Welcome to the captivating world of “My Hero Academia,” a Japanese superhero manga series that has taken the world by storm. Written and illustrated by the talented Kōhei Horikoshi, this manga has set hearts ablaze since its debut in July 2014.
Published in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump, its chapters have been collected into impressive 38 tankōbon volumes as of June 2023. In a world where superpowers, known as “Quirks,” have become an integral part of society, our protagonist, Izuku Midoriya, stands out—born without a Quirk, Izuku dreams of nothing more than becoming a true superhero.
Fate intervenes when he catches the attention of the world’s greatest hero, All Might. Recognizing Izuku’s potential, All Might bestows his own Quirk upon the young boy and helps him enroll in a prestigious high school for aspiring superheroes.
The manga’s immense popularity led to a spectacular media franchise. From spin-off manga like “My Hero Academia: Smash!!,” “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” and “My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions” to light novels, stage plays, and an array of merchandise and media, the series has firmly cemented its place in the hearts of fans worldwide.
But the journey doesn’t stop there! “My Hero Academia” has transcended the pages to grace our screens with a thrilling anime adaptation produced by Bones. The anime has graced us with multiple seasons, each weaving an unforgettable tale of heroism.
And that’s not all; brace yourself for three animated films and many original video animations (OVAs). The success of “My Hero Academia” has been nothing short of phenomenal. With over 85 million copies in circulation, the manga has earned its place among the best-selling manga series of all time.
Critics and fans alike have showered praise on the captivating art, well-rounded characters, immersive storytelling, action-packed sequences, and clever nods to Western superhero comics. The accolades keep pouring in, with “My Hero Academia” earning prestigious awards such as the Sugoi Japan Award and the Harvey Award for Best Manga.
Furthermore, the anime has garnered acclaim for its top-notch animation, gripping music, well-paced narrative, breathtaking action scenes, and stellar voice performances in Japanese and English versions.
But how many seasons of My Hero Academia are there? And when can fans expect the next season to come out? Here is everything you need to know about this fantastic anime’s past, present, and future.
My Hero Academia Season 1: The Beginning
My Hero Academia is a popular anime series based on the manga of the same name by Kōhei Horikoshi, and the anime’s first season aired from April 3 to June 26, 2016, with 13 episodes. The season follows the story of Izuku Midoriya, a boy who dreams of becoming a hero despite being born without a superpower, or Quirk, in a world where most people have them.
My Hero Academia Season 1: Plot
The season covers four story arcs from the manga: the Entrance Exam Arc, the Quirk Apprehension Test Arc, the Battle Trial Arc, and the U.S.J. Arc. The season introduces the main characters of the series, such as Midoriya’s childhood friend and rival Katsuki Bakugo, his classmates Ochaco Uraraka, Tenya Ida, Shoto Todoroki, and others, as well as their homeroom teacher Shota Aizawa and the voice of U.A., Present Mic.
The season also features the first appearance of the series’ main antagonists, the League of Villains, led by Tomura Shigaraki, who launched an attack on the U.A. to kill All Might. The season begins with Midoriya meeting his idol, All Might, the number one hero and the symbol of peace, who decides to pass on his own Quirk, One For All, to Midoriya after seeing his courage and determination.
With his new power, Midoriya enrolls in U.A. High School, a prestigious academy for aspiring heroes, where he faces various challenges and makes new friends and rivals. He also learns more about One For All, its history, the true nature of All Might’s injury, and his limited time as a hero.
The season ends with a climactic battle between All Might and Shigaraki’s mentor, All For One, a mysterious villain who possesses multiple Quirks and is the archenemy of One For All.
All Might manages to defeat All For One with his last remaining strength but also reveals his weakened form to the public. He then passes on his role as the symbol of peace to Midoriya, who vows to become his successor.
My Hero Academia Season 2: The Sports Festival
My Hero Academia is a popular Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. It follows the story of Izuku Midoriya, a boy who dreams of becoming a hero in a world where most people have superpowers called Quirks.
He is given a Quirk by his idol, All Might, the number one hero, and enrolls in U.A. High School, a prestigious academy for aspiring heroes. The second season of the anime adaptation of My Hero Academia was produced by Bones and directed by Kenji Nagasaki.
It aired from April 1 to September 30, 2017, and covered three arcs of the manga: the U.A. Sports Festival Arc, the Vs. Hero Killer Arc, and the Final Exams Arc.
The U.A. Sports Festival Arc (Episodes 14-25) focuses on the students of Class 1-A participating in the annual U.A. Sports Festival, a competitive event that showcases their Quirks and skills to the public and potential recruiters.
As he advances through the tournament, Izuku faces various challenges and rivals, such as Katsuki Bakugo, Shoto Todoroki, Hitoshi Shinso, and Ochaco Uraraka. He also learns more about All Might’s past and his connection to Todoroki’s father, Endeavor, the number two hero.
The Vs. Hero Killer Arc (Episodes 26-33) follows Izuku and some of his classmates as they undergo internships with professional heroes. Izuku joins Gran Torino, All Might’s former mentor, who helps him improve his Quirk control.
Meanwhile, Tenya Ida seeks revenge against Stain, a notorious villain who calls himself the Hero Killer and targets heroes he deems unworthy. Stain’s ideology attracts the attention of Tomura Shigaraki, the leader of the League of Villains, who plans to use him for his agenda.
The Final Exams Arc (Episodes 34-38) depicts the first semester’s final exams at U.A., consisting of written and practical tests. The practical test involves the students facing off against their teachers in simulated battles.
Izuku and Bakugo are paired against All Might, while Todoroki and Ida meet Eraser Head. The students must overcome their weaknesses and work together to pass the exam. The second season of My Hero Academia, they have received critical acclaim from fans and critics alike.
It was praised for its animation quality, character development, action scenes, humor, and emotional moments. It also won several awards, including the Best Anime category at the 2017 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
The season they also featured four theme songs: Peace Sign by Kenshi Yonezu and Sora ni Utaeba by Amazarashi as the opening themes, and Dakara, Hitori ja nai by Little Glee Monster and Datte Atashi no Hero by LiSA as the ending themes.
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My Hero Academia Season 3: The Training Camp
The third season of the anime adaptation of My Hero Academia was produced by Bones and directed by Kenji Nagasaki. It aired from April 7 to September 29, 2018. It covered four arcs of the manga: the Forest Training Camp Arc, the Hideout Raid Arc, the Provisional Hero License Exam Arc, and the beginning of the Shie Hassaikai Arc.
The Forest Training Camp Arc (Episodes 39-45) focuses on Class 1-A and Class 1-B students participating in a joint training camp at a secret location in the woods. They are supervised by the Wild, Wild Pussycats, a team of pro heroes who specialize in mountain rescue.
The students undergo various exercises and tests to improve their Quirks and skills. However, their camp is suddenly attacked by the Vanguard Action Squad, a group of villains affiliated with the League of Villains.
Watch the My Hero Academia Season 3 trailer below:
NEWS: Villains Galore in “My Hero Academia” Season 3 Trailer
⭐️ More: https://t.co/8JcL90WULa pic.twitter.com/d45Il1Rcuy
— Crunchyroll (@Crunchyroll) March 8, 2018
The villains have different objectives, such as capturing Bakugo, obtaining information on All For One, and testing their abilities. The students must fight back and protect themselves and their classmates from the villains.
The Hideout Raid Arc (Episodes 46-50) follows the aftermath of the training camp attack. Bakugo is kidnapped by the League of Villains and taken to their hideout, where he is offered to join them. However, Bakugo refuses to betray his ideals and his friends.
Meanwhile, All Might and other pro heroes launch a raid on the hideout to rescue Bakugo and capture the villains. They face off against All For One, the mysterious mastermind behind the League of Villains and All Might’s archenemy.
All For One possesses a Quirk that allows him to steal and combine other Quirks, making him extremely powerful and dangerous. All Might engage in a fierce battle with All For One, risking his life and secret to save Bakugo and stop his nemesis.
The Provisional Hero License Exam Arc (Episodes 51-63) depicts the students’ preparation for and participation in the Provisional Hero License Exam. This test allows them to obtain a provisional license that permits them to use their Quirks in public as heroes.
The exam consists of two stages: written and practical tests. The written test evaluates the student’s knowledge and judgment on hero work, while the practical test involves various scenarios that test their abilities and cooperation with other examinees.
The exam is highly competitive, as only 100 out of 1540 applicants can pass. The students face many challenges and rivals from other schools, such as Shiketsu High School and Ketsubutsu Academy High School. They also encounter Inasa Yoarashi, a robust student with a grudge against Todoroki and Endeavor.
The Shie Hassaikai Arc (Episodes 64-65) introduces The Big 3, the top three students of U.A. High School who are considered closest to becoming pro heroes. They are Mirio Togata, Tamaki Amajiki, and Nejire Hado.
They demonstrate their Quirks and skills to Class 1-A and offer advice on improving themselves. They also invite some of them to join their Hero-Work Studies internships with pro heroes, allowing them to experience real hero work.
Izuku joins Mirio’s internship with Sir Nighteye, All Might’s former sidekick, with a Quirk that allows him to see the future of anyone he touches. They are assigned to investigate the Shie Hassaikai, a yakuza group led by Overhaul, a villain with a Quirk that allows him to disassemble and reassemble anything he touches.
Overhaul secretly develops a drug that can erase Quirks, using a young girl named Eri as his source. In the third season of My Hero Academia, he received critical acclaim from fans and critics alike. It was praised for its animation quality, character development, action scenes, humor, and emotional moments.
It also won several awards, including the Best Continuing Series category at the 2018 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The season also featured four theme songs: Odd Future by Uverworld and Make my story by Lenny code fiction as the opening themes, and Update by Miwa and Long Hope Philia by Masaki Suda as the ending themes.
My Hero Academia Season 4: The Internship
The fourth season of the anime adaptation of My Hero Academia was produced by Bones and directed by Kenji Nagasaki (chief director) and Masahiro Mukai. It aired from October 12, 2019, to April 4, 2020, and covered four arcs of the manga: the Shie Hassaikai Arc, the Remedial Course Arc, the U.A. School Festival Arc, and the beginning of the Pro Hero Arc.
BOKU NO HERO ACADEMIA SEASON 4 WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12TH!!!
Here’s the English sub of the 2nd official trailer! Enjoy~
(Original video source: https://t.co/QESlXxvDma) https://t.co/18hL5UkH0W
— ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) June 16, 2019
The Shie Hassaikai Arc (Episodes 1-14) focuses on the students of Class 1-A and some of The Big 3, the top three students of U.A. High School who are considered closest to becoming pro heroes. They are Mirio Togata, Tamaki Amajiki, and Nejire Hado.
They join their Hero Work-Studies with pro heroes investigating the Shie Hassaikai, a yakuza group led by Overhaul, a villain with a Quirk that allows him to disassemble and reassemble anything he touches.
Overhaul secretly develops a drug that can erase Quirks, using a young girl named Eri as his source. Eri is also revealed to be the granddaughter of Shie Hassaikai’s boss, who is in a coma due to Overhaul’s manipulation.
The heroes raid the Shie Hassaikai’s hideout to rescue Eri and stop Overhaul’s plan. They face many obstacles and casualties, such as Nighteye’s death and Mirio’s Quirk loss.
However, with the help of Deku’s determination and Eri’s power, they defeat Overhaul and save Eri. The Remedial Course Arc (Episodes 15-17) follows Bakugo and Todoroki as they attend a unique Hero License Course, having failed their previous exam.
Inasa Yoarashi and Camie Utsushimi join them from Shiketsu High School, who also failed the exam. The course is supervised by Gang Orca, one of the top pro heroes who ranked third in the latest hero billboard chart.
The course involves teaching a group of rebellious children from Masegaki Elementary School about the true meaning of being a hero. The four students must overcome their differences and work together to win the children’s trust and respect.
The U.A. School Festival Arc (Episodes 18-25) depicts the annual School Festival at U.A., where each class prepares an event or performance for the other students and guests. Class 1-A decides to have a dance performance with a live band to ease the public’s doubt of their worth and make Eri smile.
However, their plan is threatened by Gentle Criminal, a wannabe villain who uploads videos of his crimes online for fame and recognition. Gentle plans to infiltrate U.A. during the festival and expose its security flaws.
Deku encounters Gentle and his partner La Brava on his way to buy supplies for the festival and fights with them. Deku manages to capture Gentle and prevent him from ruining the festival.
The festival goes on as planned, and Class 1-A’s performance is a huge success, earning applause from everyone and making Eri smile for the first time. The Pro Hero Arc (Episodes 26-27) begins with Endeavor becoming the new number-one hero after All Might’s retirement.
He is determined to prove himself worthy of his title and to reconcile with his family, especially Todoroki. He faces off against a powerful Nomu named Hood, sent by Doctor Garaki, one of All For One’s allies and the creator of Nomus.
Hood proves to be a formidable opponent for Endeavor, as he has multiple Quirks and high intelligence. However, with the help of Hawks, the number two hero with a Quirk that allows him to manipulate feathers, Endeavor manages to defeat Hood and survive his injuries. He raises his fist in victory, symbolizing his resolve to become a better hero.
My Hero Academia Season 5: The Joint Training
The fifth season of the anime adaptation of My Hero Academia was produced by Bones and directed by Kenji Nagasaki (chief director) and Masahiro Mukai. It aired from March 27 to September 25, 2021, on tv and NN.T.V Funimation, Crunchyroll, and Hulu streamed the season outside of Asia as it aired, and an English dub from Funimation launched on its service on April 10, 2021.
My Hero Academia Season 5 will begin airing on March 27th 2021. pic.twitter.com/QtkBn0G84j
— Anime News And Facts (@AniNewsAndFacts) December 18, 2020
The season I also premiered on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block on May 9, 2021. In the fifth season, I followed the story of the original manga series from the 21st volume through the end of the 26th. It covered four arcs of the manga: the Joint Training Arc, the Meta Liberation Army Arc, the Endeavor Agency Arc, and the beginning of the Paranormal Liberation War Arc.
The Joint Training Arc (Episodes 1-12) focused on the students of Class 1-A and Class 1-B participating in a set of mock battles between the students of each class. The classes were split into four squads, capturing the other group members.
The winner was the group who first secured all of the opposing teams. While this sounded simple, a curveball was thrown into the mix with the inclusion of General Course Student Hitoshi Shinsou, who wished to transfer into the Hero Course.
Despite using his training with Class 1-A’s homeroom teacher Shota “Eraserhead” Aizawa, to prove that he could be a real hero, he was still far behind the others due to his lack of experience. However, Shinsou was determined to overcome this challenge.
Thus began the fiery competition between Class 1-A and 1-B as each tried to prove that they were superior to the other. The Meta Liberation Army Arc (Episodes 13-23) followed the League of Villains and the Meta Liberation Army as they encountered Deika City to determine about becoming the most infamous villains.
The Meta Liberation Army was a secret organization that advocated for the liberation of Quirks and had amassed a large army of followers. They targeted the League of Villains as their enemies and challenged them to a battle royale.
The leader of the Meta Liberation Army, Re-Destro, had a personal grudge against Tomura Shigaraki, who was informed to become All For One’s successor. Shigaraki sought to merge the organizations under his leadership and unleash his true potential as a villain.
The arc also revealed the origins and motivations of some of the League members, such as Twice, Toga, Spinner, and Dabi. The Endeavor Agency Arc (Episodes 24-25) depicted the second Hero Work-Studies for students in preparation for the upcoming war.
Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki joined Endeavor’s agency as interns and learned from him how to be better heroes. The Endeavor was also trying to prove himself as the new number-one hero after All Might’s retirement and to reconcile with his family, especially Todoroki.
They faced off against a new type of Nomu that could talk and think for itself. The Paranormal Liberation War Arc (Episodes 26-27) began with Hawks infiltrating the Paranormal Liberation Front, formed by the merger of the League of Villains and the Meta Liberation Army.
Hawks secretly worked for the Hero Public Safety Commission and gathered information on their plans and members. He discovered they were preparing for a massive attack on society and relayed this to Endeavor and other pro heroes.
The heroes then launched a surprise raid on multiple locations where the Paranormal Liberation Front members hid. However, they soon realized they had underestimated their enemy’s strength and numbers.
My Hero Academia Season 6: The Paranormal Liberation War
The sixth season of the anime adaptation of My Hero Academia was produced by Bones and directed by Kenji Nagasaki (chief director) and Masahiro Mukai. The sixth season of My Hero Academia comprises 25 episodes and covers chapters 241 to 306 of the manga. It aired from October 1, 2022, to March 25, 2023, and covered the rest of the Paranormal Liberation War Arc and the beginning of the Tartarus Escapees Arc.
NEWS: My Hero Academia Season 6 Reveals October 1 Start With New Visual
💥 READ: https://t.co/GyQNVPVxOV pic.twitter.com/1TX24ZC1de
— My Hero Academia (@MHAOfficial) July 24, 2022
The Paranormal Liberation War Arc (Episodes 1-19) continued the epic battle between the heroes and the villains that started at the end of the fifth season. The heroes launched a surprise raid on multiple locations where the Paranormal Liberation Front members hid, hoping to end their threat.
However, they soon realized they had underestimated their enemy’s strength, numbers, and the secret weapon: Tomura Shigaraki, who had inherited All For One’s Quirk and power.
Shigaraki awakened from his surgery and unleashed his decay wave, destroying everything in his path. He also freed Gigantomachia, a giant beast loyal to him, who rampaged through the city with other villains. The heroes faced their worst nightmare as they fought for their lives and ideals.
The arc also featured some of the most intense and emotional moments in the series, such as Deku unlocking more of his Quirk’s abilities and secrets, Bakugo sacrificing himself to save Deku from Shigaraki, Endeavor confronting his past, and his son Dabi, who revealed himself to be Toya Todoroki, Mirko losing her arm while fighting the Nomus, Hawks killing Twice and being severely injured by Dabi, Gran Torino being stabbed by Shigaraki, Eraser Head cutting off his leg to prevent Shigaraki from stealing his Quirk, Best Jeanist returning from his fake death and restraining Gigantomachia, Lemillion regaining his Quirk and joining the fight, and many more.
The arc ended with a stalemate between the heroes and the villains, as both sides suffered heavy casualties and losses. Shigaraki and his allies retreated to regroup and recover, while Deku fell into a coma after exhausting his power. The public’s trust in heroes was shaken by the revelation of Dabi’s identity and the destruction caused by the war. The society was on the verge of collapse, and the future was uncertain.
The Tartarus Escapees Arc (Episodes 20-25) began with a massive prison break orchestrated by All For One, who had transferred his consciousness into Shigaraki’s body. He used his Quirk to free himself and other dangerous villains from Tartarus, a high-security prison that housed the most notorious criminals.
He also liberated Stain, Muscular, Moonfish, Overhaul, Kurogiri, and many others from other prisons across Japan. He declared war on the heroes and the society, promising to create a new world order where only the strong survive.
The arc also followed Deku’s recovery from his coma and the decision to leave U.A. and work as a vigU.A.te. He felt responsible for stopping All For One and Shigaraki and protecting his friends and classmates from being targeted by them.
He also wanted to master his Quirk and learn more about its origin and history. He encountered some escaped villains along the way, such as Muscular and Lady Nagant, who tried to kill him under All For One’s orders.
He also met some of his former allies and mentors, such as All Might, Hawks, Best Jeanist, Endeavor, Stain, Eraser Head, Lemillion, Mirko, Gran Torino, and others who offered him their support and guidance.
The arc ended with a cliffhanger that showed Deku returning to U.A., where he was welU.A.d by his classmates who had been looking for him. They vowed to help him in his mission and fight alongside him against All For One and Shigaraki.
My Hero Academia Season 7: The Future
The seventh season of My Hero Academia has not been officially announced yet, but it will likely be produced, given the popularity and success of the series. Based on the manga’s progress, the seventh season will probably cover chapters 307 to 372 of the manga.
It will follow the aftermath of the war between the heroes and the villains, which resulted in massive casualties and destruction on both sides. The season will also feature the Tartarus Escape arc, where some of the most dangerous villains escape prison.
The Hellish Hell arc, where Endeavor tries to reconcile with his family; the Final Performance arc, where Gentle Criminal returns with a new plan; and the One For All angle, where Midoriya faces his destiny as the successor of All Might.
Based on previous seasons’ release patterns, the seventh season is expected to air in the spring of 2024. It will likely be produced by Studio Bones and directed by Kenji Nagasaki. The opening and ending theme songs have not been revealed yet.
Where to Watch My Hero Academia Online?
There are several options to watch My Hero Academia online, depending on your location and preference. Here are some of the platforms that offer My Hero Academia in English dub or sub:
- Funimation: This is the official licensor and distributor of My Hero Academia in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. You can stream all seasons of My Hero Academia in English dub or sub on Funimation’s website or app, but you need to subscribe to one of their plans: Premium ($5.99/month), Premium Plus ($7.99/month), or Premium Plus Ultra ($99.99/year).
- Hulu: Hulu is another streaming service offering My Hero Academia in English dub or sub in the US. You can watch all U.Sasons of My Hero Academia on Hulu’s website or app, but you need to subscribe to one of their plans: Hulu ($5.99/month) or Hulu (No Ads) ($11.99/month).
- Netflix: This global streaming service offers My Hero Academia in various languages and regions. However, the availability and number of seasons may vary depending on location. For example, in Japan, India, and Hong Kong, you can watch seasons 1 to 4 in Japanese sub or dub on Netflix’s website or app. You can watch season 1 in German dub or sub on Netflix’s website or app in Germany.
- Crunchyroll: This popular anime streaming service offers My Hero Academia in Japanese sub for free with ads or a subscription fee. You can watch all seasons of My Hero Academia on Crunchyroll’s website or app4, but you need to subscribe to one of their plans: Fan ($7.99/month), Mega Fan ($9.99/month), or Ultimate Fan ($14.99/month). You can also watch some seasons of My Hero Academia in English dub on Crunchyroll’s website or app, but you must be a Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan subscriber.
Conclusion
My Hero Academia is one of its generation’s most popular and acclaimed anime series. It has six seasons, with a seventh one on the way. The series has adapted most of the manga’s story arcs faithfully and beautifully, with stunning animation, music, voice acting, and direction.
It has also expanded its universe with spin-offs, movies, video games, and merchandise. It is a must-watch for any anime fan who loves superheroes, action, comedy, drama, and friendship.
My Hero Academia is not just a story about heroes and villains but about dreams, challenges, growth, and hope. It is a story that inspires millions of fans worldwide to go beyond their limits and become the best versions of themselves.
