Kohei Horikoshi

Kohei Horikoshi is a Japanese manga artist best known as the creator of the popular superhero manga and anime series "My Hero Academia." While his flagship franchise has found worldwide success, Horikoshi's career has also been marked by the tumultuous development and cancellation of a planned sequel series, "Lost My Hero Academia."

Early Career and "My Hero Academia"

Born in 1986 in Aichi Prefecture, Horikoshi developed an early passion for manga and anime, which would go on to shape his future career. After graduating from art school, he began working as a manga assistant before making his debut as a professional mangaka (manga artist) in 2010 with the series "Oumagadoki Doubutsuen."

Horikoshi's breakthrough came in 2014 when he created "My Hero Academia" for Shueisha's "Weekly Shonen Jump" magazine. The series, set in a world where most people develop superhuman "Quirks," follows the journey of protagonist Izuku Midoriya as he aims to become the world's greatest hero. "My Hero Academia" quickly gained a devoted global fanbase, spawning a hit anime adaptation, numerous spin-offs, and a massive merchandising empire.

The Rise and Fall of "Lost My Hero Academia"

Riding the immense popularity of "My Hero Academia," Horikoshi and Shueisha announced plans in 2017 for a sequel series tentatively titled "Mha_project_02" or "Lost My Hero Academia." The new project was envisioned as a darker, more mature continuation that would focus on the children of the original series' protagonists.

Initial details about "Lost My Hero Academia" generated excitement among fans, who were intrigued by the promise of exploring complex themes and moral ambiguities in the "My Hero Academia" universe. However, as the project entered active development in 2018, rumors of behind-the-scenes turmoil began to emerge.

Reports surfaced of creative clashes between Horikoshi, Shueisha's editorial team, and the anime production staff. There were debates over the appropriateness of the sequel's darker subject matter and whether it would alienate the franchise's broad fanbase. Further controversy erupted when early character designs and plot details were leaked online, sparking intense backlash from fans who felt the project betrayed the spirit of the original series.

Horikoshi and the production team attempted to address fan concerns, but this only seemed to inflame tensions further. Accusations of censorship and undue publisher interference added to the growing PR nightmare. In early 2020, Shueisha and the "My Hero Academia" committee announced the abrupt cancellation of "Lost My Hero Academia," citing "creative differences" and "concerns about the project's direction."

Aftermath and Horikoshi's Current Work

The failure of "Lost My Hero Academia" was a major setback for Horikoshi and cast a long shadow over the "My Hero Academia" franchise. While the original series continued to enjoy immense popularity, the cancelled sequel remained a divisive and controversial topic among fans.

Horikoshi has largely remained silent on the details of the "Lost My Hero Academia" debacle, fueling speculation about the depth of the creative conflicts that led to its demise. The experience has made the mangaka more cautious about expanding his major franchises, as evidenced by the lack of any announced spin-offs or sequels to "My Hero Academia" in the years since.

In the aftermath, Horikoshi has continued to focus on the core "My Hero Academia" manga, which remains in serialization. He has also worked on various side projects and collaborations, including character design work for the anime film "My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission." However, the ghosts of "Mha_project_02" continue to haunt Horikoshi's legacy, as the cautionary tale of the failed sequel serves as a touchstone for ongoing discussions about fan expectations, editorial oversight, and the challenges of expanding beloved fictional universes.