The final curtain has officially closed on Kohei Horikoshi’s decade-long epic, My Hero Academia (MHA). The conclusion of the manga, a global phenomenon that redefined the modern shonen genre and achieved staggering sales figures, has left a substantial void in the weekly lineup of Weekly Shonen Jump.

Fans worldwide are now in an intense state of anticipation: What comes next from the master storyteller? While the search results reveal that Horikoshi himself is already in the concept stage for his new manga, specific details remain elusive. However, his recent comments and industry buzz provide significant clues regarding both his personal follow-up and the title he has effectively endorsed as MHA’s immediate successor in the competitive world of Japanese comics.

The Creator’s New Challenge: Horikoshi Teases His Next Manga

Despite the immense pressure that comes with concluding a cultural titan like My Hero Academia—a series often compared to other manga giants like Naruto and Bleach—Horikoshi-sensei has confirmed he is not resting on his laurels. In recent interviews, the mangaka revealed his intentions for a swift return to the drawing board, a testament to his dedication to the craft.

  • Concept and Creative Control: Horikoshi is reportedly in the “concept stage” of development. Significantly, after considering focusing solely on art for his next project, his editor ultimately convinced him to maintain full creative control, handling both the story and the artwork. This decision assures fans that his signature style and narrative voice will be fully present in the next series.
  • A Desire for the Undone: The most intriguing revelation is his goal to tackle themes or concepts he “couldn’t do with MHA.” This suggests a conscious effort to move beyond the established tropes of the superhero genre he perfected. While earlier, less-confirmed rumors hinted at a potential turn towards horror manga—given the darker, more unsettling imagery in the latter arcs of MHA—the ultimate direction remains a fascinating mystery for the manga industry.
  • Returning to Jump: Horikoshi expressed his hope that his next project will once again be serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. This is a crucial detail, as it reaffirms his commitment to the demanding weekly shonen demographic, even while acknowledging the brutal schedule he endured to complete My Hero Academia.

The anticipation for this still-untitled work is immense. It’s not just about a new story; it’s about seeing a celebrated artist challenge himself, creating a new Intellectual Property (IP) that aims to capture the zeitgeist just as Deku’s journey did. Analysts are already projecting this next series to be one of the most highly-anticipated new manga releases in the coming years, guaranteeing high search volume for terms like Horikoshi new series release date and manga debut.

The Unofficial Successor: Horikoshi’s Recommendation

While fans eagerly await Horikoshi’s own new creation, the author himself has shone a spotlight on a promising new entry in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine: Ichi the Witch (Madan no Ichi).

As My Hero Academia and other pillars of the magazine, like Jujutsu Kaisen, conclude their runs, the race for the next dominant hit shonen is on. Horikoshi’s explicit recommendation of Ichi the Witch carries substantial weight, immediately elevating the new series’ profile and suggesting it may be the title intended to fill the immediate gap left by the MHA finale.

What makes Ichi the Witch a contender for the title of MHA’s successor?

  • Authorial Endorsement: A public endorsement from a mangaka of Horikoshi’s stature is a powerful marketing tool and a huge vote of confidence. It instantly directs the massive My Hero Academia fanbase toward this new title.
  • New Fantasy Dynamics: The series introduces a fresh take on special abilities, moving away from Quirks into a world of witchcraft and magical powers. This thematic shift appeals to fans looking for something new yet still within the high-action fantasy space.
  • Strong Early Reception: Launched shortly after MHA’s conclusion, Ichi the Witch has rapidly gained traction. Its success is a key indicator that it possesses the engaging characters and world-building depth required to maintain a spot in the fiercely competitive manga sales environment.

For readers in search of a compelling new manga to read that carries the spirit of youthful ambition and powerful action, Ichi the Witch is currently positioned as the most likely immediate heir to the My Hero Academia throne, courtesy of the original creator’s strong recommendation.

The Legacy Continues: MHA’s End is Not the Franchise’s End

It is important for both investors and fans to note that the conclusion of the core My Hero Academia manga does not signify the end of the wider MHA franchise. The IP remains a global media powerhouse, ensuring that content and revenue streams will continue for the foreseeable future, easing the transition before Horikoshi’s next primary work arrives.

The ongoing continuation of the franchise includes:

Ongoing Media and Content:

  • The anime adaptation, which is currently in its final major season, continues to drive viewership and streaming revenue.
  • The successful line of My Hero Academia movies, which consistently perform well at the global box office.
  • The extended manga universe, including the popular spin-off series, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.
  • The recent release of an epilogue story (Chapter 431) in the final collected volume, which provided additional closure and a glimpse into the characters’ adult lives, reaffirming that the world of heroes is far from stagnant.

Horikoshi himself has alluded to this continuation, stating that the immense amount of related projects and the dedication of the community make it feel like the series “doesn’t feel like it’s over at all” (Source: Various author comments via social media and Weekly Shonen Jump). This strategy maintains high fan engagement and keeps the brand visible as the creator prepares for his new venture.

The Business of Shonen: What This Means for Publishers and Investors

The end of a flagship manga series initiates a period of intense risk and opportunity for Shueisha, the publisher of Weekly Shonen Jump. The void left by MHA’s ending represents millions in lost weekly sales and a major blow to magazine readership, underscoring the necessity of finding new dominant IPs quickly.

The swift action of Horikoshi to return to creating and his endorsement of Ichi the Witch serve as critical strategic moves to mitigate the impact of the loss. The immediate launch and support for a highly promising replacement like Ichi the Witch minimizes the time readers might spend disengaged from the magazine, which is vital for maintaining its subscription model.

Furthermore, the focus on Horikoshi’s next manga—even in its early conceptual phase—provides a strong forward-looking anchor. This promise of a new project from a proven creator acts as an insurance policy, guaranteeing future revenue and a major media event upon its eventual release date announcement.

The world of Japanese animation and comics is rapidly evolving, with a growing appetite for diverse themes. While Horikoshi’s new project is likely to be a massive success regardless of genre, the speculation on a shift away from pure superhero action to something darker or more fantastical suggests a strategic diversification, aiming to capture an even broader segment of the global entertainment market.

For fans, the lesson is clear: The story of Deku is complete, but the creative output of one of the generation’s most influential mangaka is just gearing up for a dynamic new beginning. Keep a close watch on Weekly Shonen Jump for the official debut of a project that is already being branded as the next inevitable global manga sensation.