How My Hero Academia Ended Up Being Much Longer Than Horikoshi Intended

This article contains spoilers for My Hero Academia

When an author begins working on a manga series, it’s challenging to foresee how long it will last. Maintaining a series in Shonen Jump magazine for several years is a formidable undertaking, given the numerous series that are discontinued annually due to low readership. Even an accomplished author like Kohei Horikoshi, who created My Hero Academia, faced pressure after attempting to launch two other stories prior to Deku’s introduction, making it crucial for him to succeed on his third attempt.

Eventually, the manga “My Hero Academia” spanned over 400 chapters, making it rather extensive compared to most other series in the magazine during its time. This vast number of chapters enabled the incredibly skilled author to delve into numerous characters throughout the narrative, but he did acknowledge that his original intention was for the story to be significantly shorter. There are numerous factors contributing to why it took him such a long time to finally conclude the tale.

Horikoshi Wanted To Reach 30 Volumes

He Revealed His Initial Goal During A Conversation With Eiichiro Oda

The series went on a little longer than he intended
Oda jokes with Horikoshi that he should have aimed even higher

Prior to the debut of the first “My Hero Academia” film, its creator Kohei Horikoshi had a unique opportunity to converse with Eiichiro Oda, the renowned author of “One Piece.” The dialogue seemed reminiscent of an experienced master imparting knowledge to a promising apprentice, leading to an enjoyable and thought-provoking exchange between the two. However, it was a particular question from Oda that stood out, as it pertained to the duration of Horikoshi’s narrative.

Curious about the total number of volumes Horikoshi initially intended for “My Hero Academia” when it began publication in 2014, Oda sought this information. It turned out that Horikoshi initially aimed for 30 volumes, but soon after, he acknowledged that such a number wouldn’t be sufficient to express the expansive and ambitious story he had nurtured in his mind for years. With over 100 published volumes of “One Piece” under his belt, Oda humorously suggested Horikoshi consider a goal of 50 instead. However, Horikoshi confessed that he didn’t think he could keep drawing the series week after week for another decade.

Don’t worry about whether you think you can or can’t. Keep practicing and you’ll reach your goal in time.” (This is a paraphrase of Oda’s quote to Horikoshi, where Oda is encouraging Horikoshi to keep drawing.)

It took “My Hero Academia” more than expected duration to complete its run, spanning 42 volumes in total. This might indicate that the creator, Horikoshi, intended a shorter series, but for fans, this prolonged storytelling was a blessing. The extended narrative allowed followers to track the journey of characters, both heroes and villains, over an extended period before the tale came to a close. There are several factors that likely contributed to the series’ lengthy span.

Why My Hero Academia Ended Up Being Longer

The Popularity Of The Series Paired With Horikoshi’s Focus On Specific Characters Played A Big Part

The series’ staggering popularity definitely contributed to its length
Horikoshi wanted to give specific characters enough screentime to grow and mature

One key factor behind the long-running success of “My Hero Academia” is undeniably its widespread popularity. By the point when the manga reached the Forest Training Camp arc, the anime had already begun broadcasting, attracting an immense influx of new fans to the series. With such a large readership eagerly following his work on a weekly basis, it’s reasonable to assume that Horikoshi felt compelled to satisfy this devoted fanbase by expanding the story and characters further than initially planned, aiming to provide a series that could bring pleasure for many years to come.

In the narrative of My Hero Academia, Kōhei Horikoshi’s dedication to drawing for an extended period can be attributed to his emphasis on character development. Unlike earlier storylines that primarily revolved around Deku due to his role as the main protagonist, Horikoshi started to allocate entire arcs to significant side characters around the halfway mark of the series. This shift is evident in the increased focus given to characters like Endeavor and the League of Villains, who receive extensive screen time, enabling readers to gain a deeper understanding of their personal stories.

“I want all of you to just…watch me!” – Endeavor

Horikoshi aimed to ensure each character had a fitting farewell, regardless of their significance during the Final War. Many minor characters received dedicated episodes and chapters, wrapping up their personal stories satisfactorily, which would have lengthened the final conflict but, considering the quality of these character moments, it was a worthwhile extension.

Would My Hero Academia Have Benefited From Being Shorter?

Horikoshi’s Original Vision May Have Been The Better Option

Considering the scenario, one might ponder: What could the narrative of “My Hero Academia” have been if it had ended at 30 volumes? More crucially, would such a decision have improved the series as a whole? While this is subjective and open to varied opinions, a common critique of “My Hero Academia” lies in its story’s pace. There are indeed certain segments and arcs within the series that don’t seem to significantly advance the plot, even though they do contain thrilling moments. In retrospect, it seems possible that eliminating these less impactful parts would have been advantageous for the series’ pacing.

The primary issue here seems to stem from the Joint Training arc, where students from Class 1-A and Class 1-B were made to engage in combat as part of an exercise. Some viewers believe this arc served primarily to reiterate the significance of Class 1-B within the narrative, but at more than twenty chapters long, it can feel like a rather prolonged interruption that appears unnecessary.

Instead, it’s worth noting that while the extended length of “My Hero Academia” series might seem daunting to some, it offers certain unique advantages. For one, it provides ample opportunity for each character in the extensive cast to fully develop and showcase their individual strengths. Moreover, Horikoshi was able to explore innovative aspects of world-building, creating new factions like the cunning Paranormal Liberation Army. Although a more condensed narrative could have made the story more focused, its length ultimately proves beneficial in numerous ways by offering a richer and more detailed universe.

2025-08-23 19:21