My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) is one of the defining shonen hero anime of the past decade. With seven seasons, three films, and several OVAs, it is easy to feel lost about where to start and where the movies fit in. Here is the recommended watch order without spoilers: the complete list of seasons and films, a full table, where to stream legally, and the Japanese culture of heroes, quirks, and duty that runs beneath Kohei Horikoshi's work.
Quick summary: recommended watch order
If you are discovering My Hero Academia for the first time, the simplest and most enjoyable approach is to follow broadcast order. That is how the story was conceived and it respects how characters and their power levels grow. Follow these steps:
- Season 1 (2016) — 13 episodes. Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without a quirk, inherits One For All from All Might and enrolls at U.A. Academy. The essential starting point.
- Season 2 (2017) — 25 episodes. The U.A. Sports Festival and hero internships. The ensemble cast explodes here alongside the Midoriya-Bakugo rivalry.
- Film: Two Heroes (2018) — optional side story. Midoriya and All Might on a floating island. Slots in well after Season 2.
- Season 3 (2018) — 25 episodes. The summer training camp and the darkest arc yet: the League of Villains and All Might's fate.
- Season 4 (2019) — 25 episodes. The Overhaul arc featuring Eri — one of the most intense storylines in the series.
- Film: Heroes Rising (2019) — optional but highly recommended. The fan favourite film; fits perfectly after Season 4.
- Season 5 (2021) — 25 episodes. Joint training arc and the Meta Liberation arc.
- Film: World Heroes' Mission (2021) — optional parallel story about a global anti-quirk cult.
- Season 6 (2022) — 25 episodes. The Paranormal Liberation War — total conflict between heroes and villains.
- Season 7 (2024) and final arc — the concluding chapters adapting Horikoshi's manga ending.
Complete watch order table
| Order | Entry | Year | Format / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | My Hero Academia (S1) | 2016 | 13 eps · Bones |
| 2 | My Hero Academia (S2) | 2017 | 25 eps |
| 3 | Film: Two Heroes | 2018 | Feature film · side story (optional) |
| 4 | My Hero Academia (S3) | 2018 | 25 eps |
| 5 | My Hero Academia (S4) | 2019 | 25 eps · Overhaul arc |
| 6 | Film: Heroes Rising | 2019 | Feature film · highly recommended (optional) |
| 7 | My Hero Academia (S5) | 2021 | 25 eps |
| 8 | Film: World Heroes' Mission | 2021 | Feature film · side story (optional) |
| 9 | My Hero Academia (S6) | 2022 | 25 eps · Paranormal War |
| 10 | My Hero Academia (S7 / final) | 2024 | Final arc · manga ending adapted |
Official trailer
To whet your appetite, here is an official trailer for My Hero Academia showcasing the series tone: action, heroes, and a lot of heart.
Do you need the OVAs and movies?
The backbone of the story is the seven seasons. Films and OVAs are quality extras, not essential to follow the main plot:
- Films: supervised by Horikoshi, mostly parallel stories. They do not alter the main canon, though Heroes Rising feels especially connected to the spirit of the final arc.
- OVAs: short special episodes (training sessions, class missions). Fun but entirely skippable if you are just following the main story.
First-timers: follow the seasons and save the films as a reward between major arcs.
Where to watch My Hero Academia legally
| Platform | What it offers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | All seasons, sub and dub | Main option for the anime |
| Prime Video / Apple TV | Films for rental or purchase | Where the feature films usually land |
| Netflix | Variable catalogue availability | Check whether seasons are available in your region |
Want to compare all legal anime streaming platforms? Read our complete guide to legal anime streaming.
The Japanese culture behind My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is not just fights — beneath the surface lie distinctly Japanese ideas that explain why it resonates so widely.
The hero and collective duty
All Might embodies the ideal of the hero who smiles to reassure society. In Japanese culture, a strong sense of duty toward the group (the concept of wa, social harmony) pervades public life: a hero is not defined by power alone, but by the service rendered to others. That is why the series insists so much on what kind of hero you want to be, not merely how strong you are.
Quirks and the superpower society
The idea that almost everyone is born with a quirk portrays a society where talent is inherited and regulated. U.A. Academy functions as a demanding educational system with brutal entrance exams and clear hierarchies — a reflection of the enormous weight placed on education and meritocracy in Japan.
Ganbaru: pushing through to the end
Midoriya is born without a quirk and still refuses to give up. His motto (Plus Ultra) and his stubborn perseverance embody ganbaru: giving everything, persevering no matter what. It is one of the most celebrated values of Japanese culture and the emotional core of the entire series.
If My Hero Academia has hooked you, Horikoshi's manga (42 volumes, complete) is a gem. There are also figures and items for All Might, Deku, and Bakugo fans of all tastes.
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Frequently asked questions
What order should you watch My Hero Academia?
Broadcast order: Season 1 (2016) → Season 2 (2017) → film Two Heroes (2018) → Season 3 (2018) → Season 4 (2019) → film Heroes Rising (2019) → Season 5 (2021) → film World Heroes' Mission (2021) → Season 6 (2022) → Season 7 and final arc (2024). Films are optional side stories but slot in best at their chronological points.
How many seasons does My Hero Academia have?
7 seasons plus a final arc, totalling more than 150 episodes, plus three films and several OVAs. The manga concluded in 2024 with 42 volumes.
Are the My Hero Academia movies canon?
They are supervised by Horikoshi and are mostly parallel stories. 'Heroes Rising' is the most tonally connected to the final arc. Think of all three as high-quality optional extras.
Where can I watch My Hero Academia legally?
Crunchyroll for all seasons with sub and dub. Films on Prime Video or Apple TV for rental/purchase. Legal streaming supports studio Bones and the creators.
Do I need to read the manga?
No — the anime is self-contained. The manga is for those who want to read ahead or explore the complete ending before the final anime arc is released.
What anime should I watch if I like My Hero Academia?
Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, Naruto, and Hunter x Hunter all share the spirit of protagonists who train, grow, and face increasingly powerful enemies with big fights and emotional stakes.