter 122.
  • After Season 4: Start at Chapter 191.
  • After Season 5: Start at Chapter 253 (but be aware that the anime reordered arcs; you might want to read the My Villain Academia arc before the Endeavor Agency arc, which is chapters 218–240).
  • After Season 6: Start at Chapter 307 (though the anime skipped to 329, reading the interim chapters is essential for full context).
  • After Season 7 (so far): The final war is ongoing; you can pick up at Chapter 343 to follow the current battles, or start at Chapter 329 if you skipped the Star and Stripe arc’s full manga content.

You can read the official English release on the Viz Media website or via the Shonen Jump MangaPlus app.

Final Remarks

My Hero Academia stands as a benchmark for manga-to-anime adaptations. The anime captures the heart, humor, and horror of Horikoshi’s world with a rare precision, making it accessible to newcomers without alienating the original readers. While occasional reordering and minor censorship may give pause, the overall experience remains a cohesive and powerful journey. Whether you stick to the screen or turn the pages, the story of Midoriya and his classmates is a unified tale of heroism that continues to go beyond—plus ultra.