My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising
After the events of Season 4 of the Anime, Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo go from fighting against each other to fighting side by side as they face the biggest threat that dares to dominate the domain: NINE.
The film earned $30.0M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019) exhibits precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Kenji Nagasaki's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Class 1-A students arrive on peaceful Nabu Island for their hero work-study program. They're excited to do real hero work, establishing their current state as students still learning what it means to be heroes.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Nine and his villains attack the island. The first assault demonstrates their overwhelming power and reveals Nine is searching for someone specific on the island. The peaceful status quo is shattered.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Class 1-A makes the active choice to protect the island and fight Nine's forces. Rather than waiting for pro heroes, they decide to be the heroes themselves and defend the civilians. They split into teams., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Nine confronts Deku directly and easily overwhelms him despite Deku using Full Cowling. Nine reveals his devastating weather manipulation and multiple quirks. False defeat - the students realize they're completely outclassed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Deku faces Nine alone to protect Katsuma and is completely defeated, his body broken. He collapses, unable to continue fighting. The symbol of the next generation falls - a metaphorical death of his dream to be the greatest hero., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Deku makes the ultimate decision: he transfers One For All to Bakugo so they can fight together with the power of two holders. This synthesis of rivals becomes the solution - combining their strengths through the ultimate trust., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising against these established plot points, we can identify how Kenji Nagasaki utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising within the animation genre.
Kenji Nagasaki's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Kenji Nagasaki films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Kenji Nagasaki filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Kenji Nagasaki analyses, see My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Class 1-A students arrive on peaceful Nabu Island for their hero work-study program. They're excited to do real hero work, establishing their current state as students still learning what it means to be heroes.
Theme
All Might reflects on choosing successors and what it means to pass on One For All. The theme "You're Next" is established - about the next generation of heroes and what they must become.
Worldbuilding
Class 1-A settles into island life, helping locals with minor tasks and hero work. We see their dynamics, relationships, and current skill levels. The island community is introduced, including Katsuma and Mahoro.
Disruption
Nine and his villains attack the island. The first assault demonstrates their overwhelming power and reveals Nine is searching for someone specific on the island. The peaceful status quo is shattered.
Resistance
Class 1-A debates how to handle the threat. They're outmatched and debate whether to evacuate or fight. Deku and Bakugo argue about strategy. They prepare defenses and learn Nine is after Katsuma's Cell Activation Quirk.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Class 1-A makes the active choice to protect the island and fight Nine's forces. Rather than waiting for pro heroes, they decide to be the heroes themselves and defend the civilians. They split into teams.
Mirror World
Deku bonds with Katsuma, who idolizes heroes but feels his quirk is weak. This relationship mirrors the theme - Katsuma represents the next generation, just as Deku received the torch from All Might.
Premise
Class 1-A fights Nine's subordinates across the island. Multiple battle sequences showcase each student using their quirks creatively. Deku and Bakugo work separately, each protecting civilians and fighting villains with their individual styles.
Midpoint
Nine confronts Deku directly and easily overwhelms him despite Deku using Full Cowling. Nine reveals his devastating weather manipulation and multiple quirks. False defeat - the students realize they're completely outclassed.
Opposition
Nine's forces gain ground. The students are separated and beaten down. Nine captures Katsuma. Deku and Bakugo are injured and desperate. The villains close in on their goal, and the island's defenses crumble.
Collapse
Deku faces Nine alone to protect Katsuma and is completely defeated, his body broken. He collapses, unable to continue fighting. The symbol of the next generation falls - a metaphorical death of his dream to be the greatest hero.
Crisis
Deku lies broken, believing he has failed. Bakugo arrives and faces the same overwhelming power. Both heroes are at their darkest moment, questioning if they can truly protect anyone against such impossible odds.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Deku makes the ultimate decision: he transfers One For All to Bakugo so they can fight together with the power of two holders. This synthesis of rivals becomes the solution - combining their strengths through the ultimate trust.
Synthesis
Deku and Bakugo fight Nine together with dual One For All, executing a spectacular combined assault. They work in perfect sync, each compensating for the other's weaknesses. Their teamwork defeats Nine and saves Katsuma and the island.
Transformation
The island is safe and Class 1-A stands together as true heroes. Deku retains One For All (it didn't fully transfer). The students have proven themselves worthy of being the next generation. Katsuma is inspired to become stronger, completing the thematic cycle.