Kohei Horikoshi Thrilled About Shoji’s Rise to the Top in My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia has witnessed a surge in Mezo Shoji’s popularity as the manga approaches its grand conclusion. The creator, Kohei Horikoshi, is thrilled about this unexpected rise. As the series reaches its final chapters, many beloved characters like Izuku Midoriya and other young heroes will have their stories wrapped up. With My Hero Academia‘s manga concluding this Summer and the anime advancing through its last battles, there is much for Horikoshi to celebrate.

Speaking with Viz Media ahead of the manga’s finale and the upcoming release of My Hero Academia: You’re Next later this Summer, Horikoshi shared his thoughts on bringing everything to a close. When asked about the popularity poll, which has gained international attention due to surprising results, Horikoshi expressed his delight. He was particularly “pleasantly surprised” by Shoji’s rise in the rankings.

“I was pleasantly surprised by Shoji’s rise in the rankings. It made me really happy,” Horikoshi began when asked about My Hero Academia‘s recent popularity poll. “Other than that, there weren’t many surprises. I see the popularity polls as a celebration for the readers who vote, so as an author, I try not to get too emotionally involved and try to keep a distance if possible.”

Horikoshi continued to elaborate on Shoji’s growing popularity. He noted that Shoji’s unique and non-traditional aesthetic wasn’t typically deemed handsome. “It’s more like, ‘Oh, this character is indeed popular,’ but I was genuinely happy about Shoji. I told my editor, Imamura-san, that Shoji has limited appearances in the story and his unique looks don’t typically qualify as ‘handsome’ … so I’m pleased. I drew him thinking he’s really cool, so I’m glad people appreciate him,” Horikoshi explained.

For fans looking to stay updated with the latest chapters of My Hero Academia as the story draws to an end, they can now access them via Viz Media’s digital Shonen Jump library or Shueisha’s Manga Plus service, ensuring they catch up in time for the grand finale.