The My Hero Academia manga is nearing its conclusion after a decade of serialization. Author Kohei Horikoshi has concluded the character arcs for both heroes and villains, bringing their stories to a satisfying end.
Despite fans’ desire for additional content that could explore more backstories and details, Horikoshi has indicated that he currently has no interest in expanding the series’ universe.
In an interview with Viz Media, Horikoshi discussed the series’ popularity and impact. When asked if there were any characters whose stories he wished he could have developed further, Horikoshi revealed that he intentionally created certain characters and backstories that were left out of the main narrative as part of his planned structure for the series.
Horikoshi expressed satisfaction with the content included in the original story and definitively ruled out any plans for a prequel to My Hero Academia.
Kohei Horikoshi Compares My Hero Academia’s World-Building to Terminator 2’s Subtle Future Hints”
He used the film Terminator 2 as a comparison when asked if he might one day explore the backstories he created but did not include in the main story. Horikoshi noted that while Terminator 2 acknowledges the existence of a future timeline, it does not delve into it directly.
Instead, the film subtly reveals pieces of information for the audience to interpret, rather than using flashbacks to explain future events.
“Rather than drawing out all the well-thought-out backgrounds and episodes, I wanted to hint at those elements instead. For instance, in Terminator 2, John Connor becomes a leader in the future, and Schwarzenegger’s character is sent from that future world.
But there aren’t many depictions of the future itself. Because the future isn’t depicted in detail, the viewers’ imaginations expand, and I thought that was really great.” – Kohei Horikoshi
Horikoshi intended for My Hero Academia to have a broader universe that extends beyond what is directly shown to readers, similar to how Terminator 2 leaves certain aspects of its future timeline to the audience’s imagination.
As such, Horikoshi firmly believes there is nothing missing from the story, and his contentment with the series’ conclusion means that fans should not expect a prequel spin-off.
Horikoshi Teases Potential Backstories for My Hero Academia Characters Amid Fan Disappointment
Horikoshi had previously crafted detailed backstories for the former One For All holders. However, he has expressed no interest in publishing these backstories, which is disappointing for fans who hoped to explore the pasts of each OFA inheritor.
Characters like Kudo and Bruce, who played significant roles as leaders of the resistance against AFO and rescued Yoichi Shigaraki, could have provided an intriguing plot separate from the main themes of My Hero Academia.
The worldbuilding in My Hero Academia is one of the series’ most exciting elements, with numerous characters who could potentially lead their own stories. One such character is Kaina Tsutsumi, also known as Lady Nagant, who transitions from being a former Hero Public Safety Commission member to a villain.
In an extra page of My Hero Academia Volume 32, Horikoshi shared additional details about Lady Nagant’s past, noting that the information provided was a condensed version, suggesting her full backstory could fill an entire volume. Horikoshi also mentioned his interest in writing a short story about Lady Nagant, indicating a shift in his previous stance on expanding the series.
“Once this series is over, I’d like to write a short story called ‘The Lovely Lady Nagant: The Brightest Caged Star.’ It’ll probably never happen. Why not? Because I’m exhausted and need to sleep!”
Another character whose story remains underdeveloped is Star and Stripe, America’s top Pro Hero. Despite her brief appearance in the series, she is established as one of the strongest and most charismatic heroes, leaving fans eager to learn more about her and how her powerful quirk performs in different battles.
Horikoshi Rules Out New Backstories for My Hero Academia as Spin-Offs and Upcoming Movie Offer New Insights
Although Horikoshi has no plans to develop additional backstories for My Hero Academia, the spin-off series Vigilantes serves as an official prequel, expanding the pasts of key characters such as All for One and Eraser Head.
Additionally, there are two other spin-off mangas: My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions and My Hero Academia: Smash!!. Recently, a new spin-off was announced, which is expected to be a one-chapter special related to the upcoming movie My Hero Academia: You’re Next.
It is well-known that Horikoshi has faced health issues in recent years due to the demanding nature of weekly serialization. However, My Hero Academia could follow the lead of other series where sequels are handled by different artists, such as Boruto and Dragon Ball Super.
Whether Horikoshi’s comments mean the end of potential sequels for My Hero Academia is yet to be seen, but they certainly rule out a prequel spin-off about the previous OFA holders. What is certain is that Horikoshi deserves to enjoy a well-earned rest after concluding My Hero Academia.
