What Is My Hero Academia?

My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) is a Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since July 2014, with its anime adaptation produced by Bones premiering in April 2016. The story is set in a world where 80% of the population is born with a superhuman ability called a “Quirk.” Protagonist Izuku Midoriya is born Quirkless but still dreams of becoming the greatest hero. His life changes when he meets his idol, All Might, the Symbol of Peace, who bequeaths him a powerful Quirk and enrolls him at U.A. High School – Japan’s premier hero-training institution.

The series balances high-octane action with heartfelt character arcs, exploring what it means to be a hero, the weight of legacy, and the thin line between altruism and ambition. With six seasons, multiple films, OVAs, and a growing catalog of spin-offs, My Hero Academia offers a dense narrative universe. For newcomers, the first hurdle isn’t just deciding to watch – it’s figuring out how to watch. Do you follow the release timeline exactly as it unfolded, or do you insert the movies and specials where they chronologically belong? Understanding the difference between canon viewing order and release order is the key to a seamless experience.

Understanding Canon vs. Release Order

Before mapping out your marathon, it helps to clarify what these two approaches mean – and why they don’t yield the same sequence for My Hero Academia.

Canon Viewing Order

The canon order organizes every piece of animated My Hero Academia content according to the internal chronology of the story. This means placing movies, OVAs, and specials not by their original air or release date, but at the exact point in the timeline where the events occur, or where they create the smoothest narrative flow. Since Kohei Horikoshi has stated that the films are canon to the anime continuity (even though they sometimes operate in a “what if” space relative to the manga), inserting them at the correct story moment preserves character development, power scaling, and emotional payoffs.

For example, the first film, Two Heroes, takes place during summer break between the Final Exams and the Forest Training Camp – chronologically right after Season 2 and before Season 3. Watching it anywhere else introduces anachronisms, like a version of Deku who hasn’t yet mastered certain techniques or relationships that haven’t yet formed.

Release Order

Release order follows the exact sequence in which the episodes, OVAs, and films were first made available to audiences. This is the experience long-time fans lived through week after week, year after year. It often means watching a film that flashes back or teases future events, followed by a season that catches up to that point. While it can create minor chronological hiccups, many purists enjoy the organic build of hype and the original context of each premiere.

Because the My Hero Academia movies tend to release between seasons, the release order and the canon order can look similar at a glance – but careful viewers will notice that the placement of Heroes Rising and World Heroes’ Mission do not line up neatly with the end of a season.

The Definitive Canon Viewing Order (With Episode Counts and Arcs)

If you want to experience the story exactly as the characters do, follow this timeline. All episode numbers refer to the main TV series. Films and OVAs are inserted at the points that preserve coherence and avoid spoilers.

  1. My Hero Academia Season 1 (Episodes 1–13)
    Covers the Entrance Exam, the Quirk Apprehension Test, the Battle Trial, and the U.S.J. Incident. This season establishes the core cast, the bond between Midoriya and All Might, and the first real taste of villainy.
  2. OVA: “Save! Rescue Training!” (optional but recommended)
    Set shortly after the U.S.J. arc, this side story dives into a joint rescue exercise. It contains no critical plot points, but it adds flavor to the class dynamic and can be watched immediately after Season 1.
  3. My Hero Academia Season 2 (Episodes 14–38 – 25 episodes)
    Encompasses the U.A. Sports Festival, the Stain Arc (Hero Killer), and the Final Exams. All character foundations for Todoroki, Iida, and Bakugo are laid down here. The season ends with the class heading off to summer training camp.
  4. Movie: My Hero Academia: Two Heroes
    Set during the summer break right after the Final Exams. Deku and All Might travel to I-Island, a man-made mobile research city. The film introduces key support technology, a critical flashback to All Might’s youth, and early team battles that foreshadow later cooperation. For a seamless transition, watch this before Episode 39.
  5. My Hero Academia Season 3 (Episodes 39–63 – 25 episodes)
    The Forest Training Camp, the Bakugo Rescue, and the Provisional Hero License Exam. The clash between All Might and All For One in Kamino is a watershed moment that redefines the series’ status quo.
  6. OVA: “Training of the Dead” (optional)
    Set in the immediate aftermath of the License Exam arc. The class participates in a joint training session with Isamu Academy’s spooky Quirk users. Lighthearted but full of character moments.
  7. My Hero Academia Season 4 (Episodes 64–88 – 25 episodes)
    The Shie Hassaikai Raid, the Remedial Course, and the U.A. School Festival. This season introduces Eri, Overhaul, and Gentle Criminal, while expanding the emotional range of Mirio Togata and Sir Nighteye.
  8. OVA: “Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training” (Parts 1 & 2) (optional)
    Takes place after the School Festival and before the next major arc. Class 1-A is stranded and must survive while conducting rescue drills. Fun filler that underscores the class’s teamwork.
  9. Movie: My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising
    Despite releasing before Season 4 finished airing, this film belongs chronologically after the Shie Hassaikai raid. Deku and his classmates operate as the sole heroes on Nabu Island. Eri and the aftermath of Overhaul’s defeat are referenced directly. Watch it after Episode 88 to stay inline with the story’s timeline.
  10. My Hero Academia Season 5 (Episodes 89–113 – 25 episodes)
    Starts with the Joint Training Battle between Class 1-A and Class 1-B, moves into the Meta Liberation Army arc (My Villain Academia), and closes with the Endeavor Agency arc and the calm before the storm. Critical for Shigaraki’s transformation and Hawks’ infiltration.
  11. Movie: My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission
    Set after the Endeavor Agency arc but before the Paranormal Liberation War. Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki defuse a worldwide trigger-bomb conspiracy. The film explains Deku’s new level of control over One For All, which feeds directly into the war arc’s stakes. Place this after finishing Season 5 (Episode 113) or, if you want a micro-managed approach, after Episode 104 and before the My Villain Academia chapters – but most viewers find it safest to complete the whole season first.
  12. My Hero Academia Season 6 (Episodes 114–138 – 25 episodes)
    The Paranormal Liberation War and the subsequent “Dark Deku” arc. The consequences of everything that came before finally erupt, making it the most ambitious and emotionally grueling season to date. Watching the preceding movie in canon slot ensures no thematic whiplash.
  13. Season 7 (Ongoing) and Future Movies
    Season 7 started in May 2024 and adapts the Star and Stripe arc and the Final War arc. A fourth movie, My Hero Academia: You’re Next, is set to release in August 2024. Its exact canon placement is still being determined, but it will likely fit before the final battle’s climax. Once released, continue inserting each new film at its predetermined timeline point.

Release Order – Watching It as It Aired

If you’d rather relive the journey as original audiences did, the release order is straightforward. Note that the OVAs and specials had staggered home video releases, often bundled with manga volumes.

  • Season 1: Episodes 1–13 (April – June 2016)
  • OVA 1: “Save! Rescue Training!” (November 2016, bundled with manga volume 13)
  • Season 2: Episodes 14–38 (April – September 2017)
  • OVA 2: “Training of the Dead” (June 2017, manga volume 14)
  • Movie 1: “Two Heroes” (August 2018, between Seasons 2 and 3 in real time)
  • Season 3: Episodes 39–63 (April – September 2018)
  • Movie 2: “Heroes Rising” (December 2019) – aired while Season 4 was still ongoing, creating the aforementioned chronology gap.
  • Season 4: Episodes 64–88 (October 2019 – April 2020)
  • OVA 3: “Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training” Parts 1–2 (August 2020, bundled with manga volumes)
  • Season 5: Episodes 89–113 (March – September 2021)
  • Movie 3: “World Heroes’ Mission” (August 2021)
  • Season 6: Episodes 114–138 (October 2022 – March 2023)
  • Season 7: Episodes 139–present (May 2024 – ongoing)
  • Movie 4: “You’re Next” (August 2024)

Historically, the franchise released movies during the summer, often between seasons or mid-season. This structure means that if you follow release order strictly, you’ll watch Heroes Rising after only a portion of Season 4, which can spoil the outcome of the Shie Hassaikai arc. The same applies to World Heroes’ Mission – in 2021, audiences saw it after Episode 104 but before the My Villain Academia climax, which can feel disjointed. Still, this order carries the nostalgic rhythm of the fandom’s real-time excitement.

Which Viewing Order Should You Choose?

Both paths lead to the same heroic destination, but each suits a different type of viewer.

Pick the Canon Order If…

  • You value a seamless narrative where every reference hits home.
  • You want the emotional arcs of characters like Deku and All Might to unfold without interruption.
  • You plan to discuss the series online and don’t want to accidentally encounter spoilers from mis-timed movies.
  • You’re a completionist who enjoys inserting OVAs into their exact in-universe moments.

Pick the Release Order If…

  • You want to simulate the experience of the original broadcast fandom.
  • You’re watching alongside a community re-watch or an event schedule.
  • You’re curious how the production quality and voice acting evolved over time.
  • You don’t mind mild chronological leaps because the overarching plot remains easy to follow.

For first-time watchers, the canon order is generally the most rewarding. It guards against mixing up which abilities Izuku has mastered and ensures that character relationships feel earned. As the series barrels toward its grand finale, a firmly chronological watch will make the high-stakes battles land with maximum impact.

Expanding Your Hero Journey – Spin-Offs and Supplementary Media

My Hero Academia extends far beyond the main anime. If you finish the core story and crave more, these official spin-offs and novels enrich the world further.

  • My Hero Academia: Vigilantes (Manga, 15 volumes) – A prequel series set a few years before the main story. It follows Koichi Haimawari, an unlicensed vigilante, and gives crucial backstory for heroes like Eraser Head, Present Mic, and a younger All Might. An anime adaptation has been announced for 2025, so getting ahead of the curve is worthwhile.
  • My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions (Manga) – A lighter, anthology-style series where characters are paired in unexpected two-person teams for short, standalone adventures. Perfect for lore enthusiasts who want to see unlikely duos like Bakugo and Invisible Girl work together.
  • My Hero Academia: Smash!! (Comedy Manga) – A four-panel gag series that parodies the main events. Not canon, but beloved for its exaggerated humor.
  • Light Novels – School Briefs is a series of six (and counting) light novels that fill in the daily life at U.A. between arcs. They reveal slice-of-life interactions, dorm hijinks, and the kind of quiet moments the anime sometimes skips.
  • Special Episodes and OVAs – Aside from the ones listed, keep an eye on “All Might Rising,” the prequel short bundled with the Two Heroes Blu-ray, and the upcoming OVA likely to accompany the fourth movie’s home release.

Where to Watch My Hero Academia

All six seasons and the three currently available movies are accessible across major streaming platforms. The series is available for simulcast and on-demand on Crunchyroll, which now hosts the full Funimation catalog as well. The movies rotate between platforms; you can often find them for rent or purchase on digital storefronts like Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Store, or Apple TV. For updates on physical releases, OVAs, and official announcements, the official Japanese website and the English-language social media handles are the most reliable sources. For detailed episode guides, arc lists, and community discussions, MyAnimeList remains an excellent reference point.

Final Recommendations

Starting My Hero Academia isn’t just about bingeing a show – it’s about stepping into a world where courage is quantifiable and every setback forges a stronger hero. The debate between release order and canon order reflects the care fans put into preserving the show’s emotional truth. For the cleanest, most immersive ride, stick to the canon sequence: seasons in order, movies slotted at their story-appropriate intervals, and optional OVAs as you go. If, down the line, you want to relive the thrill of the original broadcast rollercoaster, a release-order re-watch can feel surprisingly fresh. Whatever path you choose, remember that Plus Ultra isn’t just a school motto – it’s the ethos of the series itself. So push beyond your expectations, pick an order, and enjoy every smash, tear, and triumphant declaration of “I am here!”