With the conclusion of My Hero Academia in Chapter #430, Kōhei Horikoshi’s creation stands as a monumental success, with over 100 million copies in circulation globally. As fans eagerly await the release of My Hero Academia: You’re Next on October 11, 2024, in the United States, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
In a recent interview with ComicBook, Horikoshi shared his thoughts on how My Hero Academia has transformed his life. The mangaka expressed a sense of disbelief at the franchise’s overwhelming success, noting that he initially created the manga for his own enjoyment rather than with a specific audience in mind. “I have heard about the popularity of this work overseas, but it doesn’t quite feel real to me. When I started drawinhis manga, I didn’t necessarily have the readers abroad in mind and my attitude was rather ‘As long as I’m having fun drawing, that’s all that matters,’” Horikoshi remarked.
Horikoshi also cited Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man 2 as a significant source of inspiration, particularly the scene where Spider-Man stops a train, revealing his identity to ordinary people. This moment influenced Horikoshi’s depiction of everyday heroes and perhaps why Izuku Midoriya, who started without a Quirk, becomes one of the series’ central heroes.
Horikoshi addressed the challenges he faced, including the cancellation of his second serialization, which left him feeling discouraged. However, his perseverance led to the creation of My Hero Academia, a story meant to inspire readers who have faced setbacks or heartache. “That is why I have drawn My Hero Academia with the intention of making it a story that encourages people who have made mistakes in the past or had their hearts broken to want to try again,” he said. This personal touch is reflected in the story’s themes and character development.
As for the latest film, Horikoshi mentioned that Mirio’s performance was his favorite, and he appreciates that the film allows more characters outside of Class A to play significant roles. Although the manga has come to a full circle, the franchise continues to expand with new projects and adaptations.
Fans of My Hero Academia can look forward to more content in the future and stay tuned for updates on upcoming projects related to the series.
