The Story of My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising picks up in a world fundamentally altered by All Might's retirement. The Symbol of Peace—the hero who defined an entire generation—has hung up his costume, leaving a power vacuum that ripples through society. Into that void steps Nine, a villain whose Quirk defies conventional understanding. The film doesn't waste time with setup. Within the first act, Class 1-A is dispatched to Nabu Island, a remote location where they're meant to help with community service and hero training. It's supposed to be routine. Then Nine arrives, and everything changes. The students—Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugo, Ochaco Uraraka, and their classmates—find themselves in a genuine crisis, forced to protect civilians while grappling with a threat that's unlike anything they've encountered in their hero training.
Behind the Making of My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising
Produced by Bones and distributed by Toho, My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising arrived in 2019 as the franchise's second theatrical film, building on the success of the 2016 debut. Director Kenji Nagasaki, who'd become synonymous with the anime's visual style, helmed the project with a script by Yōsuke Kuroda—the writer behind some of the franchise's most compelling character moments. The ensemble cast brought considerable pedigree: Daiki Yamashita reprises his role as Izuku, while Nobuhiko Okamoto returns as Bakugo. Supporting performances from Yoshio Inoue, Mio Imada, Yuka Terasaki, Tomoyo Kurosawa, and Yuki Kaji round out the core cast. The film runs 103 minutes—a tight runtime that doesn't feel rushed, though it does mean certain character beats land harder than others. At the box office, the film performed respectably in Japan and internationally, though it didn't achieve the breakout numbers of later entries in the franchise. What's striking is how the film functions as a bridge between the manga's story arcs, introducing Nine as an original creation rather than adapting existing source material, which gave the filmmakers freedom to explore thematic territory the serialized story hadn't yet reached.
What Makes My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising Stand Out
There's a particular tension that runs through Heroes Rising—one that doesn't always resolve neatly, and that's partly what makes it work. The film grapples with the idea of inherited power and what happens when the greatest symbol of heroism simply vanishes. Nine isn't just a villain; he's a dark mirror of what Izuku might become if his path took a different turn, and the script leans into that psychological dimension in ways the franchise doesn't always allow itself to explore. Bakugo's arc in this film is especially noteworthy—his dynamic with Izuku shifts into something more collaborative without losing the competitive edge that defines their relationship. The voice acting, particularly Okamoto's performance as Bakugo, captures a character learning to work alongside rather than against his rival, and that character work elevates what could've been a straightforward action spectacle. What's less consistent is the pacing in the middle stretch. The film gets bogged down in exposition and island-based detours that don't always justify their screen time. But when it locks into action sequences—and there are several standout moments, particularly in the climax—the animation team at Bones delivers the fluid, kinetic combat that's become the studio's calling card. The IMDb rating of 6.8/10 reflects a film that's solid but not transcendent; it's the kind of entry that dedicated fans treasure while casual viewers might find uneven. I keep coming back to the ending, though—without spoiling it, the resolution asks hard questions about what it means to be a hero and whether power alone is enough.
How to Watch My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising Online
Finding My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising is straightforward if you know where to look. The film is currently available on Prime Video, making it accessible to subscribers of Amazon's streaming service. If you're tracking where titles are available across multiple platforms, Movie OTT maintains an updated directory of streaming homes for anime films and series, so you can verify current availability in your region before you start searching. The 103-minute runtime makes it an easy fit into an evening, and the film works best watched with minimal interruptions—the action sequences and character moments benefit from sustained attention. Since streaming catalogs shift regularly, checking the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page will confirm whether Prime Video still carries the title and alert you to any new platforms that might have picked it up.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising based on the manga?
No, it's an original story created specifically for the film. While it features characters from Kōhei Horikoshi's manga, the plot and villain Nine are unique to this movie, giving the filmmakers creative freedom to explore new themes within the established universe.
Q: Who directed My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising?
Kenji Nagasaki directed the film from a screenplay by Yōsuke Kuroda. Nagasaki is the primary director of the My Hero Academia anime series, so his visual sensibility carries through from the show to the film.
Q: Do I need to watch the first My Hero Academia film before Heroes Rising?
Not necessarily. While both are set in the same universe, Heroes Rising tells a self-contained story that doesn't require knowledge of the 2016 film. Familiarity with the main anime series is helpful for character context, but the film introduces its conflict clearly enough for newcomers.
Q: How long is My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising?
The film runs 103 minutes, making it a standard theatrical runtime that doesn't overstay its welcome despite a plot-heavy script.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising?
The film holds a 6.8/10 on IMDb, reflecting mixed-to-positive reception—fans of the franchise tend to rate it higher, while those unfamiliar with the characters or anime style may find it less accessible.
Final Thoughts on My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising
Heroes Rising isn't the definitive My Hero Academia film—that's a conversation for another time—but it's a worthy entry that respects its characters while pushing them into unfamiliar territory. The film works best for fans already invested in the universe, though it doesn't require obsessive fandom to enjoy. The action is solid, the character work is genuine, and Nine presents a genuinely unsettling threat. It's the kind of anime film that rewards attention without demanding it. If you're looking for something to stream this week and you've got Prime Video, it's worth the 103 minutes.
