With the My Hero Academia season finale’s recent release, many fans are now left with the question of what to watch next. There are many series that carry similar tones to MHA- school life, superheroes, and mostly the journey of a protagonist from nothing to everything in the series.
To stop you from wracking your brain, we’ve got you sorted. Here is a ranked list of 10 anime series that you can watch after watching the MHA finale, which carries a similar thematic or narrative tone.
10. TIGER & BUNNY
TIGER & BUNNY | Credits: Studio Sunrise
The TIGER & BUNNY is an animated series by Studio Sunrise that first aired on Japanese television in April 2011. How does it carry a resemblance to My Hero Academia? Well, the animated series is based on a superhero theme, which is what MHA is also all about. The series is one of the pioneers in introducing the corporate hero society concept.
TIGER & BUNNY is a highly character-driven animation series with a slow and relaxed pacing. Compared to most of the modern shonen anime titles, including My Hero Academia, the series is considerably less flashy and adds the right amount of intensity needed.
9. Mashle: Magic & Muscles
Mashle: Magic and Muscles | Credits: A-1 Pictures
Coming in at number 9, we have Mashle: Magic and Muscles, a series full of fantasy comedy and adventure. Similar to Midoriya, Mash is born without magic powers. Furthermore, the elite school setting of both U.A High and Easton Magic Academy is also a similarity between the two.
The only reason this anime is so low on the list is because of the glaring drawbacks it has compared to other shonen series, less depth in the long run, and the lack of character growth in the narrative. Apart from that, this is definitely a binge-worthy series if you are in the mood for some comedy and magic.
8. Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju No. 8 | Credits: Production I.G
When it comes to an anime carrying heavy vibes from the My Hero Academia series, Production I.G’s Kaiju No. 8 is probably the most suitable example. The narrative also starts on a similar tone, with Izuku Midoriya being quirkless, while Kafka is a normal human doing cleanup duty. Both of them receive their powers very suddenly out of nowhere.
Both of the series have a powerful mentor figure with All Might and Aizawa for MHA, and Captain Mina Ashiro and Vice-Captain Hoshina for Kaiju No. 8. The structured system in both series is what draws them together.
7. Assassination Classroom
Assassination Classroom | Credits: Lerche
Surprisingly, Assassination Classroom and My Hero Academia share a very similar core concept with each other. While in MHA, students train to become Pro Heroes, in Assassination Classroom, students train and aspire to become assassins. In terms of key figures, Koro-sensei and All Might are pretty iconic to be put on the same list.
There is also the underdog class theme that carries over in both anime series. While Class 1-A is constantly tested and compared with the other classes, in Assassination Classroom, Class 3-E is treated as failures. Overall, a very good anime to spend your time on if you are looking for something fun and intriguing.
6. Black Clover
Following the theme of starting with a powerless protagonist, Black Clover‘s Asta is very similar to MHA’s Midoriya. Again, following the same theme, they both get their powers out of the blue; Midoriya gets One for All while Asta gets Anti-Magic and Devil powers.
However, what promotes Black Clover closer to the top is not the protagonists, but rather the deuteragonists. Both Bakugo and Yuno have a rivalry arc with Deku and Asta, respectively, for an extensive part of the series’ beginning. Additionally, the grouping system of Class 1-A and the Black Bulls is also another key similarity, making it a must-watch destination for MHA fans.
5. Soul Eater
Soul Eater | Credits: Bones Inc.
Coming from Studio Bones themselves, Soul Eater is a very underrated anime from 2008 that shares a lot of similarities with My Hero Academia. To start, the implementation of an academic system is a key similarity between the two series. Furthermore, they also share an end goal for their students; UA High trains pro heroes while DWMA trains Meisters and Weapon Humans.
In the same tone, they have a very similar concept when it comes to exploring teamwork. While aspiring heroes must work together to succeed, Meister-Weapon partnerships are essential to move forward. All in all, it’s a very intriguing series with a multi-cast like MHA, worthy of watching.
4. Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 | Credit: Bones Inc.
Two Studio Bones anime in a row may seem weird, but it’s justifiable. Mob Psycho 100 and MHA both empasize on overpowered protagonists learning self-control. While Mob has to control his immense psychic powers, Deku needs to learn how to efficiently use One for All.
Similarly, both series have a particular thematic plot of focusing on the main character’s personal growth more than their physical and magical prowess. And this also brings in the mentor similarity as well; MHA has All Might, and Mob Psycho 100 has Reigen to mentor Mob.
3. Hunter X Hunter
Hunter X Hunter | Credits: Madhouse
The 2011 remake of the classic shonen anime series Hunter X Hunter has a significant amount of similarities with My Hero Academia, landing it in the top 3 spot. The premise and narrative of the series are almost the same; two protagonists follow an academic-based structure system to reach their goals.
Furthermore, what adds to the similarity is that both series have a mentor-oriented character growth system. For Deku, he learnt a lot from All Might and Aizawa, while Gon had Biscuit Kruger, Wing, and Kite to lead him. The core characteristics and limitations of Quirks and Nen also function very similarly.
2. Naruto/Naruto: Shippuden
A blast from the past, the evergreen Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden series have to make it to the party when talking about series closer to the My Hero Academia theme. While Naruto unknowingly had Kurama’s untapped powers inside of him, he did start from scratch, aspiring to be a Hokage. The beginning similarity with Deku is too hard to ignore here.
Additionally, the whole Chunin exams and training under an academy to reach a certain status sounds too familiar at this point to compare. Furthermore, both Bakugo and Sasuke did the same thing for Midoriya and Naruto while playing their rivalry arc. If you haven’t watched Naruto yet, it’s high time you started. An amazing ninja adventure shonen anime awaits you.
1. Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen | Credits: MAPPA
Snatching the top spot is Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen anime series. Itadori swallows a finger, and Deku swallows a hair; that’s all that can be said about this point. The sudden gain of power is so similar that it was hard to position this shonen anime masterpiece elsewhere.
And when it comes to comparing both the series’s strong mentor figures, All Might and Aizawa might as well be JJK’s Gojo and Nanami. The limitations on the key powers in both series are also very similar; both Quirks and Cursed Energy have their own perks and limitations, without being more overpowered than the other. Additionally, Jujutsu High does the same thing for its students that UA High does.
TITLEWHERE TO WATCHIMDb RATINGTIGER & BUNNYNetflix7.4/10Mashle: Magic & MuscleCrunchyroll7.5/10Kaiju No. 8Crunchyroll, Prime Video8.2/10Assassination ClassroomCrunchyroll7.9/10Black CloverCrunchyroll, Netflix8.2/10Soul EaterCrunchyroll7.7/10Mob Psycho 100Crunchyroll, Netflix8.5/10Hunter X HunterCrunchyroll, Netflix, Prime Video9/10Naruto/Naruto: ShippudenCrunchyroll, Netflix, Prime Video8.4/10 (Naruto)8.7/10 (Naruto: Shippuden)Jujutsu KaisenCrunchyroll, Netflix8.5/10
What are your thoughts on our ranking, and are there any other anime series you would like to suggest? Let us know your opinions in the comments below.
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