HORIKOSHI Kouhei Name (in native language): 堀越耕平 Associated Names: Kouhei Horikoshi
Born 1986 in the prefecture Aichi, Horikoshi first attracted attention in the second half of 2006 when he entered Shueisha's 72th Tezuka Award for Newcomers with his one shot "Nukegara" and made it to the final six, where he gained himself an "Honorable Mention". Various short stories in Shueisha's Akamaru JUMP followed over the years until he published his one shot "Oumagadoki Doubutsuen" in issue #2/2010 of Weekly Shounen JUMP.
Kouhei Horikoshi is a graduate of Nagoya University of Arts. He was previously an assistant to TANAKA Yasuki.
In a world where 80% of people have powers (called 'Quirks'). Midoriya who is obsessed with heroes is Quirk-less, yet he has focussed all his education and future on becoming a hero. Can Midoriya get into the school for heroes? A very US superhero comic inspired manga, but with a firm Japanese take. This felt like it started weak, but as the characters grew on me so did the series, and by the last chapter I was most definitely hooked. I like how it is very much focused on personalities and interactions and hardly at all on the powers, so far. Probably might blitz this now. :) A Three Star, 7 out of 12 read. 2025
I plucked this tiny tome off of several students' Want-to-Read shelves and it is first book I've read that actually included instructions on how to read it---insofar as you read from right to left, beginning in the upper right-hand corner. Actions, sound effects & word bubbles in proper Japanese order- are completely reversed from the English order.
It was a bit trickier than I expected at first (and I realized that "my" high school students are much better at this than I am) but then it just clicked and I was rolling. I really enjoyed the unique idea that idiosyncrasies may actually be super-powers.
Kids with superpowers go to superhero school to be taught by existing superheroes how to be superheroes. So it’s the X-Men? Yup. Except way shittier! And that’s My Hero Academia! Boo! I give it an F!
It really is that derivative, at least going by this first volume. Creator/writer/artist Kohei Horikoshi basically rips off the X-Men. He calls mutations/superpowers “quirks” in a feeble attempt to make it seem less blatant but that’s about the only thing different he brings to the table.
This first volume introduces us to our bland protagonist who doesn’t have superpowers but has a heroic heart - and that’s what matters youse guys, snore… - who, after a random act of bravery, gets picked by this world’s Superman, All Might (stupid name), to be his successor. Why? Reasons we’ll probably find out in later volumes. Very unsatisfying.
After the generic superhero fights between equally generic and forgettably designed superhero/supervillain characters, come the still more generic training scenes as our protagonist undergoes months of physical exercise because All Might’s powers in his existing frame would kill him or something. Even though All Might in his true form is as skinny and weak as our protagonist is. So it doesn’t make any sense and that block of pages is pointless filler. Garbage.
At Xavier’s Academy, I mean, “UA”, the dull cast is expanded with even more bland, unimaginative, archetypal characters like the contrived rival who hates the protagonist for no reason, the obvious love interest, and the tough but kindly instructors. Wrap up the terrible writing and awful storytelling with standard manga art and you’ve got a steaming pile of cliched, predictable nothing.
My Hero Academia hasn’t got any clever observations on the superhero genre, nor any fresh takes, original ideas or even an entertaining story - it’s just an uninteresting, badly conceived/executed, tedious X-Men knockoff. My, what an overrated boring manga series!
A hero teaches new heroes at a hero school. That's basically it. I do think there's a lot of potential for manipulation of the standard tropes (weak main character with hidden powers, wise but strict mentors with good intentions, standard bully only there to antagonize the MC, etc). But right now, BNHA is a manga with an underwhelming storyline that can be cheesy and nonsensical at times and a main character with an unrealistic dream and very cliche means of reaching it.
I don't normally read shounen (mostly because omg some of them are the longest series ever) but this one is relatively new so it's like there's 167 volumes out. Yet.
I personally love the character designs, but mostly just for the students. The pro heroes are typically over-the-top with crazy costumes and even crazier hair styles. The contrast between the students and the foes really helps with distinguishing who is who.
The story is what you'd expect from a shounen manga: the main character is someone who has been small and weak and different his whole life but then he's given something that makes him into the most powerful hero around. And of course he goes to a new school where his bully goes to too. And then there's a cute girl who quickly helps out the main character and becomes a friend to him (even though he has trouble talking to girls.)
Despite all of those clichés it still feels like a somewhat refreshing take on the genre. The quality of the artwork helps with that as well.
So, I can see why this is popular now. I just hope each subsequent volume keeps up the fast pace and that the story and battles don't become stale and boring.
I decided to check some Manga out and this is what was recommended to me. I've never been able to get into Manga due to the whole reading backwards thing. I still don't get why with today's technology they don't just flip the art around and present this as a normal graphic novel for Western audiences, but I digress.
The story is about one of a very few young people who are born without "quirks" or superpowers. All he desires is to help people. Along comes the most famous super hero in the city "All Might" who turns out can pass his power onto someone else. But their body must be trained to control the power or it could kill them. Eventually, our young hero gets into superhero school where the book instantly becomes derivative of the X-Men or Sky High.
The art is very good except I have a hard time getting past the over expressive faces Manga is known for. It drives me batty, especially when mixed in with an otherwise serious comic. Some of the hair styles are just ridiculous, "Yes, I'm talking to you All Might".
The book was good enough I'd consider reading another volume just because of how obsessed other readers I know are with this. But I wouldn't say I've been converted over into a fan of Manga yet.
From the first volume, what I could say, it is a "from zero-to-hero" theme in a high school that specialized to educate future super heroes, a.k.a. Xavier school for Japanese kids. And to make the plot interesting, the main character was originally has no super power. So as you can guess, a lot of potential for character growing: by mentally and by seeing his super power grows.
So far no surprise yet. And as in other manga, I expect whole classmates of main characters will be explored.
Ok so I haven't read manga since I was like 12 (and even then I never delved into it too much) but recently a lot of my friends have gotten into this series (and the anime) and I thought it looked cool so I was like "sure why not." And!! Damn I really enjoyed this and ended up reading the whole first volume in one sitting, whoops.
Thoughts:
- I really like the premise & world-building. Obviously the whole superhero/superpowers thing has been done many times before, but this takes an interesting spin on it. The characters' powers (aka "quirks") are really cool, and I like that every power has its own unique drawback. - It's very funny actually! I was expecting something a bit more serious––and while it's definitely heavy at times, there's also a lot of humor and funny little breaking-the-fourth-wall moments which I enjoyed a lot. - Izuku is so cute??? He's just .... so small and precious .... He wants to be a hero and help people so much, and he's just so pure. I want to adopt him please. - I fucking love All Might. I'm a sucker for ""cool mentor"" characters so I guess it's no surprise but .... omg he's so awesome and hilarious. - Kacchan is a huge asshole but I'm also really interested to see where he goes as a character. - I mean in general I just really like all the characters and I look forward to seeing how they develop.
UHHhhh yeah so this was a lot of fun and I'm super pumped to read the rest!
Sure to be the next big thing in the Shonen Jump world, MHA is already gaining enough momentum to be mentioned in the same discussions as One Piece or Naruto. The story is perfect for non-Japanese audiences as well as it has created a world which is both familiar for superhero fans while offering something very new and refreshing. It engages the audience as you feel for the main character Deku as he faces many trials and tribulations with a healthy dose of triumph. The plethora of characters are rich in personality and engaging. After reading the first volume, I`m completely hooked!! I can`t wait for the next volume and more!!
Despite all the manga I've racked up that is on my TBR, someone recommended this to me a couple of days ago and I read it all in one day. I really enjoyed it and thought it was a great introduction to the series. I can say that I know I'm prime audience because I love hero stories. LOVE. While this is of course tasked with some of the leg-work of the introduction and while I did lose myself in the action (and how it was drawn) a few times, I thought the overall experience was worthy of a 4-star rating.
Here are some of the positives:
- I know he's kind of whiny but the MC is also a precious cinnamon roll. - "I'm so sorry" vs "you can be a hero" *cries forever* - The MC works really hard and yes he gets a little luck and a power but hardwork is there. - Obvs don't know where the series is headed, but I'm so happy the MC starts with some traditional hero qualities. None of this anti-hero mess. HERO! HERO! HERO! - The meta-jokes, especially about how All Might is drawn. Love.
And so now I've got a cart of all 7 released volumes and two pre-orders and I'll one day make them all mine.
I have read this quite a few times and its fun revisiting it every time and omg I just love the origin of Deku, its so simple and he is a character whose underestimated and almost unloved feels like, but thats the kind of protagonist you can get behind and yeah loved the small nuances put into his character and this hero course which is refreshing to see and the presence of All-might whose his mentor aka the old man figure and the supporting cast is fun too and I like Ida and Uraraka and Bakugo is the Sasuke kind of character, but his over the top attitude makes him a standout character. I really like the art too! ____________________________________________________________________ Reread:31/5/21 Still fun and just shows a new perspective on this whole hero thing and about a guy who following his idol wants to become a hero despite everyone against him, good start! Also the ending when they get their superhero costume was awesome! ___________________________________________________________________ This starts off with Izuku going through the day and ideals of becoming a hero to get into UA academy and he loves all might the no. 1 hero but then things happen and he gets trapped by a villain and thus his hero comes into save him and the whole adventure starts. Izuku doesn't have any quirk/power but when he jumps in blindly to save his friend Bakugo, All might chooses him to carry on his legacy with the power of "One for All" and its epic. In this volume we see him training Izuku and then he gets into UA High and doing the coursework, going against Aizawa and going through the trials or risk expulsion and meeting new friends and more! Its well done, I really enjoyed this volume, its character introduction at its finest! And the art is just gorgeous and next up: Hero class begins!
I've done this review a little differently. Instead of reviewing the volume, these are just my notes on the individual chapters;
Chapter 1 - The introduction to the world, the people and the powers. Mangas are so different but I really enjoyed it! I am excited to know more about this world and about the main characters! Chapter 2 - So begins the long trek for Izuku to become a hero! I liked that he worked for his strength, it wasn't thrust upon him. Izuku wanted it and truly earned it! Excited to see what kind of hero Izuku becomes. Chapter 3 - I love the slow progress! You see all the struggles, trials, the doubts and the fears. It's so interesting to see into Izuku's mind and what's purely instinct. Chapter 4 - This just goes to show that strength is not everything. This manga has reeled me in, I can't wait to see what happens next! Chapter 5 - The first day at U.A isn't quite what Izuku expects. Can't wait to see how he handles it. Chapter 6 - Izuku's first day at school and he's surrounded by people who are able to control their quirks and use them to their advantage. I love that even though he can't fully control his quirk yet, he was able to find the strength to concentrate hard enough to show that he has the capability to control it, no matter how small that control is! Chapter 7 - Izuku survived the first day and his training has just begun! Those last panels have me so excited to see what comes next for Izuku and to see how he grows and learns. I'm enjoying this world and these characters so much, I can't wait to delve even deeper!
There are teens and others in my family who have been binge-watching the anime and are now binge-reading the manga so I thought I’d check this out. It’s a kind of Japanese X-men, of sorts. Most of the population have powers, here called quirks, but a percentage do not.
Nerd Izuku wants to go to Hero school but has no quirks. Can he succeed in this super competitive environment? Nope. Until the most powerful guy, All-Might, apparently decides to help him.
I’d have to say this seems initially like pretty vanilla superhero stuff, not that engaging for me with the super manic action and the pointedly unlikeable characters (except Izuku and a couple other exceptions), but the rating for this is very high on Goodreads and (importantly, in this house) so to avoid getting beat up (since I am obviously a nerd without quirks): 3 stars.
I've been watching the anime for years now and decided that I can't wait for the anime to catch up with the manga anymore! I really want to know what happens, so I'm reading the manga from the beginning. 👀 But reading this is so nostalgic - I had been meaning to re-watch the anime from the beginning, but rediscovering the story in manga-form has been a cool experience!
I started watching the show (finally) and I figured I'd check out the manga too and it's so good??? I know the MHA fandom gets a lot of shit...rightfully so, they scare me a little bit. I promise I'm chill. But the plot is actually so fire and the art style in the manga?? HELLO??? I love it so much. Finished in one sitting babe.
I got this from my school's library and they don't have volume 2 so I guess I'm going to have to find that somewhere else...Oh well.
Anyway though even though I'm terrified to be seen in public with this it's genuinely peak, like there's a REASON that this series is as popular as it is.
I saw My Hero Academic pop up into my feed years ago and I was honestly curious about it. I heard a lot of people talk it up, but I never was able to find it in my book travel adventures. Then, lucky my discovered NetGalley (for the second time) and located this little gem! I was so pumped to finally be able to pick this up since I love manga and superheroes.
In this somewhat dystopian world, almost all of the population have super powers. These powers, known as "quirks" can be managed and controlled and then used to save the universe! There's heroes and villains everywhere, and they are constantly battling. At four years old, kids begin to show their powers and they learn to master them. There are hero academies to hone your skills, and our lead really wants powers and really wants to help people. Lucky him, a big time superhero finds him and wants to take him under his wing...
This book is serious fun. The pictures are amazing, the plot is interesting and the characters are cool to follow. There's non-stop action and fun around every corner and I found myself just binging the whole thing (I did not intend to, but it just kinda happened). I'd like to pick up the rest of this series if I can ever find them, because I enjoy Kohei Horikoshi's story telling abilities (and the illustrations are just super cool). I can tell the world in this manga is only going to get cooler, since this is just the first volume. I hope I get to see the world building and character development flourish in the future!
If you love X-Men, the Avengers and DC, you'll love these books. It's action packed and loads of fun. I honestly enjoyed the way I was able to sink into this book and just disappear from reality for a while. It helps that the book was easy to follow and easy to read. The worst part is I'm not used to the names used in this book and I don't know how to pronounce them, which is hardly a fault of the book. On top of that, I can only assume this series is going to get better. The first volume is like the pilot episode of a television show. We get an introduction to the world and the characters, and eventually we get released into the magic of the universe.
Four out of five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ Media for providing me a copy of this long awaited manga!
Svet u kome vecina ljudi ima neku vrstu super moci (quirk) i gde imamo posebne skole za ljudse koji hoce da postanu super heroji (hello x-men). Jedino sto mi za sada malo smeta je glavni lik, klinac dobrog srca koji ce kroz tezak rad i samodoricanje (izgleda) da ostvari svoje snove. Malo poveliki klise ali ko zna mozde me strip i iznenadi.
Svidja mi se osnova price, akcije ima na bacanje, crtezi su lepi.
”Fear not, citizens. Hope has arrived. Because I am here!”
A solid start to what will eventually become an excellent series, if the anime adaptation is any indication. This volume essentially serves as setup for the rest of the series. We’re introduced to the primary characters of Midoriya, All-Might and Bakugo as well as some of the supporting cast (before they eventually become major characters in their own right), as well as being introduced to the setting - the academy itself.
This volume is fun, and it provides necessary depth to certain characters, introduces us to the concept of Quirks and begins to set the tone for the series. Though I will admit it’s not a true indication of what the series represents - unrivalled action, heart, emotion and awe inspiring characters; that will come with the later volumes.
I’ve never really been overly into the superhero genre. I’m completely apathetic towards Marvel, I could take it or leave it but for the most part it just doesn’t interest me. My Hero Academia is my exception to my rule. Through watching the anime, I’ve fallen completely in love with this series, the world, and its characters. It’s completely captured my attention and I’m so excited to start my wider adventure with this series. Usually I would start with the source material first, but I’ve done it in reverse this time. So far, the anime is completely faithful to the manga. School settings are always a good time, combine that with the fantasy of this series and its next level.
I’m very excited to continue with the manga. I have the luxury of knowing what’s going to happen going forward whilst reading it, but that hasn’t effected my enjoyment; if anything it’s enhanced it. There’s lots of behind the scenes info as well on the creation of the characters, their concepts and original plans which has been a great addition.
Thoroughly, thoroughly recommend starting this manga, and the anime too. The anime is excellent, I have nothing to criticise - the manga is shaping up that way too. The only reason this isn’t a 5/5 is because this volume is purely setup. But if you do start, be patient and let it cook - amazing things start to happen.
*Reread 11/28/2020* I fell off this series hard so I'm going to try to get back into it since I really liked it before. I feel like I'm going to go into this with new eyes now that I'm so jaded from the BNHA fandom. (There's some real weirdos in there), but I'm hoping I can get to the newer content and really enjoy it. Also Bakugo looks so good in the manga?? I like the way his face his drawn.
I still liked this first volume. It's a good set up for the series and although it's only been 2 years since I last experienced it, it feels somewhat new to me. I remember the characters and the general story, but I feel like I'm appreciating the smaller details now?
*Original Review 10/16/2018* I just binge watched the show so now I gotta go back and read all the manga. It's so much fun! I love all the weird "quirks"/superpowers everyone has and I love Deku. ❤️