My Hero Academia

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.

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.

My Hero Academia 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.[13] It began its serialization in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump on July 7, 2014.[14] Shueisha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on November 4, 2014.[15] As of January 4, 2021, twenty-nine volumes have been released.[16]

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 Shōnen Jump.[17][18] Shueisha began to simulpublish the series in English on the website and app Manga Plus in January 2019.[19]

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.[20][21][22] Five tankōbon volumes were released as of November 2017.[23] The series has been licensed by Viz Media.[24]

Another spin-off series, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, began being published on Shōnen Jump+ on August 20, 2016.[25][26] 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.[27]

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.[28] The series is also licensed for the English-language release in North America by Viz Media.[29]

On October 29, 2015, the series' official Twitter announced that My Hero Academia would receive an anime adaptation produced by Studio Bones.[30][31] With the anime announced, Toho registered the domain name "heroaca.com" as the anime's website.[31] The anime is directed by Kenji Nagasaki, written by Yōsuke Kuroda, and featured character designs by Yoshihiko Umakoshi and music composed by Yuki Hayashi.[32][33] 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.[34] The anime premiered on MBS and other Japan News Network stations in the Nichigo time slot at 5 P.M. on Sundays in Japan.[35] The opening theme is "The Day", performed by Porno Graffitti and the ending theme is "Heroes", performed by Brian the Sun.[36] It was later released on DVD releases alongside Black Clover and Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma bundled with the future volumes of their respective manga, as it was announced on Jump Special Anime Festa event.[37]

In March 2016, Funimation announced they had licensed the international rights for streaming services, the home and broadcast release, and the merchandise rights.[38][39] Universal Pictures UK distributed the first season in the United Kingdom and Ireland on behalf of Funimation,[40] with Sony Pictures UK distributing the second season for Funimation,[41] and Manga Entertainment distributing subsequent seasons for Funimation.[42] In Australia and New Zealand, Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment distributed the first two seasons, on behalf of Funimation,[43] with Madman Entertainment distributing season 3 onwards, in partnership with Funimation.[44] On April 19, 2018, Funimation announced that the series would air on Adult Swim's Toonami block starting on May 5, 2018.[45]

A second season was announced in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine's 30th issue of 2016.[18] It premiered on April 1, 2017, on Nippon TV and Yomiuri TV,[46] and ended on September 30, 2017, with the staff and cast from the first season returning to reprise their roles.[47] 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.[48] The second opening theme is "Sora ni Utaeba" (空に歌えば, lit. "If I Sing to the Sky") performed by amazarashi[49] 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.[50]

A third season was announced in the 44th issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine of 2017.[51][52] The English dub premiered on April 7, 2018.[53] 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.[54]

A fourth season was announced in the 44th issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine of 2018.[55] This was later confirmed with the airing of the final episode to season three on September 29, 2018.[56] On December 19, 2018, the My Hero Academia website confirmed a release date of October 12, 2019, along with a key visual.[57][58] Funimation had premiered the first episode of the fourth season at Anime Expo on July 6, 2019, with the English dub.[59][60] Kenji Nagasaki is serving as chief director of the fourth season, with Masahiro Mukai as director.[61] Funimation and Madman Entertainment will premiere the first episode of the English dub in Australia at Madman Anime Festival Melbourne and Perth on September 14 and October 4, 2019, respectively.[62] The first opening theme is "Polaris" by Blue Encount, while the first ending theme is "Kōkai no Uta" by Sayuri.[63] The second opening theme is "Star Marker" by Kana-Boon, and the second ending theme is "Shout Baby" by Ryokuōshoku Shakai.[64] An original net animation was announced to be released on August 16, 2020, with the returning staff and cast from the previous season.[65]

A fifth season was announced in the 18th issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine in April 2020,[66] and at the end of the final episode of season 4.[67] On December 19, 2020, a second new trailer announced that the fifth season will premiere on March 27, 2021.[68]

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.[69] As of September 4, 2020, five volumes have been published.[70]

In North America, it has been licensed in English by Viz Media.[71] The first volume was published on April 2, 2019.[72] As of March 3, 2020, four volumes have been published.[73]

An anime film was announced in December 2017 and features an original story set after the manga's "Final Exam" arc.[74] Titled My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ～2人の英雄 (ヒーロー)～, Boku no Hīrō Akademia THE MOVIE: Futari no Hīrō), the film had its world premiere at Anime Expo on July 5, 2018,[75] 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.[76] Funimation announced that they would release the film theatrically in the United States and Canada from September 25, 2018, to October 2, 2018.[75][77]

In October 2018, Legendary Entertainment acquired the rights to produce a live-action adaptation of My Hero Academia.[78]

On March 23, 2019, it was announced that a second animated film for My Hero Academia was in production.[79] On July 7, 2019, the official Twitter account for My Hero Academia revealed the title as My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ヒーローズ:ライジング, Boku no Hīrō Akademia THE MOVIE Hīrōzu: Raijingu), and scheduled the film for release on December 20, 2019.[80][81]

On November 29, 2020, it was announced that a third animated film for My Hero Academia was in production, and is scheduled for release in summer 2021.[82] The staff and cast from the previous two movies are returning to reprise their roles.[83]

A video game based on the anime, My Hero Academia: Battle for All, was announced in November 2015.[84] 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.[85] A second video game, titled My Hero: One's Justice, was released for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows on October 26, 2018.[86][87][88] The game has sold over 500,000 units worldwide, as of January 2019.[89] Izuku Midoriya, All Might and Katsuki Bakugo also appear as playable characters in the crossover game Jump Force.[90][91][92] A third installment of the video game series, My Hero: One's Justice 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.[93][94]

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.[95][96] 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.[97][98] A concert event titled My Hero Academia: The "Ultra" Live will be held in July 2020.[99] 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.[100] 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.[101]

The story has been noted to take inspiration from elements in superhero comics, such as the aesthetics of its characters,[102] and due to the popularity of the series, characters of My Hero Academia were used to promote the Marvel Studios film Avengers: Infinity War.[103] 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.[104] In 2019, My Hero Academia ranked 37th on the 19th "Book of the Year" list by Da Vinci magazine.[105] 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.[106]

Volume 1 reached 7th place on the weekly Oricon manga chart with 71,575 copies sold.[107] It sold out almost immediately on its first printing.[108] Volume 2 reached 6th place, with 167,531 copies[109] and, by January 18, 2015, had sold 205,179 copies.[110] As of March 2017, there were over 10 million copies of My Hero Academia in circulation.[111] As of August 2018, the manga had over 16 million copies in print.[112] As of December 2018, the manga had over 20 million copies in print.[113] As of December 2019, the manga had over 26 million copies in print.[114] As of January 2021, the manga has over 30 million copies in circulation.[115] My Hero Academia was the 6th best selling manga in 2019, with over 5.04 million copies sold.[116] It was the 8th best selling manga in 2020, with over 6 million copies sold.[117]

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."[118] Barnes & Noble listed My Hero Academia on their list of "Our Favorite Manga of 2018".[119]

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.[120]

The manga was nominated for the 8th Manga Taishō in 2015.[121] It was nominated for the 40th Kodansha Manga Award for the shōnen category in 2016.[122] The manga won the Sugoi Japan Award and the "Japan Expo Awards" in 2017.[123][124] It was also nominated for the 44th Angoulême International Comics Festival for Best Youth Comic in the same year,[125] and the 30th Harvey Awards for Best Manga.[126] In 2019, the manga won the Harvey Award for Best Manga.[127][128]

Paste ranked My Hero Academia among the top 40 anime of all time.[129] In November 2019, Polygon named it as one of the best anime of the 2010s,[12] and Crunchyroll listed it in their "Top 25 best anime of the 2010s".[11] IGN also listed My Hero Academia among the best anime series of the 2010s.[10]

In early 2020, the series caused a controversy in South Korea and China for a character's name allegedly referencing Unit 731,[130] 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.[131]