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My Hero Academia has taken the world of shōnen by storm. It's an amazing, genuine series that features some of the best characters and fights in modern anime. The story is set around Izuku Midoriya, a Quirkless Boy in a world filled with Quirks. Everything changes when he acquires One For All, the second-strongest Quirk in existence. His story is a straightforward one that tells the tale of a good person who just wants to protect his friends and the world around him.
While My Hero Academia does a great job of separating itself from the competition, there are a few shows out there that are worthy of comparison. To be a good My Hero Academia comparison, a show doesn't necessarily need to be about superheroes and high schools, but it should be about a protagonist defying the odds to do what's right.
10 Jujutsu Kaisen
Animated By MAPPA, Based on the Manga By Gege Akutaki
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna's finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.
Created by Gege Akutami
First Film Jujutsu Kaisen 0
Latest Film Jujutsu Kaisen 0
First Episode Air Date October 3, 2020
Cast Junya Enoki , Yuma Uchida , Asami Seto , Yuichi Nakamura
Character(s) Yuji Itadori , Megumi Fushiguro , Nobara Kugisaki , Satoru Gojo , Sukuna , Maki Zenin , Toge Inumaki , Panda
Jujutsu Kaisen shares a few key traits with My Hero Academia. Both shows are centered on high school students, the protagonist has two main people he travels with for most of the show, and importantly, neither Deku nor Yuji are the strongest characters in their series. They're two humble kids who got thrown into a situation way beyond their control, but even when things get dark, they're also two of the most determined characters in anime.
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Jujutsu Kaisen is much darker and more brutal than My Hero Academia. While My Hero Academia will kill off an important character or two per season, not many people survive Jujutsu Kaisen. It's a bleak series that never gets brighter. While there are plenty of humorous moments throughout both shows, there theme is their biggest difference. Both Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia have some of the best-animated fights in anime, however, making Jujutsu Kaisen a great watch for fans of My Hero Academia.
9 Hunter x Hunter
Animated By Madhouse, Based on the Manga By Yoshihiro Togashi
Hunter X Hunter
Hunter × Hunter is a Japanese manga and anime franchise created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The story follows Gon Freecss, a boy who discovers his father is a legendary Hunter, and embarks on a journey to become one himself. Along the way, he encounters friends and foes in a world filled with martial arts, adventure, and paranormal elements. The franchise spans manga, multiple anime adaptations, films, OVAs, and video games.
Created by Yoshihiro Togashi
First Film Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge
Latest Film Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission
First Episode Air Date October 16, 1999
Cast Megumi Han , Mariya Ise , Keiji Fujiwara , Daisuke Namikawa , Miyuki Sawashiro , Kazuhiro Yamaji , Ichirô Nagai , Hiroshi Kamiya , Hisao Egawa , Maaya Uchida
Character(s) Gon Freecss , Killua Zoldyck , Kurapika , Leorio Paradinight , Hisoka Morow , Biscuit Krueger , Chrollo Lucilfer , Kite , Ging Freecss , Meruem
Video Game(s) Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Hunter x Hunter is both a cult classic and a classic in general. It's an amazing series centered around Gon Freeccs and his adventures. Gon and Deku have a lot in common. They're both characters raised by a single woman, they aspire to be the best they can be, and they're always willing to sacrifice themselves for their friends if they need to. Deku and Gon are also two of the youngest strong characters in their respective series, rising up the ranks quicker than most in their position.
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Hunter x Hunter is a much bigger series than My Hero Academia. While My Hero Academia pretty much takes place entirely at school, Hunter x Hunter spans the world. It covers different clans from different continents, covert groups like the Phantom Troupe, and mysterious families like the Zoldyck family.
8 Haikyu!!
Animated By Production I.G, Based on the Manga By Haruichi Furudate
Haikyuu!! is a Japanese anime series based on the manga by Haruichi Furudate that follows Shoyo Hinata, a high school student determined to become a top volleyball player despite his short stature. Through resilience and teamwork, Hinata joins Karasuno High's volleyball team and forms a dynamic partnership with former rival Tobio Kageyama. The series highlights their journey to national tournaments, emphasizing themes of perseverance and sportsmanship.
Cast Ayumu Murase , Kaito Ishikawa , Yu Hayashi , Satoshi Hino , Miyu Irino , Koki Uchiyama , Soma Saito , Nobuhiko Okamoto
Character(s) Shoyo Hinata , Tobio Kageyama , Ryunosuke Tanaka , Daichi Sawamura , Koshi Sugawara , Kei Tsukishima , Tadashi Yamaguchi , Yu Nishinoya
Release Date April 5, 2014
Seasons 4
Creator(s) Haruichi Furudate
Haikyu!! is the best My Hero Academia comparison that isn't a battle shōnen. Hinata and Kageyama's fights are on the court, however, and they're just as well animated as the fights in My Hero Academia. Haikyu!!'s best arcs feature high-flying action, incredible sound design, and some of the best friendships around. Both series place a lot of value on the relationships and bonds created by people. While each of the main characters is strong in their own right, they're much stronger with the help of the people around them.
While nobody dies in Haikyu!! like My Hero Academia, the volleyball series is no stranger to loss. There are not a lot of scenes harder to watch than high school volleyball players who have worked so hard only to fail in the end, losing their final game as they move on to the rest of their lives.
7 Dragon Ball
Animated By Toei Animation, Based on the Manga By Akira Toriyama
Dragon Ball Z is the sequel series to Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball and continues the adventures of Goku. Along with his companions, Goku defends the Earth against various villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors to powerful androids and nearly indestructible creatures.
Cast Masako Nozawa , Ryou Horikawa , Hiromi Tsuru , Hiroko Emori , Shigeru Chiba , Naoko Watanabe , Mayumi Tanaka , Naoki Tatsuta , Yukimasa Kishino
Release Date April 26, 1989
Seasons 9
Writers Akira Toriyama , Takao Koyama
Directors Daisuke Nishio
Creator(s) Akira Toriyama
Dragon Ball is closer to a cultural phenomenon than an anime series. Before it spawned a ton of great video games, sequel series like the exciting Dragon Ball: Daima, and more, it was a series about Son Goku and his adventures. Like Deku from My Hero Academia, Goku has only ever wanted to protect his friends, but he's a little more willing to fight than Deku is. Goku is also much stronger than Deku within each of their own respective universes, giving him much more responsibility than the high schooler.
Like Hunter x Hunter, Dragon Ball is much bigger than My Hero Academia. Goku's adventures take him first all over the globe, then all over the galaxy, and eventually, all over the universe. While the scope may be a little different between the two shows, the ideals are the same. Goku and Deku will always fight for their friends, no matter the odds against them.
6 One Punch Man
Animated By Madhouse and J.C. Staff, Based on the Webcomic By ONE
Saitama, a superhero from City Z, faces an existential crisis as he can defeat any opponent with a single punch, leading to a lack of challenge and sheer boredom. His quest for a worthy opponent leads him to meet new friends and enemies and join the Hero Association to gain official recognition while accidentally (and secretly) solving all of the world's problems with a single punch.
Cast Makoto Furukawa , Kaito Ishikawa , Max Mittelman , Zach Aguilar , Hiromichi Tezuka , Robbie Daymond , Kyle Hebert , Shôta Yamamoto
Release Date October 5, 2015
Seasons 2
Writers Tomohiro Suzuki
Directors Shingo Natsume , Chikara Sakurai
Creator(s) ONE
One Punch Man is somehow both one of the funniest and most exciting anime of the last decade. It stars Saitama as the reluctantly overpowered hero who can literally defeat his enemies with a single punch. He's bored of his own power pretty easily, creating plenty of funny moments throughout the show. There's nothing more hysterical than seeing the Deep Sea King give a five-minute speech about power or something, only for Saitama to obliterate him without trying.
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One Punch Man is the best superhero anime comparison to My Hero Academia. Both shows have a detailed hero ranking system that plays a huge role in the show, feature some of the most entertaining side characters in shōnen, and also have top-tier fights in both the visual and audio departments. One-Punch Man is much less serious than My Hero Academia, and it's easy to see why. When Saitama can beat anyone in a single punch, there's really nothing to worry about.
5 Naruto
Animated By Pierrot, Based on the Manga By Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto
First Episode Air Date October 3, 2002
Cast Junko Takeuchi , Maile Flanagan , Noriaki Sugiyama , Chie Nakamura , Kazuhiko Inoue , Nana Mizuki , Hideo Ishikawa , Yûko Sanpei
Character(s) Naruto Uzumaki , Sasuke Uchiha , Sakura Haruno , Kakashi Hatake , Itachi Uchiha , Hinata Hyuga , Gaara , Jiraiya , Tsunade , Orochimaru
Summary
Naruto is a Japanese manga and anime franchise created by Masashi Kishimoto. It follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja striving for recognition and aiming to become the Hokage, the leader of his village. The franchise has a global fanbase due to its rich storytelling, character development, and themes of perseverance and friendship. It has expanded into anime series, films, novels, video games, and more. The sequel series Boruto continues the story, focusing on Naruto's son, Boruto Uzumaki.
Like Dragon Ball, Naruto has quickly become an icon of modern shōnen. Naruto's spiky yellow hair and orange jumpsuit are identifiable a mile away thanks to his and his series' massive popularity. It's a great series because of how humble Naruto truly is, a direct comparison to Deku from My Hero Academia. Both protagonists are high school-aged for most of the series and have more pressure put on them than anyone else in their universe.
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Both Deku and Naruto eventually achieve a god-like status thanks to their powers, with Naruto being a little closer to divinity of the two. As a staple of modern shōnen, Naruto is much bigger in scope than My Hero Academia. Naruto's adventures make him fight gods, take him to the moon, and eventually see him become the Hokage of his village. Naruto's influence on My Hero Academia is clear, so it's worth checking out for any fan of the latter series.
4 Mob Psycho 100
Animated By Studio Bones, Based on the Webcomic By One
Release Date July 12, 2016
Seasons 3
Franchise(s) Mob Psycho 100
Writers Hiroshi Seko
Directors Yuzuru Tachikawa , Takahiro Hasui
Creator(s) ONE
One is one of the best, most mysterious mangakas around. He's the person who wrote the webcomics for both One Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100, two incredible shows in their own right and both worthy comparisons to My Hero Academia. Mob from Mob Psycho is a quiet kid who keeps to himself for the most part. Because of his insane powers, he's worried about hurting the people around him, making him a very sweet and responsible young man, just like Deku.
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Mob Psycho 100 is a much deeper show than My Hero Academia. While My Hero Academia explores basic themes like justice and doing what's right, Mob Psycho takes a crack at harder-to-define topics like identity and destiny. They're both fun shows with protagonists that are fun to root for the entire time, and enough differences to make each show worth watching. The result is one of the best anime series of all time.
3 Fire Force
Animated By David Production, Based on the Manga By Atsushi Ohkubo
Fire Force is a Japanese animated series that chronicles the lives of special firefighter units combating spontaneous human combustion. The protagonist, Shinra Kusakabe, joins Special Fire Force Company 8, where he and his colleagues battle fierce infernals and uncover a conspiracy threatening humanity. Directed by Yuki Yase and based on the manga by Atsushi Ōkubo, the series blends action, mystery, and supernatural elements in a futuristic Tokyo setting.
Release Date July 6, 2019
Seasons 3
Franchise(s) Fire Force
Writers Yamato Haijima , Tatsuma Minamikawa
Directors Yuki Yase , Tatsuma Minamikawa
Creator(s) Atsushi Ohkubo
While series like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and Hunter x Hunter are massive in scope, series like Fire Force are much closer to My Hero Academia in terms of size.Fire Force is set around Shinra Kusakabe, a young man who wants to save people from the horrors of spontaneous human combustion and find out exactly what happened to his family years ago. The series never goes to space, never looks at too many thought-provoking concepts, or does anything too deep, making it a good watch for fans of My Hero Academia.
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The fights in Fire Force have the best sound design in anime. Not only do the fighters in the series wield fire beautifully, but they're reinforced with so much bass it feels like the screen itself with break. Shinra, like Deku, is an honest character who is easy to get behind for the entirety of the series.
2 Black Clover
Animated By Pierrot, Based on the Manga By Yuki Tabata
Release Date October 3, 2017
Seasons 4
Writers Kazuyuki Fudeyasu , Kanichi Katou
Directors Tatsuya Yoshihara , Ayataka Tanemura
Creator(s) Yūki Tabata
Black Clover is another incredibly simple shōnen anime. Asta, like Deku, was originally magic-less in a world that valued magic above all else. Again, like Deku, Asta never stopped believing in himself and eventually, a great power chose him. Both characters have a ton of similarities. They're both surrounded by incredible people who get the most out of them, they're both much stronger than most people would think, and their shared best character trait is their overwhelming loyalty to their friends.
Black Clover and My Hero Academia are fairly similar in scope as well. Deku and Asta are just fighting the fights in front of them, and they don't really need to think about much else. With Yami guiding Asta and All Might guiding Deku, they're sure to quickly become two of the strongest characters in anime history.
1 Demon Slayer
Animated By Ufotable, Based on the Manga By Koyoharu Gotouge
Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline, Demon Slayer is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
Created by Koyoharu Gotouge
First Episode Air Date April 6, 2019
Cast Natsuki Hanae , Akari Kitō , Hiro Shimono , Yoshitsugu Matsuoka , Kengo Kawanishi , Kana Hanazawa , Toshihiko Seki , Saori Hayami , Tomokazu Sugita
Character(s) Tanjiro Kamado , Nezuko Kamado , Zenitsu Agatsuma , Inosuke Hashibira , Kyojuro Rengoku , Giyu Tomioka , Mitsuri Kanroji , Tengen Uzui , Muzan Kibutsuji , Shinobu Kocho
Summary
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline, Demon Slayer is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
Demon Slayer is the best comparison to My Hero Academia. The shows are similar in scope, feature two characters who aren't the strongest in their series, and surround their protagonist with plenty of awesome side characters to make the journey more enjoyable. Tanjiro and Deku are honest young men with a lot put on their plate. Deku is the inheritor of One For All, one of the strongest Quirks in the world, and with great power comes great responsibility.
Tanjiro came home to his family's slaughter, and his little sister had started to turn into a Demon, setting him on the warpath as well. In battle, there might not be two more determined characters than Deku and Tanjiro. They're both willing to tear their own bodies to shreds if it means getting a chance at their opponent.
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