Key Takeaways:
– Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia concludes with the release of the 430th chapter on 5th August 2024.
– Eiichiro Oda’s recognition and promotion of Horikoshi’s fan art was decisive in his journey to becoming a successful manga creator.
– The publication of his artwork for One Piece greatly encouraged Horikoshi and catalyzed the creation of My Hero Academia.
– My Hero Academia has been extremely successful, becoming one of the highest grossing anime franchises.
The Rise of My Hero Academia
After a decade long journey, Kohei Horikoshi’s blockbuster anime series, My Hero Academia, concluded with its 430th installment on August 5, 2024. Over the years, the manga series has captivated audiences with its unique characters and engaging storyline, sky-rocketing it to become one of the most profitable anime franchises in history.
The Eiichiro Oda Tribute
Behind this success lies the heartfelt story of Eiichiro Oda, known for the legendary One Piece series, who recognized Horikoshi’s talent early in his career. When Horikoshi, as an aspiring manga artist, submitted a fan art for One Piece, Oda selected it, providing him with the immense honor of being featured in volume 23 of the One Piece series. This recognition served as a motivational turning point for Horikoshi, laying the foundation for his ambitious project, My Hero Academia.
The Excitement of Recognition
A recent interview between Horikoshi and Oda, recounted the thrilling moment when Horikoshi saw his artwork in One Piece. Horikoshi shared his exhilaration, “I remember I was a high school student when I turned the page and saw that my art had been published. I started shaking, cried out “Mom!”, and went to show her”. This recognition, albeit in a small corner of the volume, boosted Horikoshi’s confidence and made him realize the potential in his art.
My Hero Academia’s Success Story
Under the influence of this successful launch and with Oda’s continuous encouragement, Horikoshi created My Hero Academia, which eventually mined gold at the box office. The series generated an impressive $98 million according to The Numbers.
Oda’s Intent Behind Featuring Fan Art
During their conversation, Oda revealed that his intention behind publishing fan art was to provide a platform for manga creators to showcase their work. Since social media was not prevalent back then, he viewed print publication as a means of promotion and appreciation. He stated, “I wanted to fit as many people’s artwork on those pages as possible.” This act not only gave Horikoshi a significant career boost but also reflects the supportive and integrated manga community.
Lighting the Path for More Creations
Oda didn’t just stop at recognizing Horikoshi’s talent, he also encouraged him to produce more volumes of My Hero Academia and aim for a profound conclusion. Now, as My Hero Academia concludes, we can see how Oda’s encouragement resulted in a series loved by many.
In Conclusion
The journey of My Hero Academia has been a perfect blend of creative storytelling, unique characters, and a supportive manga community. Eiichiro Oda’s role in inspiring and encouraging Kohei Horikoshi to create My Hero Academia truly showcases the power of recognition and support in the creative industry. You can dive into the exciting world of My Hero Academia on streaming platforms like Hulu and Crunchyroll.
