My Hero Academia manga and anime differences, have been a point of discussion among fans since the anime began adapting Kohei Horikoshi’s hit shonen series.
Now that the My Hero Academia manga has concluded with chapter 430, released on August 5, 2024, we know how the story of Izuku “Deku” Midoriya unfolds. However, the anime adaptation, which is still ongoing, has introduced changes and variations from its source material.
The anime follows the 23 arcs from the manga, so understanding the differences can be challenging for fans to keep up with.
While the anime generally adheres to the main plot points, there are significant deviations in pacing, character development, and even the order of certain events.
What is My Hero Academia?
My Hero Academia, also known as Boku no Hero, is a Japanese manga series created by Kohei Horikoshi. It was first serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, a popular manga magazine, starting on July 7, 2014.
The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers in a world where nearly everyone has them but still dreams of becoming a hero.
He eventually inherits the power of All Might, the greatest hero in the world, setting him on the path to becoming a true hero himself. After ten years of serialization, the manga concluded on August 5, 2024, with chapter 430 marking the end of a beloved saga.
The My Hero Academia anime adaptation, produced by Studio Bones, was first aired on April 3, 2016. The studio has been responsible for animating all seasons of the show, closely following the manga’s plot. Over several years, the anime has brought the vibrant world of heroes and villains to life.
All My Hero Academia manga and anime differences
One of the major changes between the My Hero Academia manga and the anime is the order in which certain story arcs are presented. For instance, in the manga, the Endeavor Agency Arc takes place before the Meta Liberation Army Arc, while in the anime, this sequence is reversed.
In the manga, the Meta Liberation Army Arc spans chapters 218 to 240. This arc is pivotal as it focuses on Tomura Shigaraki’s rise and details how he transforms into one of the most powerful and fearsome villains in the My Hero Academia universe.
Tomura’s backstory and the formation of the Paranormal Liberation Front mark a significant shift in the balance of power between heroes and villains.
The Endeavor Agency Arc follows immediately after, from chapters 241 to 252. In this arc, Deku, Bakugo Katsuki, and Shoto Todoroki train under the number one hero, Endeavor, to hone their skills as pro heroes.
This arc also delves into the complex dynamic between Endeavor and his children, especially Shoto, providing a deeper exploration of family issues and redemption.
In the anime, however, the order is flipped. The Endeavor Agency Arc occurs first, spanning episodes 101 to 106. This arc is followed by the Meta Liberation Army Arc, which takes place from episodes 108 to 112. Episode 100 serves as a teaser for the upcoming events.
All My Hero Academia filler episodes:
The anime also includes several filler episodes that are not part of the manga but added to the anime to extend the series. Unlike optional OVAs, these filler episodes contribute to the canon, as they were part of the official anime release.
| MHA SEASON | MHA EPISODE NUMBER | MHA EPISODE NAME | DESCRIPTION |
| Season 3 | Episode 39 | Game Start | As the semester ends, Izuku trains with Kaminari and Mineta at the U.A. pool while Class 1-A reflects on their past experiences. Meanwhile, Aizawa and Vlad King discuss heightened security measures for the upcoming training camp, while Tomura Shigaraki ominously hints at a new plan in motion. |
| Season 3 | Episode 54 | Shiketsu High Lurking | Class 1-A faces an ambush from Ketsubutsu Academy, but they work together to evade the attack, only to be separated by Shindo’s Vibrate Quirk. Meanwhile, Izuku narrowly escapes Camie’s Glamour Quirk and teams up with Uraraka and Sero, while Todoroki is ambushed by Seijin High School students. |
| Season 3 | Episode 55 | Class 1-A | Todoroki uses his fire and ice Quirks to outsmart and defeat his opponents, passing the exam, while Shoji, Tsuyu, Jiro, and Momo also secure their victory against Seiai Academy. Izuku devises a plan for his team to pass, as Bakugo, Kaminari, and Kirishima battle Shiketsu High’s Seiji, with Aizawa noting how Izuku and Bakugo inspire Class 1-A to excel. |
| Season 4 | Episodes 64 | The Scoop on U.A. | Freelance journalist Taneo Tokuda visits Class 1-A to capture their daily lives and search for All Might’s successor, eventually focusing on Izuku Midoriya. After an inspiring conversation with Izuku, Taneo leaves as Class 1-A enjoys snacks brought by All Might, who promises to train Izuku the next day. |
| Season 5 | Episode 89 | All Hands on Deck!, Class 1-A | Class 1-A participates in a training drill where they successfully take down Nejire and Tamaki of the Big Three, who are posing as villains, while Bakugo gets frustrated, believing Tamaki held back. |
| Season 5 | Episode 104 | Long Time No See, Selkie | This episode serves as a tie-in prologue for My Hero Academia World Heroes’ Mission movie. It follows the Ryukyu agency and Selkie’s team as they stop smugglers transporting illegal Quirk Booster chemicals. |
| Season 5 | Episode 105 | The Hellish Todoroki Family | Endeavor reflects on his strained family relationships, and a mysterious man recently released from prison watches his victory over the High-End with a sinister smile. |
| Season 6 | Episode 127 | Hellish Hell | The episode sees the aftermath of the War, where numerous villains are captured, but Shigaraki, several Nomu, and other key Liberation soldiers manage to escape. |
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