My Hero Academia is a Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers (called Quirks) in a world where they have become commonplace, but who still dreams of becoming a superhero himself. He is scouted by All Might, Japan’s greatest hero, who chooses Midoriya as his successor and shares his Quirk with him after recognizing his potential, and later helps to enroll him in a prestigious high school for heroes in training.
My Hero Academia has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since July 2014, with its chapters additionally collected into 30 tankōbon volumes as of April 2021. The series has been licensed for an English-language release by Viz Media and began serialization in their weekly digital manga anthology Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2015. Shueisha began to simulpublish the series in English on the website and app Manga Plus in January 2019. The series has also inspired numerous spin-off manga, such as My Hero Academia Smash!!, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes and My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions.
The manga was adapted into an anime television series by Bones. Its first season aired in Japan from April to June 2016, followed by a second season from April to September 2017, then a third season from April to September 2018, a fourth season from October 2019 to April 2020, and a fifth season premiered in March 2021. An animated film titled My Hero Academia: Two Heroes was released in August 2018. A second animated film titled My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising was released in December 2019. A third animated film titled My Hero Academia The Movie: World Heroes’ Mission is set to be released in August 2021. There are plans for a live-action film by Legendary Entertainment.
The manga won the 2019 Harvey Award for Best Manga. As of April 2021, the manga has over 50 million copies in circulation worldwide. Both the manga and anime adaptation have received an overwhelming positive response from both critics and audiences, and are considered one of the best of the 2010s.
Synopsis
Setting
The story of My Hero Academia is set in a world where currently most of the human population has gained the ability to develop superpowers called “Quirks” (個性, Kosei), which occur in children within the age of four: it is estimated that around 80% of the world population has a Quirk. There are infinite types of Quirks, and it is extremely unlikely to find two people who have the exact same power, unless they are closely related. These particular abilities have allowed the development of a new category of people: Heroes, who face the evil-voted individuals who use the Quirks for selfish and criminal purposes, commonly known as Villains. In addition, Heroes who choose to exercise heroism at work level are recognized as Pro Heroes.
Premise
The series focuses on Izuku Midoriya, a young man who dreams of becoming a Hero despite being bullied by his violent childhood friend Katsuki Bakugo for lacking a Quirk. Both youths idolize one of the world’s greatest heroes All Might, who they both met with Izuku being one of few to know of an critical injury All Might has been concealing from the public eye to maintain morale. All Might also reveals the nature of his Quirk “One For All” and passes it down to Izuku to succeed him after seeing the youth’s determination in the face of danger. As Izuku begins his path to becoming a hero in attending U.A. High School (雄英高校, Yūei Kōkō) alongside Bakugo and the friends they make in Class 1-A, a nemesis to the “One For All” users named All For One conditions his apprentice Tomura Shigaraki to destroy the current society and its heroes.
Publication
Main series
The series is written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. It originated from the one-shot My Hero (僕のヒーロー, Boku no Hīrō), which Horikoshi wanted to turn into a series following the end of Barrage. It began its serialization in Shueisha’s manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump on July 7, 2014. Shueisha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on November 4, 2014. As of April 2, 2021, thirty volumes have been released. The manga entered its final act in chapter 306, which was released on March 21, 2021.
The series is licensed for English-language release in North America by Viz Media, who published the first volume on August 4, 2015. As the series is published in Japan, it is also released simultaneously in English digitally by Viz Media’s Weekly Shonen Jump. Shueisha began to publish chapters of the series at the same time as Japan in English on the website and app Manga Plus in January 2019.
Spin-offs
A spin-off series entitled My Hero Academia Smash!! by Hirofumi Neda started in the Shōnen Jump+ digital app on November 9, 2015, and finished on November 6, 2017. Five tankōbon volumes were released as of November 2017. The series has been licensed by Viz Media.
Another spin-off series, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, began being published on Shōnen Jump+ on August 20, 2016. The series is licensed for the English-language release in North America by Viz Media. The first volume was released in English on July 3, 2018.
A third spin-off series, My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions by Yōkō Akiyama, began serialization in Saikyō Jump on August 2, 2019, with a prologue chapter debuting in Jump GIGA on July 25, 2019. The series is also licensed for the English-language release in North America by Viz Media.
The first two of the series’ movies have been adapted into one-volume manga series. Both were published by Homesha.
A prequel manga to the first movie by Kōhei Horikoshi was given to the first million people to see it. Viz Media published it in English.
Related media
Anime
On October 29, 2015, the series’ official Twitter announced that the series would receive an anime adaptation produced by Studio Bones. With the anime announced, Toho registered the domain name “heroaca.com” as the anime’s website. The anime is directed by Kenji Nagasaki, written by Yōsuke Kuroda, and featured character designs by Yoshihiko Umakoshi and music composed by Yuki Hayashi. The anime stars Marina Inoue as Momo Yaoyorozu, Yoshimasa Hosoya as Fumikage Tokoyami, Daiki Yamashita as Izuku Midoriya, Kenta Miyake as All Might, Nobuhiko Okamoto as Katsuki Bakugō, Ayane Sakura as Ochako Uraraka, Kaito Ishikawa as Tenya Iida, Aoi Yuki as Tsuyu Asui, Ryou Hirohashi as Minoru Mineta. The anime premiered on MBS and other Japan News Network stations in the Nichigo time slot at 5 P.M. on Sundays in Japan. The opening theme is “The Day”, performed by Porno Graffitti, while the ending theme is “Heroes”, performed by Brian the Sun.
A second season was announced in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine’s 30th issue of 2016. It premiered on April 1, 2017, on Nippon TV and Yomiuri TV. The staff and cast from the first season returned to reprise their roles. The first opening theme is “Peace Sign” (ピースサイン) performed by Kenshi Yonezu and the first ending theme is “Dakara, Hitori ja nai” (だから、ひとりじゃない, lit. “Therefore, I Am Not Alone”), performed by Little Glee Monster. The second opening theme is “Sora ni Utaeba” (空に歌えば, lit. “If I Sing to the Sky”) performed by amazarashi and the ending theme is “Datte Atashi no Hīrō” (だってアタシのヒーロー, lit. “Still My Hero”) by LiSA.
A third season was announced in the 44th issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine of 2017. The series premiered on April 7, 2018. The first opening theme is “Odd Future” by Uverworld, while the first ending theme is “Update” (アップデート) by Miwa. The second opening theme is “Make My Story” by Lenny Code Fiction and the second ending theme is “Long Hope Philia” (ロングホープ・フィリア) by Masaki Suda.
A fourth season was announced in the final episode of season three, which released on September 29, 2018. On December 19, 2018, the series’ official website confirmed a release date of October 12, 2019, along with a key visual. Funimation premiered the first episode of the fourth season at Anime Expo on July 6, 2019, with the English dub. Kenji Nagasaki served as chief director of the fourth season, with Masahiro Mukai as director. The first opening theme is “Polaris” by Blue Encount, while the first ending theme is “Kōkai no Uta” by Sayuri. The second opening theme is “Star Marker” by Kana-Boon, and the second ending theme is “Shout Baby” by Ryokuōshoku Shakai.
A fifth season was announced at the end of the final episode of season four. The fifth season premiered on March 27, 2021. The first opening theme is “No.1” by DISH, while the first ending theme is “Ashiato” by the peggies.
OVAs and ONAs
At Jump Festa 2016, it was announced that the series would get an original video animation (OVA) bundled with the limited edition of the thirteenth volume of the manga. Another OVA was bundled with a limited edition of the fourteenth volume of the manga. Another OVA was bundled with the first movie’s blu-ray set, and adapted its prequel manga. It was two minutes long.
An original net animation (ONA) was announced to be released on August 16, 2020, with the returning staff and cast from the previous season.
International release
In March 2016, Funimation announced they had licensed the international rights for streaming services, the home and broadcast release, and the merchandise rights. Universal Pictures UK distributed the first season in the United Kingdom and Ireland on behalf of Funimation, with Sony Pictures UK distributing the second season for Funimation, and Manga Entertainment distributing subsequent seasons for Funimation. In Australia and New Zealand, Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment distributed the first two seasons, on behalf of Funimation, with Madman Entertainment distributing season 3 onwards, in partnership with Funimation. On April 19, 2018, Funimation announced that the series would air on Adult Swim’s Toonami block starting on May 5, 2018. Medialink licensed the series in Southeast Asia. They aired it on Animax Asia.
Light novel
A light novel series titled My Hero Academia: School Briefs (僕のヒーローアカデミア 雄英白書, Boku no Hīrō Akademia Yūei Hakusho), written by Anri Yoshi, has been released by Shueisha under its JUMP j-BOOKS imprint. The first volume was released on April 4, 2016. As of September 4, 2020, five volumes have been published.
In North America, it has been licensed in English by Viz Media. The first volume was published on April 2, 2019. As of March 3, 2020, four volumes have been published.
A light novel adaptation of the series’ second movie, written by Anri Yoshi, was published by Shueisha under their JUMP j-BOOKS imprint in December 2019.
Theatrical films
Anime
An anime film was announced in December 2017 and features an original story set after the manga’s “Final Exam” arc. Titled My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, the film had its world premiere at Anime Expo on July 5, 2018, and the Japanese theatrical release began screening on August 3, 2018, with the staff and cast from the anime series returning to reprise their roles.
On March 23, 2019, it was announced that a second animated film for the series was in production. On July 7, 2019, the official Twitter account for My Hero Academia revealed the title as My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising, and scheduled the film for release on December 20, 2019.
On November 29, 2020, it was announced that a third animated film for the series was in production, and is scheduled for release in third quarter of 2021. The staff and cast from the previous two movies are returning to reprise their roles. In the first episode of the fifth season of the series, the movie was revealed to be titled My Hero Academia The Movie: World Heroes’ Mission. The film is scheduled for release in Japan on August 6, 2021.
Live-action
In October 2018, Legendary Entertainment acquired the rights to produce a live-action adaptation of the series.
Video games
A video game based on the anime, My Hero Academia: Battle for All (僕のヒーローアカデミア バトル・フォー・オール, Boku no Hīrō Akademia Batoru fō Ōru), was announced in November 2015. The game was developed by Dimps and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for the Nintendo 3DS handheld game console, where it released in Japan on May 19, 2016.
A second video game, titled My Hero: One’s Justice (僕のヒーローアカデミア One’s Justice, Boku no Hīrō Akademia Wanzu Jasutisu), was released for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows on October 26, 2018. The game has sold over 500,000 units worldwide, as of January 2019.
A third installment of the video game series, My Hero: One’s Justice 2 (僕のヒーローアカデミア One’s Justice 2, Boku no Hīrō Akademia Wanzu Jasutisu 2), was announced for release on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. It was released in Japan on March 12, 2020, for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
Izuku Midoriya, All Might, and Katsuki Bakugo also appear as playable characters in the crossover game Jump Force.
Musicals
My Hero Academia: The “Ultra” Stage, a stage musical adaptation, was first announced in 2018 and ran in Tokyo and Osaka from April 12 to April 29, 2019. The play was directed by Tsuneyasu Motoyoshi, written by Hideyuki Nishimori, and choreographed by Umebō. Shunsuke Wada composed the music.
A second stage play titled My Hero Academia: The “Ultra” Stage: A True Hero, was scheduled to run from March 6 to April 25, 2020, with the cast and staff returning. A concert event titled My Hero Academia: The “Ultra” Live will be held in July 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, My Hero Academia: The “Ultra” Stage: A True Hero’s original run was cancelled and postponed to July 2020, where a complete version titled My Hero Academia: The “Ultra” Stage: A True Hero Plus Stage Ver. will run instead while My Hero Academia: The “Ultra” Live is postponed to a later date. After one staff member contracted COVID-19, the production committee announced that My Hero Academia: The “Ultra” Stage: A True Hero would instead be live-streamed; however, the play was delayed again after another staff member contracted COVID-19.
Reception
Fans dressed as characters from My Hero Academia.
Popularity
The story has been noted to take inspiration from elements in superhero comics, such as the aesthetics of its characters, and due to the popularity of the series, characters of My Hero Academia were used to promote the Marvel Studios film Avengers: Infinity War. Before the anime adaptation’s premiere, manga author Masashi Kishimoto praised Kōhei Horikoshi’s work, believing it would be a success overseas; Horikoshi, meanwhile, has cited Kishimoto’s Naruto series as a primary source of inspiration. In 2019, My Hero Academia ranked 37th on the 19th “Book of the Year” list by Da Vinci magazine. My Hero Academia ranked 6th on Alu’s manga community “My Manga Best5” 2020 ranking, in which 46,641 users (via Twitter) participated. On TV Asahi’s Manga Sōsenkyo 2021 poll, in which 150.000 people voted for their top 100 manga series, My Hero Academia ranked #16.
Sales
Volume 1 reached 7th place on the weekly Oricon manga chart with 71,575 copies sold. It sold out almost immediately on its first printing. Volume 2 reached 6th place, with 167,531 copies and, by January 18, 2015, had sold 205,179 copies. In April 2015, volume 3 reached 8th place with 254,111 copies, while volume 4 reached 6th with 259,137 in June, and volume 5 peaked at 9th place with 279,414 copies in August. As of March 2017, there were over 10 million copies of My Hero Academia in circulation. As of August 2018, the manga had over 16 million copies in print. As of December 2018, the manga had over 20 million copies in print. As of December 2019, the manga had over 26 million copies in print. As of January 2021, the manga has over 30 million copies in circulation. My Hero Academia was the 6th best selling manga in 2019, with over 5.04 million copies sold. It was the 8th best selling manga in 2020, with over 6 million copies sold. In April 2021, it was reported the manga had 50 million copies in circulation, with 37 million being sold in Japan and the remaining 13 in the rest of the world.
Critical response
Nick Creamer of Anime News Network ranked the first volume as a B. Creamer considered that the series uses the classic formula of other Weekly Shōnen Jump series, but highlighted its artwork, depicting it as “detailed, angular, and tremendously consistent” and lauded the way the story applies “self-awareness” to classic superhero tropes. He called the story “absolutely professional” and concluded; “It won’t surprise you, and so far the characters aren’t exactly leaping off the page, but it’s fast-paced and entertaining and very sharply drawn. It’s a mature work from a professional who clearly knows his craft.” Isaac Akers from The Fandom Post praised the manga when reviewing the second volume. They commented that while it doesn’t do too many new things, the series does what it does so well it is difficult to dislike. Sean Gaffney from A Case Suitable for Treatment also praised the series. Like Akers, he stated that while it doesn’t do too much new, it does what it does very well. He also praised it for being fun to read and having well-written characters.
Alex Osborn of IGN gave the anime series positive marks, saying, “The first season of My Hero Academia delivers thirteen episodes of fantastic action, elevated by a heartfelt story that’s wrapped around a core cast of memorable and relatable characters.” Osborn went on to state that the villains were underdeveloped. In a review for the second season, Osborn praised it as “truly something special”, complimenting the animation, character developments and the emotional weight of the season, in addition to stating, “Season 2 of My Hero Academia easily earns its place as one of the best TV shows of 2017.” Chris Beveridge from The Fandom Post praised the anime. He said that despite the fact its long running series, it manages to not feel directionless and has some great moments. He also praised Funimation’s English dub. Nick Creamer from Anime News Network also praised the series. He praised its characters, music, and its take on the Shōnen premise, while criticizing the sometimes-sluggish pacing and stating the animation can be average at times.
Accolades
The manga was nominated for the 8th Manga Taishō in 2015. It was nominated for the 40th Kodansha Manga Award for the shōnen category in 2016. The manga won the Sugoi Japan Award and the “Japan Expo Awards” in 2017. It was also nominated for the 44th Angoulême International Comics Festival for Best Youth Comic in the same year, and the 30th Harvey Awards for Best Manga. In 2019, the manga won the Harvey Award for Best Manga. Paste ranked My Hero Academia among the top 40 anime of all time. Barnes & Noble listed My Hero Academia on their list of “Our Favorite Manga of 2018”. In November 2019, Polygon named it as one of the best anime of the 2010s, and Crunchyroll listed it in their “Top 25 best anime of the 2010s”. IGN also listed My Hero Academia among the best anime series of the 2010s.
Controversy
In early 2020, the series caused a controversy in South Korea and China for a character’s name allegedly referencing Unit 731, an infamous Imperial Japanese army unit known for vivisecting captured Chinese, Korean, and Russian individuals. In response, it has been removed from digital platforms in China, and the characters’ name was changed to no longer reference Unit 731.