My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia (Japanese: 僕のヒーローアカデミア Hepburn: Boku no Hīrō Akademia),

abbreviated as HeroAca (ヒロアカ HiroAka)[10] is a Japanese superhero manga series written
and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since July
2014, and, as of August 2019, 24 volumes have been collected in tankōbon format. 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 hero himself. He is scouted by
Japan's greatest hero, who shares his quirk with Izuku after recognizing his potential, and later
helps to enroll him in a prestigious high school for heroes in training.

The manga was adapted into an anime television series by Bones. Its first season aired in Japan
from April 3 to June 26, 2016, followed by a second season from April 1 to September 30, 2017,
then a third season from April 7 to September 29, 2018, and a fourth season from October 12,
2019. An animated film titled My Hero Academia: Two Heroes was released on August 3, 2018.
A second animated film titled My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising will be released on December
20, 2019. There are plans for a live-action film by Legendary Entertainment.
Plot

In a world where people with superpowers (known as "Quirks" (個性 Kosei)) are the norm,
Izuku Midoriya has dreams of one day becoming a Hero, despite being bullied by his classmates
for not having a Quirk. After being the only one to try and save his childhood bully Katsuki
Bakugo from a villain, Japan's greatest Hero All Might saves him and bestows upon him All
Might's own Quirk "One For All". The story follows Izuku's entrance into U.A. High School (雄英
高校 Yūei Kōkō), a school for training the next generation of superheroes. Izuku and his new
friends try to balance their Hero training with ordinary school duties. However, the League of
Villains, an evil organization established by All Might's archenemy All For One, has plans to
destroy all Heroes and take control of society.

Media

Manga

My Hero Academia is a Japanese manga series 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 the manga
magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump on July 7, 2014.[14] As of August 2, 2019, the series has been
collected into twenty-four tankōbon volumes. The series is licensed for the 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.[15][16] As of August 7, 2018, 14 volumes have been
released.[17] Shueisha began to simulpublish the series in English on the website and app
Manga Plus in January 2019.

A spin-off series entitled My Hero Academia Smash!! by Hirofumi Neda started in the Jump+
digital app on November 9, 2015 and finished on November 6, 2017.[18][19][20] Five tankōbon
volumes were released as of November 2017.[21] The series has been licensed by Viz
Media.[22] Another spin-off series, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, began being published by
Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2017.[23] 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.[24] A
third spin-off series, My Hero Academia: Team Up Mission by Yōkō Akiyama, began serialization
in Saikyō Jump on August 2, 2019, with a prologue chapter debuting in Shōnen Jump GIGA on
July 25, 2019.[25]

Anime

On October 29, 2015, the series' official Twitter announced that My Hero Academia would
receive an anime adaptation produced by Studio Bones.[26][27] With the anime announced,
Toho registered the domain name "heroaca.com" as the anime's website.[27] The anime is
directed by Kenji Nagasaki, written by Yōsuke Kuroda, and featured character designs by
Yoshihiko Umakoshi and music composed by Yuki Hayashi.[28][29] The anime premiered on
MBS and other Japan News Network stations in the Nichigo time slot at 5 P.M. on Sundays in
Japan.[30] The opening theme is "The Day", performed by Porno Graffitti and the ending theme
is "Heroes", performed by Brian the Sun.[31]

In March 2016, Funimation announced they had licensed the international rights for streaming
services, the home and broadcast release, and the merchandise rights.[32][33] Universal
Pictures UK distributed the first season in the United Kingdom and Ireland on behalf of
Funimation,[34] with Sony Pictures UK distributing the second season for Funimation,[35] and
Manga Entertainment distributing subsequent seasons for Funimation.[36] In Australia and
New Zealand, Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment distributed the first two seasons, on
behalf of Funimation,[37] with Madman Entertainment distributing season 3 onwards, in
partnership with Funimation.[38]

A second season was announced in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine's 30th issue of
2016.[16] It premiered on April 1, 2017 on NTV and YTV,[39] and ended on September 30,
2017, with the staff and cast from the first season returning to reprise their roles.[40] 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.[41] The second opening theme is "Sora ni Utaeba" (
空に歌えば lit. If I Sing to the Sky) performed by amazarashi[42] 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.[43]

A third season was announced in the 44th issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine of
2017.[44][45] The English dub premiered on April 7, 2018.[46] 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.[47]

On April 19, 2018, Funimation announced that the series would air on Adult Swim's Toonami
block starting on May 5.[48]

A fourth season was announced in the 44th issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine of
2018.[49] This was later confirmed with the airing of the final episode to season three on
September 29, 2018.[50] On December 19, 2018, the My Hero Academia website confirmed a
release date of October 12, 2019, along with a key visual.[51][52] Funimation had premiered
the first episode of the fourth season at Anime Expo on July 6, 2019 with the English
dub.[53][54] Kenji Nagasaki is serving as chief director of the fourth season, with Masahiro
Mukai as director.[55] 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.[56] The opening theme is "Polaris" by Blue Encount, while
the ending theme is "Kōkai no Uta" by Sayuri.[57]

Films

An anime film was announced in December 2017 and features an original story set after the
manga's "Final Exam" arc.[58] 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,[59] 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.[60] Funimation announced that they would release the film
theatrically in the United States and Canada from September 25, 2018 to October 2,
2018.[59][61]

In October 2018, Legendary Entertainment acquired the rights to produce a live-action

adaptation of My Hero Academia.[62]
On March 23, 2019, it was announced that a second animated film for My Hero Academia was
in production.[63] 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.[64][65]

Video games

A video game based on the anime, My Hero Academia: Battle for All, was announced in
November 2015.[66] 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.[67] 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.[68][69][70] The game has sold over 500,000 units worldwide, as of January 2019.[71]
Izuku Midoriya also appears as a playable character in the crossover game Jump Force.[72] 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.[73]

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 on February 9, 2015.
Shueisha began to simulpublish the series in English on the website and app Manga Plus in
January 2019. The manga won the 2019 Harvey Award for Best Manga,[11] and nominated for
the Angoulême International Comics Festival for Best Youth Comic in 2017.[12]