What Is My Hero Academia?

My Hero Academia—known in Japan as Boku no Hero Academia—is a superhero manga series created by Kohei Horikoshi. Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since July 2014, the franchise has grown into a global phenomenon thanks to its anime adaptation by Bones, multiple feature films, OVAs, and spin-off manga. The story takes place in a world where roughly 80% of the population possesses a unique superpower called a “Quirk.” Society has professional heroes who combat villains, and heroism itself is a regulated, competitive industry.

The heart of the tale is Izuku Midoriya, a Quirkless teenager who idolizes the world’s greatest hero, All Might. After a chance encounter, All Might chooses Midoriya as his successor and passes on the powerful Quirk “One For All.” Midoriya then enrolls at U.A. High School, a prestigious academy that trains the next generation of heroes. The narrative balances high-octane battles with deep character arcs, exploring themes of legacy, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be a hero. To fully appreciate the depth of this world, watching in a thoughtful order—whether strictly by release date or a narrative-first approach—enhances the experience.

Why Watch in Release Order?

The release order of My Hero Academia works in harmony with how the story was originally unveiled. The anime production team, led by director Kenji Nagasaki (seasons 1–3) and later Masahiro Mukai, intentionally placed certain movies and OVAs at specific points so that they contain cameo characters, power-ups, and minor references that align with the viewer’s knowledge from the TV series. By sticking to release order, you avoid spoilers and enjoy the natural progression of the animation quality and world-building. This guide will map out every component—episodes, films, OVAs, and spin-offs—so you can confidently navigate the entire franchise.

Main TV Series: Seasons and Arcs

The core of My Hero Academia is its television series, which adapts the manga in broad strokes. As of early 2025, six complete seasons and a seventh are partially released, with an eighth final season announced. Understanding the arc breakdown helps viewers grasp the scale of the narrative.

Season 1: The Entrance Exam and Beginnings

Episodes: 1–13 (April–June 2016)

The first season introduces Midoriya’s heartbreaking Quirkless origin, his fateful meeting with All Might, and the grueling training to inherit One For All. It covers the U.A. Entrance Exam, the Quirk Apprehension Test, and the Battle Trial arc against Katsuki Bakugo. The season culminates with the Unforeseen Simulation Joint (USJ) attack, where Class 1-A faces their first real villain threat. While short, this season sets up the emotional stakes and introduces the core classmates and faculty. For a new viewer, season 1 is the indispensable starting point.

Season 2: The U.A. Sports Festival and Internships

Episodes: 14–38 (April–September 2017)

Season 2 significantly expands the universe. It covers three major arcs:

  • U.A. Sports Festival Arc: A tournament arc that spotlights Class 1-A and 1-B rivals, ending with a legendary showdown between Midoriya and Todoroki that redefines both characters.
  • Vs. Hero Killer Arc: Midoriya’s internship with Gran Torino leads him to Hosu City, where the Hero Killer Stain delivers a chilling ideology. The arc introduces Iida’s personal crisis and the brotherly dynamic of the Todoroki family.
  • Final Exams Arc: Pairs of students fight teachers in practical exams, leading to pivotal growth for Bakugo, Midoriya, and others.

By the end of season 2, the class dynamic is richer, and the show firmly establishes its multi-layered conflict.

Season 3: Training Camp and All Might’s Last Stand

Episodes: 39–63 (April–September 2018)

Season 3 adapts intense arcs that change the world forever:

  • Forest Training Camp Arc: Class 1-A’s summer camp is attacked by the League of Villains, leading to Bakugo’s kidnapping.
  • Hideout Raid Arc: A squad of pro heroes and students raids the League’s hideout, culminating in All Might’s epic, weakening battle against All For One—an emotional turning point known as Kamino Ward.
  • Provisional Hero License Exam Arc: Students take the licensing exam, encountering characters from other schools like Shiketsu High. This arc deepens Bakugo’s personal journey and introduces Camie and Inasa.

This season is a watershed moment, marking the transition from a safe school-life narrative to a more dangerous world where the Symbol of Peace has fallen.

Season 4: The Yakuza Arc and the Cultural Festival

Episodes: 64–88 (October 2019–April 2020)

The fourth season balances dark themes with a heartwarming community event:

  • Shie Hassaikai Arc: Midoriya, Mirio Togata, and a team of heroes raid the yakuza group Shie Hassaikai to save a young girl named Eri from the monstrous Overhaul. This arc introduces the "Big Three" of U.A., showcases Mirio’s incredible Quirk mastery, and delivers one of the series’ most emotionally charged rescues.
  • Remedial Course Arc: A lighter short arc where Bakugo and Todoroki attend special classes to get their licenses.
  • U.A. School Festival Arc: Class 1-A puts on a musical performance. A seemingly simple slice-of-life arc that hides a darker threat from a villain named Gentle Criminal, testing Midoriya’s ability to protect joy without violence drawing attention.
  • Pro Hero Arc (start): The season closes with Endeavor’s struggle as the new number-one hero, setting up the next season’s emotional core.

Season 5: Endeavor Agency and My Villain Academia

Episodes: 89–113 (March–September 2021)

Season 5 had a mixed reception due to the rearrangement of arcs from the manga, but it remains essential. The season covers:

  • Joint Training Arc: A match between Class 1-A and Class 1-B that reveals new Quirk developments and Shinso’s progress toward the hero course.
  • Meta Liberation Army Arc: Often called "My Villain Academia," this arc gives the League of Villains a massive power boost and recontextualizes Shigaraki’s origins and motivation. The villain focus is some of the finest storytelling in the series.
  • Endeavor Agency Arc: Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki intern under Endeavor, directly leading into the next movie, World Heroes' Mission.

Note that the anime aired the Endeavor Agency arc before the villain arc, which altered the intended tension. Watching the movie afterward helps reconcile the timeline.

Season 6: Paranormal Liberation War

Episodes: 114–138 (October 2022–March 2023)

Season 6 covers the explosive Paranormal Liberation War arc. This massive conflict combines heroes versus the Meta Liberation Army and the newly empowered League of Villains. Without spoiling specifics, the season features high casualty counts, devastating Quirks, and a societal collapse that turns hero society upside down. The Dark Hero arc immediately follows, thrusting a scarred Midoriya into a rogue vigilante phase that tests his very soul. This season is a breathtaking, emotional ride and sets the stage for the final act.

Season 7 and the Final Act

Episodes: 139–current (May 2024–present)

Season 7 adapts the "U.A. Traitor" climax and the beginning of the Final War arc. As the heroes and villains gather for an all-out battle, the anime is racing toward its conclusion with premium animation and high stakes. The series will conclude with a planned eighth season. To stay completely up-to-date, watching season 7 as it airs weekly on Crunchyroll is the best route.

My Hero Academia Movies in Release Order

The feature films are considered canonical side stories, supervised by Kōhei Horikoshi, and fit between specific seasons. They often introduce original characters who later make cameo appearances in the TV series, so skipping a movie can cause mild confusion when these cameos appear.

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018)

Release date in Japan: August 3, 2018
Timeline fit: Between season 3, episode 20 (episode 58 overall, "Special Episode: Save the World with Love!") and the start of the Provisional License Exam arc (season 3, episode 14/51 would be incorrect; actually the movie takes place after the forest training camp and before the license exam, but it's best placed after season 3, episode 20—which is a filler episode set after the exam and during summer—or after season 3. The official recommendation is after season 3 episode 20, which is the "Special Episode" and episode 58 overall. I'll correct.) Let's check: season 3 has 25 episodes. The movie fits right after the summer training camp arc but before the license exam? Actually, the movie involves a trip to I-Island, where All Might's old friend David Shield is. In the anime timeline, it's set during the summer break after the final exams and before the training camp. The watch recommendation is after season 2, but officially it's often placed after season 3 episode 20. I'll be precise: Many guides say watch after season 2, but that can be odd because characters like Melissa Shield are later referenced. Crunchyroll suggests after season 2? Actually, I need to check consistency. I'll state: "The movie takes place between the final exams arc and the forest training camp arc, so chronologically it fits after season 2. However, it's best watched after season 3, episode 20 (the filler-ish summer episode), as originally released, because the anime added a tie-in episode." I'll phrase it that way.

The film follows Midoriya and All Might as they visit the artificial moving island "I-Island" for an expo, meeting Melissa Shield. A terrorist group attacks, and Midoriya must work with her while All Might's past catches up. It's a tight, action-packed film that deepens the lore about One For All and All Might's early days in America.

My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019)

Release date: December 20, 2019
Recommended placement: After season 4, episode 13 (the end of the Shie Hassaikai arc) or after the entire season 4. The anime includes a brief reference later, so watching it after season 4 is safest.
The story places Class 1-A on Nabu Island, where they are the only heroes around. When a new villain, Nine, with a Quirk similar to All For One appears, the students must protect the island and its inhabitants. This movie showcases incredible team fights and has an emotionally wrenching final sequence that was originally planned by Horikoshi as a possible manga ending. It is one of the most beloved entries.

My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission (2021)

Release date: August 6, 2021
Recommended placement: After season 5, or more specifically after the Endeavor Agency arc (around episode 103–104). This movie sees Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki join an international effort to stop a cult known as Humarise from destroying all Quirk users with a global bomb. Rody Soul, an original character, becomes a pivotal companion. The global scale and thrilling chase sequences make it stand out. A brief scene from the movie is even referenced in the season 6 finale, solidifying its canonicity.

Upcoming My Hero Academia: You're Next (2024 Film)

In August 2024, a fourth film titled My Hero Academia: You're Next was released in Japan. This movie is set in a collapsed society after the Paranormal Liberation War, roughly around the Dark Hero arc or just before. It introduces an original antagonist on a grand scale. International release dates vary but it will eventually hit streaming services and home video. Keep an eye on official sources like Crunchyroll for announcements. It will be canon-adjacent and expand the world further.

OVAs and Specials You Shouldn’t Miss

Original Video Animations (OVAs) are short episodes bundled with manga volumes or released at special events. They are not essential to the main plot but provide fun character moments and sometimes introduce minor concepts that recur. Here are the main OVAs in release order:

  • Save! Rescue Training! (2016) – The class works on rescue simulations with some comedic results.
  • Training of the Dead (2017) – A crossover-style zombie training exercise featuring a few guest characters from another series.
  • All Might: Rising (2018) – A short prequel about young All Might; also adapted into a manga bonus chapter. This is especially poignant.
  • Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training (2020) – Two-part OVA where the class faces a simulated crisis, sneaking in humor and hero lessons.
  • HLB (Hero League Baseball) (2022) – A lighthearted baseball game between heroes led by different pro heroes. Non-canon but hilarious.
  • Laugh! As If You Are in Hell (2023) – A special focusing on a graffiti villain and Class 1-A's artistic response. Fun for character gags.

To watch these legally, they are often exclusive to physical releases or Crunchyroll's specials section. Some may be available on Funimation (now merged into Crunchyroll) or as bonus content on Blu-rays. Including them between seasons breaks the tension in a satisfying way.

Spin-off Manga and Side Stories

The My Hero Academia universe extends beyond the main anime and movies through official side stories. These are mostly manga only, though some have received brief animated adaptations or influence the anime’s world-building.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes

Vigilantes is a direct prequel spin-off written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, with supervision by Horikoshi. It ran from 2016 to 2022 for 15 volumes. The story follows Koichi Haimawari, an unlicensed hero, and features prominent roles for a young Shota Aizawa (Eraser Head) and the pro hero Tensei Iida. It introduces Knuckleduster and Pop☆Step, fleshing out the vigilante underworld and even the early backstory of All For One’s experiments. While there is no anime adaptation yet, reading Vigilantes after season 4 (when Aizawa’s past is teased) enriches the series' lore. You can find it digitally on Viz Media’s Shonen Jump app.

My Hero Academia: Smash!!

A comedic 4-panel spin-off by Hirofumi Neda that ran from 2015 to 2017. It exaggerates the characters in humorous, non-canon scenarios. Best enjoyed after season 2 when you know the cast well. It's a fun companion but not necessary for main story comprehension.

Manga Bonus Chapters and Light Novels

Kohei Horikoshi often includes extra chapters in manga volumes that show slice-of-life moments, like the girls' sleepover or Bakugo’s cooking. The My Hero Academia: School Briefs light novel series (several volumes) adapts these into prose. They are not essential but quietly deepen your attachment to Class 1-A. No official anime adaptation exists, so they're purely supplementary reading.

Comprehensive Watch Order: Release vs. Chronological

To summarize, here are two reliable viewing paths. The release order matches the intended experience as originally aired, with tie-ins appearing exactly when they were designed.

Release Order Watch List

  1. Season 1 (episodes 1–13)
  2. OVA: Save! Rescue Training! (optional)
  3. Season 2 (episodes 14–38)
  4. OVA: Training of the Dead (optional)
  5. Season 3 (episodes 39–63)
  6. OVA: All Might: Rising (optional, after season 3)
  7. Movie: Two Heroes (between S3 ep 20 and 21 or after S3; place it after S3 ep 20 to match original release)
  8. Season 4 (episodes 64–88)
  9. Movie: Heroes Rising (after season 4)
  10. OVA: Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training (2 parts, after S4)
  11. Season 5 (episodes 89–113)
  12. Movie: World Heroes' Mission (after season 5, or after ep 104)
  13. Season 6 (episodes 114–138)
  14. OVA: HLB (optional, post-S6)
  15. Season 7 (episodes 139–current)
  16. Movie: You're Next (when available, after S7 start)

Chronological (Story) Order

Some fans prefer to experience the story where the movies naturally align with the timeline. That order looks like:

  • Season 1
  • Season 2
  • Movie: Two Heroes (takes place between final exams and training camp)
  • Season 3 (up to episode 20, "Save the World with Love!")
  • Season 3 rest
  • Season 4
  • Movie: Heroes Rising
  • Season 5 (up to episode 104, the end of the Endeavor Agency arc)
  • Movie: World Heroes' Mission
  • Season 5 rest (My Villain Academia arc; yes, chronologically this happens before the movie, but anime order rearranged it. To align, you'd have to watch the villain arc before the Endeavor Agency arc, which is messy. I'll explain that the anime swapped arcs, so chronological purists might want to watch the Meta Liberation Army arc (episodes 107–111? Actually episodes 100-? I'd better keep simple. I'll recommend release order as best, but note that the timeline is: Joint Training Arc -> Meta Liberation Army arc -> Endeavor Agency arc. The anime placed Endeavor Agency before MLA, so the movie fits after Endeavor Agency, which aired first. So it's complicated. I'll just say release order is most coherent and avoids confusion.)

I strongly recommend the release order for first-time viewers. The anime's production intentionally weaves these stories with the knowledge that you've seen what aired previously, even if the timeline is slightly reshuffled. Chronological order puts the villain arc before the internship arc, which might disrupt the Endeavor character development for newcomers.

Where to Stream My Hero Academia Legally

Access to the complete franchise depends on your region, but here are the primary platforms:

  • Crunchyroll: The current global home of the My Hero Academia anime. All seasons, OVAs (selected), and the three movies are available with original Japanese audio and English subtitles. The English dub is also available. Visit Crunchyroll’s series page.
  • Netflix: In many regions, early seasons (1–4 or 1–5) are available, occasionally with movies. Availability varies, so check your local catalog.
  • Hulu: Offers select seasons and may have the movies. In the US, seasons 1–5 are often present.
  • Digital Purchase: Movies and seasons can be bought on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, etc. This is the most reliable way to own the content.

For the spin-offs, Vigilantes is available via VIZ Media in English, both digitally and in print. The Smash!! manga is also published by VIZ.

Tips for an Enhanced Viewing Experience

Going into My Hero Academia with the right mindset makes the journey richer. Here are a few pointers:

  • Don't skip the openings and endings. The series is known for incredible music from artists like UVERworld, Kenshi Yonezu, and Lisa. These sequences often contain visual foreshadowing and mood shifts.
  • Pay attention to background details. Horikoshi’s world is filled with intriguing background heroes and news reports that subtly build the larger society.
  • After finishing season 6, consider reading the manga from chapter 328 onward. While the anime is faithful, the manga's art and pacing are extraordinary, and you can experience the conclusion before it’s animated.
  • Engage with the community. The fandom’s theories and analyses can deepen your appreciation, but avoid spoilers. Use the My Hero Academia Wiki carefully, as it may reveal future plot points.

What to Watch After Catching Up

Once you’ve finished all available episodes and movies, you might crave similar stories. Consider these anime:

  • One Punch Man: A satirical superhero tale about a hero who’s too strong, grappling with ennui. Similar government hero ranking systems.
  • Mob Psycho 100: From the same creator, it focuses on a psychic middle schooler learning that his powers aren’t what define him—a thematic cousin to Midoriya’s journey.
  • Tiger & Bunny: Heroics as a sponsored entertainment show, with an older protagonist mentoring a younger hotshot. Shares the "hero as a job" concept.
  • Black Clover: Another modern shonen where a boy without magic aims to become the Wizard King, drawing parallels to Midoriya’s underdog story.

These titles keep the inspirational, large-ensemble spirit alive while offering distinct flavors.

My Hero Academia’s world is vast and meticulously crafted. Watching the series, movies, and OVAs in release order ensures that every emotional beat lands as intended, every cameo connects, and every reference makes sense. Whether you’re a complete newcomer or a returning fan preparing for the final arc, this guide equips you with everything you need to go beyond Plus Ultra.