Kohei Horikoshi Debunks Theory MHA’s Izuku Is Based on Naruto, It’s Actually Someone Else

For the longest time, MHA fans regarded Izuku Midoriya as just another Naruto copy. However, in an interview published in the Jump Giga 2025 Autumn edition, Kohei Horikoshi admitted that Izuku was first supposed to be similar to One Piece‘s Luffy.

Apparently, Luffy had left a lasting impression on the author, which he just couldn’t get over. He probably wanted to create a happy-go-lucky, carefree, and inexplicably brave character like the Straw Hat, but diverted from his original plans because he just couldn’t relate to it.

Kohei Horikoshi Had to Overcome His Luffy-Mania to Create MHA

In the interview, the My Hero Academia author revealed:

It was after this revelation that Horikoshi once again set out on a quest to create a character that was easy to draw for him. He referred to his past one-shot from 2008 called My Hero. This one-shot has a protagonist, Jack, who is similar to Midoriya in both personality and appearance. A character who wants to become a hero but is unable to do so due to his health issues.

My Hero Academia was thus created after the author got over his obsession with Luffy. He further elaborated that it took an entire year to form a concept and then create the first chapter’s storyboards. The author finally stuck to a character he was more familiar with, as well as something that he could draw with ease.

All Might Wasn’t Just Deku’s Inspiration but Also Kohei Horikoshi’s

All Might made My Hero Academia author pull through | Credits: Bones

In the interview, the author also recalled that even after making several versions of the beginning part’s drafts, he was not able to decide the characters’ traits yet. He began going through a hard time. However, after creating All Might, he thought to himself:

In My Hero Academia, All Might or Toshinori Yagi bore the title of the world’s Symbol of Peace. Deku always admired heroes, and All Might is his idol in the series. He watched videos of All Might all night long on his computer and desperately wanted to become a hero like him. Despite being quirkless, he kept aiming to be a hero just like Yagi.

Turns out, it wasn’t just Deku relying on the hero but also the author of the series himself. All Might is someone who protects life with a huge smile on his face. He is someone who inspires those around him due to his optimism. Thankfully, the author was able to rely on All Might and sort out the rest of the series. Without All Might, My Hero Academia might not have existed as fans know it.

What do you think about Kohei Horikoshi’s overwhelming fondness for Luffy and All Might? Let us know in the comments below.

My Hero Academia is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.