From Plus Ultra to the Next Generation: Horikoshi Teases His High-Value Manga Replacement After the My Hero Academia Finale

The saga of Izuku Midoriya and Class 1-A has officially concluded, bringing to a definitive close one of the most successful and impactful shonen manga series of the last decade. As the final chapters of Kohei Horikoshi’s acclaimed work, My Hero Academia, hit the presses, fans worldwide are left with a mix of satisfaction and palpable emptiness. However, the prolific creator is not one to rest on his laurels. News from major industry sources confirms that Horikoshi is already deep in the conceptual stages of his follow-up, a project that promises to channel creative energy he couldn’t fully explore in the world of Quirks. This next work isn’t just a new series; it’s being heralded as the potential successor to the MHA legacy in Weekly Shonen Jump and a critical next step in the manga industry.

The conclusion of the My Hero Academia manga has been meticulously planned by Horikoshi for years, with the core ideas remaining consistent even as the narrative evolved. Despite the finality of the last volume—Volume 42, which includes an additional 38 pages of original epilogue content to flesh out the characters’ lives years after the main battle—the author’s commitment to creating new stories remains absolute. The finality of Deku’s journey as the greatest hero, a story that began with him as a Quirkless teenager, is a powerful moment in comic books and Japanese animation history.

The Creative Pressure and the Search for a New Genre

Kohei Horikoshi openly acknowledged the immense pressure following the colossal success of MHA. In recent interviews, he revealed a momentary consideration of stepping back from writing to focus solely on the art for his next series, but was thankfully persuaded by his editor to tackle both the story and illustrations again. This decision is a major win for fans, ensuring his distinct narrative voice and stunning, detailed artwork will continue to grace the pages of Shonen Jump.

What truly excites industry observers and fuels SEO-driven gaming content creators is the nature of the replacement project. Horikoshi has hinted that his next work will explore themes and genres he couldn’t fully realize within the framework of superhero manga—specifically, a desire to create a horror manga. While he has yet to formally reveal the title or a concrete premise, this shift in focus is significant. The later arcs of MHA already demonstrated a capacity for dark, even horrific, imagery, especially during the climactic battles against the primary antagonists. Channelling this darker sensibility into a full-fledged horror story could offer a fresh and intense experience, contrasting sharply with the inspirational tone of his preceding work.

Key Takeaways from Horikoshi’s Plans:

• Genre Shift: Strong hints point toward a horror or darker themed manga.
• Creative Control: Horikoshi will once again handle both writing and illustration.
• Publication Target: The new series is planned for serialization in the prestigious Weekly Shonen Jump.

The Immediate Aftermath: Supporting the MHA Universe and Community Engagement

While the new series is in the conceptual stage, the My Hero Academia franchise is far from finished. Horikoshi is dedicating his immediate time to several high-profile franchise wrap-up projects, ensuring the MHA universe continues to generate significant fan engagement and high CPC traffic for news outlets. This ongoing activity keeps the fan community vibrant and bridges the gap to his next announcement.

The announced post-manga projects include:

Immediate Franchise Content & Events:

• Volume 42 Release: The final collected edition features additional pages continuing the story — a critical piece of collector’s edition media.
• Art and Fan Books: A Final Fanbook (January 2025) and an Art Book (April 2025) are set to celebrate the series’ history. These are premium merchandise items driving high retail value.
• Original Art Exhibition: A large-scale exhibition in Summer 2025 will showcase the series’ artwork.
• Anime Continuation: The final season of the anime is slated for a release, continuing the story to its animated conclusion. The spin-off, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, is also set for an anime adaptation.
• Global Popularity Poll: A “World Best Hero” popularity poll is actively engaging the worldwide fanbase, a genius move for sustained brand awareness and digital interaction.

The True Successor? The Rise of ‘Ichi the Witch’

Beyond Horikoshi’s own next work, the manga and anime community is also discussing a series Horikoshi himself has publicly endorsed as a potential torch-bearer for the magazine: Ichi the Witch. Starting its serialization shortly after the MHA conclusion, this new series has rapidly gained traction. Horikoshi’s stamp of approval is a significant boost in the competitive manga publishing landscape, suggesting that while the world awaits the creator’s next masterpiece, Shonen Jump is already cultivating the next generation of hit titles.

For those in the video game review and gaming hardware niche, the transition in the manga world offers fertile ground for new gaming adaptations. A horror-themed work by Horikoshi presents completely different opportunities for game development—imagine a survival horror game adaptation versus the fighting/action video games MHA is known for. This speculation alone drives substantial interest in new game releases and the necessary best gaming accessories to experience them.

The end of My Hero Academia is less a closure and more a shift in the landscape. Horikoshi’s next project, whether a dark fantasy, a pure horror, or something entirely unexpected, will be one of the most intensely scrutinized media releases in the entertainment industry. The legacy is secure, and the future promises a bold new challenge for the renowned mangaka. Fans are advised to keep a close watch on official announcements and Shonen Jump news for the formal unveiling of the replacement manga, which is set to define the next era of hit Japanese comics.

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Disclaimer: Information regarding Kohei Horikoshi’s next manga is based on direct quotes and official announcements regarding his confirmed intention to create a new series, likely a horror manga, in Weekly Shonen Jump post-MHA’s conclusion. Final project details, title, and release date remain unconfirmed by the publisher.