My Hero Academia, the hugely popular Shonen Jump series, has wrapped up its impressive 10-year journey with its final chapter, Chapter 430. This conclusion marks the end of Deku’s epic quest to become the world’s greatest hero, and the series creator, Kohei Horikoshi, has shared his heartfelt thoughts on the finale.
In his final note to fans, Horikoshi expressed his deep gratitude for their support and for Shueisha, the publisher that gave him the platform to bring his vision to life. He was overjoyed and emotional about the series’ end, saying, “I was so glad to be in Jump! I’m so glad for everyone who read my series. Thank you so much.”
Horikoshi also shared his feelings with Oricon, a Japanese entertainment news source. He admitted feeling a bit empty now that My Hero Academia is over. After dedicating a decade to this series, it has become such a significant part of his life. “I feel surprisingly lonely. I’ve been thinking, ‘Finally, I can reach my goal.’ Honestly, I don’t really get [the success]… It’s not humility. I genuinely thought, ‘Why?’ Maybe it’s because the series kept going for a long time.”
The series has become a beloved symbol for both fans and creators in the anime world. Deku, the main character, has left a lasting mark on modern anime and Shonen Jump, and as the series ends, it paves the way for a new chapter in anime history. Horikoshi will surely look back with pride on the legacy he’s built.
In a touching tribute, Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, honored Horikoshi in the latest chapter of his manga. Chapter 1122 of One Piece features a special cover art of Smoker the White Hunter, which is a remake of fan art Horikoshi made of Smoker back when he was a student. This was featured in Volume 23 of One Piece, showing how far Horikoshi has come since those early days. Oda reminisced about receiving that fan art and expressed his excitement over Horikoshi’s flourishing career. “He sent me that fan art illustration as a student, and now his career as a manga artist IS BLOSSOMING before our eyes!!!” Oda said. He added, “If you haven’t read it yet, check out Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia!!”
Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, also paid tribute to Horikoshi, noting that his own work would not have existed without My Hero Academia. “Jujutsu Kaisen would not exist without My Hero Academia. Congratulations,” Akutami posted. Horikoshi’s work has opened many doors for fellow Shonen Jump creators and inspired a new generation of manga artists.
