Exclusive: Kohei Horikoshi Confirms New Manga Project After ‘My Hero Academia’ Conclusion – The Next Shonen Blockbuster Awaits

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The final curtain has fallen on the decade-long saga of Izuku Midoriya and the students of U.A. High, marking the conclusion of Kohei Horikoshi’s monumental work, My Hero Academia (MHA). While the manga’s ending in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump has left an undeniable void in the global shonen manga landscape, news on the creator’s next endeavor is already emerging, providing a tantalizing glimpse into the future of one of the industry’s most successful storytellers. The pressure to deliver a successor to a billion-dollar franchise is immense, yet Horikoshi-sensei has confirmed he is already deep in the concept stage of his next original series, promising to explore themes and ideas that simply couldn’t fit within the superhero-saturated world of MHA.

This report delves into the confirmed details of Horikoshi’s new project, the high-stakes environment of its potential debut, and the speculative genre shift that has fans of high-quality manga and premium entertainment buzzing. For those looking to invest in the next major cultural phenomenon, understanding this transition is key to anticipating the market’s next big hit.

The Post-MHA Landscape: A Creator’s Next Challenge

Following the emotional and highly-publicized conclusion of My Hero Academia in August 2024, which solidified its place as one of the best-selling and most impactful Japanese comics of the last decade, creator Kohei Horikoshi has not opted for a prolonged hiatus. Instead, recent interviews have revealed his immediate commitment to a brand-new manga series. This news is a significant development, especially considering the grueling weekly schedule that famously took its toll on the mangaka during MHA’s final arcs. Horikoshi’s eagerness signals a deep well of new narrative inspiration.

Strong Call to Action: Fans of action-packed stories and high-concept fantasy should prepare for a completely fresh experience. Horikoshi stated in a Japanese magazine interview, “Yes, I’m already in the concept stage. Luckily, there is something I still want to do that I couldn’t do with MHA, so I’m hoping to channel that feeling into this. When I announce my next series, I hope it will be in Weekly Shonen Jump.”

This powerful statement confirms two critical pieces of information for the global manga market and anime production houses:

The Project is Original: It will be a new story, not a sequel or spin-off to My Hero Academia. Horikoshi has firmly stated he does not plan to return to the world of Quirks with new serialized content, putting to rest rumors of an adult Class 1-A sequel or a Vigilantes follow-up from his hand.
The Launchpad is Premier: Targeting a return to Weekly Shonen Jump (WSJ) places the new work in the highest-profile launch position, guaranteeing immediate global attention from readers, publishers like VIZ Media, and major anime studios. This is the ultimate stage for a potential success story and indicates a push for another long-running hit.

Genre Shift Speculation: From Heroes to Horror?

Perhaps the most compelling speculation surrounding Horikoshi’s next manga centers on a dramatic genre shift. While My Hero Academia was a quintessential superhero battle shonen, it occasionally dipped into darker, more unsettling territory—particularly with the character designs and backstories of villains like Tomura Shigaraki. This fascination with the grotesque and body horror has fueled strong rumors about his next endeavor.

A few years prior, Horikoshi publicly expressed a desire to try his hand at a horror manga, even if just a brief series. The contrast between the typically upbeat, aspirational tone of MHA and the potential for a pure horror fiction title is striking, making the announcement of the genre a high-value news item. An entirely new series would allow the mangaka to fully lean into artistic skills that often went underutilized in the heroic context of MHA.

Key Speculative Themes:

Dark Fantasy/Horror: Leveraging his knack for creative, unsettling character designs in a world dedicated to suspense and terror. This would directly target the rising popularity of darker shonen series.
Non-Superhuman Conflict: Moving away from ‘Quirks’ and focusing on grounded conflict, perhaps a supernatural mystery, a detective thriller, or a post-apocalyptic survival tale.
Unique Power System: Retaining his talent for inventive, visually spectacular power systems—a hallmark of great shonen—but applying it to a different core concept than heroism.

The industry buzz suggests that for Weekly Shonen Jump, the next major hit needs to fill the massive cultural and commercial void left not just by MHA, but also by the simultaneous conclusion of other recent titans like Jujutsu Kaisen. The magazine needs a new flagship title, and Horikoshi is arguably the most proven candidate to deliver it, making his new series a must-watch industry development.

The Business of Shonen Success: High CPC Keywords and Investment

The economic impact of a major shonen series is massive, driving millions in merchandise sales, video game licensing, and global streaming revenue. Horikoshi’s track record immediately places his next series on the radar of investors and marketing strategists focused on intellectual property (IP) acquisition and brand licensing. This early concept stage is the critical window where studios and companies begin positioning themselves for licensing deals and media partnerships.

The title of the new series, once revealed, will immediately become a high-volume search query, a trending topic, and a powerful high CPC keyword for digital advertising campaigns. The success of MHA guarantees that any new project from the creator will enjoy an unprecedented initial launch, making the first volume release a guaranteed best-seller globally. Publishers and retailers are already planning their campaigns for the eventual, unannounced series.

Investment Focus Areas:

Anime Adaptation Rights: The immediate goal for any major studio will be securing the rights to the anime adaptation, which guarantees years of high-profit anime production and international distribution deals (e.g., Crunchyroll, Netflix).
Gaming License: Future fighting games, RPGs, and mobile titles based on the new IP represent a massive gaming industry investment opportunity, similar to the highly successful My Hero One’s Justice series.
Merchandising and Collectibles: Licensing for figures, apparel, and specialized fan gear will follow quickly, offering another high-return revenue stream.

Conclusion: The Dawn of a New Shonen Era

While the final pages of My Hero Academia have closed, the most exciting narrative is already in development. Kohei Horikoshi’s confirmed new manga, currently in the conceptualization phase, is set to be the next major event in the world of Japanese pop culture and global entertainment. It represents not just a new story, but the potential launch of the next generational phenomenon, a successor that aims to achieve what even the universally beloved MHA could not. Industry experts, fans of quality comic books, and media executives are united in their anticipation: the next chapter in shonen history is being written right now.