My Hero Academia has cemented itself as one of the most beloved shonen anime of the modern era, largely due to its ability to weave intense, high-stakes action with deeply personal character journeys. The series consistently follows Kohei Horikoshi’s original manga, but the animated adaptation occasionally introduces filler material — episodes or scenes not present in the source comics. Understanding what is canon and what is filler becomes especially valuable when diving into arcs like the Shie Hassaikai storyline, a pivotal chapter in the students’ growth as future pro heroes. For viewers who want the purest narrative experience or are pressed for time, mapping the canon episodes and separating them from any side content is essential.

Overview of the Shie Hassaikai Arc

The Shie Hassaikai Arc is the second major story arc of My Hero Academia Season 4, running from Episode 63 through Episode 76 of the anime. It adapts chapters 125 through 162 of the manga and thrusts the young heroes of U.A. High School into a darker, more dangerous conflict than anything they had previously faced. At the center of the turmoil is the yakuza organization Shie Hassaikai, led by the cold and calculating Kai Chisaki, better known by his villain alias Overhaul. Overhaul’s plan to eradicate Quirks using a serum derived from a young girl named Eri forces a coalition of pro heroes, police, and U.A. students — including Izuku Midoriya, Mirio Togata, and others — to raid the Hassaikai compound. The arc is a relentless, emotionally charged operation that raises the stakes for hero society and leaves a lasting impact on the entire My Hero Academia world.

The Complete Episode List of the Shie Hassaikai Arc

Contrary to some fan misconceptions, every episode within the Shie Hassaikai Arc is a direct adaptation of the manga. There are no standalone filler episodes nestled between the raid preparation and the final showdown. The arc unfolds across these 14 episodes:

  • Episode 63: “The Ticking Clock” – The pro heroes and police force formally request U.A. students to participate in the Shie Hassaikai raid, introducing the stakes and the tragic backstory of Eri.
  • Episode 64: “The Return of the Lofty” – The heroes strategize their infiltration, and the Big Three make their move, with Mirio Togata demonstrating his incredible Permeation Quirk.
  • Episode 65: “The Long Way Home” – The raid begins in earnest. Teams navigate the compound’s labyrinthine corridors while the psychological weight of Eri’s suffering takes center stage.
  • Episode 66: “The Unforgiven” – Fighting intensifies as more members of the Shie Hassaikai are confronted, and Overhaul’s monstrous vision starts to materialize.
  • Episode 67: “The Demon of the Badlands” – Suneater faces a grueling three-on-one battle, showcasing the raw power of his Chimera Kraken form and his growth as a hero.
  • Episode 68: “An Infinite Torment” – Mirio confronts Overhaul head-on to protect Eri, and the series delivers one of its most heartbreaking moments.
  • Episode 69: “Unforeseen Hope” – Deku enters the fray, pushing One For All to its absolute limit in a desperate attempt to save Eri.
  • Episode 70: “Infinite 100%” – The climactic battle reaches its peak as Deku taps into a new level of power, with Eri’s Quirk playing an unexpected role.
  • Episode 71: “Let’s Go, Gutsy Red Riot” – Kirishima and Fat Gum face a monstrous enemy, highlighting Red Riot’s unbreakable spirit and solidifying his development.
  • Episode 72: “Red Riot” – The aftermath of the raid begins to settle, and the emotional toll on the heroes, especially those who fought at the front, becomes clear.
  • Episode 73: “Temp Squad” – A new threat emerges from the League of Villains, widening the conflict and setting up future arcs while the heroes regroup.
  • Episode 74: “Lemillion” – Mirio’s fate is revealed, and the series explores his past dream and his ongoing heroism, even after immense loss.
  • Episode 75: “Unspoken Words” – The emotional resolution of the Eri storyline unfolds, with quiet but powerful character beats between the heroes and the girl they rescued.
  • Episode 76: “The High, Deep Blue Sky” – The arc concludes with a festival at U.A., a healing moment that shows how far Eri has come and underscores the importance of heroism beyond combat.

All these episodes are canon and essential for understanding the full scope of the Shie Hassaikai conflict. Skipping any of them would leave glaring narrative holes, as each installment builds upon the last to deliver a cohesive and emotional story.

Canon Content and Key Moments

The Shie Hassaikai Arc is dense with pivotal canon moments that ripple through the rest of the series. These scenes are faithfully adapted from the manga and serve as cornerstone events for character growth and world-building.

  • Eri’s introduction and backstory: Episode 63 plants the seeds of tragedy. Eri, a young girl abused and experimented on by Overhaul, becomes the emotional core of the entire arc. Her desperate smile and plea for help in earlier episodes drive the heroes forward.
  • Mirio’s sacrifice and heroism: In Episode 68, Mirio Togata loses his Quirk after being struck by a Quirk-destroying bullet, yet he continues to fight Overhaul barehanded for five minutes. This moment redefines what it means to be a hero, earning him the title Lemillion in spirit even without powers.
  • Deku’s Infinite 100% transformation: Episode 70 marks a turning point for Izuku Midoriya. By using Eri’s Rewind Quirk to heal his shattered body, he can momentarily operate at 100% of One For All without injury, unleashing a barrage of blows against Overhaul in a dazzling display of power and emotion.
  • Kirishima’s unbreakable resolve: Episodes 71 and 72 focus on Eijiro Kirishima’s growth. His battle against Kendo Rappa and his declaration that he refuses to be the weak link anymore push his hardening Quirk to new heights and solidify his character arc.
  • The League of Villains’ intervention: In Episode 73, the League ambushes the police convoy transporting Overhaul, stealing the Quirk-destroying bullets and signaling a shift in the overarching villain narrative. This moment is crucial for future arcs.
  • Eri’s first smile: The finale of the arc in Episode 76 gives the audience a much-needed emotional payoff. Eri’s genuine smile at the U.A. School Festival is a quiet but powerful canon moment that shows true healing and hope.

Filler Episodes: Understanding the True Picture

Many viewers seeking to skip filler are often directed to lists that mislabel episodes within the Shie Hassaikai Arc. It is important to clarify that there are no filler episodes during the arc itself. The confusion typically stems from two standalone filler episodes that bookend the arc but do not belong to it.

  • Episode 62: “The Final Exams” – This episode is entirely anime-original and takes place before the Shie Hassaikai Arc begins. It focuses on the students’ final exam preparations and includes original interactions, such as Bakugo tutoring Kirishima. While mildly entertaining, it offers no plot progression relevant to the yakuza raid and can be skipped without missing canon material.
  • Episode 71: “The Results of the Provisional License Exam Training” – Often incorrectly listed as part of the Hassaikai arc, this filler episode actually comes after the main raid’s climax and before the Remedial Course Arc. It recaps the provisional license exam results and showcases original comedic scenes. Since it interrupts the emotional flow of the Shie Hassaikai aftermath, many guide sites, including Anime Filler List, advise skipping it.

All episodes from 63 through 76 are canon adaptations. If you are following a watch guide that suggests skipping any of these, you will miss vital story threads and character moments.

Canon vs. Filler: Pacing and Viewer Experience

While the Shie Hassaikai Arc has no filler episodes, its pacing has been a point of discussion among fans. The anime occasionally expands scenes with extended internal monologues, flashbacks, and additional reaction shots, which can slow down the otherwise relentless momentum of the manga’s raid. Some critics argue that these expansions, while still canon in spirit, create a “filler-like” feel. However, these moments are not original story deviations; they are stylistic choices by the animation team to flesh out emotional beats.

For viewers who want the most streamlined experience, watching all 14 episodes remains the best approach. The expanded scenes often add depth to characters like Kirishima and Suneater, whose backstories are enriched by the anime’s pacing. Skipping episodes would eliminate critical context and reduce the impact of the arc’s climax. If time is limited, focusing on the manga chapters directly is an alternative, but the anime’s animation, voice acting, and music — especially during Mirio’s fight and Deku’s final battle — elevate the emotional stakes considerably.

Manga vs. Anime Adaptations: What Changed?

The anime adaptation of the Shie Hassaikai Arc is remarkably faithful, but there are subtle differences and additions that can interest detail-oriented fans. The core narrative is intact, but the anime does make a few notable adjustments:

  • Extended fight scenes: The battles involving Suneater, Kirishima, and the raid team are slightly longer in the anime, giving animation studio Bones room to showcase their high-quality choreography.
  • Reordered timeline: Certain backstory flashbacks, like Kirishima’s middle school incident, are placed strategically within the episodes to maximize emotional impact, sometimes altering the order of manga panels.
  • Additional character moments: The anime includes extra scenes of class 1-A reacting to the mission, which helps flesh out the ensemble cast but slightly softens the fast-paced dread of the source material.
  • Censorship of violence: The original manga portrays the raid’s brutality more graphically. The anime tones down the most visceral injuries to comply with broadcasting standards, though the emotional weight remains intact.

These choices mean the anime experience is not a 1:1 replica, but it stays firmly within the realm of canon storytelling. The added content can be seen as a director’s cut that prioritizes character empathy over relentless action pacing.

The Importance of the Shie Hassaikai Arc in the Overall Series

The Shie Hassaikai Arc is not merely a stopgap between school events; it is a transformative experience for the entire My Hero Academia universe. Several long-term consequences spring directly from its events:

  • Deku’s new power dynamic: The discovery that Eri’s Rewind can heal him opens a dangerous door for One For All’s usage, foreshadowing later developments where he pushes his body even further.
  • Mirio’s demotion and future prospects: The loss of Lemillion’s Quirk shifts the balance of the Big Three and becomes a driving motivator for Eri to learn control over her power, a storyline that continues into subsequent seasons.
  • The Quirk-destroying bullets: Stolen by the League of Villains, these bullets become a terrifying tool that threatens the very foundation of hero society. Their existence haunts the narrative for arcs to come.
  • Kirishima’s solidified confidence: His performance against Rappa cements his place as a frontline hero and his bond with Fat Gum, influencing his later choices and relationships.
  • Eri as a symbol of hope: Rescued from a life of abuse, Eri’s journey toward healing becomes a recurring thread that reminds the heroes what they are fighting for beyond villain takedowns.

Without the Shie Hassaikai Arc, the emotional complexity and the moral questions surrounding heroism would be far less developed. It forces the young heroes to confront the darker side of their society, where even a child can be turned into a weapon.

How to Watch the Shie Hassaikai Arc: A Guide for New and Returning Viewers

If you are diving into My Hero Academia Season 4, here is a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to get the most out of the Shie Hassaikai storyline while avoiding any irrelevant filler.

  1. Start at Episode 63 – Skip Episode 62 entirely unless you want a light-hearted interlude that does not affect the plot.
  2. Watch Episodes 63 through 76 without skipping – Each episode is canon and builds tension, character arcs, and the overarching mystery. Binge-watching enhances the immersion.
  3. Be mindful of pacing dips – Around Episode 71 and 72, the focus shifts slightly to Kirishima’s backstory and the aftermath. These are not filler; they are crucial for emotional resolution.
  4. After Episode 76, continue with Episode 77 – Episode 77 begins the Remedial Course Arc. Do not accidentally skip Episode 71 if you are relying on filler lists that mislabel it as part of the Hassaikai arc; note that Episode 71 is filler that takes place after the arc and can be skipped if you choose.

For viewers who prefer an even more condensed experience, reading the corresponding manga chapters (125–162) on the official VIZ Media platform is an excellent alternative. However, the anime’s soundtrack and voice performances — particularly Daiki Yamashita’s portrayal of Deku’s desperation and Yoshimasa Hosoya’s calm determination as Mirio — add layers of emotion that the printed page alone cannot convey.

The Emotional Core of the Arc: Canon Storytelling at Its Best

One of the strongest arguments for watching every canon episode of the Shie Hassaikai Arc lies in its emotional storytelling. The arc tackles mature themes such as child abuse, bodily exploitation, loss of identity, and the true meaning of heroism when one’s powers are stripped away. Mirio’s five-minute stand against Overhaul without a Quirk is a moment so powerful that it remains etched in fans’ memories long after the credits roll. It is not a detour from the plot — it is the plot, showcasing that heroism is about far more than flashy abilities.

Similarly, Eri’s gradual emergence from trauma is handled with care. Her first genuine smile at the school festival in Episode 76 is a quiet, hopeful counterpoint to the arc’s earlier darkness. These emotional payoffs only land because the viewer has experienced every painful step of the journey. Skipping even a single episode would rob the story of its planned rhythm, making the finale feel unearned.

Common Misconceptions About Filler in the Shie Hassaikai Arc

Despite the clarity, misconceptions persist, often fueled by outdated watch-order guides or fan forums that lump all anime-original moments into a “filler” bucket. It’s important to distinguish between filler episodes (standalone stories that do not exist in the manga) and anime expansions (extended sequences that pad canon scenes). The Shie Hassaikai Arc has several anime expansions — such as prolonged flashbacks during the Kirishima battle or added reaction shots from Class 1-A — but these do not create filler episodes. They are embellishments within canon episodes.

For a reliable, up-to-date filler guide, the Anime Filler List correctly marks Episodes 63–76 as manga canon. Cross-referencing such resources with official Crunchyroll episode summaries can help avoid the frustration of missing key content.

Final Thoughts on Navigating Canon and Filler

My Hero Academia’s Shie Hassaikai Arc stands as a masterclass in building tension, deepening character backstories, and challenging the ideals of what it means to be a hero. With zero filler episodes muddying its runtime, the anime offers a complete and faithful adaptation that demands a committed viewing from start to finish. Understanding the distinction between canon and filler — and recognizing that this arc remains pure canon — allows fans to appreciate the narrative without hesitation.

Whether you are a first-time watcher eager for the full experience or a returning fan reliving the epic confrontation with Overhaul, watching Episodes 63 through 76 in sequence is the definitive way to experience one of the series’ most emotionally resonant arcs. The journey through the Hassaikai compound is brutal, heart-wrenching, and ultimately uplifting, and it deserves to be witnessed without edits or omissions.