Best My Hero Academia Arcs – All Arcs Ranked From Best to Worst.

My Hero Academia is one of the most popular modern-day anime series. The story takes place in a world of heroes and villains having superpowers called “Quirks“. At the time of writing this, it has spun 311 manga chapters.

My Hero academia has several great arcs and it is a daunting task to rank them. But here it goes, all 18 arcs ranked from worst good to best.

Spoiler alert for Anime Only watchers.

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Unranked : Final Act Saga

Chapters – 306 and ongoing

This looks like the final saga. I will add this to the list once we get a decent number of chapters.

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18. Remedial Course Arc

Chapters – 163 to 168

Remedial Course Arc deals with the remedial courses taken by Bakugo and Todoroki along with Camie and Inasa from Shiketsu High School. The task assigned to them is to win the hearts of elementary school children. In the meantime, Endeavor talks with All Might about being the Symbol of Peace.

The interaction between Bakugo, Todoroki with kids is funny and enjoyable. But considering that how much struggle the students faced in getting the license previously, this plot comes off as insincere. Also, this arc makes getting a provisional Hero license an easy thing.

Notable Moments:

• Interaction between All Might and Endeavor.

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17. Joint Training Arc

Chapters – 194 to 217

Class 1-A and Class 1-B participate in a Joint Training Battle during this arc. Shinso also joins as one of the participants in the battle. Izuku finds a new secret about One For All; one that none of the previous eight users ever could have dreamed existed.

This arc has some cool fight scenes, but at this point in the story, it feels that there are too many training arcs. Also, this takes place when we expanded the world and delved into actual hero lives in the previous Pro Hero Arc. Class 1-B aren’t that interesting and they don’t bring much to the plot as much as Pro heroes or the villains.

Notable Moments:

• Izuku meets a previous user of One For All during the fifth round.

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16. U.A. School Festival Arc

Chapters – 169 to 183

U.A. School Festival Arc tells the story of the annual School Festival in U.A in which Class 1-A decides to perform a dance. Also, Izuku works to make Eri smile with the performance from his class. Meanwhile Gentle Criminal and La Brava plan to make their mark on history with U.A. having the School Festival as their target.

It is a light-hearted fun arc where we see the students having a normal school life irrespective of the chaotic situations they encounter frequently. The main antagonists Gentle Criminal and La Brava aren’t that great but Gentle Criminal’s backstory is the best part of this arc. The arc doesn’t add much to the story or the character development and also a bit too long.

Notable Moments:

• Gentle Criminals’ backstory.

15. Final Exams Arc

Chapters – 60 to 69

In this arc, Class 1-A participates in the End of Term Test where they must face their teachers in combat. The matchups are as follows: Midoriya and Bakugo versus All Might, Momo and Shoto versus Eraser Head, Denki and Mina versus Principal, Yuga Aoyama and Ochaco versus Thirteen, Present Mic versus Koji Koda and Kyoka, Fumikage and Tsuyu versus Ectoplasm, Hanta and Minoru versus Midnight, Mezo and Toru versus Snipe, Cementoss versus Rikido and Eijiro, and Power Loader versus Tenya and Mashirao.

The fights are interesting especially the one between Midoriya and Bakugo. Overall the arc is a fun ride but the arc really doesn’t move the story forward. Also, there is a general criticism of the series that there are too many training arcs with no real consequences and this arc can allude to that.

Notable Moments:

• The end of All Might’s matchup vs Deku and Bakugo.

14. Quirk Apprehension Test Arc

Chapters – 5 to 7

The new students of Class 1-A at U.A. High school get judged by Shota Aizawa to determine if they are fit enough to be heroes. Midoriya finds a problem in pleasing Shota who questions his ability in using Quirk.

This is a very short early arc that spans just 3 chapters. Overall it is a solid arc that shows a glimpse of the powers of class 1-A characters and introduces Aizawa.

Notable Moments:

• Deku using his quirk only in one finger to throw the ball.

13. Battle Trial Arc

Chapters – 8 to 11

The Class 1-A students are separated into groups of two as Heroes and Villains and compete against each other. Based on their performances they will be judged. The arc mainly focuses on the battle between the Izuku-Ochaco pair acting as Heroes and Bakugo-Tenya pair acting as Villains. Bakugo loses the contest and becomes distraught over the fact that he lost to Izuku. The other students are likewise paired and fight it out.

There isn’t anything bad to say about and it is in fact one of the better training-related arcs. Also, the arc is just 4 chapters so there isn’t a lot to analyze.

Notable Moments:

• Bakugo’s realization of Deku’s growth.

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RELATED:
My Hero Academia Best Quirks

12. Entrance Exam Arc

Chapters – 1 to 4

The very first arc introduces our protagonist, Izuku Midoriya who is born Quirkless. Izuku inherits All Might’s Quirk and tries to use it properly in order to pass the entrance exam for U.A. High School.

It is a very solid first opening arc which showcases Izuku’s character and also establishes the theme of the series. It was slightly disappointing that Deku gets one of the strongest quirks having established that he is quirkless. But the entrance exam is really amazing and shows the selflessness of Deku.

Notable Moments:

• Deku saves Uraraka from Zero point Robot.

11. Provisional Hero License Exam Arc

Chapters – 98 to 121

The students begin their new life in U.A High School as it was turned into boarding school. Initially, their task is to finish the training that they didn’t finish at the forest camp. After that, they take a rigorous exam called Provisional Hero License Exam which gives them temporary licenses. This will enable them to engage villains to save civilians. In the meantime, the world starts to feel the effects of All Might’s retirement.

Overall, the exam part of this arc was really exciting to watch with random unexpected matchups adding to the chaos. But the arc has a lot of dull moments since there are so many characters that are uninteresting even in Class 1-A itself. The second part of the arc that includes reveals of Twice, a fight between Bakugo and Deku, the interaction between All For one and All Might is better and more interesting.

Notable Moments:

• Camie encounter with Midoriya.
• Bakugo vs Seiji
• Twice introduction.

10. Forest Training Camp Arc

Chapters – 70 to 83

Both Class 1-A and Class 1-B go on a school trip to a training camp under the supervision of their homeroom teachers and the hero team, Wild Wild Pussycats. Meanwhile, Toga and Dabi join the league of villains and attack the camp along with eight other new League of Villains. Izuku Midoriya fights Muscular and Bakugo gets kidnapped by the villains. The students of Class 1-B faces real-life villains for the first time.

The arc starts pretty slow but picks up the pace when League of villains makes its move. The students are put in a tight corner where they have to make decisions and fight against strong villains themselves. Deku has to fight Muscular and overcome his weakness to save Kota. However, the plan of the league which is to capture Bakugo is successful which actually makes the arc better.

Notable Moments:

• Deku vs Muscular.
• Katsuki is kidnapped.

9. Endeavor Agency Arc

Chapters – 241 to 252

Bakugo, Todoroki, and Midoriya study under the new No.1 Pro hero Endeavor. Other students also work in some reputable hero agencies. This arc places great emphasis on Endeavor and his family issues as it is revealed that Toya Todoroki is dead. Meanwhile, Best Jeanist is seemingly dead and Hawks’ role as a spy thickens.

Personally, this is one of my most favorable arcs in the series though it doesn’t have any major fights. Endeavor is one of the most interesting characters in the series and this arc puts him in several tough emotional moments. He has to face his past sins and make amends with his family and he also has to live up to the No.1 ranking. The dinner scene with Deku, Bakugo, Shoto, Shoto’s siblings, and Endeavor is one of the best moments in the series.

Notable Moments:

• Dinner at Todoroki’s house.
• Death of Toya Todoroki

8. Hideout Raid Arc

Chapters – 84 to 97

This arc takes place after the forest camp invasion by the league of villains where Bakugo was kidnapped. U.A School deals with the ramifications of its failure and the Pro Heroes prepare to infiltrate the League of villains camp. Meanwhile, Midoriya along with a few other students try to rescue Bakugo on their own.

All Might’s fight with All For One is one of the best fights in the series and the reveal of the connection between Tomura and Nana makes their fight even more emotional. The reveal of All Might’s true self to the whole world and the people’s reaction elevates the fight even more. Deku’s plan of retrieving Bakugo along with Tenya, Shoto, Momo, and Kirishima is somewhat underwhelming.

Notable Moments:

• All Might vs All For One
• Rescue acts by Izuku, Eijiro, Katsuki, and Shoto.

7. U.S.J. Arc

Chapters – 12 to 21

After completing the Battle Trial, the Class 1-A students take a trip to Unforeseen Simulation Joint Facility for training and to improve their skills. However, villains show up and students must survive an actual fight against villains before All Might comes to the rescue.

U.S.J arc is the first major arc involving the villains and the students have to fight on their own against villains. Aizawa’s heroics are put to display and every student has to contribute to get success. It is slightly disappointing that the major fight in the arc is against Nomu which has no emotions which makes the fight less satisfying.

Notable Moments:

• Aizawa vs Shigaraki
• All Might vs Nomu

6. U.A. Sports Festival Arc

Chapters – 22 to 44

The annual U.A. Sports Festival is a tournament that gives the students a chance to show off their physical and quirk capability to the Pro Heroes. Pro Heroes might hire the students in the future to see their skills. Midoriya wins the first round while Bakugo wins the overall tournament with Shoto finishing second.

This tournament arc is probably the best shonen tournament arc since Naruto’s Chunin exams. The first round is very imaginative and fun to watch as Deku finishes first without using his quirk. As the main character, Deku was at his best in this arc with his selfless fight against Shoto and showed heroism even during the defeat. Overall, the tournament arc is very innovative and most of the fights are interesting.

Notable Moments:

• Deku winning the first round.
• Todoroki vs Deku.

5. Pro Hero Arc

Chapters – 184 to 193

The new Hero rankings are announced with Endeavor taking the No.1 position and who needs to live up to the expectation set by that position. The top ten ranked heroes are introduced with Hawks, Best Jeanist, Edgeshot, Mirko, etc complete the top positions. After this Endeavor encounters a Nomu and fights it while the whole country watches it on Television.

This arc tests Endeavor as he has to take the role of Symbol of Peace after All Might’s retirement. Not everyone in the society trusts Endeavor as much as they trusted All Might and the fight against Nomu is the start to get the trust. Endeavor posing with his hands up after the fight against Nomu is one of the iconic moments in the series yet.

Notable Moments:

• Endeavor vs High End Nomu.
• Introduction of Top Ten ranked Pro Heroes.

4. Vs. Hero Killer Arc

Chapters – 45 to 59

After the Sports Festival behind them, the Hero students are scouted by Pro Heroes for temporary internships. Meanwhile, Hero Killer who kills heroes begins his moves in Hosu City, eventually leading to a confrontation with Midoriya.

One of the main themes of the series is the discrimination faced by those who have some sort of deformities and most of the villains in the series follow this trait. Stain is one of the fascinating villains in the series. In a society like My Hero Academia which glorifies Heroes, it is inevitable that a character like Stain is created. Stain eliminates Heroes who he deems as selfish and due to this, he comes into conflict with Tenya, Deku, and Todoroki and eventually loses. What makes this arc so great is that the actions of Stain have a big effect on society and it also gives the students something to think about the Hero life.

Notable Moments:

• Stain saving Deku.
• Fight against Stain.

3. Shie Hassaikai Arc

Chapters – 122 to 162

Each student starts working under a real Hero as a mentor to gain experience. Izuku along with Mirio work under the Nighteye agency and face off against a Yakuza group led by Overhaul. The arc focuses on the rescue of Eri from the Yakuza group and the heroes must also deal with Quirk damaging drugs.

This arc expands on the world and introduces the mafia in the story. This arc has the best fights in the series as they have the most emotional impact out of all other fights in the series. The fights Kirishima vs Thug, Mirio vs Overhaul, and Midoriya vs Overhaul are some of the notable ones in the arc. But there is a thematic issue in the series, as this arc is supposed to prove Deku as the rightful inheritor to All Might but the impression at the end is that Mirio might have been better to inherit OFA. Besides that everything in this arc is phenomenal from work building, action scenes, character moments, etc.

Notable Moments:

• Mirio vs Overhaul
• Deku vs Overhaul
• Mirio vs all of Class 1-A

2. Meta Liberation Army Arc

Chapters – 218 to 240

Tomura has to beat Gigantomachia to become worthy of being All for one’s successor and will get the help of Daruma. Meanwhile, the Meta Liberation Army that opposes the restriction laws placed on Quirk makes its move. League of Villains fights Meta Liberation Army in which Tomura emerges a victor and both group forms an alliance. We also see Tomura’s backstory and the events that made him.

This arc is the beginning of the fall of the Hero Society. The most impressive aspect of this arc is that the leading Protagonists aren’t present and the arc is carried by the antagonists. It shows the grim and dark reality of the society which discriminates against certain quirks which don’t fit the norm. A lot of characters are amazing in this arc like Twice, Shigaraki, Destro, with each having understandable motives for their questionable actions. Both leaders clash both physically and ideologically as Destro wants Liberation while Tomura seeks just destruction with Tomura emerging victorious.

This arc takes a more mature and realistic approach in storytelling that is missing in most of the previous arcs. The arc questions the hypocrisy in the society which accepts only the people with “normal” quirks. The show has to tackle this hypocrisy at some point since the heroes are over-glorified in earlier arcs.

Notable Moments:

• Gigantomachia vs League of Villains
• Formation of Paranormal Liberation Front
• Shigaraki’s backstory.

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1. Paranormal Liberation War Arc

Chapters – 253 to 305

After the formation of the Paranormal Liberation Front, the heroes assemble to confront them before the situation escalates. This arc can be broken down into separate parts: Preparation for battle and taking down Kyudai, Awakening of Shigaraki, Shigaraki and Villains vs the Pro Heroes battle, Fall of Hero Society.

This arc is the most ambitious arc in the series yet and it doesn’t disappoint. So many characters in this arc have great character moments like Deku, Bakugo, Aizawa, Endeavor, Twice, Hawks, Shigaraki, Dabi, etc to name a few. The protagonists are put on the back foot from the start and the war ends with the antagonists being the victor. The aftermath of the war is even worse as people lose hope in the system and the prison break only adds to the woes of the heroes. Thus signifying the end of the Hero system itself.

If the arc had ended with the protagonists’ side as the victor, it would still have been a great arc. But the loss of the Heroes makes this the best arc in the series as it sets a dark tone to the future arcs.

Notable Moments:

• Reveal of Kurogiri’s identity.
• Twice vs Hawks.
• Shigaraki’s Awakening
• Bakugo’s sacrifice.
• Aizawa’s efforts.
• The fall of Society.

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Final Thoughts

Do you agree with these. Comment your thoughts.