The Filler Landscape of My Hero Academia

Few modern shonen anime have balanced explosive action and emotional depth as deftly as My Hero Academia. Kohei Horikoshi’s tale of Izuku Midoriya and his classmates at U.A. High School has become a global phenomenon, praised for its tight pacing and faithful manga adaptation. Yet even a series this meticulously crafted isn’t immune to the realities of television production. As the anime caught up to the ongoing manga, the studio behind the series, Bones, occasionally inserted anime-original content—what the community calls filler episodes. Understanding which episodes are filler, why they exist, and whether they’re worth your time can dramatically improve your viewing experience. This guide breaks down every filler episode in My Hero Academia, separates the gems from the skippable entries, and helps you tailor a watchlist that matches your patience and curiosity.

What Exactly Counts as a Filler Episode?

In anime, a filler episode is any installment that does not directly adapt material from the original source—in this case, the My Hero Academia manga. Studios use filler for several reasons: to give the mangaka time to write new chapters, to expand on side characters, or to explore light-hearted moments that wouldn’t fit into the main story’s breakneck pace. The important distinction is that filler isn’t inherently low-quality; some of it offers valuable character backstory or genuinely entertaining diversions. However, because it lies outside the canonical timeline, its events rarely have consequences on the larger narrative.

My Hero Academia is unusual among long-running shonen adaptations. Unlike series such as Naruto or Bleach, which padded their runs with entire arcs of non-canon material, MHA has kept its filler count remarkably low. Across six seasons and over 140 episodes, only a handful are fully anime-original. The series prefers to stretch canon chapters with extended fight scenes or quiet character moments rather than invent plotlines from scratch. This restraint means that even the filler episodes are often woven into the fabric of the school year, making them feel less disruptive.

Complete List of My Hero Academia Filler Episodes

Below is the authoritative breakdown of every episode classified as filler, partial filler, or mixed canon/filler. All episode numbers follow the standard Crunchyroll and Hulu ordering. Episodes marked “mostly filler” are safe to skip if you’re sticking strictly to the manga story; those labeled as having canon segments may contain one or two scenes worth seeing, often at the very end.

Season 2: The Sports Festival and Internship Arc

  • Episode 32 – “Everyone’s Internships” – Mostly filler. This episode recaps the internships and pads the run-up to the final exams with anime-only scenes of Class 1-A relaxing and training. A tiny canon stinger at the end teases the next arc.
  • Episode 39 – “Game Start” – Mixed canon/filler. The bulk of this episode is an original cheerleading competition between the girls of Class 1-A and 1-B during the Sports Festival, a silly diversion not found in the manga. The remainder covers the start of the tournament bracket, which is canon.

Season 3: The Training Camp and Hideout Raid Arc

  • Episode 58 – “Special Episode: Save the World with Love!” – Entirely filler. Right after the intense summer camp attack, this episode detours into a goofy love-comedy about a quirk that forces people to confess their feelings. It’s a jarring tonal shift but beloved by fans who enjoy the show’s lighter side.
  • Episode 64 – “The Scoop on U.A. Class 1-A” – Mostly filler. After the emotional climax of All Might’s fight, this episode follows a reporter trying to get the inside story on the class. Light character interactions dominate; the only canon material is the final minute setting up the Provisional License Exam.

Season 4: The Shie Hassaikai and Remedial Course Arc

  • Episode 80 – “Relief for License Trainees” – Entirely filler. This episode takes place during the remedial license course and focuses on an anime-original challenge where Bakugo, Todoroki, Camie, and Inasa must win the hearts of a group of rambunctious kindergarteners. It’s a hilarious departure that reveals softer sides of the explosive heroes.

Season 5: Joint Training and Endeavor Agency Arc

  • Episode 104 – “Long Time No See, Selkie” – Entirely filler. A beach episode in all but name, this story reunites Deku and Ojiro with the pro hero Selkie from the OVA. The trio investigates a mysterious sea creature, giving the supporting cast a rare moment in the spotlight.
  • Episode 105 – “The Hellish Todoroki Family” – Mixed canon/filler. The first half is an anime-original flashback expanding on the Todoroki family tragedy, which adds emotional weight but pads the runtime. The second half moves into canon events from the Endeavor Agency arc. Purists may want to watch only from the midpoint.

Season 6: The Paranormal Liberation War and Dark Hero Arc

  • Episode 123 – “The Ones Within Us” – Mostly filler. As the war reaches a fever pitch, this episode pauses for an anime-only sequence where the vestiges inside One For All interact with Deku in a dreamscape. It deepens the lore but is non-canon; a brief canon segment at the end resumes the battle.
  • Episode 124 – “Dabi’s Dance” Flashback Extension – Mixed canon/filler. While the iconic “Dabi’s Dance” reveal is pure canon, the episode inserts several minutes of original flashbacks about the Todoroki family that weren’t in the manga. They are well-directed and emotionally resonant, but technically padding.
  • Episode 125 – “The Lovely Assassin” – Entirely filler. After the war’s devastation, this lighthearted episode follows Toga in a dream-like sequence where she imagines a normal high school life with Ochaco. It’s a surreal character study that offers a rare empathetic look at the villain, though it has zero plot relevance.

Note that several OVAs exist outside the main series, such as “All Might Rising” and “Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training,” but these are not part of the numbered episode run and are not included here. For an interactive, continuously updated list, you can consult community resources like Anime Filler List or browse discussions on MyAnimeList.

Why Does My Hero Academia Have Filler at All?

The primary driver is the gap between manga and anime production schedules. Horikoshi’s manga releases weekly, but a 24-minute anime episode consumes two to three chapters on average. During its early seasons, the anime had a comfortable buffer. By Season 5, the gap had narrowed, forcing Bones to slow the pace and insert original content to avoid overtaking the published story. Rather than go on hiatus—an approach taken by series like Attack on Titan—the production committee opted to keep the show on the air with filler episodes and recap specials.

A secondary reason is character spotlight. The ensemble cast of Class 1-A and its ever-expanding roster of pro heroes, villains, and family members means many fan-favorites rarely get meaningful screen time in the main plot. Filler episodes allow the writers to explore dynamics that the manga can’t always accommodate—like the remedial course shenanigans of Bakugo and Todoroki, or Ojiro’s team-up with Selkie. For viewers who adore the supporting cast, these detours can feel like a treat rather than a chore.

The Hidden Value of Filler: What Makes Some Episodes Worth Watching

Not all filler is created equal, and dismissing every non-canon episode outright means missing out on genuine moments of character growth and humor. The best filler episodes in My Hero Academia manage to feel organic to the school setting, leveraging the series’ slice-of-life charm without breaking continuity. Here’s what you might gain by giving them a chance.

Character Depth and Backstory

Episodes like “The Hellish Todoroki Family” (105) and “The Ones Within Us” (123) offer expansive flashbacks that, while not strictly canonical, align with the themes of the series. In 105, the added scenes of young Shoto, Toya, and Rei deepen the tragedy and make Endeavor’s atonement arc hit harder. Even though the material wasn’t written by Horikoshi, the anime staff worked closely with the mangaka’s notes, ensuring the emotional beats remain consistent. If you’re invested in the Todoroki family saga, these filler moments can enhance rather than detract.

Comic Relief and Tone Reset

MHA’s main plot is emotionally intense, often cycling through trauma, loss, and high-stakes battles. Filler episodes like “Save the World with Love!” (58) and “The Lovely Assassin” (125) act as pressure valves, allowing the audience to laugh and decompress. Episode 58’s love quirk fiasco is pure sitcom chaos, while 125 offers a bizarre, bittersweet what-if that humanizes Himiko Toga in a way the canon hasn’t yet. Skipping these won’t hurt your comprehension, but they do provide a more balanced emotional rhythm to a binge-watch.

Spotlight on Overlooked Characters

The joint training arc gave everyone a moment, but many students like Mashirao Ojiro, Toru Hagakure, and Yuga Aoyama still crave more screen time. Episodes 80 and 104 hand the mic to these underdogs. Watching Bakugo, Todoroki, and the explosive Inasa try to wrangle children in episode 80 is comedy gold that also quietly reinforces their growth into more patient, empathetic heroes. Similarly, the Selkie episode (104) gives Ojiro—a character often mocked for his “plainness”—a chance to shine as a competent, earnest hero-in-training.

Which Filler Episodes Should You Skip?

If you’re chasing the main plot or simply have limited time, you can safely bypass several episodes without missing any crucial narrative information. Use this skip list for a lean, canon-only viewing experience.

  • Episode 32 (Everyone’s Internships) – Heavy on recap material and slice-of-life padding. The only canon snippet is the final two minutes, which you can watch as a preview for the next arc. Skip the rest.
  • Episode 39 (Game Start) – The original cheerleading battle is fun but utterly inconsequential. If you dislike tonal whiplash during the Sports Festival, fast-forward through the first half or skip the episode entirely and read a summary.
  • Episode 58 (Save the World with Love!) – A pure comedy interlude placed awkwardly after a traumatic arc. Skippable unless you’re a completionist or a fan of the show’s humor.
  • Episode 64 (The Scoop on U.A. Class 1-A) – This episode is a slow, documentary-style filler piece. While it offers cute character moments, it adds nothing to the ongoing story and can be skipped without losing context.
  • Episode 104 (Long Time No See, Selkie) – An enjoyable one-off but entirely disconnected from the main plot. Skip unless you desperately want more Ojiro and Tsuyu interaction.
  • Episode 125 (The Lovely Assassin) – A dream-sequence filler that, while artistically ambitious, has no bearing on Toga’s real-world arc. Skip for pace.

Watch, Skip, or Cherry-Pick: A Viewing Strategy

Everyone’s tolerance for filler varies. For first-time viewers, I recommend a hybrid approach: watch the episodes that deepen emotionally significant relationships or provide a much-needed laugh, and skip those that simply mark time. Below is a quick decision guide.

Must-Watch Filler Gems

These episodes are so entertaining or character-rich that they feel like an essential part of the My Hero Academia experience, even if they aren’t canon.

  • Episode 80 (Relief for License Trainees) – The kindergarten rehabilitation challenge is widely considered one of the funniest episodes in the entire series. It also offers genuine development for Bakugo and Todoroki, making it the single most recommended filler entry.
  • Episode 105 (The Hellish Todoroki Family) – The original flashback material is seamlessly integrated and devastating. Watch from the start; the padding actually enriches the arc.
  • Episode 124 (Dabi’s Dance extended flashbacks) – Though the Dabi reveal is canon, the additional family scenes are so well-crafted that they’ve been embraced by the fandom. Don’t skip the extended version; it makes the climax hit harder.

Episodes to Watch Only If You Love the Supporting Cast

  • Episode 104 – For Selkie and Ojiro enthusiasts only.
  • Episode 58 – If the idea of a love potion episode amuses you, dive in. Everyone else can safely skip.
  • Episode 123 – The vestige conversation adds some lore, but it’s entirely skippable if you’re impatient for the war’s resolution.

Safe Skips Under Any Circumstance

  • Episodes 32, 39 (first half), 64, and 125. If you do watch them, do so with the understanding that they’re bonus content, not story essentials.

For the most seamless watching experience, stream the series on Crunchyroll or Funimation (now part of Crunchyroll), where all episodes are available with clear numbering. Longtime fans often build canonical watchlists on Anime News Network to track which installments adapt manga chapters directly.

The Broader Filler Debate in Anime

My Hero Academia’s filler load is modest, but the conversation it sparks mirrors a larger debate in the anime community. Some viewers believe any deviation from the source material is a betrayal of the creator’s intent. Others see filler as an opportunity for the anime to become its own work of art, using the characters and world as a sandbox for original stories. In the case of MHA, the production team’s collaborative relationship with Horikoshi has resulted in filler that rarely contradicts canon and often feels like deleted scenes or extended cuts. The emotional core of the series—the struggle to become a hero who saves everyone—remains untarnished.

Whether you choose to absorb every moment or curate a strict canon path, understanding what filler is and where it appears puts you in control. You can binge the main saga with laser focus, then circle back for the slice-of-life bonus chapters when you miss the halls of U.A. High. The beauty of a series as rich as My Hero Academia is that it rewards multiple viewing strategies, and even its detours carry the unmistakable spirit of Plus Ultra.

Final Thoughts

Filler episodes in My Hero Academia are neither a plague to be avoided at all costs nor a treasure trove of essential lore. They are a byproduct of a beloved ongoing series navigating the tightrope between manga and screen. By knowing which episodes are filler—and which of those contain genuine heart and humor—you can shape a watch order that respects your time without sacrificing the joy of discovery. For the essential experience, stick to the canon episodes and sprinkle in the standout fillers like 80, 105, and portions of 124. For the completist, every extra minute at U.A. is a chance to spend more time with characters who have come to feel like friends. Either way, the world of heroes and quirks awaits.