Revamped Heroism: My Hero Academia’s Reinvented Hero Design

Before My Hero Academia, there was…

Kohei Horikoshi, the beloved mangaka behind My Hero Academia, didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Before he became a household name, Horikoshi, like many other talented mangakas, published a one-shot, a short manga often consisting of four chapters. His one-shot was titled Boku No Hero, and it served as the pilot chapter for what would become My Hero Academia.

Boku No Hero follows the story of Jack Midoriya, a businessman living in a world not so different from ours. The world is filled with heroes who must fight constantly to repel aberrations, but Jack isn’t one of those heroes. He’s an ordinary man with a debilitating case of anemia. However, his life is changed when he’s saved by a hero, which awakens a newfound desire to help heroes in any way he can. To fulfill this desire, he becomes a salesman in an arms subsidiary of a company that specializes in supporting heroes.

Interestingly, Jack Midoriya shares many similarities with My Hero Academia’s protagonist, Izuku Midoriya (also known as Deku). In fact, Horikoshi even shared a concept-art of what Midoriya was originally going to look like: Mikumo Akatani, a hero who has no powers but is able to fight thanks to his gadgets and analytical mind.

My Hero Academia, nearing the end

As of 2022, My Hero Academia is approaching its conclusion, and fans are preparing for the end of this beloved series. Since its inception in 2014, My Hero Academia has captured the hearts of manga readers all over the world, with its lovable cast of characters, action-packed battles, and heartfelt moments.

But, as with most things, all good things must come to an end. As the series approaches its conclusion, fans are revisiting the beginning of the story and comparing it to where it is now. One of the most notable differences is how much the protagonist, Izuku Midoriya, has changed. He started as a 30-something employee and has since become a high school student entering the best university in high school. His powers have also been altered, with the publishers suggesting that Horikoshi make the One for All power inheritable.

Despite the approaching end of the series, there are still many ways to enjoy My Hero Academia. The anime adaptation recently finished its sixth season and is set to continue with a seventh season soon. Additionally, Netflix has announced a live-action series adaptation of the anime, which has both excited and alarmed fans who remember the notoriously terrible live-action adaptation of another beloved manga, One Piece, set to release later this year.

In conclusion, My Hero Academia has captured the hearts of manga fans worldwide, and its creator, Kohei Horikoshi, is a talented mangaka with many other works in his repertoire. As we prepare for the conclusion of this beloved series, we should take solace in the fact that there are many ways to continue enjoying the story of our favorite heroes.