The wildly popular My Hero Academia anime will finally begin its fifth season this April! While My Hero Academia has become one of Jump's flagship titles, the journey to this point was certainly not an easy one! Today, we'd like to introduce you to its creator, Kohei Horikoshi!
Kohei Horikoshi's Profile!!
Born on November 20, 1986, in Aichi Prefecture, Kohei graduated from Toho High School and then went on to study illustration at Nagoya University of Arts. He debuted with a one-shot story in Akamaru Jump 2007 Summer, and made his serial debut with "Omagatoki Dobutsuen" in 2010. "My Hero Academia" began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump issue 32 in 2014.
A huge hit! What are the roots of "My Hero Academia"?
Horikoshi is a fan of American comics, and seeing the movie "Spider-Man" sparked his interest in American comics. Considering that this is connected to the serialization of My Hero Academia, Spider-Man may be the roots of My Hero Academia. He also apparently has a large collection of American comic book figures, which makes sense for a manga artist, considering they're for reference!
One-shot Work "My Hero"
Horikoshi's one-shot work "My Hero" was previously published in the 2008 Winter issue of Akamaru Jump (Shueisha). This work was drawn the year after Horikoshi's debut. This one-shot work served as the prototype for "My Hero Academia," which began serialization six years later, and it is this work that is the roots of My Hero Academia. "My Hero" is included in volume 5 of Horikoshi's previously serialized "Omagatsuji Zoo."
What works influenced Kohei Horikoshi?
In addition to the American comics mentioned above, Horikoshi has cited "ONE PIECE," "AKIRA," "Tekkonkinkreet," "Boys on the Run," "NARUTO," and "Chibi Maruko-chan" as influences. A generation influenced by "ONE PIECE" and "NARUTO" has emerged as a reader of Jump. He has also cited Hideki Arai and Yuyuki Nagata as influences as manga artists.
He famously contributed illustrations to One Piece!
Before his debut, he submitted illustrations to the "Usopp Gallery Pirates" illustration corner at the end of the "One Piece" manga. This was included in Volume 23, which was released in 2002, meaning Horikoshi was 18 years old when he submitted the illustrations. One Piece author Oda explains the story in Volume 77, saying he learned about it directly from him at the Jump New Year's party! Oda-sensei probably never expected to work alongside the person who submitted the illustration.
Another Person to Make His Professional Debut
Horikoshi-sensei submitted a One Piece illustration that was selected, and he went on to become a hit manga artist serializing in Shonen Jump. However, there's actually another artist who submitted to the Usopp Gallery Pirates in another magazine and went professional: Yuka Fujiwara, who had a series serialized in Ribon. Oda-sensei wrote a comment on the cover of the first volume of Fujiwara-sensei's work, "CRASH!" It appears that she's currently serializing on LINE Manga.
The journey of Horikoshi-sensei leading up to the serialization of My Hero Academia! Introducing his past works!
Although Horikoshi-sensei has now become a flagship manga in Jump magazine with his serialization of "My Hero Academia," his journey to that point was anything but smooth. As you know, Jump is a very strict magazine, where poor survey results mean a series can be quickly canceled. There seems to be an unspoken understanding in Jump that a series is cut from the team if it's canceled three times, and Horikoshi-sensei has experienced two short-term cancellations in the past. It seems likely that he was on the brink of collapse when he started serializing My Hero Academia.
"Omagatoki Dobutsuen" serialized since issue 32, 2010
"Omagatoki Dobutsuen" began serialization in issue 32, 2010. In fact, the one-shot manga Horikoshi released when he debuted featured a different art style than "Omagatoki Dobutsuen," with a more brutal, Naruto-esque feel. In comparison, I think the art style has become much more pop and approachable. However, "Omagatoki Dobutsuen" was canceled after just five volumes and less than a year of serialization. The illustrations are poppy but a bit dark, making it hard to tell whether it's horror, comedy, or battle, which may have contributed to its lack of popularity. However, My Hero Academia also features a hero who transforms into an animal. I think this work served as the inspiration for many other hero designs.
About "Omagatoki Zoo"
High school girl Hana Aoi applies for a part-time job at Omagatoki Zoo, hoping to change her clumsy self and become the zookeeper she's always dreamed of. However, the zoo is cursed, where the animals transform into monsters at night. Hana ends up becoming a zookeeper, and together with the zoo director, Shiina, who has the appearance of a rabbit, she must turn the zoo into the best zoo in the world.
"Battle Planet Bulge" serialized from issue 25 of 2012
"Battle Planet Bulge" began serialization in issue 25 of 2012. It was Horikoshi's second weekly serialization, but it was canceled less than a year later. It was a clear cancellation. Horikoshi seemed to be deeply affected by this, and it caused him to fall into a major slump. However, this cancellation did not mean he gained nothing. It gave him the opportunity to start working on a hero story, which was the easiest of his previous one-off stories, and he was able to find a character he was good at writing. I believe these experiences have fueled "My Hero Academia"!
About "Bulge of the Warring States"
The planet "Industria," invaded by aliens, is in the era of a warring planet, not a Sengoku period. A young boy named Astro, living with a group of orphans, meets Prince Bulge, who looks just like him, and is almost forced to assume the role of prince. However, shortly after, Bulge is shot by an unknown assailant. Astro is mistaken for the prince and is forced to embark on a journey to bring peace to the planet.
About Kohei Horikoshi, the Author of My Hero Academia
We've put together a summary of Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia! It's surprising that the man who originally contributed illustrations to the One Piece illustration corner is now serializing a work alongside One Piece, but it's also surprising to learn about the tremendous struggles he faced before finally getting My Hero Academia serialized, despite two previous cancellations. My Hero Academia is currently incredibly interesting, with many plot twists being resolved! The fifth season of the anime is currently airing, so be sure to check it out!
