Watch Order 8 Core Entries 3 Optional

MY HERO ACADEMIA:
WATCH ORDER

MHA is one of the easier long-running shonen to watch in order — there's very little true filler, and the movies (aside from one) are optional side stories rather than required viewing. This guide covers the required TV path and notes where each movie fits if you want the full experience.

Core path 8 entries
Optional 3 movies
Total time 84h
Aired 2016–2025
0/12 entries watched0%
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Finish date

August 16, 2026

Hours left

78.1h

Entries left

12

Optional entries

4

#1

My Hero Academia (Season 1)

Required

TV Series · 13 episodes · 2016 · 5.2h

Izuku Midoriya, born without a superpower in a world where 80% of people have one, is scouted by the world's greatest hero, All Might.

💡A tight, fast-paced first season — no filler to worry about here.
#2

My Hero Academia (Season 2)

Required

TV Series · 25 episodes · 2017 · 10.0h

Covers the U.A. Sports Festival and the introduction of the Hero Provisional License Exam and Stain, the Hero Killer.

💡Episode 1 is a recap of Season 1 — skippable if you just finished it.
#3

My Hero Academia (Season 3)

Required

TV Series · 25 episodes · 2018 · 10.0h

Covers the summer training camp attack by the League of Villains and the Shie Hassaikai/Overhaul arc begins.

💡One of the most important seasons for Bakugo and Todoroki's development — don't skip.
#4

My Hero Academia (Season 4)

Required

TV Series · 25 episodes · 2019–2020 · 10.0h

The Shie Hassaikai arc concludes, followed by the Provisional Hero License Exam Part 2 and the Endeavor Agency arc.

💡Fully canon, no recap padding.
#5

My Hero Academia (Season 5)

Required

TV Series · 25 episodes · 2021 · 10.0h

Joint training arc, the My Villain Academia arc, and the Meta Liberation Army conflict.

💡Sets up the villains' side of the story in a way that pays off hard later — essential viewing.
#6

My Hero Academia (Season 6)

Required

TV Series · 25 episodes · 2022–2023 · 10.0h

The Paranormal Liberation War arc — one of the darkest and most pivotal stretches of the series.

💡Widely considered the peak of the anime so far; no filler.
#7

My Hero Academia (Season 7)

Required

TV Series · 21 episodes · 2024 · 8.4h

Covers the Star and Stripe/Final Act arc as the final war against All For One and Shigaraki begins.

💡Four 'Memories' recap specials aired before this season — safe to skip if you're caught up.
#8

My Hero Academia (Season 8, Final Season)

Required

TV Series · 19 episodes · 2025 · 7.6h

The final season, bringing the war and Izuku's story to a close.

💡The last season of the TV anime — required to finish the story.
#9

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes

Optional

Movie · 1 film · 2018 · 1.6h

A standalone story involving All Might's old friend David Shield and his daughter Melissa. Best watched after Season 3.

💡Side story, not required — but a fun, low-stakes watch with great animation.
#10

My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising

Optional

Movie · 1 film · 2019 · 1.7h

Class 1-A goes on an island field study that turns into a fight against a group of powerful villains. Best watched after Season 4.

💡Widely regarded as the best of the movies — optional but highly recommended.
#11

My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission

Optional

Movie · 1 film · 2021 · 1.8h

A global terrorist plot to eliminate all Quirks. Best watched after Season 5.

💡Optional side story with no lasting impact on canon.
#12

My Hero Academia: You're Next

Optional

Movie · 1 film · 2024 · 1.8h

The fourth film, released after Season 7, following a new threat tied to Shigaraki's past.

💡Optional, but the most recent and highest-budget of the films.

Story, Creator & Reception

My Hero Academia is written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since 2014. The manga has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, and the anime holds a MyAnimeList score around 7.9, with Season 5 and the Paranormal Liberation War Arc rated as fan favorites.

Why Order Matters

MHA is refreshingly simple to order — eight seasons air in a straight line with almost no filler. The only real question is where to slot the three theatrical movies: Two Heroes, Heroes Rising, and World Heroes' Mission each work best watched after the season airing around their release window.

Studio & Dub Cast

Animated by Studio Bones, Deku is voiced by Justin Briner and Bakugo by Clifford Chapin in the English dub. Horikoshi has cited American superhero comics as a direct influence on the series' visual design and power system terminology.

Trivia

Horikoshi worked as an assistant on other Shonen Jump series before MHA's debut, and reportedly pitched several earlier concepts that were rejected before landing on the "Quirk" superpower premise that defined the franchise.

Common Mistakes

View Full Filler List & Skip Guide → Dragon Ball Watch Order Demon Slayer Watch Order

FAQ

Do I need to watch the movies to understand the main story?

No. All four MHA movies are non-canon side stories that don't affect the main plot — you can skip them entirely without missing anything essential.

Is there a lot of filler in My Hero Academia?

Very little. Seasons 1 through 8 stick closely to the manga, with only a handful of recap episodes and minor anime-original scenes.

What's the best order to watch the movies in?

If you want them, slot Two Heroes after Season 3, Heroes Rising after Season 4, World Heroes' Mission after Season 5, and You're Next after Season 7.

Has My Hero Academia anime finished?

Yes. The eighth and final season aired in late 2025, bringing the TV anime to a close.

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