Understanding the World of My Hero Academia

Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia has evolved into a global powerhouse, blending superhero spectacle with heartfelt school-life drama. Set in a near-future where 80% of the population develops superpowers called Quirks, the story centers on Izuku Midoriya, a Quirkless boy who inherits the legendary One For All and enrolls at U.A. High School to become the world’s greatest hero. Since its anime debut in 2016, the franchise has grown to include six television seasons, multiple feature films, OVA specials, and a rich library of manga spin-offs. For newcomers and returning fans alike, the sheer volume of content can be overwhelming. This guide provides a definitive roadmap: how to watch the My Hero Academia anime in chronological order, where the movies fit, and which spin-offs deepen the universe without spoiling the main story.

The recommended viewing order blends release order with narrative logic, ensuring emotional beats land correctly and movie cameos feel earned rather than confusing. We’ll break down every season, film, and side story, while also pointing you to legal streaming sources and official manga publications.

The Core Anime Series: Seasons One Through Six

The backbone of the franchise is Studio Bones’ adaptation, which faithfully follows Horikoshi’s manga. As of early 2025, six complete seasons are available, with a seventh season announced and a final arc on the horizon. Here’s exactly how to approach each installment.

Season 1 – Origin (Episodes 1–13)

Midoriya’s journey begins in a world where nearly everyone is born with a Quirk, but he remains powerless. A chance encounter with his idol, All Might, changes everything. All Might, the Symbol of Peace, chooses Midoriya as his successor and passes down One For All. The season introduces U.A. High’s Class 1-A, the explosive Katsuki Bakugo, the strict instructor Eraser Head, and the villainous League of Villains. It ends with a gripping attack on the Unforeseen Simulation Joint (USJ), where students face real danger for the first time.

Watch this season first. Available on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu.

Season 2 – U.A. Sports Festival & Hero Killer Arc (Episodes 14–38)

This 25-episode season expands character dynamics enormously. The first half follows the U.A. Sports Festival, a tournament-style event that showcases individual quirks and rivalries. Todoroki’s backstory, Uraraka’s determination, and Midoriya’s tactical growth take center stage. The second half introduces the Hero Killer Stain and sends students on workplace internships. Iida’s quest for revenge, Midoriya’s mastery of Full Cowling, and the introduction of Gran Torino make this season a turning point in tone and maturity.

Watch Seasons 1 and 2 back-to-back. No break is needed; the narrative flows naturally.

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (Movie) – After Season 2

The first feature film, Two Heroes, takes place between the final exams of Season 2 and the training camp of Season 3, chronologically. It sees Midoriya and All Might travel to I-Island, a floating research facility, for a tech expo. When villains seize the island, the students must work alongside the pros to save the day. The movie introduces younger All Might backstory and David Shield’s inventions. While canon-adjacent, it references events from the first two seasons and includes character moments that align perfectly with the timeline.

Viewing note: Some prefer to wait until after Season 2’s finale, but the film’s placement here is optimal. It does not spoil Season 3.

Season 3 – Forest Training Camp & All Might’s Last Stand (Episodes 39–63)

The class heads to a woodland boot camp, where the League of Villains launches a devastating ambush. Bakugo is kidnapped, forcing Midoriya and a small rescue team—Kirishima, Todoroki, Iida, and Momo—to attempt an unsanctioned retrieval in the hideout of All For One. The season peaks with the emotionally charged battle at Kamino Ward, where All Might faces his nemesis and passes the torch. The latter half introduces the Provisional Hero License Exam and new characters like Camie, Inasa, and overhaul of the hero ranking system.

The post-credits scene of the final episode subtly connects to the Vigilantes spin-off, making it an ideal point to pick up that manga.

Season 4 – The Overhaul Arc & School Festival (Episodes 64–88)

This season is defined by the Shie Hassaikai raid and the tragic storyline of Eri. Midoriya, Mirio Togata (Lemillion), and Nighteye infiltrate an underground compound to stop Overhaul’s Quirk-destroying drugs. The raid delivers some of the series’ most intense battles and heartbreaking moments. Afterward, the tone shifts to rehabilitation and joy with the U.A. School Festival, where Jiro’s musical talents shine and Gentle Criminal provides a softer antagonist. The season ends with the Pro Hero Rankings announcement and a glimpse of a new, dangerous threat: the Meta Liberation Army.

After Season 4, watch Heroes: Rising.

My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (Movie) – After Season 4

Heroes Rising places Class 1-A on Nabu Island as fledgling heroes-in-training, detached from their mentors. When the villain Nine arrives with a Quirk-stealing ambition similar to All For One, the students must protect the island alone. Bakugo receives One For All temporarily in a climactic tag-team moment. Horikoshi himself stated this film uses an ending originally planned for the manga’s finale, making it a fascinating what-if scenario. Chronologically it fits after Season 4’s license exam and before the Joint Training Arc of Season 5. Any references to advanced Quirk evolution are minimal and not confusing.

Season 5 – Joint Training & My Villain Academia (Episodes 89–113)

Season 5 is structured in two distinct halves. The first covers the Joint Training Battle between Class 1-A and 1-B, expanding the side characters’ quirks and revealing the emergence of Blackwhip, a new Quirk within One For All. The second half pivots entirely to the League of Villains, adapting the fan-favorite “My Villain Academia” arc, where Shigaraki Tomura faces Gigantomachia and the Meta Liberation Army. This arc recontextualizes the antagonists and sets up the war to come. However, the anime rearranges events, pulling the Endeavor Agency arc (where Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki intern with Endeavor) forward before the villain arc. For chronological purists, manga order is different, but release order remains serviceable.

After finishing Season 5, jump into World Heroes’ Mission.

My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission (Movie) – After Season 5

In this globe-trotting adventure, Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki become fugitives framed for mass murder. The villain Humarise plans to eliminate all Quirk-wielders using a Trigger bomb that only the Quirkless can disarm. Rody Soul, a street-smart new character, teams up with Midoriya in a high-stakes race across the country of Otheon. The film emphasizes Bakugo’s hidden altruism and Todoroki’s strategic mind, and it contains some of the most fluid animation in the franchise. While it takes narrative liberties, it slot seamlessly into the post-Season 5 timeline, as the students are fully licensed and the League of Villains’ growing power looms in the background.

Season 6 – Paranormal Liberation War & Dark Hero Arc (Episodes 114–138)

Season 6 is the payoff of all previous buildup. The Paranormal Liberation War pits heroes and villains in an all-out conflict that reshapes the world. Major character deaths, shocking revelations about Dabi’s identity, and the catastrophic erosion of hero society dominate the first cour. The second half transitions into the “Dark Hero” arc, where Midoriya leaves U.A. to hunt down All For One and Shigaraki alone, pushing himself to the brink. The season ends with a beacon of hope as Class 1-A confronts their friend and brings him home. It is the most intense and emotional arc to date, directly setting the stage for the final act.

As of writing, Season 7 has been confirmed and will adapt the Final War arc, with Season 8 likely concluding the series.

Spin-off Manga and Light Novels: Enriching the Experience

While the main anime covers the central plot, several official spin-offs explore side characters, prequel events, and lighter comedic takes. These are not required viewing but add meaningful depth.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes

Written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, Vigilantes is a prequel set roughly five years before the main series. It follows Koichi Haimawari, a well-meaning college student who uses his quirk Slide and Glide for everyday heroics without a license, teaming up with the street performer Pop☆Step and the mysterious Knuckleduster. The story provides extensive backstory for Aizawa (Eraser Head), shows Shirakumo’s fate, and introduces All Might’s mentor, Nana Shimura, in crucial flashbacks. It also explores how the Hero Public Safety Commission operates, tying directly into Season 6 revelations.

Read Vigilantes anytime after Season 3. It assumes knowledge of the quirk system and early League of Villains activity. The manga is available digitally through Viz Media.

My Hero Academia: Smash!!

This four-panel comedy spin-off by Hirofumi Neda is pure gag material, placing the cast in absurd situations that parody both superhero tropes and high school life. It’s a lighthearted breather best enjoyed after you’ve grown attached to the characters around Season 2 or 3.

My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions

Yoko Akiyama’s Team-Up Missions is an anthology series that pairs unlikely hero duos for one-off adventures. Stories include Bakugo teaming with Mirko, Tsuyu with Present Mic, and even crossover missions that wouldn’t fit in the main narrative. It’s non-essential but offers fun character interactions. Read after Season 4 for full context on the Pro Heroes.

My Hero Academia: School Briefs

A light novel series by Anri Yoshi that fills the day-to-day gaps between arcs. Each volume corresponds to a different season of the anime, showing slice-of-life moments like dorm room competitions, shopping trips, and training mishaps. They are published in English by Viz Media and can be read alongside the anime seasons they accompany.

OVA Specials and Additional Content

Studio Bones has produced several original video animations that sit within the anime timeline. These are often bundled with manga volumes in Japan and are available subtitled on various platforms.

  • Save! Rescue Training (OVA 1): Set early in Season 1, this episode focuses on a water-rescue drill and gives minor characters like Sero and Mineta a moment to shine.
  • Training of the Dead (OVA 2): A zombie-outbreak simulation that takes place after the Sports Festival. Features a rare Midoriya-Bakugo-Todoroki-Ochaco team dynamic.
  • All Might: Rising (OVA 3): A flashback to All Might’s time in America, adapting one of the manga’s bonus chapters. Ideal to watch after Season 3.
  • Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training (OVA 4–5): Two-part story set during Season 5, where students face a simulated disaster. Watch after the Joint Training Arc for proper power-level context.

The Complete Chronological Viewing Order

Below is the most narratively cohesive order that avoids spoilers and respects character development. This includes all seasons, movies, OVAs, and where to pause for spin-off manga.

  1. My Hero Academia Season 1 (Episodes 1–13)
  2. OVA 1: Save! Rescue Training (optional, fits mid-Season 1)
  3. My Hero Academia Season 2 (Episodes 14–38)
  4. OVA 2: Training of the Dead (after Sports Festival)
  5. My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (movie)
  6. My Hero Academia Season 3 (Episodes 39–63)
  7. OVA 3: All Might: Rising (post-Kamino Ward)
  8. Optional: Start reading Vigilantes
  9. My Hero Academia Season 4 (Episodes 64–88)
  10. My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (movie)
  11. My Hero Academia Season 5, Episodes 89–100 (Joint Training Arc)
  12. OVA 4–5: Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training
  13. My Hero Academia Season 5, Episodes 101–113 (Endeavor Agency & My Villain Academia)
  14. My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission (movie)
  15. My Hero Academia Season 6 (Episodes 114–138)
  16. My Hero Academia Season 7 (upcoming)

If you prefer to follow the anime in pure release order, you can interleave the movies after their respective seasons as listed. Both approaches work, but the chronological placement offered here ensures emotional continuity and avoids referencing future events.

Streaming and Publication Resources

To experience everything legally, here are the primary official platforms:

  • Anime Episodes: Crunchyroll (subs and dubs), Hulu (selected seasons), Funimation (legacy service).
  • Movies: Available for digital rental or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play; physical Blu-rays through Funimation.
  • Manga & Spin-offs: Viz Media offers the main series, Vigilantes, Team-Up Missions, and the School Briefs light novels.

For episode guides, fillers, and fan discussions, sites like MyAnimeList provide comprehensive databases, but always support official releases when possible.

Final Thoughts on Your Hero Journey

My Hero Academia rewards viewers who pay attention to character growth, thematic callbacks, and the careful seeding of plot threads. By following this guide, you’ll experience the franchise the way Horikoshi intended: a gradual escalation from a boy cleaning a beach to a generation of heroes staring down a world-altering threat. The movies enhance rather than derail, the spin-offs enrich background lore, and the OVAs remind us that even heroes-in-training need to laugh.

With Season 7 on the horizon and the manga entering its final chapters, now is the perfect time to catch up or rewatch the complete saga. Whether you’re here for the emotional fights, the intricate Quirk system, or the dream of seeing a society rebuild itself through courage, the journey starts with a single step—and a single episode. Plus Ultra!