If you have caught yourself reading or binge-watching My Hero Academia like there is no tomorrow, this article is for you. There is no shame in admitting that both manga and anime are perfect examples of great visual entertainment in our modern pop culture.
Moreover, you may have even realized that you are drawn to anime collectibles as well. But hey — let’s leave that topic for another time!
If you are looking to discover more anime like My Hero Academia, continue reading. Here is a comprehensive list of shōnen and seinen anime that you should absolutely watch. With that said, you will find a variety of newer and older anime entries with different settings on this list. And on that note, let’s dive straight into it!
1. Assassination Classroom
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- Number of Seasons: One
- Original Run: January 9, 2015 – June 30, 2016
- Number of Episodes: 47 + OVA (Original Video Animation)
Assassination Classroom is an action-oriented science-fiction comedy. It follows the school life of misfit students who are located in an isolated classroom, away from the rest of their more successful peers. To make things even stranger, their homeroom teacher is an octopus who goes by the name of Koro-sensei.
The anime centers around Koro-sensei’s teaching methods that do not touch on school subjects alone, but the ways of assassination as well. Since a ¥10 billion reward was promised to whoever manages to eliminate him, the students gradually warm up to the idea.
However, more assassins who are after Koro-sensei’s life begin to surface. This leads to several plot twists and the unfolding of secrets surrounding Koro-sensei’s existence.
2. Blue Exorcist
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- Number of Seasons: Two
- Original Run: April 17, 2011 – October 2, 2011, Season One/January 7, 2017 – March 25, 2017, Season Two
- Number of Episodes: 37 + OVA
Blue Exorcist is an anime like My Hero Academia, albeit it is a dark fantasy adventure. It follows the daily life of a boy named Rin Okumura and his twin brother Yukio. Raised by a reverend, the boys lead an ordinary life. However, after Rin learns about him and his brother being the offspring of Satan, his world turns upside down.
The anime centers around Rin wanting to become a powerful exorcist who can defeat his biological father. To that end, he enrolls in an exorcist cram school, only to find out that his twin brother is going to be one of his teachers. Driven by a strong sense of improvement and struggling to meet his own expectations, Rin’s and Yukio’s stories unfold.
3. Charlotte
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- Number of Seasons: One
- Original Run: July 5, 2015 – September 27, 2015
- Number of Episodes: 12 + OVA
Charlotte is a seinen supernatural comedy-drama. It follows the school life of Yuu Otosaka, a boy who can possess others for five seconds. Although his original plans involved taking advantage of this ability to lead a carefree high school life, they take an unexpected turn after he transfers to a different school.
The anime centers around a group of students who want to ensure the safety of gifted ability users. As the story progresses, Yuu learns about his repressed memories and the true nature of his ability.
After one fateful event, his resolve to protect the ability users solidifies, as he goes around the world stealing other users’ abilities. Ultimately, his mission is fulfilled but comes at a price.
4. Beelzebub
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- Number of Seasons: One
- Original Run: January 9, 2011 – March 25, 2012
- Number of Episodes: 60 + OVA
In terms of its setting, Beelzebub is an anime like My Hero Academia. It’s an action-oriented supernatural comedy that follows Oga Tatsumi’s everyday life after becoming a freshman in a high school which houses juvenile delinquents.
After he discovers a man floating downstream while tending to his clothes by the river, his delinquent lifestyle becomes even more unusual.
The anime centers around Oga’s attempt at being a good substitute father. He is tasked with raising a demon baby with supernatural powers, conveniently named Beelzebub. In the beginning, Oga is hell-bent on passing this duty onto whomever the baby takes a liking to.
However, he soon discovers that their bond is unbreakable. Ultimately, Beelzebub spices up Oga’s delinquent tendencies. Together, they wreak orderly havoc across district high schools alongside their new friends.
5. Noragami
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- Number of Seasons: Two
- Original Run: January 5, 2014 – March 23, 2014, Season One/October 2, 2015 – December 25, 2015, Season Two
- Number of Episodes: 25 + OVAs
Noragami is an action-oriented, supernatural urban fantasy. It follows the day-to-day life of a schoolgirl named Hiyori Iki. There was nothing out of the ordinary about her until she was hit by a bus while protecting a stranger. Afterward, her out-of-body experiences made her aware of the existence of parallel worlds.
The anime centers around Hiyori discovering a god without a shrine who is trying to make a name for himself by granting wishes in exchange for ¥5. Yato, a self-proclaimed nameless god, decides to help “fix” Hiyori’s body after accepting her offering. To that end, they embark together on a journey that will lead them to meet new souls and gods who will ultimately shape their future.
6. Rosario + Vampire
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- Number of Seasons: Two
- Original Run: January 3, 2008 – March 27, 2008, Season One/October 2, 2008 – December 24, 2008, Season Two
- Number of Episodes: 26
Rosario + Vampire is a romantic supernatural comedy. It follows the school life of a teenage boy named Tsukune Aono. Being average in every aspect of his life, he is unable to secure a spot in any local high school. Since poor grades do not present an issue in private schools, his parents enroll him in Yokai Academy.
The anime centers around Tsukune’s experiences at his new school. He soon discovers that the Academy is a boarding school for supernatural creatures. However, his lack of abilities does not necessarily put him at a disadvantage. For this reason, he decides to stay after befriending one of the students.
Over time, he gets to understand the Academy’s true purpose better as he makes friends and enemies along the way. Ultimately, his unusual circumstances will help him save his love interest and fight the notorious Alucard.
7. Danganronpa: The Animation
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- Number of Seasons: One
- Original Run: July 4, 2013 – September 26, 2013
- Number of Episodes: 13
Unlike the rest of the animations on our list, this is an abridged adaptation of the first video game in the Danganronpa franchise. With that said, you can watch the anime and follow up on the events without having previously played the game. On that note, feel free to explore the Danganronpa universe with three main video games and two spin-offs if this animation strikes your fancy!
Danganronpa: The Animation can be described as a mystery psychological thriller with a tinge of drama. It follows the school life of sixteen students who are trapped inside a prestigious academy for the gifted. While there may be nothing wrong with the building at first glance, a series of unfortunate events will eventually allude to something more sinister.
The anime centers around court trials as the students try to solve the ongoing murders and escape the confines of their school. Since they were hand-picked based on their exceptional talents, the cases usually follow a “live by the sword — die by the sword” formula.
However, a robotic bear principal who stands in the way of their freedom will see that their efforts are not in vain. After all, the remaining students who survive and successfully complete the court trials are free to leave the academy premises as they please.
8. Bokurano: Ours
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- Number of Seasons: One
- Original Run: April 8, 2007 – September 25, 2007
- Number of Episodes: 24
Bokurano is a seinen psychological mecha thriller. It follows the lives of fifteen schoolchildren who are tasked with defending the Earth against fifteen alien invasions. Unlike most kids’ lives, theirs change abruptly after fourteen of them sign a contract within a grotto by the sea.
The anime centers around the children’s past experiences that have ultimately led them to sign a contract to pilot the robot in the Earth’s last line of defense. As their background stories unfold, they jump between parallel worlds while piloting the robot one at a time.
However, most of the children end up losing the battle along with their lives. In the end, the Earth prevails and the truth about the whole ordeal begins to gradually surface.
9. Occultic;Nine
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- Number of Seasons: One
- Original Run: October 9, 2016 – December 25, 2016
- Number of Episodes: 12
Occultic; Nine is a seinen, supernatural thriller. It follows the story of nine strangers who were brought together by the invisible strings of fate, or rather — an online blog dedicated to the occult and run by a seventeen-year-old boy and his best friend.
The anime centers around the unusual powers of these nine individuals as they get to know each other and connect outside of the digital sphere. Although their ages and professions vary, their supernatural powers bind them together. In the long run, they end up taking on a murder case, all the while pushing the boundaries of common sense.
10. Attack on Titan
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- Number of Seasons: Four
- Original Run: April 7, 2013 – present
- Number of Episodes: 75 + OVAs
Attack on Titan can be described as one of the most popular action-oriented, post-apocalyptic, dark fantasy animations to date. It follows the everyday lives of three best friends as they are forcefully left to the whims of humanity’s greatest threat — titans. Unfortunately, their first encounter with the titans marks the end of their childhood and the beginning of their journey to adulthood.
The anime centers around battles that are constantly being fought to ensure the preservation of humankind. After the protagonist’s power is discovered, people begin to refer to him as “humanity’s last hope”.
However, the more wars the protagonist and his two best friends wage alongside their newfound military comrades, the more inconsistencies they discover within the governing bodies of their settlement. As their views on the world begin to change, so do the circumstances and the so-called truths they were made to believe.
11. Black Clover
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- Number of Seasons: Four
- Original Run: October 3, 2017 – March 30, 2021
- Number of Episodes: 170
Black Clover is a fantasy adventure anime like My Hero Academia. It follows the lives of two orphan boys, Asta and Yuno. In a world that is ripe with magic, Yuno can utilize mana, but Asta was dealt a bad hand. In other words, with the visible lack of magical powers, Asta has to lead his life by focusing on physical strength instead.
The anime centers around the healthy rivalry between the two boys. In their desire to become the next Wizard King, their journey takes them to different mystical grimoires and they end up joining different Magic Knight squads. However, regardless of the boys’ perceived differences, they ultimately end up fighting the same enemy — the Dark Triad of the Spade Kingdom.
12. Naruto
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- Number of Seasons: Four
- Original Run: October 3, 2002 – February 8, 2007
- Number of Episodes: 220
Naruto is among the most popular animated adventure fantasy comedies of all time. It is followed by Naruto: Shippuden and the story arc is supported by additional eleven movies. Moreover, the franchise has spanned over a dozen video games, making the “Naruto Run” a global sensation.
Naruto follows the story of a boy whose parents fought a nine-tailed fox and decided to seal it in the body of their newborn child. Because of a decree that forbids the mention of any such events, Naruto is left in the dark for twelve years.
The anime centers around the lives of trainee ninjas and the trials they have to go through. On his path to becoming a ninja, Naruto forms new alliances with his friends while actively competing against his rivals. In the end, he leaves his birthplace to pursue his goals and train under a strong sensei.
13. One Piece
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- Number of Seasons: Twenty
- Original Run: October 20, 1999 – present
- Number of Episodes: 983
One Piece is undoubtedly one of the most consistent fantasy adventure animations to this date. Over the past two decades, many movies and video games have successfully expanded on its storyline. Better yet, One Piece is still among the most popular TV shows across the globe. For this reason, it is an anime like My Hero Academia.
One Piece follows the life of an ambitious young man who has his eyes on the titular treasure. Drawing inspiration from one of his childhood pirate idols, Monkey D. Luffy sets out on a journey with one goal in mind — to proclaim himself the King of Pirates.
The anime centers around Monkey D. Luffy’s iconic pirate crew called the Straw Hat Pirates. On their swashbuckling adventures across the two oceans, they cross paths with many different races, making friends and foes as they go. Although their enemies always end up drawing the short end of the stick, the Straw Hat Pirates never fall short of challenges brought on by the corrupt World Government.
14. Soul Eater
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- Number of Seasons: One
- Original Run: April 7, 2008 – March 30, 2009
- Number of Episodes: 51
Soul Eater is an action-oriented dark fantasy comedy. It follows the lives of three students and their partners who can transform into weapons. As members of Death Weapon Meister Academy, the student’s goal is to have their weapons absorb one witch and 99 evil humans so that they could transform into death scythes.
The anime centers around the students’ battles and their weapon partners. While some of these battles result in them clashing with various villains, others turn into rescue missions. Ultimately, their goals lead them to an artificial moon where they make a final stand against their arch-nemesis.
15. Hunter x Hunter
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- Number of Seasons: Six
- Original Run: October 2, 2011 – September 24, 2014
- Number of Episodes: 148
Hunter x Hunter is a popular fantasy adventure. The strong presence of martial arts makes it an anime like My Hero Academia. The first animation aired from 1999 to 2001 and was followed by thirty OVAs. Moreover, the franchise branched out with two movies and seven video games in total.
Hunter x Hunter follows the story of a young boy named Gon Freecss. After discovering that his father is alive and well, he decides to follow in his footsteps to become a Hunter himself.
The anime centers around Gon’s coming of age. His adventures begin during the Hunter exam and mature alongside him. As his circle of friends grows, he ends up training under a kung fu master who helps him utilize life energy effectively. In the long run, Gon has to overcome many challenges and even risk his life before he can come face to face with his father.
16. Dororo
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- Number of Seasons: One
- Original Run: January 7, 2019 – June 24, 2019
- Number of Episodes: 24
Dororo is an action-oriented dark historical fantasy. The first adaptation was aired in 1969. Dororo follows the life of a rōnin named Hyakkimaru. He was born malformed because his father had formed a pact with 48 demons to increase his prosperity. Ultimately, he chose to abandon Hyakkimaru, forcing his mother to set him adrift on the river.
The anime centers around Hyakkimaru’s journey to reclaiming his humanity. A medicine man who took him in provided Hyakkimaru with prostheses that would keep him alive and help him fend for himself.
However, Hyakkimaru’s presence attracted demons and posed a threat, so he was forced to leave his haven early. Afterward, Hyakkimaru roamed the land in search of demons who had claimed his body parts.
Ultimately, these ventures have him cross paths with his loyal friend, Dororo. In the long run, Hyakkimaru gets to learn more about his biological family before confronting them.
17. Dragon Ball
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- Number of Seasons: One
- Original Run: February 26, 1986 – April 19, 1989
- Number of Episodes: 153
Dragon Ball is a cult classic created by Akira Toriyama. It is the most successful martial arts fantasy adventure of all time. Additionally, it is responsible for boosting the popularity of Japanese animation in Western society. Although three decades may have passed, one of its many animated iterations is still airing.
While Dragon Ball’s setting is somewhat different, it bears a striking resemblance to an anime like My Hero Academia. It follows the story of a monkey-tailed boy, Goku. His aspirations take a turn for the better after he meets a girl named Bulma. Together, they decide to find the seven legendary Dragon Balls.
The anime centers around Goku’s endeavors in his pursuit to locate the Dragon Balls. His adventures lead him to meet new friends and allies, as well as enemies. In his efforts to become stronger, he trains under different masters and enters two tournaments. Ultimately, he reunites with his love interest, and the two end up getting married.
18. Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
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- Number of Seasons: One
- Original Run: October 3, 2020 – present
- Number of Episodes: 40
The Adventure of Dai is an adventure fantasy inspired by events that take place in one of the installments of Akira Toriyama’s planetary popular franchise — Dragon Quest. The first animation was aired in 1991 and received a successful reboot last year.
With that said, if you like Akira Toriyama’s work, I strongly recommend that you look into Dragon Quest video games!
The Adventure of Dai follows a young boy’s quest to save the world from impending doom. As an orphan, Dai was raised and cared for by a monster magician on a desolate island. Without any humans in his vicinity and with the tales of other peoples’ heroic deeds that were imparted on him, Dai dreams of becoming a hero himself.
The anime centers around Dai’s adventures that will ultimately lead him to defeat the Demon King. He meets his new companions after they disembark on his home island. As luck would have it, one of them turns out to be the legendary hero.
After taking Dai under his wing, the legendary hero dies a heroic death at the hands of the Demon King. Driven by his newfound resolve and a faint mastery of an unusual power that has awakened within him, Dai and his friends set out on a journey to honor their teacher’s last request and defeat the Demon King.
A Few Anime Episodes a Day Keep Your Boredom at Bay
All things considered, this “Anime like My Hero Academia” list could go on forever. After all, there are a lot of amazing anime adaptations that deserve an honorable mention!
For this reason, you may be wondering why certain titles have been chosen on this list in their stead. In fact, some of them may even seem a little out of place.
To shed some light on the preferences, this article has not focused solely on anime that resemble My Hero Academia to a T, Instead, this article has considered the anime’s holistic experience and based the choices on the anime’s outreach, demographics, genre, setting, entertainment factor, and last but not least — the hero’s journey.
In the long run, hopefully this list will help you discover a few hidden gems to spice up your daily dose of animated entertainment. So keep on watching and enjoy your next anime!
