Let’s be real. If you’re trying to look at a My Hero Academia episode guide for the first time, it’s a total mess. You’ve got seven seasons of the main show. You’ve got three (soon to be four) movies that people swear are "canon" but never seem to affect the main plot. Then there’s the OVAs. Some of them are just goofy fun about survival training, while others actually fill in gaps about characters like Tsuyu Asui or the backstory of the League of Villains. It's a lot.
The series, based on Kohei Horikoshi’s massive manga hit, has ballooned. Since Bones started animating it back in 2016, we’ve gone from a simple story about a quirkless kid named Izuku Midoriya to a full-blown war arc that basically levels entire cities. Honestly, if you try to binge it without a roadmap, you’re going to hit "filler" walls or, worse, watch a movie at the wrong time and spoil a major character power-up.
Where to Even Start with the My Hero Academia Episode Guide
Season 1 is the easy part. It’s 13 episodes. Short. Punchy. It covers the Entrance Exam and the USJ Incident. If you don't like it by the time All Might fights Nomu, the show probably isn't for you. But for most of us, that "United States of Smash" energy is what hooks us.
Season 2 is where the world expands. You get the Sports Festival—which is arguably one of the best tournament arcs in all of anime—and the introduction of Stain. This is crucial. Do not skip the Stain arc. It sets the philosophical groundwork for every villain that comes later. Shigaraki isn't just a guy who likes to decay things; he's a response to a society that let people like Stain exist.
The Movie Problem
Here is where people get tripped up.
Around Season 3, the first movie, Two Heroes, came out. Most "official" guides say you can skip it. Technically? Yeah. You won't lose the plot of the show. But if you want the full experience, watch it after Season 3, Episode 20. It gives you that David Shield backstory which makes All Might’s eventual retirement feel way more personal.
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Heroes Rising (the second movie) is a different beast. It was originally based on an ending Horikoshi had planned for the entire manga. It’s set roughly during the middle of Season 5, even though it was released earlier. If you watch it during Season 4, you’ll see Deku using moves he hasn't learned yet. It’s confusing. Stick to the timeline.
Breaking Down the Middle Seasons: The Pacing Shift
Season 4 is a rollercoaster. You have the Overhaul arc, which is dark. Like, really dark for a Shonen. It’s 25 episodes long, but the first half is a slow-burn investigation. Some fans complained about the pacing here, but the payoff with Deku and Eri is worth the wait.
Then comes the School Festival.
People hate this arc. Or they love it. There is no in-between. It’s low stakes. It’s about a band. Honestly, it’s a necessary breather. After the trauma of Overhaul, seeing Class 1-A just be kids for a minute is important for the emotional weight of the later seasons. If you’re using a My Hero Academia episode guide to skip "filler," some might label this as such. They’re wrong. It’s character growth. It’s why we care when things go south later.
The Season 5 Controversy
Season 5 is where the production at Studio Bones got a little wonky. They swapped two major arcs: the Agency Internship and My Villain Academia. In the manga, we saw the villains grow before the heroes went to work under Endeavor. The anime flipped it.
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Why? Probably to promote the third movie, World Heroes' Mission.
If you want the "true" experience, some purists suggest watching the My Villain Academia episodes (108-112) before the Endeavor Agency arc. It makes the threat of the Paranormal Liberation Front feel much more immediate. Seeing Shigaraki's past—the hands, the family, the tragedy—is the peak of the series for many.
The Final Act: Season 6 and Beyond
Season 6 changed everything. No more school festivals. No more fun and games. It’s the Paranormal Liberation War.
If you’ve been following the My Hero Academia episode guide up to this point, this is where your patience pays off. It’s 25 episodes of almost non-stop combat and massive revelations. Dabi’s identity? Explained. The true nature of One For All? Deep-dived. The fallout of this season leads into the "Dark Deku" arc, which is some of the most striking animation Bones has ever produced. It’s moody, rainy, and depressing. It’s perfect.
Season 7 brings us into the endgame. We’re talking Star and Stripe, the traitor reveal (finally), and the setup for the literal end of the world. By this point, the episode count is nearing 160.
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Navigating the OVAs and Specials
Most guides ignore the OVAs because they’re hard to find on standard streaming platforms like Crunchyroll or Hulu sometimes. But some are actually pretty good.
- Training of the Dead: Features characters from other schools. It’s okay. Skip if you're in a rush.
- All Might: Rising: This is only a few minutes long but it’s the most important OVA. It’s Nana Shimura’s final stand. Watch it before Season 3.
- UA Heroes Battle: A newer one involving a card game. It’s pure fan service.
Practical Tips for Your Rewatch or First Run
Don't rush it. The temptation to skip the "filler-ish" episodes in Season 5 is high, but the small character moments for guys like Shoji or Tokoyami matter in the final war.
- Watch Season 1 through Season 3, Episode 20.
- Insert the movie Two Heroes here.
- Finish Season 3 and watch all of Season 4.
- Watch Heroes Rising after Season 5, Episode 13. This keeps the power scaling from feeling broken.
- Watch Season 5, Episodes 14-25.
- Watch World Heroes' Mission after Season 5. 7. Settle in for the long haul with Season 6 and 7.
The manga has already concluded its run, so we know exactly how much story is left to animate. We are looking at a likely Season 8 or a massive movie finale to wrap everything up.
If you’re looking to save time, avoid the "recap" episodes that usually start every season. They are almost 100% recycled footage meant for Japanese TV audiences who haven't seen the show in a year. For a binger, they are a waste of 22 minutes. Just skip to episode 2 of any given season and you’ll usually be fine.
The most important thing to remember is that this isn't just a show about fights. It's a show about legacy. The way Deku learns to use his legs because he can't use his arms like All Might did—that’s the core. Keep an eye on those small details in the early seasons; they all come back around in the end.
Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Fan
- Verify the Canon: Read the Vigilantes spin-off manga. It’s not animated yet, but it provides the backstory for Kurogiri and Eraserhead that the main show only hints at.
- Check the Timeline: Use a chronological guide rather than a release-date guide if you want the story to flow without jumps.
- Track the Soundtrack: Yuki Hayashi’s score often foreshadows character shifts. Listen for the "You Say Run" variations; they tell you exactly how Deku is evolving emotionally.