The Anime Codex

Although My Hero Academia primarily takes place in Japan, the series establishes that Quirks are a global phenomenon that transformed every nation on Earth. As Quirk abilities became increasingly common, governments around the world were forced to adapt by developing laws, public institutions, and professional hero systems to maintain order and respond to Quirk-related incidents. While Japan receives the greatest narrative focus, the manga, anime and films introduce numerous real-world and fictional countries, demonstrating that Hero Society extends far beyond its borders.

Real-World Countries

The world of My Hero Academia closely mirrors modern-day Earth, with existing countries continuing to operate under their real names and geographical boundaries. However, the emergence of Quirks dramatically altered their political, legal, and social systems. Each nation developed its own approach to regulating Quirk use, training heroes, and responding to villain activity, resulting in unique hero organizations and legal frameworks across the globe.

Japan remains the centre of the series, serving as the home of U.A. High School and the country’s Hero Public Safety Commission. Nevertheless, the series confirms that many other nations maintain their own professional hero systems. Countries including China, the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, and Russia are all referenced throughout the franchise, illustrating the worldwide influence of Hero Society and the international cooperation required to combat large-scale threats.

The global nature of Hero Society becomes particularly evident during the Final Act of the manga, when governments and professional heroes from multiple countries respond to the growing threat posed by All For One and Tomura Shigaraki. While political concerns prevent many nations from sending large numbers of heroes to Japan, the story makes it clear that international hero organizations exist and regularly cooperate when global security is at risk.

China

China occupies a unique place in the history of My Hero Academia. According to the series, the first publicly documented Quirk appeared in Qing Qing City, where a newborn later known as the Luminescent Baby emitted light from its body. This event marked the beginning of the “Age of Quirks” and is widely recognised as the first confirmed case of a supernatural ability in modern history.

Following this unprecedented event, Quirks rapidly appeared across the world’s population, initiating profound social, political, and scientific change. Although China is rarely explored in detail, its historical significance makes it one od the most important countries within the series’ timeline.

United States

The United States is one of the most extensively explored countries outside Japan. It is introduced primarily through Cathleen Bate, better known by her hero name Star and Stripe, who holds the title of America’s Number One Hero, Renowned for her immense strength and unwavering commitment to justice, Star and Stripe represents the highest level of American heroism and demonstrates that hero rankings exist independently within different nations.

The United States also shares a close relationship with Japan through All Might, who spent several years studying and working in America before returning to become Japan’s Symbol of Peace. His experiences overseas greatly influenced both his fighting style and his public image as a professional hero, reinforcing the international exchange of hero culture within the series.

Other Countries

While Japan, China, and the United States receive the greatest attention, several additional countries are referenced throughout the manga, anime, and supplementary materials. Nationals such as Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, Russia, Egypt, India, Singapore, Australia and numerous European countries are acknowledged as participating in the international hero community.

Although relatively little is revealed about each country’s individual hero organizations, their inclusion establishes that Hero Society is a worldwide institution rather than one limited to Japan. The presence of professional heroes across multiple continents suggests that every nation has developed systems tailored to its own culture, laws, and security requirements.

Fictional Countries

In addition to real-world nations, My Hero Academia expands its setting through several fictional countries introduced in the feature film My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission. These locations were created specifically for the film while remaining consistent with the broader world established throughout the series.

Otheon

Otheon is a fictional European island nation situated in the Celtic Sea. The country is portrayed as technologically advanced and economically prosperous, combining modern infrastructure with architecture inspired by Western Europe. It’s cities feature extensive rail systems, historic buildings, public squares, and dense urban centres, while the surrounding landscape consists of forests, mountain ranges, rolling grasslands, and coastal regions.

As the primary setting of World Heroes’ Mission, Otheon becomes the centre of an international crisis involving the extremist organization Humarise, whose actions threaten people across the globe. The country’s strategic location and advanced infrastructure make it a focal point for cooperation between heroes from multiple nations.

Klayd

Located on the same island as Otheon, Klayd is another fictional nation introduced in World Heroes’ Mission. Unlike its neighbour, Klayd is characterised by a harsher environment, with rocky terrain and sparsely populated border regions. Although less developed than Otheon, it plays an important role in the film’s international conflict and demonstrates the political diversity that exists within the My Hero Academia world.

International Hero Society

The existence of heroes across multiple countries illustrates that Hero Society is an international institution rather than a uniquely Japanese concept. Each nation oversees its own hero rankings, licensing systems, and public safety organizations while cooperating with foreign governments when large-scale threats emerge. Although these systems vary between countries, they share the common objective of protecting civilians and regulating Quirk use.

This international perspective broadens the scope of My Hero Academia, showing that the consequences of Quirks extend far beyond Japan. By incorporating both real-world nations and original countries, Kohei Horikosi creates a believable global setting in which political cooperation, cultural diversity, and international heroism all contribute to the development of Hero Society.

References

• Horikoshi, Kohei. My Hero Academia. Tokyo: Shueisha, 2014-2024.
• Horikoshi, Kohei. My Hero Academia Ultra Analysis: The Ultra Archive. Shueisha, 2019; Ultra Archive: The Official Chapter Book. Shueisha, 2016.
• My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission. Directed by Kenji Nagasaki. Bones, 2021.