My Hero Academia is one of the most popular anime series today, and for good reason! Its exciting look into hero training, fascinating villains, and formidable heroes make it one of the most intriguing shows to date. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the top ten cliffhangers that kept viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the series. Keep reading to discover which moments left fans eagerly anticipating the next episodes!
About My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is an anime series that premiered in 2016 after the success of its Manga in 2014. The anime has six seasons and a seventh on the way. There are also three My Hero Academia movies, with a fourth coming soon.
The series follows Izuku Midoriya, otherwise known as Deku, who was born without special powers—predominantly known as ‘quirks’—in a world where over 80% of the population has them. While this is a significant obstacle and his biggest disappointment, he is soon able to change his life’s trajectory when he experiences a chance encounter with his biggest role model and favorite hero, All Might.
Deku is a rare case and receives a rare opportunity when All Might transfers his power to his biggest fan, but Deku must adjust to his newfound power and learn how to use and strengthen it while also attempting to get into UA—a prestigious hero school—and later, face several villains who attempt to destroy him, his fellow heroes in training, and everything he’s worked so hard for.
With such a unique plot and a diverse range of lovable characters (and characters you love to hate) with supernatural abilities, it’s no surprise that this anime contains tons of cliffhangers. Keep reading to discover just a few of the most exciting ones!
Warning: This Article Contains Spoilers!
10. The Next All Might
In season 2, episode 1 of My Hero Academia, All Might and the students of UA deal with the aftermath of an attack on UA by the League of Villains. While over 70 of the criminals responsible for the attack were arrested, the escape of the leader, Shigaraki, led to more worry about the already uncertain future.
Meanwhile, the students must shift their focus away from the school’s safety and onto preparing for the upcoming sports festival. After All Might calls Izuku into his office for a meeting and stresses that he must prepare himself to become the new symbol of peace, viewers are left wondering whether the awaited transition of power is happening sooner than expected and if Izuku will be able to handle the responsibility that comes with it.
Of all the earlier cliffhangers in the series, this one is undoubtedly one of the most exciting, as the imminent shift in Izuku’s abilities will surely lead to more action and internal turmoil for him later down the line!
9. Shigaraki’s New Goal
My Hero Academia cliffhangers are almost always prevalent in the season finales, and episode 25 of season 2 is no different! The League of Villains continues to act as the UA’s students and staff’s biggest obstacle throughout season two, and in the final episode, Shigaraki has a menacing encounter with Izuku while he contemplates how he can distinguish himself from the villain he feels is always overshadowing him, Stain.
Shigaraki realizes that his hatred for All Might and those connected to him has taken on a new and even more intense form. He’s more determined than ever to take All Might down as he prepares to become even more powerful after being groomed to become one of the most powerful villains, All For One’s successor.
Shigaraki has already been a major problem for the heroes despite being relatively weak, childish, and sloppy with his work throughout the season, but viewers are left wondering just how much worse things are about to get for our beloved UA students now that Shigaraki has a renewed vendetta, motivation, and All For One on his side.
This bone-chilling cliffhanger turns up the excitement for season 3!
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8. All For One Appears
In season 3, episode 9 of the MHA anime, the heroes have strategically planned a highly coordinated attack on the League of Villains’ hideout, but just as they’ve convinced themselves that it’ll be successful, they’re faced with a completely unexpected obstacle: All For One.
Even with well-trained, long-time heroes and the powerful All Might’s help, the students of UA find themselves completely overwhelmed by a chaotic group of Nomus that the villains have unleashed. The Nomus, however, prove to be the least of their worries when All For One Appears, and the balance of power immediately shifts in the villains’ favor.
The situation doesn’t look too good for the heroes we’re rooting for, and the ending of this episode will surely have your heart pounding!
7. Nana Shimura
In episode 10 of season 3 of the My Hero Academia anime, All Might continues his ferocious battle with One For All. All Might is consistently overwhelmed by One For All’s attacks, and he’s becoming weaker and weaker by the second. However, he’s determined to defeat One For All and help rescue Katsuki from the League of Villains.
His determination draws out the power of Nana Shimura’s legacy, which is combined with the strength of past generations of heroes. By the end of the episode, viewers are hooked by the mention of the mostly unknown Nana Shmura, but you must wait until the next episode to learn more about the legend!
6. Deku Meets Eri
In season 4’s 3rd episode, the beloved character, Eri, is introduced!
Deku is officially starting the first day of his work-study at Sir Nighteye’s agency. He’s helping patrol the streets as the heroes continue investigating the Shie Hassaikai, led by Kai Chisaki, otherwise known as Overhaul.
While Eri is running away from Overhaul, she bumps into Deku. It’s Deku’s first time meeting her, and the moment leaves the viewers wondering how this all will play out. Will Eri be rescued, and will the heroes be able to prove Overhaul’s involvement in criminal activity? And most importantly, who will succeed in the inevitable battle between the Hassaikai and the heroes?
5. Nighteye’s Alarming Vision
In the 12th episode of season 4, one of the most concerning MHA plot twists crops up. Nighteye and his team of heroes attempt to save Eri from Overhaul. As the heroes and villains engage in an intense battle, Nighteye has a disheartening vision that—despite Izuku’s fiery determination and refusal to give up on Eri—shows a future where he and Izuku will fail to defeat Overhaul and his immense power.
Izuku’s willpower and Nighteye’s apprehension leave viewers feeling conflicted, and as the end of the episode approaches, it’s impossible to decide who is correct about the expected outcome of the battle.
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4. The Ninth User of One For All
Season 4’s 25th episode is predominantly about Shoto Todoroki and his family, plus a highly intense battle between Todoroki’s father, the controversial hero Endeavor, and powerful Nomus. However, the show-stealing cliffhanger comes at the end of the episode, when Izuku experiences a vivid dream that finally connects him with the previous possessors of One For All.
Finally, Izuku and the viewers are offered a brief glimpse into the extensive yet mysterious history of Izuku’s power, but it’s only enough to leave everyone desperate for more.
3. Shigaraki’s Operation
In season 5’s 19th episode, one of the most intense MHA Cliffhangers occurs!
Shigaraki continues to evolve into a more and more menacing villain as time passes. He continuously finds ways to make himself all the more threatening, constantly leaving viewers to wonder what he’s got up his sleeve next, and this time is no different.
The end of this already intense episode sees Shigaraki going through a painful operation led by a mysterious doctor as he continues to transform into the villain All For One is shaping him into.
2. The Upcoming War
The 25th episode of season 5 is one of the most exciting episodes of the entire series! Shigaraki and the evolved villains of the Paranormal Liberation Front have formed an alliance that poses an immense threat to the heroes. However, the student heroes of UA have evolved since the beginning of the series, and they’re more powerful than ever.
One has to wonder how the impending war between the two sides is going to go. Will our heroes once again be able to come out on top, or will the villains prove to be too much for them to handle this time?
1. Bakugo Takes A Bullet for Midoriya
One of my favorite cliffhangers occurs in season 6, episode 9 of the MHA anime. Katsuki Bakugo and “Deku” Izuku Midoriya have been at odds throughout the entire series—and throughout their whole lives—primarily due to Katsuki’s anger issues and refusal to show Izuku any respect despite Izuku’s attempts to befriend him. However, as the series progressed, Katsuki did gain some respect for Izuku, so much so that Katsuki was willing to take a bullet for him in this jaw-dropping episode!
As the heroes take on Shigaraki, who is practically unstoppable now, Eraser Head sacrifices his leg to prevent the spread of a Quirk-Erasing Bullet, but he isn’t the only one who makes a sacrifice. Izuku, overwhelmed, continues battling Shigaraki, and Katsuki joins in to help. He ultimately ends up taking a fatal blow, which was meant for Izuku.
Several questions arise from the sudden turn of events. Is Katsuki going to survive the blow? And is Izuku going to be able to win the fight with Shigaraki despite the circumstances? The next episode can’t start fast enough!
Final Thoughts
The My Hero Academia anime is one of the most imaginative, intriguing, and overall iconic animes today, and it’s perfect for those who enjoy comedy, action, and fantasy all in one! If it sounds like your cup of tea, but you’ve yet to watch it, don’t worry! There are plenty more exciting cliffhangers where that came from.
If you’ve already watched it, which of these cliffhangers was your favorite? Let us know in the comment section! As always, thanks for reading. Stay Gritty, Gamers!
