CATDOLL: The ratings for the first episode of "My Hero Academia" were dismal. Is this going to be a disaster?

The much-anticipated JUMP-series anime adaptation "My Hero Academia" aired its first episode on April 3. However, the ratings for this work, which claims to "surpass One Piece," are not optimistic. Could it be that it does not live up to its reputation?

According to the top 10 ratings list compiled by Japanese media, in the animation section, Sazae-san still took the top spot with a rating of 12.7%, followed by national animations such as One Piece and Chibi Maruko-chan. However, My Hero Academia, which had been promoted vigorously before the animation was broadcast, did not even make it to the top 10 (rating of 3.5%), which was a stark contrast to its previous high-profile efforts.

The latest data on the top 10 Japanese animation ratings

Although the ratings of the first episode were not good, some viewers expressed their understanding, believing that "My Hero Academia" is a passionate anime after all, and it takes a while for the series to slowly heat up, so it is impossible to judge the subsequent development by just watching the first episode. Moreover, the first episode of the anime was not even completed in the first episode of the manga, so no one knows what Bones is trying to hide.

Other popular shonen comics, such as Ushio and Tora, which was also aired in April, were inevitably old-fashioned and boring in the early stages. The overly traditional style may not attract many veteran anime fans, which is also one of the reasons for the low ratings. But after all, My Hero Academia is the new pillar of JUMP. If we continue to pay attention to it, there may be unexpected turns. It would be too hasty to make a final judgment on this work too early.

"My Hero Academia" is the third serialized work by Japanese manga artist Horikoshi Kohei in "Weekly Shonen Jump". It tells the story of a boy named Izuku Midoriya who is born without any superpowers and follows his idol hero Ultramand, and studies and grows up in the U.A. Academy which aims to train future heroes.

For more new animations, please visit the April 2016 New Animation Special>>>