Kohei Horikoshi revealed that his hit series, My Hero Academia, came to life only after he abandoned the idea of creating a protagonist similar to One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy. This was revealed in a conversation with Kagurabachi creator Takeru Hokazono published in Jump GIGA 2025 Autumn.
Horikoshi explained that after his second serialized manga, Barrage, ended, he wanted to develop a lead character with the same charisma and energy as Luffy, whom he had admired for years. However, that approach quickly led him to a creative dead end. Horikoshi realized that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t reproduce the same kind of energy Oda had infused into Luffy.
The realization, “There’s no Luffy in me,” as he put it, became a turning point that pushed him to build a story that reflected his own creative style.
After coming to terms with that realization, Horikoshi revisited his earlier work, particularly a 2008 one-shot titled My Hero, and saw potential in its protagonist. Deciding to use that story as a creative springboard, he began developing what would eventually become My Hero Academia and focused on creating a protagonist that was easier and more natural for him to draw.
According to Horikoshi, the process of developing the concept into a full-fledged story took nearly a year.
“I believe that from when the concept was first created to the first chapter’s storyboards were completed, it took around 1 year for it to all come together. I made several versions of the beginning part drafts, didn’t have the characters’ traits decided yet, I was going through it. But after quickly reaching the phase where the character All Might was created, I thought ‘If this guy is here, then I can pull through’,” he stated.
In addition to Luffy, Horikoshi also cited admiration for Dragon Ball’s Goku, noting that he used to draw his own “Super Saiyan” characters as a child.
This isn’t the first time Horikoshi has spoken about the creative process behind My Hero Academia. In 2019, a mini-volume titled Volume R (Volume Rising), distributed with tickets to My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising in Japan, featured an earlier interview where Horikoshi recounted how the series emerged from a period of creative burnout.
My Hero Academia manga wrapped up its 10-year run on Aug 5, 2024.
Kohei Horikoshi started serializing the manga in Shueisha’s shonen manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump in July 2014. Its chapters have been collected in 41 tankobon volumes as of August 2024.
The series has numerous spin-off manga, including My Hero Academia: Smash!!, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes and My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions.
Source: X
For my hero academia creators
I live in France. I have been a devoted fan of My Hero Academia since I first discovered it. I admire both All Might and Midoriya Izuku — their struggles, dreams and determination inspired me deeply.
I enjoyed the journey, but I must admit: I was deeply disappointed by the final ending. Watching Midoriya work, fight and sacrifice — only to become quirkless — broke the promise of his dream. In my mind, his goal has always been to become the greatest hero in the world, a symbol of hope as powerful as All Might.
I believe many fans share this feeling. With respect and love for the story, I would like to suggest an alternative idea: what if the final clash between One For All and All For One did not extinguish the power — but triggered a transformation? What if Midoriya awakened a new, evolved power after the collision, something unique, keeping alive his dream to become No. 1?
This would honor his journey, satisfy fans’ hopes, and keep the spirit of heroism alive. I understand this is just a fan’s suggestion and you have your vision — but I wanted to share my thoughts, sincerely and respectfully.
Here is my idea 💡 humbly
🌌🔥 ALTERNATE ANIME ENDING — “THE GLIMPSE”
(Final minute of the episode)
Scene:
Night. The battlefield is quiet after defeating Shigaraki/AFO.
Smoke rises. Everyone is recovering.
Deku stands alone at the edge of the ruined city, looking at his trembling hand.
Deku (breathing heavily):
“…It’s over… right?”
He closes his eyes.
Then suddenly—
FLASH—!!
A spark of energy bursts from his chest.
Not OFA’s green lightning.
Not AFO’s evil aura.
Something new.
Something deeper.
Something UNKNOWN.
The camera zooms into his eye — and we see a split-second vision:
The moment OFA and AFO collided
A blinding white explosion
The energy mixing instead of canceling
A silhouette of something awakening deep inside him
Deku gasps.
Deku (shocked, whispering):
“…What… is this…?”
His hand glows with a strange symbol, flickering between green and black, but also a third color — something no quirk ever had.
His breath shakes.
Deku:
“…Could it be… from that clash?”
“…Did something… awaken?”
Before he can think more, the light disappears.
Silence.
He looks around — nobody noticed.
He clenches his fist, scared but excited.
—
🌍❄️ CUT TO ANOTHER PART OF THE WORLD
A frozen wasteland. Antarctica.
A dark figure stands on a cliff of ice.
Mysterious Villain (laughing quietly):
“Japan’s heroes… celebrating already?”
“They have no idea what’s coming.”
The wind blows his cloak.
We see only half of his body.
Cold blue energy leaking from his hand.
Villain:
“All For One was nothing compared to what is about to rise…”
“And the boy who defeated him… Midoriya…”
“…he will be the first to crumble.”
He turns to the camera — only one glowing eye seen.
Villain:
“Prepare, Japan.”
“The real game begins now.”
—
💚⚡ CUT BACK TO DEKU
He looks at the sky, remembering the spark that ran through him.
Deku (soft voice):
“…This power… it’s still inside me.”
“…I don’t understand it… but…”
(smiles slightly)
“…I’ll face whatever comes next.”
—
BLACK SCREEN
Text appears:
**“Midoriya Izuku’s story…
is far from over.”**
BRO.
THIS ending would have turned MHA into a masterpiece.
A sequel hook.
An evolved Deku.
A worldwide threat.
A mysterious new power.
A legendary cliffhanger.
And NO disappointment.