My Hero Academia currently has seven seasons, with an eighth confirmed for 2025. The anime, based on Kōhei Horikoshi’s manga, began airing in 2016 and has adapted the story through the Paranormal Liberation War arc. Here is the complete breakdown of each season, its episodes, and the major story arcs covered.
Season 1 (2016) – The Beginning
The first season aired from April to June 2016, totaling 13 episodes. It introduces Izuku Midoriya, a quirkless boy who dreams of becoming a hero. After a chance encounter with All Might, he inherits the One For All quirk and enrolls at U.A. High School. The season covers the U.A. entrance exam, the first day of class, and the USJ attack by the League of Villains. It ends with the sports festival announcement, setting up the next season.
Season 2 (2017) – Sports Festival and Hero Killer
Season 2 aired from April to September 2017, with 25 episodes. It is split into two cours. The first half focuses on the U.A. Sports Festival, where students compete in a series of events to showcase their abilities. The second half introduces the Hero Killer Stain, a villain who targets false heroes. This arc leads to a confrontation between the students and Stain, and it also marks the first major appearance of the League of Villains’ growing influence. The season ends with the final exams, where students must fight their teachers.
Season 3 (2018) – Training Camp and Hideout Raid
The third season ran from April to September 2018, with 25 episodes. It begins with the Forest Training Camp, where students are attacked by the League of Villains. This leads to the kidnapping of Bakugo and the subsequent Hideout Raid arc, where the heroes attempt to rescue him. The season also covers the provisional hero license exam, which introduces new characters like Inasa Yoarashi and Camie. It ends with the licensing exam results and the introduction of the Big Three.
Season 4 (2019-2020) – Shie Hassaikai and Cultural Festival
Season 4 aired from October 2019 to April 2020, with 25 episodes. It adapts the Shie Hassaikai arc, which focuses on the yakuza group led by Overhaul. The arc centers on Eri, a young girl with a Rewind quirk, and the heroes’ mission to rescue her. The season also includes the U.A. Cultural Festival, where Class 1-A performs a concert. It ends with the Pro Hero arc, featuring Endeavor’s first major mission as the new number one hero.
Season 5 (2021) – Joint Training and Meta Liberation Army
The fifth season aired from March to September 2021, with 25 episodes. It begins with the Joint Training arc, where Class 1-A battles Class 1-B in a series of team exercises. The season then shifts to the Meta Liberation Army arc, which follows the villain Twice and the expansion of the League of Villains. The season also includes the Endeavor Agency arc, where Deku, Bakugo, and Shoto intern under Endeavor. It ends with the formation of the Paranormal Liberation Front.
Season 6 (2022-2023) – Paranormal Liberation War
Season 6 aired from October 2022 to March 2023, with 25 episodes. It is the most intense season, covering the Paranormal Liberation War arc, where the heroes launch a full-scale assault on the villain alliance. The season also adapts the Dark Hero arc, which shows Deku leaving U.A. to fight alone. It ends with the introduction of the U.A. Traitor plotline and the return of All For One.
Season 7 (2024) – Final War
The seventh season aired from May 2024 to October 2024, with 21 episodes. It adapts the Final War arc, which is the climactic battle between the heroes and the Paranormal Liberation Front. The season covers the fight against Shigaraki and All For One, as well as the fate of numerous characters. It ends with the conclusion of the war and the beginning of the epilogue. An eighth season has been announced, which will adapt the final chapters of the manga.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes are in My Hero Academia in total?
As of the end of Season 7, there are 159 episodes. This includes the 13 episodes of Season 1, 25 each for Seasons 2 through 6, and 21 for Season 7. The count does not include the two OVA series or the three animated films, which are separate.
Is My Hero Academia still airing?
Yes, an eighth season has been announced, but no release date has been confirmed. The manga ended in August 2024, so the anime will adapt the remaining chapters. It is likely that Season 8 will be the final season, but this has not been officially stated.
Do I need to watch the movies to understand the story?
No, the movies are not essential to the main plot. They are side stories that take place between seasons. For example, My Hero Academia: Two Heroes is set after Season 2, and Heroes Rising is set after Season 4. You can skip them without missing key plot points, but they are enjoyable for fans.
What is the correct watch order?
The simplest order is to watch the seasons in numerical order. If you want to include the movies, a common order is: Season 1, Season 2, Two Heroes, Season 3, Heroes Rising, Season 4, World Heroes’ Mission (set after Season 5), Season 5, Season 6, Season 7. However, the movies are not required.
Why is Season 6 so different in tone?
Season 6 adapts the Paranormal Liberation War arc, which is a major turning point in the manga. The story becomes darker and more serious, with higher stakes and more character deaths. This shift is intentional, as the series moves from a school-based story to a full-scale war. Many fans consider it the best season for this reason.
Will there be a Season 8?
Yes, Season 8 has been officially announced. It will likely cover the final arc of the manga, which focuses on the aftermath of the war and the conclusion of Deku’s journey. The release date has not been announced, but it is expected to air in 2025 or 2026.
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