The Longest Arcs In The My Hero Academia Manga

The Longest Arcs In The My Hero Academia Manga

As someone who’s spent countless hours immersed in the vibrant world of My Hero Academia, I can confidently say that each arc offers a unique blend of action, drama, and character development. However, if you were to ask me about my personal favorites, well, let’s just say I’ve had a hard time deciding between the Paranormal Liberation War Arc and the Final War Arc.


Over the past decade, “My Hero Academia” has soared to become one of the most renowned and widely-loved shonen manga worldwide. With its final chapter now released, marking the end of the storyline, let’s reminisce on some of the most memorable long story arcs this series has offered.

As a devoted fan, I’m often asked about what makes a long story arc in a manga like “My Hero Academia.” For our purposes, we define it as any arc spanning 20 chapters or more. Interestingly, eight out of the 23 story arcs in this captivating series fall under this category. Let me share with you the longest story arcs in “My Hero Academia,” arranged according to their length. Enjoy the read!

8 Dark Hero Arc

Deku Becomes A Vigilante

The Longest Arcs In The My Hero Academia Manga

  • No. of Chapters: 22
  • Chapters: 307–328

Similar to many shounen series, the narrative of My Hero Academia generally exudes a vibrant and optimistic ambiance. However, it’s worth noting that the vast majority of the series maintains this tone. Contrastingly, the “Dark Hero” arc stands out as the most somber and grim storyline within this series.

This storyline unfolds following the catastrophic conclusion of the Paranormal Liberation War, the daring jailbreak from the Tartarus penitentiary, and the shocking truth about Endeavor’s past that swings public sentiment against heroes. As a result, the world descends into a bleak, insecure environment that brings out people’s darker sides. This is when Deku dons his mask and deliberately positions himself as bait for the malevolent figures hiding in the shadows. It’s an engrossing arc filled with hard-to-put-down moments.

7 U.A. Sports Festival Arc

A Great Introduction To The Students Of Class 1-A

The Longest Arcs In The My Hero Academia Manga
  • No. of Chapters: 23
  • Chapters: 22–44

When a series features an entire class as secondary characters, it may become difficult for viewers to distinguish or empathize with any of them. However, a plotline that brings together all supporting actors and gives each one their moment in the limelight, such as the U.A. Sports Festival, is an effective method for introducing side characters.

During this storyline, viewers have an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into the main characters as well as key secondary figures from this show. By the end of the story arc, audiences will have gained insights into their unique personalities, and more importantly, witnessed their distinctive traits unfold throughout the plot.

6 Meta Liberation Army Arc

The First National-Level Threat

The Longest Arcs In The My Hero Academia Manga
  • No. of Chapters: 23
  • Chapters: 218–240

As a gaming enthusiast immersed in the world of “My Hero Academia,” I can tell you that unlike the Shie Hassaikai, who mainly operate locally, the Meta Liberation Army boasts followers spread across the nation. Their influence stretches into big political parties, tech giants, and media corporations, with some even disguised as ordinary citizens or heroes among us. This makes them a classic example of a national threat, one that keeps you on edge. Unfortunately for them, they underestimated the League of Villains, leading to an epic battle – one that easily ranks among the best open battles in the series.

Achieving an intricate, multi-character battlefield scenario isn’t a simple task, but this series accomplishes not only that feat but also weaves a captivating narrative. Despite the multitude of interconnected elements in this storyline, it remains relatively straightforward for viewers to follow and comprehend the unfolding events on the pages. This is why this segment ranks among the finest in the series.

5 Joint Training Arc

An Intense Battle Between Class 1-A And 1-B

The Longest Arcs In The My Hero Academia Manga
  • No. of Chapters: 24
  • Chapters: 194–217

According to its title, the “Joint Training arc” centers around a friendly competition between students from the two primary hero courses at U.A. High School: Class 1-A and Class 1-B. In many respects, it can be thought of as an extended version of the U.A. Sports Festival. The key distinction is that instead of individual battles, joint training emphasizes teamwork.

Through this storyline, viewers delve deeper into the unique traits of Class 1-B’s students. Not only that, but they also get to witness fascinating interactions among diverse characters and observe how students from both classes devise distinct methods to defeat their adversaries. This is an engaging story arc, undoubtedly enhancing the U.A. Sports Festival arc’s appeal.

4 Provisional Hero License Exam Arc

A Peek Into The Responsibilities Of Pro Heroes

The Longest Arcs In The My Hero Academia Manga
  • No. of Chapters: 24
  • Chapters: 98–121

When you think about the term “Hero”, it’s often associated with individuals possessing superpowers, who dedicate their time to rescuing people and vanquishing evil-doers. However, thanks to the Provisional Hero License Exam storyline, we gain an appreciation for the intricacies involved in being a hero. This includes learning about appropriate actions during natural disasters, proper rescue techniques for injured individuals, and even the challenges heroes face when rescuing numerous victims while battling groups of villains simultaneously.

In a similar manner, just as the Joint Training storyline serves as an extended version of the U.A. Sports Festival, the Provisional Hero License Exam follows suit by being an expansion of the Joint Training arc. This narrative offers viewers a glimpse into various hero academy students, each showcasing unique abilities and combat styles. The stakes are significantly higher in this arc compared to both the Joint Training and U.A. Sports Festival arcs due to the Hero License being at play.

3 Shie Hassaikai Arc

Heroes Vs Yakuza

The Longest Arcs In The My Hero Academia Manga
  • No. of Chapters: 41
  • Chapters: 122–162

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but delve into the intriguing world of “My Hero Academia,” where the line between good and evil often blurs. Among the assorted roster of villains, it’s Shie Hassaikai that truly sends shivers down my spine. This isn’t just any ordinary crime syndicate; it’s a Yakuza group, with its ruthless leader, Kai Chisaki, better known as Overhaul, wreaking havoc on both heroes and ordinary citizens alike.

In this narrative, Overhaul invents a serum capable of permanently removing a person’s unique ability (quirk). His ultimate goal is to mass-produce it, thereby establishing a world where only a chosen few retain their abilities, with Shie Hassaikai as the dominant figure. This arc is filled with exhilarating fights, some of which are emotionally poignant. Overall, it’s a well-crafted and engaging storyline.

2 Paranormal Liberation War Arc

The First Major Battle Between Heroes and Villains

The Longest Arcs In The My Hero Academia Manga
  • No. of Chapters: 54
  • Chapters: 253–306

Without a doubt, the Paranormal Liberation War arc showcases the peak performance of My Hero Academia. Over the course of its 54 chapters, we witness an array of intriguing events unfolding. Among them are Hawks’ undercover mission within the enemy organization, daring raids on villain strongholds, the disclosure of Nomu’s dark secrets, the resurgence of the sinister overlord, the heart-wrenching demise of several beloved characters, and the stunning revelations about Endeavor’s past, to merely scratch the surface.

As a die-hard fan of My Hero Academia, let me tell you, the Paranormal Liberation War arc is hands down one of the most impactful stories I’ve ever witnessed. It’s jam-packed with pivotal moments that completely change the course of the characters’ lives.

1 Final War Arc

The War to End All Wars

The Longest Arcs In The My Hero Academia Manga
  • No. of Chapters: 82
  • Chapters: 343–424

In “My Hero Academia”, scene management with a multitude of characters is commendable, and the “Final War” arc underscores this series’ exceptional ability in crowd handling. To maximize their chances against All For One and his legions of villains, the heroes employ the age-old divide-and-conquer approach. They forcibly separate the villains into various locales, engaging them individually. Battles like Deku versus Shigaraki and All For One versus Armored All Might are just a few examples of the numerous epic confrontations that take place throughout this arc.

The only blemish to this wonderful arc is the fact that it is a tad too long. There are moments when the story feels dragged out and loses its momentum. For reference, the recent hit manga Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku only has 127 chapters in total, while the legendary manga Death Note only has 110 chapters. So yes, 82 chapters for the final story arc is indeed a tad too long. Other than that, the Final War arc is undoubtedly one of the most intense story arcs in the series. It’s a proper final arc for such an iconic manga series.

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2024-09-26 16:04