The Most Polarizing My Hero Academia Arcs, Ranked

As someone who has been deeply immersed in the world of My Hero Academia for a significant amount of time, I must say that the Epilogue Arc left me feeling rather conflicted. On one hand, I appreciated Horikoshi’s dedication to wrapping up every loose thread, and the emotional moments between Deku and Ochaco were truly heartwarming. However, the disappointment from some fans regarding Deku’s seemingly underwhelming power level and the unresolved romantic tension between him and Ochaco was palpable. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for our dear Deku, as I too had once dreamed of seeing him become the most powerful Pro Hero.

After over a decade of serialization, Kohei Horikoshi’s “My Hero Academia” has concluded its run, sparking much discussion among fans about whether it met expectations or fell short. However, such debate is not unusual for this renowned manga series.

In the expansive narrative of “My Hero Academia”, certain plotlines have sparked intense debates among viewers, as is often the case with such lengthy stories. These disagreements can stem from various creative decisions, including pacing issues, unforeseen character developments, peculiar fight scenes, and other factors. Consequently, these specific My Hero Academia story arcs have been the most divisive among the series’ fanbase.

8 Meta Liberation Army Arc

A Unique Arc That Was Ruined In The Anime

The Most Polarizing My Hero Academia Arcs, Ranked

Manga: Chapters 218 to 240
Anime: Episodes 108 to 112

The “Meta Liberation Army Arc,” often referred to as “My Villain Academia,” is widely recognized for its unique storytelling in the whole series. Author Kohei Horikoshi daringly focused on a significant portion of the narrative, centered around the League of Villains, allowing viewers to experience their personal and mental evolution.

Nevertheless, many fans found issue with the prospect of reading through more than 20 chapters that seemed to have minimal connection to the primary characters. To compound matters, the animated version of “My Villain Academia” stirred up quite a debate due to Bones’ decision to rearrange the storyline sequence and eliminate crucial plot points, which significantly diminished the impact of this renowned arc.

7 Joint Training Arc

A Necessary Arc That Felt Long And Overcrowded

The Most Polarizing My Hero Academia Arcs, Ranked

Manga: Chapters 194 to 217
Anime: Episodes 91 to 100

1-B class characters had significant roles in the narrative for multiple years, but many readers felt they required more focus to understand their individual traits and idiosyncrasies better. Luckily, Horikoshi addressed this demand with the Joint Training Arc, a phase where Class 1-B members finally received ample opportunities to make their mark on the story.

The arc that unfolded was generally entertaining, boasting several powerful scenes, but it didn’t resonate well with many viewers who found it overly lengthy, slow-paced, and populated with too many insignificant characters all acting simultaneously. This dissatisfaction can be attributed to the fact that some fans preferred to see Izuku and his companions confronting a villain rather than participating in a school event like this one, as they were not invested in Class 1-B.

6 U.A. School Festival Arc

A Lighthearted Arc With Low Stakes

Manga: Chapters 169 to 183
Anime: Episodes 81 to 86

Following the intensely somber Shie Hassaikai Arc, many viewers found the U.A. School Festival Arc a refreshing change for the series due to its lighter atmosphere aimed at bringing joy back to Eri’s life. The addition of Gentle and La Brava also introduced an element of suspense into the narrative, and their roles as more complex villains added intrigue at this stage in the storyline.

Nevertheless, a significant portion of fans found the abrupt shift in tone from the preceding storyline disappointing, wishing instead for the narrative to continue escalating tension. Critics also voiced their disapproval towards the U.A. School Festival Arc’s villainous duo, Gentle and La Brava, as they were perceived as unengaging or weak in comparison to other arcs, particularly during its culmination.

5 Shie Hassaikai Arc

A Dark & Emotional Arc That Felt Too Extensive

Manga: Chapters 122 to 162
Anime: Episodes 62 to 78

In terms of impact, the Shie Hassaikai Arc might be considered a pivotal point for “My Hero Academia”. Overhaul, as a villain, was truly chilling, while Mirio Togata, introduced during this arc, captured fans’ hearts instantly. Moreover, the battles depicted were some of the most gripping in the series.

Looking back, I can’t deny that the Shie Hassaikai Arc remains a fan favorite, but it’s undeniably had its share of detractors. Many readers who were following along week by week in 2017, including myself, felt like this arc dragged on excessively, making for some pretty tedious viewing sessions. I must admit that some anime enthusiasts echoed this sentiment, as the arc accounted for more than half of Season 4, which was significantly longer than any of its predecessors.

4 Endeavor Agency Arc

A Crucial Arc That Began The Redemption Of A Controversial Character

Manga: Chapters 241 to 252
Anime: Episodes 101 to 106

Throughout the series, Endeavor has been a highly divisive figure, which makes it unsurprising that an arc centered around him and his journey towards redemption would stir debate among fans. This is indeed what transpired during the Endeavor Agency Arc, but it’s regrettable because this storyline also presents significant stages of development for Endeavor and his three novice trainees: Deku, Bakugo, and Shoto.

Critics argued that some viewers found it questionable for this story arc to elicit empathy towards the character Endeavor, who is abusive, but others felt Horikoshi was effectively humanizing and deepening him. However, the animated version of the Endeavor Agency Arc didn’t sit well with fans due to its excessive flashbacks and pacing problems, which made it a tedious watch, despite the occasional captivating moments.

3 Star And Stripe Arc

An Action-Packed Arc That Felt Very Rushed

Manga: Chapters 329 to 334
Anime: Episodes 139 and 140

In the “Star and Stripe Arc,” we were introduced to Star and Stripe, the top Pro Hero of the United States, who possesses an extraordinary and multi-faceted ability called New Order. She’s a captivating character that broadens the idea of global heroes, and her subsequent confrontation with Shigaraki is nothing short of spectacular.

Despite an intense fight scene and a fresh power, the Star And Stripe Arc failed to satisfy fans of the series who heavily criticized it due to the sudden introduction and quick death of the character, Star and Stripe. Many viewers regret her brief screen time, arguing that she was merely used as a tool to postpone Shigaraki’s attack and justify why other nations wouldn’t join in the Final War, without any further development or significance.

2 Epilogue Arc

An Emotional Ending That Some Longtime Fans Found Disappointing

Manga: Chapters 425 to 430

Initial reactions to the final Epilogue Arc of My Hero Academia were quite positive, as fans were pleased to find that Horikoshi was taking his time to slowly close every remaining plot thread in the series. Not to mention that it featured many anticipated moments, like Class 1-A moving onto their second year, the Big Three’s graduation, and Izuku and Ochaco having a close & emotional interaction with each other.

But the release of the final chapter was what ultimately divided the fan base and made the Epilogue Arc one of the most polarizing in the series. Many longtime fans felt like the ending was not satisfying, as Deku did not become the powerful Pro Hero they were expecting, and he was relegated to being a teacher with no powers instead, after losing One For All. Many others were also disappointed by the fact that it wasn’t confirmed whether he and Ochaco got together, since this was one of the most popular romances of the entire series. On the other hand, however, many other fans felt like the final chapter was quite rewarding and that it perfectly tied with the main themes of the story.

1 Final War Arc

An Exciting Arc Filled With Battles And Some Odd Writing Choices

Manga: Chapters 343 to 424
Anime: Episodes 143 to 151 (Currently on air)

In the heat of the Final War Arc, I found myself immersed in the heart-stopping climax of “My Hero Academia”. As a gamer, it was like being part of an epic battle royal, where every character had their moment to shine. The heroes deployed their forces across Japan, engaging in pulse-pounding battles against the villains. Key encounters such as Dabi vs Endeavor, Himiko Toga vs Ochaco Uraraka, Tomura Shigaraki vs Izuku Midoriya, and more, unfolded gradually, offering a satisfying resolution to the story’s established conflicts.

The Final Arc of “My Hero Academia” saw numerous characters intertwining their actions, which many viewers found engaging, but left room for improvement, particularly given its significance. Some battles lacked the expected grandeur and impact, and certain plot points raised eyebrows among fans due to questionable writing decisions. Instances like Bakugo’s near-death experience, All For One possessing Shigaraki, and Deku giving up One For All are often singled out as instances of problematic storytelling. As a result, opinions were divided: half the fanbase felt that the Final Arc tarnished the series, while the other half considered it a fitting culmination of the battles.

2024-08-22 21:54