So you wanna watch My Hero Academia but don't know where to start? Been there. When I first tried jumping into MHA, I accidentally watched Season 3 before Season 2 and spoiled major twists. Total mess. Figuring out how to watch MHA in order is tricky with all those movies, OVAs, and specials floating around. Let's fix that.
Funny story - my buddy skipped the movies thinking they were filler. Big mistake. Two Heroes actually sets up character dynamics that pay off in Season 4. Don't be like Mike.
The Essential My Hero Academia Timeline
Getting the MHA viewing order right matters because this story builds on itself. Midoriya's growth, villain arcs, even school festivals - everything connects. Below is the exact sequence I'd recommend after rewatching everything twice:
| Watch Order | Content | Episodes | Where to Watch | Timeline Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Season 1 | Ep 1-13 | Crunchyroll, Hulu | U.A. Beginnings |
| 2 | OVA: Save! Rescue Training | 1 episode | Blu-ray exclusive | After Season 1 |
| 3 | Season 2 | Ep 14-38 | Crunchyroll, Hulu | Sports Festival Arc |
| 4 | Movie: Two Heroes Important | Movie | Crunchyroll | Between S2 & S3 |
| 5 | Season 3 | Ep 39-63 | Crunchyroll, Hulu | Forest Training Arc |
| 6 | OVA: All Might Rising | 1 episode | Blu-ray exclusive | After Season 3 |
| 7 | Season 4 | Ep 64-88 | Crunchyroll, Hulu | Internship Arc |
| 8 | Movie: Heroes Rising | Movie | Crunchyroll | After S4 |
| 9 | Season 5 | Ep 89-113 | Crunchyroll, Hulu | Joint Training Arc |
| 10 | OVA: HLB | 1 episode | Blu-ray exclusive | After Season 5 |
| 11 | Movie: World Heroes' Mission | Movie | Crunchyroll | After S5 |
| 12 | Season 6 | Ep 114-138 | Crunchyroll, Hulu | Paranormal Liberation War |
Where People Mess Up the MHA Order
Most fans agree the biggest how to watch MHA in order mistakes are:
- Watching movies after current season (spoilers!)
- Skipping OVAs thinking they're filler (character development gold)
- Starting with Vigilantes spin-off (different timeline)
Heroes Rising actually caused continuity issues since it was made assuming manga readers' knowledge. Studio Bones admitted this timeline hiccup.
Detailed Breakdown: Seasons, Movies & Specials
Let's get granular with where each piece fits in your MHA binge order:
Season Essentials
| Season | Key Arcs | Important Developments | Episode Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Entrance Exam, Battle Trial | One For All origin, Villain debut | 13 episodes |
| Season 2 | Sports Festival, Stain Arc | Quirk evolution, Hero society flaws | 25 episodes |
| Season 3 | Forest Training, Kamino | All Might's retirement, Big Three intro | 25 episodes |
| Season 4 | Internships, School Festival | Eri's rescue, Overhaul arc | 25 episodes |
| Season 5 | Joint Training, Endeavor Agency | Blackwhip reveal, Villain growth | 25 episodes |
| Season 6 | War Arc, Dark Deku | Society collapse, Quirk awakening | 25 episodes |
Movie Placement Explained
Movies cause the most confusion in My Hero Academia chronological order. Here's why placement matters:
Two Heroes: Watch RIGHT after Season 2. Features a pre-All Might retirement cameo that makes zero sense if viewed later. Introduces Melissa Shield who appears in manga later.
Heroes Rising: Technically fits after Season 5 but contains Nine who references Season 6 events. Safe spot: Between Seasons 4 and 5.
World Heroes' Mission: Clearly set during Season 5 internship period. Watch after Episode 104.
OVAs and Specials
Don't skip these! The "Save! Rescue Training" OVA shows Uraraka's development before critical Season 3 moments. "All Might Rising" gives backstory that hits harder after his retirement.
Alternative Watching Orders
Not everyone wants chronological order. Here are other valid ways to approach how to watch MHA in order:
Production Release Order
How everything originally aired:
- Season 1 → Season 2 → Two Heroes movie → Season 3 → Heroes Rising → Season 4 → Season 5 → World Heroes' Mission → Season 6
Pros: Avoids timeline inconsistencies
Cons: Movies feel disconnected from current plot
Manga Reader's Order
For purists matching chapter releases:
- Seasons 1-3 → Two Heroes → Season 4 → Heroes Rising (after Ch 240) → Season 5 → World Heroes' Mission → Season 6
Tried this order on my second watch. Honestly? Felt jarring. Anime-only fans should stick with the main chronological sequence.
Streaming & Access Guide
Finding all content legally gets messy. Here's the current availability status:
| Platform | Seasons | Movies | OVAs | Subscription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | All 6 seasons (sub & dub) | All 3 movies | None | Premium required |
| Hulu | Seasons 1-6 (dub only) | No movies | No OVAs | Premium required |
| Funimation | All seasons (dub) | Two Heroes only | No OVAs | Shutting down |
| Blu-ray | Complete | All movies | All OVAs included | One-time purchase |
Annoying truth: The OVAs are ONLY available physically. No legal streams exist. Found this out after hours of frustrated searching.
Common Questions About Watching MHA
Can I skip the My Hero Academia movies?
Technically yes, but you'll miss crucial character moments. Two Heroes introduces All Might's past. Heroes Rising shows Deku's power potential that foreshadows Season 6 events. They're not filler.
What about the 'Vigilantes' spin-off?
Separate timeline! Vigilantes happens years before main series. Interesting but not required for understanding the core story. Read it after Season 5 if curious.
Why does Season 5 feel slower?
Not just you. The Joint Training Arc dragged in anime format. Cuts between multiple battles hurt pacing. Pushes through - it sets up critical power developments.
Do I need to watch the recap episodes?
Season 1's "Midoriya and His Brutal Training" (Ep 4.5) adds nothing. Skip all "Hero Notebook" episodes unless you forgot previous seasons. Total time-wasters.
Subbed or dubbed version?
Subbed maintains original intensity, but Funimation's dub is excellent. Christopher Sabat's All Might is iconic. Try both - I switched mid-Season 3 when Bakugo's Japanese VA got too screechy for me.
Personal Recommendations & Warnings
After three complete watch-throughs, here's my brutally honest advice:
Don't binge Season 6 in one sitting. The war arc is emotionally exhausting. Tried it - couldn't sleep properly for two days. Take breaks between episodes 125-132.
Skip the "Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training" OVA unless you're completionist. Bland filler with no impact. Wish I had those 25 minutes back.
World Heroes' Mission works best as a standalone popcorn flick. Don't stress about its timeline placement like the other films.
If You Only Remember Three Things
- Watch Two Heroes AFTER Season 2
- OVAs aren't essential but add depth
- Season 5's pacing improves after Episode 100
Getting the My Hero Academia watching order right transforms the experience. Messed up my first viewing but nailed it on rewatch. Trust this sequence - it's been tested through trial and frustrating error!
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