My Hero Academia Author Kohei Horikoshi’s New August 10 Release Explained

My Hero Academia fans have another reason to mark their calendars. Series creator Kohei Horikoshi is officially returning to Weekly Shonen Jump on August 10 with a brand-new one-shot manga, Warawanaide yo Shijima-san (Don’t Laugh, Shijima-san), marking his first major manga release since My Hero Academia concluded. The announcement has quickly reignited excitement among readers eager to see what the acclaimed mangaka creates next.

— Shonen Jump News (@WSJ_manga) July 29, 2026

While Horikoshi’s return alone is significant, the announcement has also sparked widespread discussion because of its timing. The My Hero Academia franchise has remained active through anniversary projects and new anime content, leaving many fans wondering whether this latest release is connected to the superhero universe that made Horikoshi a household name. Here’s everything currently confirmed and what remains speculation.

Horikoshi Unveils First New Manga After My Hero Academia

The biggest confirmed news is that Horikoshi will publish a brand-new one-shot in the August 10 issue of Weekly Shonen Jump. The work is a standalone one-shot rather than the beginning of a serialized manga. The story is titled “Warawanaide yo Shijima-san” (Don’t Laugh, Shijima-san) and is billed as a “boy meets girl horror” story, signaling Horikoshi’s long-discussed interest in exploring the horror genre.

All available information points to it being an original work that showcases a different side of Horikoshi’s storytelling and artwork. Fans have long known that the creator has expressed an interest in drawing horror manga after finishing My Hero Academia, making this one-shot an exciting first step in that direction.

That said, My Hero Academia itself is far from inactive. As part of the anime’s 10th anniversary celebrations, the franchise recently announced My Hero Academia: I am a hero too, a short anime adapting Horikoshi’s special epilogue one-shot from the My Hero Academia Ultra Age fanbook. The short follows Eri years after the manga’s ending and expands on the series’ post-finale world. It premiered at Anime Expo 2026 before receiving a wider streaming release.

Everything We Know About MHA Mangaka’s Upcoming Projects

Although Horikoshi’s new manga is separate from My Hero Academia, it arrives during one of the franchise’s busiest periods in recent memory. Alongside the upcoming anime short, the series has continued celebrating its 10th anniversary through exhibitions, concerts, merchandise collaborations, and other commemorative projects.

The recently announced I am a hero too serves as an important addition to the franchise (via the official website). Rather than introducing a sequel series, it adapts Horikoshi’s previously published epilogue material, giving fans another glimpse into the lives of beloved characters after the manga’s conclusion. It focuses on Eri’s visit to U.A. High School several years later, offering a heartfelt continuation rather than a brand-new storyline.

Even so, the timing has naturally fueled excitement. Horikoshi’s distinctive artwork, expressive character designs, and cinematic paneling helped make My Hero Academia one of modern shonen manga’s defining series. Seeing him tackle an entirely different genre has become one of the most anticipated manga debuts of the summer.

With August 10 fast approaching, fans have plenty to look forward to. MHA continues expanding through anniversary content like I am a hero too, while Kohei Horikoshi begins a new creative journey with his original horror one-shot. Whether readers are longtime followers of Deku’s story or simply curious about the creator’s next challenge, August 10 promises to be an important milestone, one that celebrates both the enduring legacy of My Hero Academia and the exciting future of its creator.

What are you hoping to see from Kohei Horikoshi’s next manga? Share your thoughts in the comments below!