Horikoshi Reveals My Hero Academia’s Surprising Star Wars Influence

Kohei Horikoshi, creator of “My Hero Academia,” has acknowledged another Disney property as an influence on his work, aside from Marvel Comics. Although “Star Wars” might seem unrelated to “My Hero Academia” due to differences in storyline, characters, and visual style, Horikoshi revealed in a recent interview with Men’s NON-NO magazine that the influential films left a deep impression on him, and this impact is reflected in his critically acclaimed manga series.

As a passionate aficionado, I must say that unveiling the hidden connections between Star Wars and My Hero Academia through Horikoshi’s words might take you by surprise! This isn’t just an interesting tidbit for fans; it’s a deep dive into the creative process of one of the few manga authors who openly shares his inspirations. So, let’s delve deeper to uncover how Star Wars has impacted Horikoshi’s masterpiece and ultimately shaped My Hero Academia into the captivating series we all know and love today.

Horikoshi’s History With Star Wars

The Movies Left A Big Impression On A Young Horikoshi

Horikoshi is asked about movies that inspired him
He first watched Episode 1 when he was in middle school

In a chat with Men’s NON-NO, a Japanese magazine focused on fashion, Horikoshi was questioned if there were any movies that influenced his manga creations. Instantly, he pointed out the Star Wars series, recalling that he had seen Episode 1 during his middle school years since it was released in 1999, making him born in the mid-80s, slightly too late to witness the original Star Wars films.

Back in middle school, I saw Episode 1 and was captivated by the unique creativity of its character design.

In a somewhat unexpected turn of events during the interview, Horikoshi was asked a question that deviated from the usual exploration of his comic history or other manga series published in Jump. Instead, the question delved into his particular interest. This response, as you can imagine, took many fans by surprise. However, the gifted author didn’t stop there; he went on to elucidate precisely how Star Wars influenced this newfound interest.

In a nod to the notorious racer character Sebulba from Episode 1 of Star Wars, Horikoshi seems to find inspiration for his eccentric and imaginative character designs. Despite potential connections to Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader, the fact that he specifically references Sebulba suggests that he values unconventionality and complexity in his work, a trait evident in his elaborate character creations, as he further discusses in more detail.

The Creativity Of Star Wars’ Characters

The Experimental Designs Of Star Wars Sparked A Fire In Horikoshi

Horikoshi shares that the creative and experimental creature and character designs of “Star Wars,” especially, left a profound impression on him during the planning stages of the manga. In fact, he once pondered what Sabulba might look like if he were a Jedi Knight, a notion only someone as imaginative as Horikoshi could dream up.

“I thought about what it would be like if there was a Dug Jedi” – Horikoshi

In essence, the diverse array of alien species in the Star Wars universe provides a rich tapestry for creating distinctive characters. This variety results in a multitude of unique and memorable individuals, from the little green Jedi master Yoda to the large, slow creature Jabba the Hutt, and even the sleek-looking Bounty Hunters like Boba Fett. It’s clear why an aspiring manga artist would find these designs so intriguing.

As a die-hard fan of “My Hero Academia”, I must say that one of the most remarkable aspects of this captivating series is the extraordinary diversity in character designs. While Midoriya, our protagonist, may initially appear quite conventional visually, things take a dramatic turn with characters like Mirko, All For One, and even the legendary All Might, who are far from ordinary! With Shigaraki’s menacing appearance, you could easily imagine him stepping into the role of a Sith Lord – a testament to the show’s exceptional character design that truly sets it apart.

Tatooine Is In My Hero Academia?

Horikoshi Referenced His Love For Star Wars In The Very First Chapter

Tatooine is referenced in the very first episode/chapter
Horikoshi included both Star Wars and comic book references at the beginning of the story

Readers or viewers familiar with “My Hero Academia” will recognize that Horikoshi doesn’t shy away from incorporating characters from other works into his narrative, making no effort to hide their origins. Characters like Sonic and Spider-Man have made appearances within the story, albeit in different forms. Although there are no official Star Wars characters enrolled at UA academy, a well-known location from that franchise was introduced in the very first chapter.

Going back to the initial scene in the series, where Deku watched a fierce battle between towering villains, you’ll notice that the location for this fight is none other than Tatooine Station. It’s interesting to note that Horikoshi didn’t strive for an overly unique name for this place, but the very fact that he included such a reference demonstrates his profound inspiration from Star Wars when he started the series.

“By the way, Tatooin Station in chapter 1 of MHA is a homage to the planet Tatooine” – Horikoshi

The initial chapter of “My Hero Academia” subtly acknowledges influences from Star Wars and depicts shadows of iconic comic book characters such as Spider-Man, Batman, and Superman. This strategic move served to demonstrate that these influential properties held significant importance for the creator while conceptualizing the storyline and characters of his later acclaimed series.

2025-08-16 15:35