Must-Watch Hero Anime Series After My Hero Academia

Essential Highlights

SHY, a captivating hero anime, shares thematic similarities with My Hero Academia (MHA), particularly showcasing the protagonist’s inner conflicts and hero-related challenges.
While SHY presents a universe filled with celebrity heroes akin to MHA, its unique take on the rarity of superpowers and societal expectations offers viewers a fresh perspective.
This anime distinguishes itself by exploring the protagonist’s insecurities in depth, often providing a more nuanced narrative than MHA.

My Hero Academia officially concluded its manga series in Weekly Shōnen Jump on August 5, 2024. Following this, the anime adaptation is expected to wrap up its final season next year, with the last volume of the manga already published. While numerous celebrations including events, artbooks, and exhibitions are anticipated for MHA fans, many will be on the lookout for another hero narrative that encapsulates similar essential themes without attempting to replace the original. Current offerings like Invincible on Amazon Prime and The Boys, while intriguing, do not resonate with the MHA vibe. This begs the question: which new hero story will carry forward the torch ignited by MHA?

If you’re eager for a new hero anime to sate your appetite, you’re in luck. SHY is an intriguing series that recently completed its second season. Although it hasn’t yet reached the popularity of MHA, it possesses a striking familiarity that MHA devotees will likely appreciate. Its themes, protagonist experiences, and societal context raise many of the same questions and emotions as those found in MHA. Despite launching in 2019—five years after MHA—SHY has carved out its own identity while clearly drawing inspiration from its predecessor.

If you’re unfamiliar with SHY, allow me to introduce you to this delightful hero narrative.

Anime Seasons	2 (as of December 2024)
Manga Volumes	27 (as of December 2024)

The Narrative of SHY

A Familiar Beginning for MHA Enthusiasts

SHY unfolds in a universe teeming with heroes, sharing a kinship with MHA yet marked by striking differences. In SHY, heroic abilities are exceedingly rare, often resulting in a singular hero representing each nation. The series’ protagonist embodies Japan’s hero, though she possesses far less popularity compared to her global counterparts, primarily due to her shy demeanor.

Describing her shyness as merely “soft”fails to encapsulate her profound struggles. Her intense social anxiety and insecurities often inhibit her capacity to inspire confidence and hope within the populace, sometimes even rendering her powers ineffective. A significant factor contributing to her self-doubt is her young age of just 14, contrasting with the more seasoned heroes of other nations.

SHY navigates critical themes such as anxiety, insecurity, and personal challenges. These resonate throughout, particularly as the emotional hurdles faced by other heroes also come under examination. This intimate focus is where the narrative truly shines.

You’re right… Even heroes can be overcome by fear… I’m really scared right now… My whole body is trembling… But I… I want to overcome that fear because I don’t want you to see me in this embarrassing state. Because… I… am Shy! – Shy

Parallels with MHA

SHY immerses viewers in a social milieu that echoes MHA’s world. The storyline integrates the concept of superheroes as a well-accepted and even celebrity-status phenomenon. Although the quantity of heroes is not as high as in MHA, their societal prominence remains a recognizable theme.

As reported, the rise of these heroes coincides with a period of relative peace. Similarly, in MHA, an impending threat looms that will require heroes to rise to the occasion in the future.

Shared Traits of the Main Characters

Teru Momijiyama, the civilian identity of “SHY,” mirrors aspects of Deku from MHA almost immediately. The initial moments of the first episode reveal her as she nervously prepares for a crucial speech, echoing Deku’s tendency to shrink in social settings.

Upon transforming into SHY, her innate timidity initially renders her unengaging during her speech. However, when there’s an urgent need for her heroism—such as when a malfunctioning amusement park ride endangers children—SHY leaps into action. This act of bravery closely parallels Deku’s early moments of heroism during his UA entrance exam.

Despite her courageous efforts, SHY is unable to entirely prevent injuries to a child she saves, leading to a spiral of self-doubt. This insecurity severely impacts her ability to transform, mirroring Deku’s complex struggles with feelings of worthiness and self-identification as a hero.

Distinctive Features of SHY

An In-Depth Exploration of Timidity

Reflecting its title, SHY poignantly tackles the heroine’s struggles with shyness and feelings of insecurity—a theme that resonated well with many fans of MHA. If you found those elements compelling in MHA, SHY might engage you even further, as it delves more thoroughly into these issues.

Following the amusement park incident, SHY goes into a phase of regression due to media scrutiny and the resulting injury of the girl she rescued. This scrutiny leads SHY into a reclusive state, ultimately affecting her ability to “heart-shift,”the process through which heroes adopt their identities.

While this approach may feel more overt than the themes presented in MHA, the structure of the heart-shift mechanism necessitates more frequent contemplation of the protagonist’s fears. This intensifies the emotional gravity of her responsibilities and how they intersect with her journey, reinforcing the weight of her and fellow heroes’ public safeguarding roles.

Reasons to Tune into SHY

Discover More Inspiring Heroes

My Hero Academia has solidified its place in anime history due to its unique narrative that intricately weaves Deku’s personal growth and societal exploration. This unparalleled storytelling not only stands out within Japanese manga but also transcends the hero comic genre globally. The legacy of MHA will naturally give rise to new narratives and creators drawn to its success.

SHY represents one of the first anime emerging in the post-MHA landscape, distinctly influenced yet markedly original. Despite its clear inspirations, it successfully differentiates itself from MHA, which could have easily turned into imitation. For fans who cherished Deku’s journey of self-acceptance and heroism, Teru’s quest resonates similarly and is bound to capture your heart.

SHY is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.