The final curtain has officially closed on My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia), concluding a decade-long saga that cemented its place as a modern Shonen Anime and Manga Industry powerhouse. Fans worldwide are now navigating the post-MHA void, but whispers from the industry suggest that its creator, the legendary Kohei Horikoshi, is not resting on his laurels. News has emerged directly from the mangaka about his next project, promising a thrilling new direction for the celebrated creator and a potential new pillar for the Weekly Shonen Jump anthology. The successor series is already in the early stages of development, and the pressure is immense for it to become the next Must-Read Manga.

The definitive ending of Izuku Midoriya’s story, which wrapped up the final battle against All For One and Tomura Shigaraki, has left a legacy of over 100 million copies in circulation globally. This incredible success means any subsequent work by Horikoshi will carry the weight of monumental expectation. The creator’s ambition, however, appears undeterred, with plans for a brand-new, entirely self-contained series.

Horikoshi’s Post-MHA Roadmap: A Shift in Creative Focus

Following the emotional conclusion and the subsequent release of the final collected volume, which included additional, highly-anticipated story pages to complete the narrative, Kohei Horikoshi confirmed his intent to launch a new manga as soon as possible. This confirmation came during promotional activities for My Hero Academia’s final milestones, including the global Character Popularity Polls and a major art exhibition.

  • Full Creative Control: Initially, there was speculation Horikoshi might focus purely on art, pairing with a new writer. However, reports indicate that his editor strongly encouraged him to maintain complete creative ownership—writing, drawing, and storyboarding his next work entirely. This decision is a massive vote of confidence in his unique storytelling ability and world-building prowess.
  • Early Stage Development: Horikoshi has already begun the initial work, specifically drafting the “thumbnails” (the rough sketches and layouts) for the new manga. This signifies a concrete step into the creative process, moving beyond mere contemplation.
  • Genre Experimentation: While My Hero Academia was an undeniable masterclass in the Superhero Genre within a Shonen Battle Manga framework, Horikoshi has previously expressed a desire to explore different thematic territory. Specifically, he has mentioned wanting to attempt a “horror manga, but just a little.” This hint suggests the successor series may depart from the bright, heroic aesthetic of MHA for a darker, perhaps more grounded or unsettling narrative. This potential shift to a Horror Manga or dark fantasy could provide the necessary creative distance from the hero school setting.

The industry is abuzz with speculation. Will his new series still feature a young protagonist overcoming impossible odds, or will it be a complete genre pivot? The latter seems increasingly likely, promising a fresh experience for the readership and showcasing Horikoshi’s versatility beyond the world of Quirks. The decision to take full control means the potential for a groundbreaking, distinctive new IP is high—a calculated risk with huge Manga Sales and Anime Adaptation Potential.

The Void in Weekly Shonen Jump: Who Will Step Up?

The departure of My Hero Academia creates a significant structural void in Shueisha’s flagship magazine. For years, MHA stood alongside titans like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen as a “headliner” or “pillar” of the publication. The industry is currently in a transitional phase, often referred to as a “changing of the guard.” While Horikoshi’s new series is the most anticipated direct replacement, several other strong contenders are already emerging to carry the Shonen Jump Brand forward, temporarily filling the vacuum.

  • Kagurabachi: This title has seen an explosive, almost unprecedented rise in popularity, driven largely by Western social media buzz and genuinely strong narrative and art. Its darker, grittier Dark Fantasy and Action Manga tone positions it as a possible thematic successor to the intensity of Jujutsu Kaisen and, in some ways, a counter-balance to MHA’s lighter themes. It is quickly becoming a major focus for Japanese Manga Sales.
  • Sakamoto Days: A former top assassin trying to live a peaceful life as a convenience store owner provides high-octane action mixed with comedic elements. This Action-Comedy series is already a consistent top performer in the magazine, known for its dynamic, cinematic fight choreography, and is poised to become a major commercial hit upon its inevitable Anime Release.
  • Blue Box (Ao no Hako): Stepping away from pure combat, this title has dominated the Romance Manga and Sports Manga genres in the magazine. Its popularity demonstrates the diverse demands of the modern Jump readership and its forthcoming anime adaptation will propel it to mainstream success, similar to how MHA reached peak visibility.
  • Dandadan: Published in the digital Shonen Jump+, this wild, paranormal adventure has a cult following and is universally praised for its spectacular art and unpredictable story. Its massive success highlights the growing influence of digital platforms and its forthcoming anime is guaranteed to be a Global Streaming Hit.

These burgeoning titles confirm that while Horikoshi’s new work is the most direct development to watch, the market for Premium Manga Content remains robust, with several series vying for the coveted status of “the next big thing.” The competition to replace MHA’s High CPC Keywords status is fierce, which ultimately benefits the consumer with a high volume of quality new content.

The Horikoshi Legacy and Its Impact on His Next Series

The creative DNA of Kohei Horikoshi is fascinating. Before the colossal success of MHA, he worked on Manga One-Shots and shorter serialized works like Oumagadoki Zoo and Barrage (Sensei no Barrage). While these were not commercial hits, they showcased his unique character design, dynamic paneling, and a flair for combining compelling characters with high-stakes action. His forthcoming project will undoubtedly leverage the lessons learned over MHA’s long run:

  • Exceptional Artistry: Horikoshi’s artwork is arguably his greatest strength, known for its clean lines, striking character designs, and chaotic, yet perfectly legible, action sequences. This visual consistency is a major draw for readers and advertisers alike.
  • Emotional Core: Despite the grand scale of MHA, the story always returned to the core journey of a “Quirkless” boy striving to be a hero. His next work is expected to similarly ground itself in a powerful, relatable emotional premise.
  • Western Comic Influence: Horikoshi is an avowed fan of American Superhero Comics, particularly Marvel’s Spider-Man. His next work will likely continue to weave in subtle or overt influences from global Pop Culture, giving it inherent international appeal and keeping its Intellectual Property Value high.

The fact that he has already started on the thumbnails suggests a disciplined and focused return to the drawing board. While a release date for his new manga is not yet established—it is common for A-list mangaka to take a well-deserved year-long break after a 10-year run—the sheer anticipation is already driving Digital Manga Readership and creating pre-release hype among Anime News outlets.

Analysis: Why the New Manga is a Guaranteed Event

The successor to My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi is more than just a new manga; it is a critical moment for the entire Shonen genre. Its debut will command a massive, built-in audience of millions, instantly giving it the platform of a pre-established hit. The decision to avoid a direct sequel to MHA is a savvy move, allowing him to prove his ability to create a completely new, major Franchise IP.

The promise of a potential “little horror manga” is particularly intriguing. It suggests a tighter, more focused narrative—perhaps avoiding the prolonged World-Ending Battles that can plague long-running shonen. A project with a concise, high-concept premise could lead to a more polished and structurally innovative series, potentially redefining what a Shonen Weekly hit can be.

For Manga Investors and fans alike, the message is clear: the most exciting narrative in the industry is currently happening behind closed doors in Horikoshi’s studio. When the announcement drops, it will be the biggest Manga News event of the year, kicking off the next era of Japanese comic dominance.

Stay tuned to official Shonen Jump Updates for the imminent reveal of the title and premise of Kohei Horikoshi’s next work. The countdown to the next mega-series has begun, and the expectation is for another decade of high-quality, high-impact storytelling that captures the global imagination.