Alright, Fine, Here's Your 'My Hero Academia' Watch Order. Don't Expect Miracles.
Look, another shonen with a power system and a plucky protagonist. Groundbreaking. But since you *insisted*, I suppose I can deign to lay out the 'proper' way to consume this… phenomenon. Just try not to fawn over every 'Plus Ultra' too much.
Honestly, when I first heard about *My Hero Academia*, I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly pulled a muscle. 'Boy wants to be a hero, gets powers, goes to a special school.' Original. Truly. But then, *sigh*, it started to… do things. Develop characters, hint at a compelling world, and occasionally deliver action that wasn't entirely paint-by-numbers. So, fine. If you absolutely *must* dive into the world of Quirks and constant yelling, here's the watch order that makes the *most* sense. Don't come crying to me when you realize it's still, at its core, a shonen.
There. You happy now? That's the 'optimal' path through *My Hero Academia*. You'll probably enjoy it, I guess, if you're into that sort of thing. It's got its moments, I suppose, when it's not indulging in tedious exposition or the same old shonen tropes. Just try not to get *too* attached; you know how these long-running series eventually lose their way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have actual, *critically acclaimed* anime to rewatch.
The Complete Watch Order
- 1
The humble beginnings. Predictable, with the classic 'chosen one' trope, but at least it sets up the world with enough energy to make it tolerable.
- 2My Hero Academia: Save! Rescue Training! (OVA 1)OVA2016
Just some filler. Harmless fluff designed to give the animators something to do between seasons. Watch it, don't watch it, who cares? It's not *crucial*.
- 3My Hero Academia Season 2TV Series2017
Ah, the Sports Festival. Because every shonen needs a tournament arc, right? Still, things *do* pick up a bit here. The Stain arc wasn't entirely devoid of tension, I'll admit.
- 4My Hero Academia: Training of the Dead (OVA 2)OVA2017
Another 'side story' that adds nothing crucial but exists. Don't expect any deep character revelations, just more training hijinks.
- 5My Hero Academia Season 3 (Episodes 1-20)TV Series2018
More school life, more training, leading into… oh, surprise, a major conflict! What a twist. Stop before the finale for the movie.
- 6My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (Movie 1)Movie2018
The first 'non-canon but you kinda should watch it' movie. The plots are always a bit flimsy, but the action is usually turned up to 11. It's fine for a break, set during S3's Provisional Hero License Exam arc.
- 7My Hero Academia: All Might: Rising (OVA 3)OVA2018
A short prequel to the first movie, usually bundled with it. Gives a bit of backstory, which is nice, I guess. Don't expect it to revolutionize your understanding of the universe.
- 8My Hero Academia Season 3 (Episodes 21-25)TV Series2018
Resume and finish the season. Things get a *little* serious here, I suppose. The stakes actually felt somewhat real for a minute. Mirio is… surprisingly not annoying.
- 9My Hero Academia Season 4TV Series2019
Overhaul arc. Darker themes, more intense battles. They really tried to make you think it was mature. It had its moments, though the pacing could be excruciating at times.
- 10My Hero Academia Season 5TV Series2021
A bit of a mixed bag. They finally adapted the 'My Villain Academia' arc, which was actually interesting for once, giving the *other* side some much-needed screentime. Too bad they dragged their feet through the rest of it.
- 11My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission (Movie 3)Movie2021
Another movie, another world-ending threat that somehow only affects a few characters and is never mentioned again. It's pretty to look at, I guess, if you like explosions and mid-tier plot devices. *Technically* it fits during S5's Endeavor Agency arc, but honestly, just watch it after for a cleaner break.
- 12My Hero Academia: Heroes: Rising (Movie 2)Movie2019
Oh, *this* one. Another 'everyone teams up against an OP villain' spectacle. It has some emotional beats, I suppose, if you're easily swayed. *Chronologically* it happens after the 'My Villain Academia' arc and after World Heroes' Mission, but was released earlier. Just roll with it.
- 13
More fluff. These two-part OVAs are set during Season 5. Honestly, by this point, you're either committed or you've given up. These won't sway you either way.
- 14My Hero Academia: Laugh! As If You Are in Hell (OVA 5)OVA2022
Another forgettable side-story. Set after Season 5. Just watch it if you're a completionist. Don't expect it to be a masterclass in storytelling.
- 15My Hero Academia Season 6TV Series2022
Alright, the big one. They finally commit to the war arc. It's… a lot. Explosions, emotional trauma, the usual. It's certainly not boring, I'll give it that.
- 16
And so it continues. More chaos, more angst, more yelling. We'll see if they manage to stick the landing, or if it devolves into predictable power-ups and convenient plot resolutions. Don't hold your breath.