15 Anime Like My Hero Academia if You’re Looking For Something Similar

If you’ve binged your way through all of My Hero Academia’s current episodes and are looking for something similar to fill the void, we’ve got you covered. From emotional underdog hero stories to shows centered around superpowers, here are 15 anime like My Hero Academia if you’re looking for something similar, in no particular order.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Watch On: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu

When it comes to Shonen about plucky protagonists attemptingt to take down a supremely powerful opponent, few do it as well as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Following the exploits of Edward and Alphonse Elric as they search for a way to regain what they lost in an alchemical experiment gone wrong, the story takes them to the corners of the world and back, pitting them against cosmically powered villains on more than one occasion. Through determination, teamwork with their allies, and the use of powerful abilities of their own, they struggle against overwhelming odds for the good of the wider world.

High octane fight scenes, enthralling visuals, and fun characters are abound in this show, and the hours will fly by as you tear through this modern classic. It’s certainly one of the best anime like My Hero Academia, so this one is well worth the watch.

One Piece

Watch On: Disney+, Crunchyroll, Netflix

A juggernaut within the world of Shonen anime, the pirate adventure series One Piece laid the groundwork for many of the elements My Hero Academia prides itself on.

A lovable cast of characters with a variety of powers and personalities? Check. Story arcs that will make you tear up one moment and then jump for joy the next? Check. A unique art style which helps the series stand out among the rest? Check.

That said, the series does come with the catch of being several hundred episodes long and counting, having started back before the turn of the century. All the same, it’s a literal legend in the making and more than worthy of being seen at least once should you have the drive and the time.

Naruto

Watch On: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video

Another long-running pillar of shonen anime, Naruto captures the same emotional highs of seeing an underdog succeed as Deku’s adventures in My Hero Academia.

Following the titular character as he strives to become Hokage, viewers get to watch as he grows and changes over time, taking on any and all challenges that come his way with a smile. No matter the threat, he’s always willing to work hard and find a new power capable of putting the arc’s villain to the floor, and it only becomes more and more fun to watch as the series moves into its sequels Naruto Shippuden and Boruto.

If you have the time and access to a list of which episodes are canon, you can’t go wrong with this Shonen classic as one of the best anime like My Hero Academia.

Hajime No Ippo

Watch On: Crunchyroll

In the world of boxing, only the best of the best can reign supreme. To this end, protagonist Makunouchi Ippo and his friends train to push themselves past their limits for glory, admiration and the chance to achieve their dreams. Released sporadically over the past few years, each season of Hajime No Ippo has been better than the last with intense fights and impactful character growth.

All the while, Ippo, the eternal underdog, does his best to become better and rise to the occasion, inspiring those around him as he does. No matter the challenge, he’s willing to take on any challenger and continue to improve himself much like Deku and other members of Class 1-A do.

Even if you aren’t a fan of sports, this series will easily grab your attention and refuse to let go until the final bell rings. Do be aware, however, that the anime does end about halfway through the manga, so you won’t get full closure on some of the storylines introduced throughout its hundreds of episodes.

Black Clover

Watch On: Hulu, Crunchyroll

A series that came up around the same time as My Hero Academia, Black Clover is just as viable if you’re in the mood for some uplifting Shonen goodness.

Set in a fantasy world where magic dictates everything, Black Clover’s protagonist, Asta, is a boy born without magical ability who seeks to become the Wizard King and create a world where all are treated equally, regardless of magical ability. To that end, he joins the Black Bull magic knight brigade and sets out to defend the kingdom, battling with wizards who hold their own dreams of grandeur and power.

While it can lean farther into intensity with its character personalities than other shows, its art and fight scenes are marvelous and well worth the price of admission. Plus, its 170 episode count ensures you won’t be lacking for content to dig into once you start it.

Fairy Tail

Watch On: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu

When the young mage Lucy Heartfilia sets out to live a life of adventure, she soon finds herself drawn into the hijinks of Natsu and his friends at the Fairy Tail Guild. The eternal troublemakers of the magical world, the group always finds a way into the center of evil plans and conspiracies just long enough to stop them, resulting in a string of adventures and battles alongside friends and compatriots.

Filled with a cast of odd characters and dramatic clashes between different magical abilities, there’s plenty to dig into with this show. Just be ready for a lengthy viewing experience, as the series rivals Naruto and Hunter x Hunter as one of the longer entries on this list.

Dragon Ball

Watch On: Crunchyroll, Hulu

If the Shonen tropes and battles of My Hero Academia were a big draw for you, there’s no better follow-up than the Dragon Ball franchise.

Following the exploits of Goku and his friends, the series goes anywhere and everywhere you can think of, pitting its heroes in fights the whole way through. Like most long-running shows though, jumping in can be intimidating. Between the original series, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball Super, it can clock in at several hundred of episodes.

But in exchange for their efforts, those who do dive into this series are treated to the tale of how a legendary warrior came to be who he was, along with the world-shattering fights he found himself in along the way.

Gurren Lagann

Watch On: Crunchyroll, Hulu

Dreaming of a life on the surface, Simon and his brother Kamina burst through the ceiling of their underground home with the help of a long-dormant drill-equipped robot head. From there, they gather followers to stage a rebellion against the ruling Beastmen, piloting mechs with the power of their manliness and fighting spirit.

As ridiculous as the premise is, one can’t help but fall in love with the over-the-top characters and their ambitions. Much like with All Might and Deku, viewers will find themselves ensnared by the heroes’ passions and cheering as the action rockets past the stratosphere into insanity, making this one of the best shows for fans of MHA.

Hunter X Hunter

Watch On: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu, Prime Video

If My Hero Academia’s focus on growth and pursuing one’s passion was a selling point for you, Hunter x Hunter is right up your alley.

Following Gon, Killua, and their friends from their initiation into the Hunter Association onward, this Shonen treats viewers to a story and characters ripe with growth, development, and utterly satisfying fight scenes between cunning and determined adversaries. Each new arc has plenty of great fights and payoffs, but is always about the fantastical journey instead of the sometimes devastating destination.

Every victory, from Gon learning about his Nen abilities to Killua saving him once they go out of control, is uplifting and worth every minute spent watching them get to that point. Even with 148 episodes and two films to enjoy, it’ll feel like you can never get enough of this amazing series.

One Punch Man

Watch On: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu

Where My Hero Academia hones in on how someone became the greatest hero, One Punch Man digs into a topic that’s just as important: What happens after you become the strongest being in existence?

In a world of superheroes, Saitama stands above the rest with the ability to end any fight in one punch. While that may be great for the world, it’s left him hopelessly bored with no opponents left for him to cut loose with, resulting in his lackadaisical approach to the apocalyptic threats he faces and life in general. as such, he’s left to try and find new ways to find joy in life, whether that means training up a younger hero or reaching the super market for a sale on eggs.

More philosophical and comedy-oriented than other entries in this list, One Punch Man still stands as one of the best shows to be released in modern anime. From the cataclysmic brawls with space invaders to the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bouts with assassins, the show pokes fun at overpowered superheroes to great effect.

There’s a decent amount to dig into too, with two completed seasons and a third on the way. Be aware, however, that the first season stands well above the rest in terms of its animation quality.

Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Watch On: Crunchyroll

What would happen if someone born without the ability to use magic had to become the strongest magic user in the world?

Such is the ludicrous plot presented by Mashel: Magic and Muscles. The comedy series follows protagonist Mash Burnedead, a boy who was born into a world where one’s position within society is determined by their power and skill level with magic. Unfortunately, Mash was born without a single ounce of magical power within himself, and instead wields inhuman physical strength and endurance.

Standing headstrong against the odds that have been thrown at him, Mash is still determined to become a Divine Visionary and live a peaceful life with his adoptive father, so he enrolls in Magic School. To make up for his lack of powers, Mash must figure out how to use his godly strength to make it seem like he can use magic and outdo anyone who might get in the way of his dreams; usually in the most ridiculous way possible.

Just as eager to make you cry as it is to make you laugh at how outlandish it is, this series is a perfect palate cleanser for the darker parts of My Hero Academia. It puts a fun and light-hearted spin on the “proving X isn’t needed in a world defined by Y” story trope, and is sure to leave you excited for what else it has to offer in upcoming seasons.

Soul Eater

Watch On: Crunchyroll, Hulu

In this Halloween-inspired world, some humans can shapeshift into physical weapons. These Weapons are paired up with another individual to wield them, known as a Meister. Two such individuals are Meister Maka Albarn and her partner Weapon, Soul Evans. As students of the Death Weapon Meister Academy, they and their friends must complete their studies while embarking on adventures and missions.

Their end goal is to gather the souls of ninety-nine evil, corrupted humans, and one soul of a Witch. In doing so, they will achieve the highest ranks at the DWMA, granting Soul the ability to become a Death Weapon. This is easier said than done though, and it doesn’t take long for the nefarious plots of certain villains to upend their school lives and force them to do battle with forces beyond human comprehension.

There’s a great balance of intense fight scenes and classroom shenanigans to enjoy, and the overall plot is engaging enough to hold your interest all the way through its 51 episode run. Given it was made before the manga series was complete though, there are a few plot threads that aren’t wrapped up entirely, so be prepared for this before you dive in.

Fire Force

Watch On: Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Crunchyroll

If My Hero Academia’s exploration of how special powers would change a world is a big draw for you, then Fire Force is a perfect follow-up to consider.

In this show, a bizarre phenomenon known as Spontaneous Human Combustion exists, causing humans to turn into living fire monsters labeled Infernals. Later generations of this phenomenon maintain their human form while adapting Pyrokinetic abilities, and use their abilities to serve the Fire Force and fight back against the threat Infernals pose to humanity.

Much like Deku’s dream to become a Pro Hero, Fire Force’s protagonist, Shinra, is a boy who joins the Fire Force with dreams of being a Hero. He’s a third-generation Pyrokinetic with the ability to ignite his feet at will. However, despite having big dreams, he’s still troubled by the tragic event of a house fire during his childhood, which was responsible for the deaths of his mother and brother.

Things quickly take some dramatic turns toward the dramatic and action-oriented, making the show a blast to watch whether you’re in it more for the plot or some engaging brawls. The power system is also highly inventive, and the larger cast has plenty enough notable characters to ensure you’ll never bored of watching one person for too long.

Rounding all this out is a manageable 48 episode runtime, which makes it a perfect show to check out if you’re in need of a mid-length Shonen to dig into.

Little Witch Academia

Watch On: Netflix

Little Witch Academia doesn’t just share a similar name to My Hero Academia – as it turns out, the two shows also share plenty of parallels between their plots and characters.

In Little Witch Academia, Akko Kagari finds herself inspired by a witch named Shiny Chariot and enrolls herself at Luna Nova Magical Academy with dreams of becoming a witch herself; despite a lack of magical abilities. However, much like how Deku finds success through his new power with One For All, Akko stumbles across a magical relic of power left behind by her idol, Chariot. This relic, titled the Shiny Rod, unlocks new potential for Akko and enables her to pursue her dreams.

It’s everything you’d find in the more light-hearted school life segments of My Hero Academia, and the magic-inspired twist to the story keeps things imaginative and fresh. It won’t take long for you to fall in love with Akko and her friends, and the lively animation a la Studio Trigger ensures you’ll never be bored during the show’s 25 episode run.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Watch On: Crunchyroll, Disney+

What is it with anime protagonists and consuming objects that should not be edible in any circumstances? While Deku had to eat All Might’s hair, he sure got off light compared to Jujutsu Kaisen’s protagonist, Yuji Itadori, who swallowed the cursed finger of an evil spirit named Sukuna.

After this bizarre event, Yuji finds himself sharing his body with the spirit of Sukuna as a host and gains Cursed powers as a result. Because of this, he is recruited into Jujutsu High School, where he must learn to control his abilities and help the other Sorcerers gather the rest of Sukuna’s fingers in order to put an end to the King of Curses once and for all.

Though definitely on the darker and more violent side of the Shonen spectrum, the show is a visual powerhouse and drips with the kind of energy that’ll have you hooked from the first episode. You’ll be dying to see Itadori and his friends establish their friendships, fight back against numerous Curses, and struggle to overcome a looming threat the likes of which they’ve never seen before. It’s also far from a daunting watch, with only one complete season and a film to get through.