▶ TL;DRMy Hero Academia started as a 10/10 that had everything going for it, brilliant world, amazing side characters, and the promise of watching an underdog become the greatest hero. But eight seasons later, Deku still feels like the same crybaby from episode one while characters like Todoroki and Bakugo actually grew into heroes. The early seasons are peak shonen, but the later arcs lost the magic. Still worth watching for the world and supporting cast, but temper your expectations for the protagonist.
+ PROS
- Incredible World-Building
- Stacked Supporting Cast
- Studio Bones Animation
− CONS
- Lost Its Identity
- Needed a Time Skip
Remember When This Was a 10/10?
Let me take you back to 2016. The opening hits, Deku's narration kicks in: "This is the story of how I became the greatest hero." Absolute chills. The early seasons of My Hero Academia were something special the kind of anime where you genuinely couldn't wait for the next episode, the next season, the next anything. It had that magic combination of an underdog story, incredible world-building, and a cast of characters you actually cared about.
U.A. High School felt alive. The Sports Festival arc? Chef's kiss. All Might versus All For One? One of the greatest anime moments of the decade. This series had everything it needed to be an all-timer.
So what happened?
The Protagonist Problem
Here's the thing nobody wants to say: Izuku Midoriya is one of the most frustrating protagonists in modern shonen. And I say this as someone who was completely invested in his journey at the start.
The whole "weak underdog crybaby" angle works for one season. Maybe two if you're pushing it. But eight seasons? Japan is literally falling apart, villains are tearing society to pieces, and our supposed future Symbol of Peace is still having emotional breakdowns every other episode. At some point, you need to step up.
