The Best Episodes Of My Hero Academia

Summary

• Emotional roller-coaster episodes define My Hero Academia’s best moments.
• Epic battles showcase character growth and deep narratives within the series.
• Villains’ tragic backgrounds bring depth, complexity, and unforgettable storytelling to the forefront.

Since its first episode aired in 2016, My Hero Academia has captured the hearts and minds of many with its amazing characters and storylines. In a world of Pro-Heroes, Villains and powerful Quirks, the line between good and evil seems clear-cut at first, only for it to blur as the series progresses.

Let’s take a look back at the most defining moments of the series. My Hero Academia has no end in jaw-dropping or tear-jerking episodes, and while difficult, we’ve narrowed down the ten best episodes of the entire franchise.

10

Todoroki Shouto: Origin

Season 2, Episode 10

The Sports Festival Arc reaches a fever pitch as Midoriya and Todoroki finally face one another. In earlier episodes, Todoroki made it no secret his intent to defeat Midoriya and surpass All Might by only using his ice as retaliation against his father, Endeavour.

This episode takes your emotions on a roller-coaster ride and adds the cherry on top with a masterful combat sequence throughout. Midoriya helps Todoroki confront the painful memories of his past and free himself from his father’s influence by finally using his fire, as well as beginning the journey of moving forward.

9

One For All

Season 3, Episode 11

In the aftermath of Bakugo’s kidnapping, the heroes mount a rescue operation, pinpointing the League of Villains’ hideout at Kamino Ward. Just when things seemed to be going the heroes’ way, All For One emerges from hiding, revealing himself to the world.

All Might duke it out with All For One in this long-awaited rematch, pushed to the brink to the point he overran his time limit. All For One goads him with the revelation of Shigaraki’s identity, and despite things looking bleak for All Might, he musters the last vestiges of One For All to deal his nemesis a final, definitive blow.

8

Deku Vs Kacchan, Part 2

Season 3, Episode 23

Midoriya and Bakugo’s rivalry is one of the defining aspects of the show, and their relationship is one of the most complex ever depicted. But things seem to have taken a turn after the events of Kamino Ward, as Bakugo has been keeping his roiling emotions under a tight lid, only for them to come rushing out in this episode.

Bakugo lays it all out to Midoriya, showing a rare moment of vulnerability. Midoriya’s accomplishments, his kidnapping and All Might’s retirement led to feelings of guilt and inferiority, resulting in another clash between the two. Although All Might comes to resolve the situation, the episode ends with the two childhood friends reaching a level of understanding with one another.

7

Infinite 100%

Season 4, Episode 13

The climax of the Shie Hassaikai Raid Arc sees one of the best fights in the series, a collaborative effort between Eri and Midoriya to defeat Overhaul for good. With numerous heroes either injured or incapacitated, Midoriya uses Eri’s lack of control over her Rewind Quirk to go all out with One For All.

The episode touched on all the high points, with the League of Villains completing their agenda and delving into Overhaul’s motivations and the lead-up to his takeover of the Shie Hassaikai. Not only did it show how much Midoriya and his classmates have improved, but it gave us a treat with a cinematic battle of epic proportions.

6

Shimura Tenko: Origin

Season 5, Episode 23

In a heart-rending episode, Shigaraki Tomura’s tragic background is brought to light. While his allies are fighting the Meta Liberation Army, Shigaraki battles with Re-Destro and has flashes of his past as Shimura Tenko.

Shimura Tenko was simply a timid, awkward boy who loved to play with his dog Mon-chan, and had dreams of becoming a hero just like every other child. But the combination of an oppressive home life, an abusive father and a destructive Quirk led Tenko towards an inevitable breaking point that was heartbreaking to see, setting him down the path to becoming Shigaraki Tomura.

5

Dabi’s Dance

Season 6, Episode 11

Fan theories and suspicions were finally confirmed in this episode, as the Heroes take another devastating blow. The raid on Jaku Hospital quickly turned bad for the Heroes, with Shigaraki, Gigantomachia and multiple Nomus awakening and causing widespread havoc. Things only seem to get worse from there when Dabi steps to the fore.

Despite Endeavour’s attempts to make amends, his past actions come to bite him back in the worst way. Dabi reveals himself to be Todoroki Touya and proceeds to air out the family’s dirty laundry to the world, causing the tide of public opinion to turn against the Heroes and Endeavour especially. Of the many things that happened during the Paranormal Liberation War Arc, Dabi’s revelation was the final nail in the coffin for hero society.

4

The Wrong Way to Put Out A Fire

Season 6, Episode 17

In light of Dabi’s sensational reveal, this episode focuses on uncomfortable truths and an acceptance of the past. We get a deeper look into the Todoroki family life, and how Endeavour’s passion grew into a single-minded obsession that negatively affected his family.

Touya was more affected than most, becoming obsessed with having his father’s attention at all costs, which eventually led to his ‘death’. As Endeavour recovers from his injuries, his wife and children visit him. Everyone admits their faults and feels responsible for how Touya ended up, but ultimately resolves to save him from himself.

3

Specter

Season 7, Episode 2

Star and Stripe showed us exactly why she’s America’s Number One Hero in this episode. Her struggle against Shigaraki and All For One continues, but despite her and her allies’ best efforts, they are unable to completely vanquish the powerful Villain.

All seemed lost when Shigaraki/AFO stole Star and Stripe’s New Order Quirk, only for Star to have the last laugh by using her Quirk at the last minute. Although it ultimately cost her her life, Star was willing to sacrifice herself to ensure All For One didn’t obtain her Quirk.

With her last breath, Star was able to deal significant damage to Shigaraki and his many Quirks, as well as buy precious time for the Heroes to mount a final offensive against All For One.

2

A Girl’s Ego

Season 7, Episode 20

In the penultimate episode of Season 7, Toga Himiko goes on a rampage by consuming Twice’s blood and using his Double Quirk to overwhelm the Heroes. Consumed with rage, she refuses to listen to either Uraraka or Asui’s words, reacting with more violence instead.

Despite being injured and later stabbed by Himiko, Uraraka refuses to give up and manages to stop the clones when her Zero Gravity Quirk evolves. Uraraka’s sympathetic and understanding words connect with Himiko and she stops just as her Quirk’s time limit runs out.

My Hero Academia does its main Villains justice by highlighting their tragic backgrounds and personal motivations, and the conclusion to Toga Himiko’s story arc is a perfect example.

1

I Am Here

Season 7, Episode 19

The Todoroki family drama reaches its conclusion in the later episodes of Season 7, with Touya intent on setting his Quirk off and taking everyone with him in a grand explosion. Endeavour tries desperately to stop him, but Touya is too far gone.

In one of the most emotional episodes of the series, the entire Todoroki family steps up to save Touya, with Rei, Natsuo and Fuyumi showing up to use their Ice Quirks to stave the overwhelming heat. Although Touya has been removed from action, he is severely disfigured from his Quirk, and the difficult journey of healing for the Todoroki family begins.