How to Watch My Hero Academia in Order: The Ultimate Guide
If you're eager to dive into the captivating world of My Hero Academia, following the correct viewing order is essential to fully appreciate the storyline and character development. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure you experience the series as intended.
The Main Series
The core of My Hero Academia lies within its main anime series. Here’s the sequential order:
Season 1 (2016): This is where your journey begins. Introducing Izuku Midoriya and the world of Quirks, this season lays the foundation for everything to come. Start with Episode 1, "Izuku Midoriya: Origin," and continue through Episode 13, "In Each of Our Hearts."
Season 2 (2017): Season 2 picks up the pace with the U.A. Sports Festival. This arc is vital for understanding the ambitions and rivalries within Class 1-A. Watch from Episode 14, "That's the Idea, Ochaco," to Episode 38, "Encounter."
Season 3 (2018): Brace yourself for intense training camps and confrontations with the League of Villains. Season 3 runs from Episode 39, "Game Start," to Episode 63, "Unbowed."
Season 4 (2019-2020): This season introduces new challenges and powerful adversaries. Follow the storyline from Episode 64, "His Start," to Episode 88, "Go, Go, U.A.!"
Season 5 (2021): Prepare for joint training exercises and deeper dives into character backstories. Watch from Episode 89, "All Hands on Deck! Class 1-A," to Episode 113, "The Hell Class 1-A."
Season 6 (2022-2023): The stakes are higher than ever as heroes face off against overwhelming threats. Begin with Episode 114, "A Quiet Beginning," and continue to Episode 138, "No Man is an Island." This season is particularly intense and important for overall plot progression.
Season 7 (2024): The final war arc begins, so be ready. Start with Episode 139, "A Long Dream", and follow it through to the end.
My Hero Academia Movies
Alongside the main series, there are three My Hero Academia movies that enrich the viewing experience. While they aren't strictly essential to understanding the main plot, they offer fun, engaging side stories and showcase the characters in different scenarios. Here’s the order in which to watch them:
My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018): This movie takes place between Seasons 2 and 3. Ideally, watch it after Episode 62 of Season 3, before diving into Episode 63. This ensures you don't encounter any spoilers for events occurring within Season 3 itself. It introduces new characters and expands on the lore of the series, offering a self-contained adventure that complements the main storyline. It's a great opportunity to see All Might in his prime.
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019): Set between Seasons 4 and 5, this movie presents a unique scenario where Class 1-A faces a powerful villain on an isolated island. For the best viewing experience, watch it after Episode 88 of Season 4 but before starting Season 5. The scale of the conflict is significant, and it explores themes of heroism and sacrifice. Although not canon, its impact is felt slightly in Season 5.
My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission (2021): This movie occurs during Season 5. The suggested watch time is after Episode 113 of Season 5. The heroes must clear their names after a terrorist organization threatens the world with a deadly gas that causes Quirks to go out of control. This is a great action packed adventure.
Original Video Animations (OVAs)
The My Hero Academia franchise also includes several Original Video Animations (OVAs) that offer additional content and insights into the characters' lives. While not essential, they provide entertaining side stories and are worth checking out. Here’s a recommended viewing order:
"Save! Rescue Training!" (2016): This OVA takes place before Season 2 and shows Class 1-A participating in rescue training. Watch it after Season 1.
"Training of the Dead" (2017): This OVA sees Class 1-A facing off against zombie-like creatures during a training exercise. Watch this after the "Save! Rescue Training!" OVA.
"All Might: Rising" (2019): This OVA delves into All Might's past and is best viewed after watching My Hero Academia: Two Heroes. It provides deeper context to All Might's motivations and his relationship with his mentor, Nana Shimura.
"Hero League Baseball" (2020): A lighthearted OVA where heroes engage in a baseball game. This can be watched after Season 4.
"Laugh! As If You Are in Hell" (2020): Focusing on the internship arc, this OVA is best viewed after "Hero League Baseball." It’s a fun, engaging episode that highlights the humorous side of the characters.
A Quick Reference Guide
For easy reference, here’s a condensed list of the viewing order:
- Season 1 (Episodes 1-13)
- OVA: "Save! Rescue Training!"
- OVA: "Training of the Dead"
- Season 2 (Episodes 14-38)
- Season 3 (Episodes 39-62)
- My Hero Academia: Two Heroes
- OVA: "All Might: Rising"
- Season 3 (Episodes 63)
- Season 4 (Episodes 64-88)
- My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising
- OVA: "Hero League Baseball"
- OVA: "Laugh! As If You Are in Hell"
- Season 5 (Episodes 89-113)
- My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission
- Season 6 (Episodes 114-138)
- Season 7 (Episodes 139-current)
Where to Watch
My Hero Academia is available on several streaming platforms. Popular options include:
- Crunchyroll
- Hulu
- Funimation
- Netflix (depending on your region)
Check your local streaming services for availability in your region.
Final Thoughts
Watching My Hero Academia in the correct order enhances your understanding and enjoyment of the series. By following this guide, you'll be well-equipped to experience the full breadth of Izuku Midoriya's heroic journey. Enjoy!
