The My Hero Academia anime doesn’t suffer from the same bloated runtime issues as Naruto or One Piece. That’s the good news. If you’re trying to figure out which My Hero Academia filler episodes actually matter and which ones are just padding the clock, this guide will save you hours. Studio Bones has kept the adaptation remarkably tight against Kohei Horikoshi’s manga.
There isn’t much wiggle room here. Most of the series tracks the source material beat for beat. But there are outliers. Specific episodes that diverge from the canon. These are the episodes you need to identify if you want a spoiler-free viewing experience that moves fast.
The Definitive Filler List
You don’t need to watch everything to understand the plot. Here is the breakdown of every non-canon moment in the main anime run.
Episode 13.5: “Hero Notebook”
This is a recap special. It revisits the first season through Izuku Midoriya’s eyes. It’s pure summary. If you’re watching straight through for the first time, skip it. You’re missing nothing but repetition.
Episode 39: “Game Start”
A classroom activity. It’s lighthearted. It focuses on character dynamics rather than plot progression. It’s fun if you want to see Class 1-A hang out, but it doesn’t tie into the main story. It’s filler.
Episode 58: “Special Episode: Save the World with Love!”
This is an anime-original story. It serves as a prologue to the movie Two Heroes. It is not in the manga. If you plan to watch the film, this helps. If you don’t care about the movie, skip it.
Episode 64: Post-“Two Heroes” Tie-In
Set immediately after the events of the Two Heroes movie. It bridges the gap to Season 4. Again, not essential to the manga plot. It helps ease the transition. You can skip it without losing context on the villain arcs.
Episode 89: “All Hands on Deck! Class 1-A”
A training exercise. It’s not a prologue to World Heroes’ Mission. It’s just Class 1-A lifting weights and learning teamwork. Skip it. You won’t miss any plot points.
Beyond the Main Episodes
The series isn’t just about the numbered episodes. Studio Bones dropped other content that falls outside the manga canon.
- Recap Episodes: These pop up before major arcs or new seasons. They summarize previous events. They are filler by definition.
- Movie Tie-ins: The two specials mentioned above. They exist to sell tickets to the theaters.
- OVA Specials: These are side stories. They are separate from the main anime run. They feature characters you love but aren’t required viewing for the main plot.
Do You Need to Watch Them?
With only five filler episodes in the entire run, My Hero Academia is arguably the most faithful shonen adaptation out there. The bar is high. This series clears it.
Some fans argue that episodes like the class obstacle course (Episode 39) provide necessary breathing room. They highlight friendships. They show personal growth in a low-stakes environment. The primary plot doesn’t feed off them, but the world feels fuller.
If you are rushing to catch up before the final saga, skip them. They don’t change the outcome. They don’t alter the fate of the League of Villains.
If you want more flavor between arcs, keep them. They are harmless fun. The choice is yours. Just don’t confuse them with canon. You’ll thank yourself later when the story kicks back into gear.
