Using the wiki to determine what counts as an arc:
19. Remedial Course
So disconnected from everything. The fact that this needs to happen in the first place is more interesting than the arc itself.
18. USJ
Overrated. Making the villains be faceless minions instead of giving them each personality and making them each a threat like later MHA is one of the series's worst decisions. Nomu isn't an interesting villain at all. Still, this is the first time we're starting to focus on the greater ensemble, which is nice.
17. Forest Training
Pacing is all over the place, and mostly just setting up Hideout Raid. Not to mention, half of the new villains introduced here become irrelevant immediately.
16. Hideout Raid
Guys. C'mon. Pure hype does not good writing make! The consequences of this arc are far more important and impactful than the arc itself. As it stands, it's fine, the students have a few great moments, but it's not overall the greatest.
15. Provisional License Exam
Lifted quite a bit by having the best fight in the series (Bakugo v. Deku v. Character Development) at the end, otherwise eh. The Todoroki and Aoyama parts are nice!
14. Entrance Exam
Everything before entering UA. Decent origin story, beginnings of friendship between Uraraka, Deku, and Iida, but not yet to the truly special parts of MHA
13. Endeavor Agency
Todoroki family stuff lifts this above and beyond. The rest is alright, standard training stuff, getting stronger, whateves. I like how we get to see parallels between Endeavor and Deku over how they both worked for their power, as opposed to All Might, Bakugo, and Todoroki, who were given a little more to start.
12. Battle Trial
There's a lot in here, probably the first time we really start seeing themes, and only time S1 really. The battles outside of Bakugo v. Deku should have been more interesting, but seeing this starting point for the two's development is pretty good.
11. Meta Liberation
Villain development is great! Toga, Twice, Spinner, all fantastic. Main focus, eh... mostly just buildup. The Front really isn't all that interesting as antagonists, other than as focal points for development.
10. Teacher Exams
Three standouts--Bakugo & Deku, Froppy & Tokoyami, Yaoyorozu & Todoroki all have great character development. Yaoyorozu in particular has her best moments here. The rest are less interesting for the most part, which knocks this down a fair bit.
9. Joint Training
Uraraka has now fully started her arc! Plus, new powers both make sense and are cool, we finally get to fully meet Class 1-B and Shinsou, and every fight to some degree is important and interesting, which puts it above Teacher Exams in my mind. Lots of great stuff, other people may be tired of school arcs, but as long as it's well done I don't care the situation.
8. Quirk Apprehension Test
Aizawa shows up (yay), introduces his philosophy, Deku is able to acknowledge the truth of that philosophy while still showing what makes him special and overcomes. Short and generic shounen, true, but extremely effective.
7. Paranormal Liberation War
All around really solid. Starts with an important and impactful death that provides context towards Deku's relationship with Shigaraki, and tension is incredibly high as Shigaraki threatens to ruin everything. You can see the desperation on both sides, from Yaoyorozu & Class 1-A working against Machia, to the villains fighting against Best Jeanist, truly this is a WAR. Uraraka v. Toga is seriously underrated.
6. Eight Bullets
Mirio as a foil to Deku, Overhaul as a villain, introduction of quirk-erasing bullets, not one but two Kirishima episodes killing it with the character development, a taste of One for All's true power, what more could you ask for.
5. His Start
Also called "Pro Hero" arc, but that's generic, dumb, and doesn't at all explain the beginning of a brilliant redemption of Endeavor. Plus, showing off Hawks!
4. Dark Hero
Nagant is great, and two quirks make her scary! Plus a great atmosphere in this collapsed society, Bakugo's true apology, Uraraka showing how powerful her arc truly is, and Stain stealing the show.
3. School Festival
Incredibly overhated. Goofy concept for a villain somehow is somehow done phenomenally, we explore the aspects of heroics outside of fighting extremely effectively, the performance was awesome, themes are at their best, and school arcs are just great.
2. Hero Killer Stain
This and the next one were obvious top spots, and I'm not here to disagree this time. Themes are spot-on, Iida becomes a great character, one of Deku's best powerups, and even some cool Endeavor stuff,
1. Sports Festival.
Need I say more. A tournament arc among Tournament Arcs. |
