MY HERO ACADEMIA
Director: Naomi Nakayama
Studio: BONES
Streamer: Crunchyroll
Release Date: October 4, 2025
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action

This review contains spoilers for My Hero Academia, Season 8, Episode 1.

My Hero Academia’s final season is finally here, and Episode 1, “Toshinori Yagi: Rising Origin,” directed by Naomi Nakayama, premiered October 4, 2025, on Crunchyroll. The episode wastes no time reigniting the intensity of the series, opening with an epic refresher that brings us back to the aftermath of Dabi’s defeat and the heartbreaking loss of Himiko Toga (RIP, queen). The chaos continues as heroes battle through Twice’s clones, Kunieda’s flower field, and, of course, the ever-looming threat of All For One.

Season 8’s premiere gives long-overdue spotlight moments to side heroes like Aoyama, who quite literally shines, and the long-mysterious Hagakure, whose reveal had me gasping. And judging by the reaction online, I wasn’t alone. Her character design and the reveal’s timing add a refreshing “wow” factor that breathes new energy into the episode.

The episode’s emotional core, however, belongs to All Might. Donning his metal suit, he continues to fight through sheer willpower, naming his attacks after his students from Class 1-A—a touching nod to the legacy he’s built. His line, “People flicker. Even if my light goes out, someone will receive it and they’ll shine,” perfectly mirrors Aoyama’s heartfelt words to Kunieda: a reflection of how heroism is passed from one generation to the next. Even as the pacing occasionally feels drawn out, the thematic payoff is undeniable—it’s a meditation on what it truly means to be a hero.

Just when All For One seems ready to deliver the final blow, the impossible happens—he can’t move. And then, in one of the best twists of the episode, a familiar voice cuts through the chaos: Hero Killer Stain returns. My jaw hit the floor!

The episode ends with the adrenaline still coursing, capped off by the rousing new closing theme, “I” by BUMP OF CHICKEN—yet another reminder that My Hero Academia never misses when it comes to music.

If this premiere is any indication, My Hero Academia’s final season isn’t just about closing arcs—it’s about honoring every spark that’s ever burned in this story of heroes.

My Hero Academia Season 8 is now streaming on Crunchyroll.

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