Pyromellitic diimides (PMDIs) are effective building blocks for the construction of supramolecular systems but are infrequently used in comparison with other electron-deficient aromatic systems. We report PMDI-based chiral polyimides that form polymeric supramolecular systems with unique self-assembly features that show time-dependent spectroscopic behaviour. Extensive investigations revealed the driving forces for the self-assembly of the polyimides. One is the complementary aromatic π–π stacking between electron-accepting PMDI and electron-donating phenyl ring in the polymer backbones, and another is the hydrogen bonding interactions of the end groups. The self-assembly is readily disrupted by guest molecules with strong associations with the PMDI and the end groups. The introduction of flexible arylether diimides into the PMDI-based copolymer backbones and the sequence of PMDIs and arylether diimides in the copolymer backbones significantly influence the self-assembly of the polyimides. The results elucidate the mechanisms of polymeric self-assembly of chiral polyimides, providing important information for the development of materials based on polymeric supramolecular systems with properties and functions regulated by composition, sequence and end groups.