Season Analysis

My Hero Academia

Season 4 Analysis

Season Woke Score

out of 10

Season Overview

With All for One out of the game, the evil world is on the brink of war. Shigaraki of the League of Villains and Overhaul of the Yakuza vie for dominance of the underworld. Meanwhile, Deku finds himself in another dangerous internship with his senior Mirio.

Season Review

Season 4 is dominated by the Shie Hassaikai arc, a story focused entirely on the pure, objective moral imperative of rescuing the innocent girl Eri from a cruel villain. The narrative centers on themes of perseverance, self-sacrifice, and determination, reinforcing a universal meritocracy where Deku and his classmates succeed through hard work and courage. The primary dramatic conflict revolves around individuals striving to uphold the heroic system in the wake of All Might's retirement, which explicitly argues for the preservation and improvement of a core societal institution rather than its abolition. While the system of heroes is critiqued for its flaws, notably through the complex, non-woke themes of the Endeavor character arc, the solution presented is individual atonement and virtuous replacement, not civilizational self-hatred. Female characters are notably competent but remain largely in supporting or secondary roles in the main conflict, which runs counter to the modern 'Girl Boss' trope. The series does not engage with identity politics, sexual ideology, or anti-theism; it maintains a steadfast commitment to an objective moral structure of good vs. evil.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics2/10

The plot emphasizes universal meritocracy, focusing on a hero's 'soul' and determination to save the innocent, which is the core of the protagonist's journey. Characters succeed or fail based on their individual will and skill, not on intersectional characteristics or privilege. There is no vilification of 'whiteness' or forced diversity narrative, as the setting is a highly diverse, Quirk-based society (Japan).

Oikophobia2/10

The narrative acknowledges the flaws of the hero-governed society following the retirement of All Might, but the goal of the protagonists is always to preserve, protect, and restore faith in the heroic institution, which functions as the primary shield against chaos. The villains are the ones who seek to destroy the established society, and the narrative frames them as unequivocally evil or misguided.

Feminism2/10

Female characters are capable but are generally relegated to supporting roles in the season’s main action arcs (Shie Hassaikai), a structure which is the opposite of centering a 'Girl Boss' who instantly surpasses the males. There is no anti-natalist or anti-family messaging. The focus remains on the male protagonists' journey.

LGBTQ+1/10

The season contains no overt plotlines, lectures, or centering of alternative sexualities or gender ideology. The brief appearance and quick death of a known trans character is a minor moment in the season's first episode and is not used to push a specific ideological message.

Anti-Theism1/10

The core of the season is an objective morality: saving the innocent girl Eri is the transcendent moral good. The villain, Overhaul, is characterized by his moral relativism and cruelty. The story structure affirms an objective higher moral law centered on self-sacrifice and virtue, without engaging with or showing hostility toward specific religions.