Figuring out the exact viewing sequence for My Hero Academia can feel like trying to untangle a web of pro hero internships. With six seasons, four feature films, multiple OVAs, and a growing collection of spin-off manga, it's easy to wonder which stories actually count and where they fit in the timeline. This guide breaks down the canon status of every major entry and presents a clear, spoiler-free watch order that respects both the release sequence and the internal chronology. Whether you're new to U.A. High or a returning fan, you'll know exactly what to watch next.

The Line Between Canon and Non-Canon in My Hero Academia

The main story of My Hero Academia is written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi. When we talk about canon content, we're referring to material that directly aligns with Horikoshi's original manga and its continuity. That includes all six television seasons, which faithfully adapt the manga, as well as certain supplementary stories that Horikoshi has either written or closely supervised. Non-canon elements are typically gags, alternate takes, or original animated segments created purely for entertainment without any bearing on the main narrative.

Things get more nuanced with the movies. While many anime films exist in a separate, self-contained bubble, Horikoshi has been directly involved with every My Hero Academia movie, providing original character designs, story supervision, and even writing manga tie-ins. Characters and events from Two Heroes, Heroes Rising, and World Heroes' Mission have received brief shout-outs in the main manga, giving them a soft canon status. For practical purposes, most fans treat the films as canon side adventures that happen between the arcs of the show.

The OVAs (Original Video Animations) land in a similar gray area. Some, like Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training, adapt bonus manga chapters penned by Horikoshi, making them canon. Others are pure comedy skits that exist mostly for laughs. We'll flag these as we go.

The Complete Watch Order: Release Order & Chronological Viewing

There are two sensible ways to experience My Hero Academia. Release order follows how the story was originally told, preserving the creators' intended pacing and emotional beats. Chronological order slots the movies and specials into their precise timeline moments, which can feel more immersive but may result in minor spoilers or pacing hiccups. The guide below presents a combined, release-informed order that respects the narrative flow while noting exactly where each extra fits chronologically. Streaming availability may vary by region; as of 2025, the main series streams on Crunchyroll, and the first three movies can be rented or purchased digitally.

1. My Hero Academia: Season 1 (2016)

The journey starts here. Episodes 1–13 introduce Izuku Midoriya, a Quirkless boy who inherits the legendary One For All from his idol All Might, and then enrolls in U.A. High School. The season covers the entrance exam, the first combat trials, and the U.S.J. attack. There are no canon extras that precede it, so this is where every viewer should begin.

2. My Hero Academia: Season 2 (2017) – Episodes 1–20

Season 2 kicks off with the U.A. Sports Festival arc (episodes 1–13), followed by the Hero Killer Stain arc (14–19) and a short aftermath (20). The character development here is enormous, and the rivalry between Midoriya and Bakugo takes center stage. At this point, you've reached the end of the first clear break where a movie fits.

3. My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (Movie, 2018) – After Season 2, Episode 20

Where to watch it: Chronologically, Two Heroes occurs after the final exams and before the summer training camp. Watch it right after Season 2, Episode 20 (or after Season 2 entirely, which is what we recommend). The story sends Midoriya and All Might to I-Island, a floating research facility, where they confront a villain named Wolfram. Horikoshi designed the original characters and oversaw the script, so this film fits snugly into the canon timeline. A special manga chapter All Might Rising serves as a prologue and is worth reading if you want a deeper dive into All Might's student days.

4. My Hero Academia: Season 2 (2017) – Episodes 21–25

The remainder of Season 2 covers the end-of-term practical exams. While shorter, these episodes are essential for understanding how the students refine their Quirks before heading into more dangerous territory.

5. My Hero Academia: Season 3 (2018) – Episodes 1–13

Season 3 starts with the forest training camp arc and the subsequent Kamino incident. All Might's climactic battle with All For One is a turning point for the entire series. By the end of episode 13, the League of Villains has undergone a significant transformation.

6. My Hero Academia: Season 3 (2018) – Episodes 14–25

The second half of Season 3 tackles the provisional hero licensing exam. New faces like Yoarashi Inasa and Camie Utsushimi debut here, and the character growth for both heroes and villains continues to ramp up.

7. My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (Movie, 2019) – After Season 3

Chronological placement: The events of Heroes Rising take place after the licensing exam but before Season 4, during a period when Class 1-A is dispatched to Nabu Island for a safety work-study assignment. The film is notable for giving every student in the class a meaningful moment to shine, and it features a final battle that Horikoshi himself has referred to as one possible original ending for the series. Because of the timeline, watch it after completing all of Season 3. You can find it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video or for purchase on services such as Apple TV.

8. My Hero Academia: Season 4 (2019–2020)

Season 4 adapts the Shie Hassaikai arc (featuring Overhaul and Eri) and the U.A. School Festival. The emotional depth of this season is immense, and the arc introduces the concept of Quirk-erasing bullets that play a role in later sagas. As you watch, keep an eye out for the filler episode (Episode 19, "It's Like Looking at a Beautiful Color Photo"), which recaps the festival from a gag-manga perspective; it's entirely skippable.

9. My Hero Academia: Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training (OVA, 2020) – Between Season 4 and Season 5

This is a two-part OVA adapted from bonus manga chapters by Horikoshi. The story focuses on a joint survival exercise between Class 1-A, Class 1-B, and some teachers, with the losing students facing punishment—including a bizarre but hilarious scenario involving a hot spring. Because it's based on Horikoshi's own side chapters, it's considered canon. Watch it after Season 4, as it fits best before the joint training arc kicks off in Season 5. Other OVAs like Training of the Dead and All Might: Rising (a condensed version of the movie prologue) are non-canon fun and can be enjoyed at any point after Season 2.

10. My Hero Academia: Season 5 (2021) – Episodes 1–13

The first cour of Season 5 covers the Joint Training Battle arc, pitting Class 1-A against Class 1-B in a series of intense team matches. This arc introduces Hitoshi Shinso's path into the hero course and offers long-awaited screen time for the often-overlooked Class 1-B students.

11. My Hero Academia: Season 5 (2021) – Episodes 14–25

The back half adapts the My Villain Academia arc (a fan-favorite deep dive into the League of Villains' origin and Shigaraki's evolution) and the Endeavor Agency arc, where Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki intern under the new Number One Hero. The episode order here was slightly rearranged from the manga to lead into the next movie, but the core story remains intact.

12. My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission (Movie, 2021) – After Season 5, Episode 16–17 (or Finish Season 5 First)

Chronologically, World Heroes' Mission takes place during the Endeavor Agency arc, right after the students have begun their internships. However, the movie was released after the entire season had aired, and it contains certain character abilities and emotional beats that hit harder if you've completed Season 5. Our recommended watch order: finish all of Season 5 and then watch the movie. The global threat posed by the organization Humarise expands the hero world beyond Japan, and Rody Soul, the film's original character, was designed by Horikoshi. To avoid spoilers, do not watch the movie before reaching Season 5. Official information can be found on the My Hero Academia official website.

13. My Hero Academia: Season 6 (2022–2023)

The Paranormal Liberation War arc dominates the first half of Season 6, delivering the most devastating and high-stakes conflicts the series has ever seen. The second half transitions into the Dark Hero arc, which follows a fractured society and Midoriya's solitary, desperate struggle to protect those he cares about. This season marks a major turning point in narrative tone and is best experienced without any movie detours.

14. My Hero Academia: You're Next (Movie, 2024) – After Season 6

The fourth film, You're Next, premiered in Japanese theaters in August 2024 and is set in the aftermath of the Paranormal Liberation War. It introduces a mysterious giant fortress and an original villain who looks disturbingly like All Might. Because the film fits directly into the early part of the Dark Hero arc, you should watch it after completing Season 6. International streaming and home release details are still rolling out, so check your local services or the VIZ Media My Hero Academia page for updates.

15. My Hero Academia: Season 7 (2024–2025) and Final War Arc

At the time of writing, Season 7 has begun adapting the Final War Arc, the climactic conflict that brings together heroes from around the world against All For One and Shigaraki. No further movies or OVAs have been announced that slot into this period, so simply follow the episodes in release order as they air.

Where Do the Spin-offs Fit In?

The My Hero Academia universe extends well beyond the anime screen. The most prominent spin-off is My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, a manga written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, which takes place a few years before the main series. It follows Koichi Haimawari, an unlicensed "vigilante," and explores the grittier side of hero society. Several characters from Vigilantes, including Aizawa and Midnight, appear in roles that tie directly into the main timeline, and an anime adaptation has been officially announced. You can read the entire series on Shueisha's Manga Plus at any point after finishing Season 4, as it enriches the background of the Shie Hassaikai and the underground hero world without spoiling future main-series events.

Other spin-offs include My Hero Academia: Smash!! (a gag series that should not be taken seriously for canon lore) and My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions, an anthology of short side stories that team up various pro heroes and students. Team-Up Missions can be read anytime after Season 3 and often include whimsical, non-canon scenarios, though some volumes reference canon events lightly. None of these are required viewing for the main plot, but they're a treat for dedicated fans who want more time with the characters.

My Hero Academia is remarkably light on filler compared to long-running shonen peers. Most episodes adapt multiple manga chapters directly, keeping the pacing brisk. However, a few standalone episodes and specials exist. Episode 4 of Season 1 ("My Hero Academia") is a partial filler, expanding on the entrance exam, but it's widely considered canon-enough because Horikoshi had input. The recap episodes at the start of new seasons are entirely skippable. The real filler lies in the OVA collection. If you're short on time, you can safely ignore OVAs like Training of the Dead and the animated shorts produced for Jump Festa. For those who want the full experience, treat the OVAs as fun bonus episodes to watch between seasons.

When it comes to the movies, watch them in the order we've outlined. Each film raises the stakes and animation quality, and Horikoshi's involvement ensures they feel like genuine parts of the world. Skipping them won't leave you lost in the main anime, but you'll miss out on some of the best-animated fights the franchise has to offer and subtle callbacks that appear later in the show.

A Quick Recap for Your Watchlist

For a streamlined, no-confusion experience, bookmark this sequence:

  • Season 1
  • Season 2 (all episodes)
  • Movie 1: Two Heroes
  • Season 3 (all episodes)
  • Movie 2: Heroes Rising
  • Season 4
  • OVA: Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training (optional but canon)
  • Season 5
  • Movie 3: World Heroes' Mission
  • Season 6
  • Movie 4: You're Next (when available)
  • Season 7 and beyond

Following this order preserves every plot twist and emotional payoff exactly as Horikoshi and the anime staff intended. With the series heading toward its final act, there's never been a better time to go beyond—Plus Ultra.