My Hero Academia, Kohei Horikoshi’s blockbuster manga and its anime adaptation, has become a global phenomenon by weaving together a sprawling narrative of heroism, legacy, and societal collapse. For both newcomers and long-time readers, one of the most frequent challenges is understanding how the story’s many arcs lock together into a single, continuous timeline. This article provides a definitive walk-through of the canon timeline, from Izuku Midoriya’s fateful meeting with All Might to the earth-shattering events of the final war, clarifying exactly where each chapter, episode, and arc fits and why that chronology deepens the entire experience.

The Structure of My Hero Academia’s Narrative

The series is not told through a single linear season but through a sequence of distinct story arcs that function like chapters in a novel. Each arc escalates the stakes, introduces new key players, and peels back another layer of the hero society’s flaws. The manga’s canon timeline has been faithfully adapted across six television seasons, several OVAs, and a handful of canonical films, though audiences sometimes confuse filler episodes or movie continuity with the core timeline. To avoid that confusion, this guide follows the manga’s official arc divisions, which are widely referenced on resources like the My Hero Academia Wiki and VIZ Media’s series page.

The Complete Canon Chronological Breakdown

For clarity, the timeline is grouped into four major sagas. Within each saga, arcs occur in strict chronological order. All dates refer to the in-universe school year, which starts in early April when Midoriya enters U.A. High School.

Saga 1: U.A. Beginnings (Episodes 1–25, Chapters 1–59)

This saga establishes the foundation of the world and the core cast. It covers Midoriya’s first months at U.A., introducing the recurring themes of inherited will, the burden of power, and the distorted image of hero society.

1. Origin Arc

The story opens with Izuku Midoriya diagnosed as Quirkless, yet obsessed with becoming a hero like his idol, All Might. A chance encounter with a villain and All Might’s subsequent revelation of his true, weakened form lead to the most pivotal moment in the series: Midoriya inherits the Quirk One For All. This arc not only introduces the emotional core of the mentor-student bond but also plants the seeds of conflict with All Might’s arch-nemesis, All For One. It concludes with Midoriya beginning his ten-month training regimen to become a vessel strong enough to hold the power.

2. U.A. Entrance Exam Arc

Midoriya takes the practical and written entrance exams for U.A. High’s hero course. Here, fans meet Bakugo, Uraraka, Iida, and Todoroki for the first time. Midoriya’s instinctive rescue of Uraraka from a giant zero-point robot, despite still barely being able to control One For All, demonstrates the self-sacrificing heroism that sets him apart. This arc emphasizes that heroism is not about raw power but about the will to act.

3. Quirk Apprehension Test Arc

On the first day of class, Shota Aizawa subjects Class 1-A to a series of physical tests using their Quirks, threatening to expel whoever comes last. The arc highlights the creative applications of each student’s abilities and Aizawa’s harsh but effective teaching philosophy. More importantly, it forces Midoriya to think beyond simply smashing obstacles, pushing him toward the finger-flick technique that defines his early fighting style.

4. Battle Trial Arc

All Might supervises the class’s first indoor combat training, pitting hero teams against villain teams. The explosive confrontation between Midoriya and Bakugo cements their rivalry and reveals Bakugo’s deep-seated insecurities about Midoriya’s sudden transformation. This arc also introduces the tactical side of hero work, showing that intelligence and teamwork can overcome superior firepower.

5. U.A. Sports Festival Arc

The sports festival is a national spectacle designed to showcase young talents to professional hero agencies. Through an obstacle race, cavalry battle, and one-on-one tournament, Midoriya faces Shinso’s brainwashing Quirk, Todoroki’s refusal to use his fire, and Bakugo’s relentless drive. Todoroki’s backstory—his abusive upbringing by Endeavor—is laid bare here, adding a deeply human trauma to the narrative. Midoriya’s willingness to destroy his own body to save Todoroki from his psychological prison becomes a turning point for the entire class. The arc also reflects the commercialization of heroism, a theme that will be deconstructed later.

6. Hero Killer Stain Arc

While interning under the hero Manual, Iida hunts the Hero Killer Stain in Hosu City to avenge his brother. Midoriya and Todoroki join the fight, and Stain’s ideology—that all but a few “true heroes” like All Might are corrupt fakes—forces the young heroes to confront the moral grayness of their profession. Stain’s viral manifesto video inspires a generation of villains, including Shigaraki, and marks the first major escalation in the villain threat. The arc also introduces Gran Torino, who helps Midoriya unlock Full Cowling, dramatically increasing his mobility.

7. Final Exams Arc

To prepare for their summer training camp, Class 1-A students must pass written and practical exams against their own teachers. Midoriya and Bakugo are paired against All Might, forcing them to cooperate for the first time. Their volatile dynamic produces a brutal, fist-swinging strategy that ends with them merely escaping rather than defeating their mentor, underscoring the immense gap between rookies and top pros.

Saga 2: Rise of Villains (Episodes 26–88, Chapters 60–190)

With the hero students gaining strength, the villain alliance matures from a scattered gang into a coordinated syndicate. This saga intercuts school activities with deadly encounters, blurring the line between training and real combat.

8. Forest Training Camp Arc

Class 1-A and 1-B travel to a secluded forest to push their Quirks to the limit. Midoriya develops his shoot style, Bakugo refines his explosions, and Tokoyami struggles with Dark Shadow’s rampage. The League of Villains attacks, abducts Bakugo, and critically injures several students. This arc shatters the illusion of U.A.’s safety and shows that villains are now capable of striking at the heart of hero society.

9. Hideout Raid Arc

Pro heroes, police, and the students’ risky rescue squad converge on the League’s hideout. All Might faces his nemesis All For One in a televised battle that drains the last embers of One For All and exposes the Symbol of Peace’s true, skeletal form to the world. All Might’s retirement creates a power vacuum that reverberates through every subsequent arc. Bakugo’s hidden guilt and Kirishima’s role in the rescue further enrich the class’s emotional web.

10. Provisional Hero License Exam Arc

With All Might gone, obtaining a provisional license becomes urgent. The exam pits students from multiple schools against one another in a series of rescue-oriented challenges. Midoriya’s troubled mental state—manifesting in a vision of past One For All users—alarms All Might, while Bakugo, having failed the first stage, undergoes remedial training with a group of rowdy children. This arc introduces the concept of the “Quirk singularity” and the ethical weight of rescue work. It also sets the stage for the next major villain group, as we glimpse Overhaul’s mysterious figure.

11. Shie Hassaikai Arc

This long, intense arc sees Midoriya, under the mentorship of Nighteye, join a massive operation to rescue the girl Eri from the yakuza boss Overhaul. The arc defines the term “saving someone’s heart” as Midoriya becomes Eri’s beacon and eventually convinces her to unlock her rewind Quirk, providing a vital power-up. The battles—Mirio fighting Quirkless, Kirishima’s unbreakable moment, and Midoriya’s infinite 100% Full Cowling—are among the series’ most iconic. The introduction of the Quirk-destroying bullets and the tragic death of Nighteye raise the stakes to an unprecedented level, forcing Midoriya to accept that heroism carries inevitable loss.

12. Remedial Course & U.A. School Festival Arcs

These interconnected arcs provide much-needed levity after the darkness of the Overhaul mission. Bakugo and Todoroki work with elementary schoolers to earn their provisional licenses, while Class 1-A organizes a live concert to lift the spirits of a general education student and the still-traumatized Eri. Gentle Criminal’s attempt to disrupt the festival pits Midoriya’s gentle yet unyielding heroism against a misguided but genuinely kind antagonist, reinforcing that not all criminals are pure evil. The festival itself becomes a triumphant celebration of youth and healing.

13. Pro Hero Arc

Ranked hero culture takes center stage as Endeavor, now the reluctant No. 1, battles the high-end Nomu “Hood” in a brutal televised fight. The public’s waning trust in heroes is reflected in their lukewarm reaction to Endeavor’s victory. Meanwhile, Hawks infiltrates the League of Villains, acting as a double agent. This arc critically examines the flawed ranking system and the legacy of abuse Endeavor left behind, while also showing the first glimmer of his attempt at atonement. The introduction of Dabi’s blue flames during the Hood battle hints at a devastating family secret.

Saga 3: Paranormal Liberation War (Episodes 89–131, Chapters 191–306)

All the tension built over previous arcs detonates into all-out war. This saga redefines the series as a battle for the soul of Japan itself.

14. Joint Training Arc

Class 1-A and Class 1-B engage in a series of coordinated team battles. While often seen as a breather arc, it serves multiple narrative purposes: introducing Shinso’s path into the hero course, showcasing the varied combat styles of 1-B, and triggering the awakening of Blackwhip, the first of the previous One For All holders’ Quirks to manifest uncontrollably within Midoriya. This awakening signals that One For All has reached a critical evolutionary threshold, foreshadowing the immense power Midoriya will soon wield.

15. Meta Liberation Army Arc

Parallel to the students’ training, the League of Villains clashes with the massive Meta Liberation Army, led by Re-Destro. This arc transforms the League: Shigaraki awakens the full scope of his Decay Quirk, kills Re-Destro, and absorbs his army. The newly formed Paranormal Liberation Front unites over 100,000 soldiers under Shigaraki’s command, making him the most dangerous villain in the country. Simultaneously, Toga and Twice undergo profound evolutions, while Dabi’s identity as Toya Todoroki is teased yet again. This arc is crucial for understanding the villains’ motivations and Shigaraki’s metamorphosis from man-child to apocalyptic leader.

16. Endeavor Agency Arc

Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki intern under Endeavor in a quiet attempt to build a new dynamic. Todoroki’s conflicted feelings about his father, Bakugo’s measured respect for true strength, and Midoriya’s ongoing struggle with Blackwhip and Float develop here. Endeavor’s determination to atone through action, though imperfect, provides a nuanced look at accountability. The haunting family dinner scene, where Natsuo’s anger boils over, reminds the reader that forgiveness is not owed simply because one changes.

17. Paranormal Liberation War Arc

This is the turning point. The combined hero forces launch a simultaneous raid on the Paranormal Liberation Front’s headquarters and the hospital where Shigaraki is undergoing an enhancement procedure. What follows is a war of attrition: Twice’s tragic death at Hawks’ hands, Mirko’s berserker assault, Midnight’s sacrifice, and the catastrophic awakening of Shigaraki with All For One’s consciousness now directly guiding him. The arc devastates the hero landscape: numerous top pros die or are crippled, Japan’s cities are left in ruins, and the public’s faith in heroes vaporizes. Midoriya enters a coma as All For One seizes control of Shigaraki’s body, while Dabi publicly reveals his identity as Toya Todoroki in a broadcast that shatters Endeavor’s reputation. The arc ends with a society on the brink of collapse, and the narrative shifts irreversibly toward the final act.

Saga 4: Final Act (Episodes 132–ongoing, Chapters 307–end)

Known in the manga as the “Final Act Saga,” this series of intertwined arcs accelerates toward the conclusion. The timeline remains linear, but the focus fractures to follow multiple character threads simultaneously.

18. Tartarus Escapees Arc

In the immediate aftermath of the war, Shigaraki/All For One orchestrates a mass breakout from Tartarus, flooding the nation with the most dangerous criminals ever incarcerated. Midoriya, haunted by the deaths he could not prevent, leaves U.A. to draw the villains away from his friends, operating as a ragged, solitary vigilante. The arc demonstrates the utter breakdown of law and order and forces Midoriya to accept that he cannot save everyone alone. It culminates with Class 1-A bringing him back, declaring that they will share his burden—a powerful thematic resolution to the “lone hero” trope.

19. Star and Stripe Arc

America’s No. 1 hero, Star and Stripe, arrives in Japan to confront Shigaraki. Her reality-warping Quirk, New Order, presents a genuine threat, but All For One uses psychological manipulation and the stolen Quirks to defeat and kill her, absorbing a fragment of New Order in the process. Though a short arc, it serves two vital narrative functions: demonstrating that global hero society is now involved, and revealing that Shigaraki’s identity is slowly being subsumed by All For One, setting up the final internal battle for control.

20. U.A. Traitor Arc

The long-running mystery of the U.A. traitor is finally resolved when Yuga Aoyama confesses to being the spy for All For One. Rather than expel him, Class 1-A and the faculty devise a plan to use Aoyama as a double agent to lure the villains into a final confrontation. This arc recontextualizes countless earlier interactions and reinforces the theme that even those who have been manipulated and broken can choose to fight back. It also delivers one of the series’ most poignant moments of solidarity.

21. Final War Arc

The closing arc of the series divides the heroes into multiple battlegrounds: Shigaraki vs. Midoriya at the floating U.A., All For One vs. Endeavor and Hawks, Dabi vs. Shoto, and the League remnants vs. the students. The battles are intercut with flashbacks that crystallize every major character’s motivation. Midoriya’s attempt to reach the weeping child inside Shigaraki—Tenko Shimura—mirrors his earliest rescue of Eri and brings the story’s central thesis of “saving” full circle. The arc delivers definitive conclusions to Todoroki family drama, Bakugo’s apology and sacrifice, and the final transfer of One For All. By the end, the cycle of hatred perpetuated by All For One is broken, and a new era of heroism—grounded in mutual aid rather than rank—begins.

Canon vs. Filler: How the Anime Expands the Timeline

While the manga provides the backbone, the anime adaptation—available to stream on Crunchyroll—includes occasional filler episodes and an “Episode 0” OVA set before the U.A. entrance exam. However, most of the anime’s additional content, such as the “Tsuyu’s Ribbiting Episode” or the FBI agent Tsukauchi’s expanded scenes, is tightly supervised by Horikoshi and often adds canonical context rather than contradicting it. The three feature films—Two Heroes, Heroes Rising, and World Heroes’ Mission—are considered canon side stories and take place between arcs: Two Heroes after the Final Exams Arc, Heroes Rising after the Meta Liberation Army Arc, and World Heroes’ Mission during the Endeavor Agency Arc. Their events and original characters were acknowledged in the manga and, in the case of Heroes Rising, even influenced the story’s emotional climax. Fans seeking a pure chronological experience can reference episode guides on the fandom wiki, which timestamp filler content.

Why the Timeline Matters

Understanding this chronology is not merely an exercise in nerdy cataloging; it is the key to appreciating how My Hero Academia builds its themes incrementally. The early arcs establish what a hero is supposed to be; the middle arcs deconstruct that ideal by exposing the system’s cracks; the final arcs reconstruct a healthier, more empathetic definition of heroism. Each arc feeds directly into the next—Midoriya’s new move in one fight becomes the linchpin of a rescue two arcs later, a villain’s grudge in the Sports Festival doesn’t pay off until the war a hundred chapters later. When viewed against the full timeline, actions that once seemed like standalone moments become deliberate, carefully plotted layers of cause and effect.

For someone starting the series today, following the arcs in this order—whether through the manga volumes published by Shonen Jump or the anime seasons—ensures no emotional payoff is missed and no narrative thread is left tangled. The timeline is the backbone of a story that ultimately argues that a society can only be saved when its most gifted individuals refuse to carry the burden alone. That message resonates precisely because the path to it is so meticulously mapped out, one arc at a time.