My Hero Academia Creator Set to Launch New Manga in Shonen Jump Soon

The next manga from the talented creator of My Hero Academia is on the horizon, and it’s not what you might expect. A recent announcement revealed that Kohei Horikoshi’s upcoming project is a “boy-meets-girl horror story” titled Don’t Laugh, Shijima-san (Warawanaide yo Shijima-san). This one-shot spans 61 pages and will be presented in full color. It’s set to debut in the 37/38 issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, hitting shelves on August 10. Fans can likely find it in the Shonen Jump app on the same day.

While Horikoshi is primarily known for his vibrant superhero narrative in My Hero Academia, his shift to horror might not be as surprising given his previous hints. In the April 10, 2022, issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, he expressed, “I have a small desire to draw a horror manga. Very small.”

Moreover, despite the generally upbeat tone of My Hero Academia, the series does contain elements of body horror and psychological tension. As the plot unfolds, the antagonist Tomura Shigaraki develops powers that allow him to distort his body into unsettling forms, transforming his limbs into a mass of writhing fingers. Himiko Toga embodies a slasher archetype with her bloodthirsty tendencies, while the Nomus resemble gym-toned zombies, and Kurogiri has a ghostly appearance. Although My Hero Academia is categorized as a battle shonen aimed at a teenage audience, it subtly weaves in darker themes.

With the conclusion of My Hero Academia’s decade-long run on August 5, 2024, fans have humorously dubbed Horikoshi “unemployed,” marveling at his stunning illustrations that accompanied the anime adaptation. Now that the TV series has wrapped up, it appears the author is ready to embark on his next venture. It will be intriguing to see if Don’t Laugh, Shijima-san continues his impressive streak.

MHA’s final season kicks off with a scene that hits harder than All Might.