Review – My Hero Academia: 8 Reasons to Watch
A boy born without a power wants to be a hero anyway, and the first season makes you believe he can.
My Hero Academia is the superhero story anime does best: a kid with every reason to quit, and a series that takes his dream seriously. Here are eight reasons to start it, one on each slide.
Reason 1 – A boy born without a power
Most people in this world are born with a Quirk, a superpower of their own. Izuku Midoriya was born with none, and he still fills notebook after notebook with notes on every hero he sees.
It is the oldest underdog setup there is, and the series plays it completely straight. That is its strength.
Reason 2 – The moment that hooks you
When a villain grabs his childhood bully on a crowded street, Izuku runs in with nothing but his backpack. Every hero watching stands still. He does not.
It is the scene the whole series is built on, and it is in the second episode.
Reason 3 – All Might, the Symbol of Peace
All Might is the number one hero, a grinning giant drawn like an American comic-book cover. Kohei Horikoshi's love of Western superheroes shows in every frame of him.
He also has a secret he hides from the public, and the way he passes his hope on to Izuku gives the series its heart.
Reason 4 – A rival who is not a friend yet
Katsuki Bakugo has an explosive Quirk and a temper to match, and he has looked down on Izuku since they were small children.
The series lets that rivalry stay ugly and complicated, and it is one of the best-written relationships in modern shonen.
Reason 5 – Power that costs him
When Izuku finally gets a power, it is too strong for his body. Every punch can break the arm that throws it.
So the fights are about control and courage, not just strength, and every win leaves a mark.
Reason 6 – Class 1-A
At U.A. High, Izuku meets Ochaco Uraraka, who can make things float, Tenya Iida, the rule-loving class rep, and Shoto Todoroki, half ice and half fire.
The school setting gives every classmate an arc, and the cast gets bigger and better each season.
Reason 7 – Bones and Yuki Hayashi
Studio Bones animates the action with weight and speed, under director Kenji Nagasaki. Yuki Hayashi's score, “You Say Run” above all, turns a comeback into a goosebump moment.
Porno Graffitti's “The Day” opens the first season and sets the tone in ninety seconds.
Reason 8 – Thirteen episodes to know if it is for you
The first season, from 2016, is thirteen episodes and adapts the start of Kohei Horikoshi's manga from Weekly Shonen Jump.
Start at episode one. If the second episode moves you, the rest of the series is built for you.
Where to watch
My Hero Academia was listed on Hulu, Crunchyroll and Netflix in the USA when we last checked, in October 2026. Catalogues change by country and by month, so check the service where you are.
Shop the My Hero Academia collection
Liked My Hero Academia? This is where it leaves the screen: every My Hero Academia design we carry, in one place.
Anime & Manga Hero Academia Kimono Haori$10.99
My Hero Academia Todoroki Deku Bakugo Plush Keychains$12.99
My Hero Academia Rumi Usagiyama Mirko Enamel Pin$18.99
Anime & Manga Led Light Box$19.99
My Hero Academia Ribbon Lanyard Keychains$9.99
Anime & Manga Acrylic Chibi Keychain$8.99
Source: the Anime Crush Anime Guide.