My Hero Academia story arcs: 5 best written My Hero Academia story arcs (& 5 that missed the mark)

My Hero Academia has won hearts with its superpowered students and epic battles. Throughout its run, the series has delivered a mix of exceptional arcs that have elevated the narrative and others that fell short of expectations.

This article examines the five best-written story arcs and five arcs that didn't quite hit the mark. While some showcased the manga's strengths in character development, world-building, and action-packed sequences, others made the viewers lose interest.

From the adrenaline-pumping Sports Festival to the nail-biting Final War, this article highlights what made certain arcs unforgettable and why the others left the fans scratching their heads.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion.

Sports Festival Arc, Final War Arc, and 3 others are among the best-written My Hero Academia story arcs

1) Sports Festival Arc

The Sports Festival Arc in My Hero Academia defies typical shonen conventions by prioritizing character growth over combat. Bakugo's victory, although legitimate, underscores the series' focus on personal journeys. The final match, anticipated to be spectacular, ends quickly due to Todoroki's internal conflicts.

This subversion highlights that My Hero Academia is about molding characters, not just showcasing battles. Bakugo’s frustration with his easy win mirrors the audience’s expectations, highlighting the tension in character development rather than in fights. The arc illustrates that the true stakes lie in the heroes' struggles and growth.

2) Hideout Raid Arc

Katsuki and the League of Villains (Image via Bones)

The Hideout Raid Arc is one of My Hero Academia's best, following the Forest Training Camp Arc where villains kidnap Bakugo and Ragdoll. The stakes soar as heroes and police search for Bakugo, while villains try to recruit him. This arc highlights UA's public scrutiny and the high tension of the situation.

The climax features an epic battle between All Might and All For One, considered one of the series' finest. This showdown not only showcases heroic resilience but also marks a pivotal turning point, setting a darker and more urgent tone for future events.

3) Final War Arc

Class 1-A stands together (Image via Bones)

The Final War Arc in My Hero Academia redeems the series' previous shortcomings with a highly satisfying outcome. It delivers on long-promised conflicts, featuring intense, back-to-back battles that keep fans on the edge of their seats. The arc lives up to expectations with its amazing tension and dramatic stakes.

Moreover, key character arcs reach their climax, showcasing significant growth for Deku, Bakugo, and Shigaraki. The epic confrontations and strategic depth silence critics, proving the series’ enduring appeal. This arc's resolution is both thrilling and emotionally rewarding, making it a standout in My Hero Academia's storyline.

4) Shie Hassaikai Arc

My Hero Academia’s Shie Hassaikai Arc concludes with a breathtaking finale spanning 16 intense episodes. From Red Riot’s heroic transformation to Deku’s gripping battle against Overhaul, the arc brims with nonstop action. It showcases a diverse array of Quirks, revealing how villains leverage teamwork for formidable strength, challenging the heroes’ resolve.

Notable clashes like Fat Gum and Red Riot against Rappa and Tengai and Suneater’s solo showdown highlight strategic depth and character growth. The arc delves deep into moral complexities, exploring varied notions of justice among heroes and villains, enriching the series with nuanced perspectives and emotional depth.

5) Paranormal Liberation War Arc

Gigantomachia interrupts the fight (Image via Bones)

The Paranormal Liberation War Arc in My Hero Academia is a relentless onslaught of action from start to finish. Spanning an epic battle with intriguing flashbacks in the aftermath, like when Dabi revealed himself to be Endeavor's son, it marks the conclusion of a saga while paving the way for the series’ final arcs.

The arc delivers gripping conflicts and pivotal character developments, showcasing intense confrontations and strategic depth. It not only serves as a climactic finale but also as a pivotal narrative shift, setting the stage for future storylines with its dramatic revelations and impactful resolutions.

Endeavor Agency Arc, Joint Training Arc, and 3 others are among the My Hero Academia story arcs that missed the mark

1) Endeavor Agency Arc

Hero interview practice (Image via Bones)

The Endeavor Agency Arc delves into Todoroki’s complicated relationship with his father, Endeavor, as they train under his guidance. While it provides valuable insights into Endeavor’s attempts at redemption and Todoroki’s development, the arc suffers from a slow pace and lack of significant stakes.

The personal growth is evident, but the excitement and intensity seen in other arcs are missing. Consequently, this arc feels more like a character study than a crucial part of the overarching plot, resulting in a less engaging experience.

2) Forest Training Camp Arc

The Forest Training Camp Arc introduces the students' training in a forest environment, aiming to push their abilities further. However, the arc is marred by its slower pacing and predictable elements. The League of Villains’ attack adds some tension, but the execution falls short of delivering the high stakes expected.

Despite setting up future storylines and character development, the arc lacks the gripping narrative drive and emotional impact seen in more successful arcs, making it somewhat underwhelming.

3) U.A. School Festival Arc

Class 1-A practices the choreography (Image via Bones)

The U.A. School Festival Arc is intended to be a light-hearted break from the series' intense action. While it showcases the students' talents and creativity outside hero training, the arc feels like filler.

The introduction of Gentle Criminal and La Brava brings a unique twist, but their conflict lacks the gravity of previous villains. The highlight is the cultural festival performance, which is charming but ultimately inconsequential to the main plot. The arc’s low stakes and limited impact make it one of the less memorable storylines.

4) Joint Training arc

Class 1-A at Ground Gamma (Image via Bones)

My Hero Academia's Joint Training arc showcases classes 1-A and 1-B engaging in team-based mock battles, including Hitoshi Shinso from U.A.'s general education course. This arc aims to provide valuable screen time for lesser-known characters while offering both classes practical combat experience.

Despite its intentions, the arc falls short due to its low stakes and length, making it one of the series' weaker segments. While it contributes to character development and introduces Shinso's integration into hero training, the lack of significant consequences or narrative impact leaves it overshadowed by more compelling storylines in My Hero Academia's expansive narrative.

5) Remedial Course Arc

The Remedial Course Arc in My Hero Academia follows Bakugo, Todoroki, and other students as they undergo additional training to obtain their provisional hero licenses. Despite its moments of character growth and interpersonal dynamics, the arc is overshadowed by its lack of significant stakes and slower pacing.

While it offers insight into individual struggles and motivations, particularly for Bakugo and Todoroki, its impact on the larger narrative is minimal. As a result, the arc feels more like a side story, focusing on personal development rather than advancing the series' overarching conflicts and themes.

To conclude

In the end, even counting all of My Hero Academia’s arcs, this series, just like any other, has its good and bad moments. There were also a few extraordinary story arcs like the Sports Festival arc and the Final War arc, displaying the manga’s excellence in narratives and characters’ enhancement.

However, not all arcs were equally successful. Some struggled with pacing or failed to impact the overall narrative significantly. While these sections had their moments, they didn't quite match the quality of the series' best storylines.

Despite these inconsistencies, My Hero Academia remains a generally engaging series. The mix of strong and weak arcs is not uncommon in long-running manga. Overall, the compelling elements of the story continue to outweigh its less effective parts, maintaining reader interest in Horikoshi's world of heroes and villains.