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Now that My Hero Academia has reached its conclusion, many fans are looking for the next best superhero anime to explore. As a series that helped define modern hit shōnen series, the bar has been set high, yet that doesn’t mean there aren’t countless superhero series that offer the same level of thrill and excitement.
There are even superhero anime that focus more on unique perspectives on heroism or in-depth explorations of deeper themes rather than the act of heroism alone. From classics to new hits, there are many stories available for fans of My Hero Academia to enjoy, and a wide variety of different heroes and narratives.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a magical girl anime that centers on the titular character Madoka Kaname. She’s a seemingly ordinary schoolgirl whose life is flipped upside down after encountering Kyubey, a mysterious creature who offers wishes in exchange for becoming a magical girl who battles against witches.
The series is known for subverting the genre and stands out as one of the best anime available. Madoka Magica is deceptively cute, hiding a much deeper, darker storyline as the series unfolds, expertly keeping viewers engaged. Paired with its unique visuals and atmospheric soundtrack, Madoka Magica is a series that fans will regret overlooking.
Heroman
Heroman follows Joey Jones, an ordinary American teenager whose life changes when he discovers a broken toy robot that transforms into Heroman. With Heroman, he takes it upon himself to defend the world from alien invaders known as the Skruggs while trying to continue navigating his own daily life.
Heroman blends American tropes into the lighthearted, fun series and explores straightforward themes of good vs. evil and the importance of friendship and compassion
The series stands out as a collaborative effort between Studio Bones and American comic book legend, Stan Lee. Heroman blends American tropes into the lighthearted, fun series and explores straightforward themes of good vs. evil and the importance of friendship and compassion. The series primarily targets younger audiences, making it a delightful family-friendly watch.
Love After World Domination
Love After World Domination follows Fudo Aikawa, also known as his hero alter ego, Red Gelato, and leader of the Gelato 5 squad. His life, however, takes a complicated turn when he falls for Desumi Magahara, the villainous leader of the Gekko organization known as the Reaper Princess.
The series follows their secret love lives while they pretend to be mortal enemies in public, creating a thrilling and humorous atmosphere. With its playful premise, the series offers lighthearted storytelling with cleverly choreographed battles balanced out with moments of heartwarming romance.
One-Punch Man (Season 1)
One-Punch Man centers on Saitama, an unassuming man who has trained so intensely that he has risen to a level at which he can defeat any opponent with a single punch, regardless of size or skill. Due to his immense power, he experiences an existential crisis in which everything feels mundane and boring because nothing can challenge him anymore.
The story is a comedy that deconstructs standard superhero tropes with meta commentary and satire, and its first season took the world by storm, quickly earning it a strong reputation. However, One-Punch Man’s second and third seasons unfortunately experienced a severe drop in quality. Despite that, the first season remains a thrilling watch for many anime fans.
Samurai Flamenco
Samurai Flamenco centers on Masayoshi Hazama, a young man with no superpowers who dreams of becoming a superhero. Inspired by the heroes on television, he takes to the streets in a self-made costume and fights petty crimes while diligently standing up for justice. It’s a lighthearted series with a healthy dose of humor and over-the-top battles.
The series starts off as a grounded take on heroism from a young vigilante’s perspective before growing into a high-stakes narrative to determine the world’s fate. Paired with its themes of justice, heroism, and connection, Samurai Flamenco is a fun and exciting superhero anime that deconstructs traditional tropes.
Shy
Shy follows Teru Momijiyama, Japan’s representative hero, known as Shy. She’s a timid girl who struggles with self-doubt and media criticisms, all while trying to be the best hero she can be. The series is a blend of superhero action and personal growth as Shy confronts her own insecurities and social anxieties.
The series deeply explores themes of courage, self-worth, and confidence in a way that captures viewers’ hearts and keeps them engaged in the storyline. It’s a superhero anime that emphasizes internal strength, persistence, growth, and empathy. Shy is an inspiring and resonant story for those who enjoy anime that focus on emotional authenticity.
Yuki Yuna Is a Hero
Yuki Yuna Is a Hero centers on the titular character Yuki Yuna, an ordinary middle school student who becomes part of the Hero Club with her friends. The club is dedicated to helping people, but they soon discover they have been chosen as heroes tasked with defending the world tree, Shinji, from Vertexes.
The series starts out as an ordinary magical girl series, but quickly spirals when they discover the immense hidden cost of using their power. Filled with intense battles and slice-of-life moments, the series offers an experience that is both thrilling and heartfelt. That said, the series turns into dark territory and is often compared to Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon follows Usagi Tsukino, an ordinary schoolgirl who discovers she is the reincarnation of the Moon Princess Serenity and leader of the Sailor Guardians, Sailor Moon. Tasked with battling against evil forces that threaten the Earth, she must also navigate daily life while searching for the legendary Silver Crystal.
With its blend of humor, drama, and romance, the series remains engaging and thrilling for audiences of all ages.
The series is known for its lighthearted atmosphere and for popularizing both the magical girl genre and anime in the West. With its blend of humor, drama, and romance, the series remains engaging and thrilling for audiences of all ages. Paired with powerful themes of friendship, courage, and growth, the series stands out as a timeless classic.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes follows college student Koichi Haimawari, a young man who, after meeting Knuckleduster and Pop Step, becomes a vigilante, taking on street-level crime that often gets overlooked by pros. The spin-off takes place roughly five years before the main series and is often described as a darker, grittier take on hero society.
The series is full of memorable characters, including appearances from fan-favorites such as Aizawa. Vigilantes explores a side of the universe that is not heavily touched on in the main storyline, offering a deeper understanding of the world while providing a familiar, yet fresh and equally thrilling take on heroism.
Tiger & Bunny
Tiger & Bunny centers on veteran hero Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, better known as Wild Tiger, who teams up with the rookie hero Barnaby Brooks Jr. in a city where superheroes are sponsored and scored for their performance. The two clash over conflicting ideals and must learn to work together as they uncover deeper, hidden conspiracies.
The series is full of action, humor, and deeper themes of what it truly means to be a hero. It’s known for its buddy-cop dynamic between Wild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks Jr., creating a lighthearted yet thrilling experience that fans will find engaging and entertaining.
To Be Hero X
To Be Hero X is a new Chinese animation, known as donghua, that centers on the top ten heroes in a world where power is determined by public faith, quantified as Trust Values. The series explores each unique character’s motivation, powers, and personal histories in a way that is both balanced and complex.
My Hero Academia’s Best Replacement Is Already Dominating Crunchyroll
To Be Hero X is a thrilling superhero anime that explores the darker side of heroism and offers a complex, mature narrative for My Hero Academia fans.
The story explores what it truly means to be a hero in a world where public perception determines more than just power, affecting individuals’ personalities and even appearances. Paired with corrupt hero agencies and a biannual tournament to determine the strongest hero, To Be Hero X offers a thrilling storyline filled with stunning animation and a memorable soundtrack.
- Movie(s)
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My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018), My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019), My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission (2021)
- First Film
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My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018)
- Cast
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Daiki Yamashita, Kenta Miyake, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Ayane Sakura, Yûki Kaji, Aoi Yuki, Kaito Ishikawa, Toshiki Masuda, Marina Inoue, Yoshimasa Hosoya
- TV Show(s)
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My Hero Academia
- Video Game(s)
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My Hero Academia: Battle for All, My Hero One’s Justice, My Hero One’s Justice 2
- Character(s)
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Izuku Midoriya, All Might, Katsuki Bakugo, Ochaco Uraraka, Shoto Todoroki, Tsuyu Asui, Tenya Iida, Eijiro Kirishima, Momo Yaoyorozu, Fumikage Tokoyami