The My Hero Academia (MHA) manga, one of the defining titles of the last decade in the Shonen genre, has officially concluded its serialized run, bringing the epic saga of Izuku Midoriya and the world of Quirk-powered heroes to a close. Fans worldwide are now left with a monumental question: what comes next? While the final volume offered an extended epilogue and bonus content to provide further closure, the immediate successor to the BokuNoHeroAcademia throne in the competitive landscape of Weekly Shonen Jump and the global manga market has been a subject of intense speculation and industry analysis.

However, the celebrated creator, Kohei Horikoshi, has not left his audience entirely in the dark. Rather than a direct sequel—a path many mega-franchises take—Horikoshi has already given strong signals regarding his next creative endeavor, hinting at a project that promises to be a bold departure while still carrying the weight of expectation from a franchise that generated billions in revenue across manga, anime, and video games.

Horikoshi’s Confirmed Next Steps: A Change in Genre and Pace

In the immediate aftermath of My Hero Academia’s finale, Horikoshi-sensei himself confirmed that he is already in the concept stage for a new series. This news, delivered during post-finale interviews and collected in official fan books, is a strong indicator of his commitment to the manga industry, despite the immense pressure and the notoriously grueling weekly schedule that has affected the health of many top creators.

• New Genre Direction: Horikoshi has repeatedly expressed a deep interest in exploring the horror manga genre. During MHA’s serialization, he occasionally mentioned a desire to create something “spooky” or “darker.” Given the shift in his art style toward the final arcs of MHA, which became increasingly detailed and intense, a move into a more purely horror or dark fantasy setting is highly anticipated. This presents a fascinating new avenue for his exceptional character design and action choreography skills.
• Solo Creator Commitment: While initially considering a shift to focus solely on illustration—a move common for mangaka looking to manage workload—Horikoshi ultimately decided to once again take on both the writing and illustration duties. This decision, reportedly encouraged by his editor, signals a new series that will be entirely his unique vision, from storytelling to final panel. Fans can expect the same level of detailed, dynamic art that defined MHA.
• Early Concept Development: He is currently working on preliminary sketches and story manuscripts. While the title and release date remain a closely guarded secret, the rapid transition from one massive project to the next underlines the drive of a creator looking to immediately tackle new challenges in the publishing world.

The expectation is that this new, currently untitled project will eventually debut in Weekly Shonen Jump, continuing the magazine’s tradition of cultivating flagship titles. This move, away from the established superhero genre, is a crucial indicator of Horikoshi’s desire to challenge himself and avoid being typecast—a strategic career move that often results in highly creative, fresh output.

The Unofficial Successor: Horikoshi’s Recommendation for ‘Ichi the Witch’

Interestingly, while the Horikoshi new manga is in development, a different title has been dubbed the “successor” by fans and media, largely due to a rare public recommendation from the My Hero Academia creator himself. That series is Ichi the Witch.

Ichi the Witch, which began its serialization shortly after the conclusion of MHA, quickly gained traction when Horikoshi gave it his stamp of approval. While not his creation, the official endorsement carries enormous weight, effectively funneling a portion of the massive MHA readership into this new series. The series is being closely monitored by industry analysts as a potential candidate to fill the “power vacuum” left by the departure of both My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen from the weekly lineup.

For fans seeking the immediate, serialized excitement of a new, well-supported Shonen entry, Ichi the Witch is the current unofficial replacement. For those holding out for Horikoshi’s signature narrative depth and artistry, the upcoming, darker project remains the true replacement, eagerly anticipated by the entire geek culture sphere.

The Business Perspective: SEO, CPC, and the New IP Launch

From a digital marketing and content strategy standpoint, the transition from a billion-dollar IP like My Hero Academia to a new one is an e-commerce event. Publishers and media partners closely monitor Search Engine Optimization (SEO) trends and Cost Per Click (CPC) for keywords related to the franchise’s successor. Keywords like “Horikoshi new manga release date,” “My Hero Academia next series,” “Shonen Jump replacement manga,” and “Horikoshi horror manga” see massive search volume, driving high-value traffic and advertising revenue.

The delay between the end of the old series and the start of the new one is strategic, allowing the creator a necessary rest while also building maximum hype. This slow-burn reveal is a calculated content strategy to ensure the new IP launches with overwhelming initial reader interest, translating directly into high first-week sales—a critical metric for any new publishing venture.

The success of the new title will be measured not just in critical reception but also in its ability to quickly establish itself in the global anime and manga licensing market, securing future revenue streams from merchandise, video game development, and international streaming rights.

The Enduring Legacy: MHA’s Continuation Beyond the Manga

It is important to note that while the core manga has concluded, the My Hero Academia franchise itself is far from over. The immense brand value ensures its continuation across multiple platforms, effectively acting as a bridge to Horikoshi’s next work:

• Anime Final Season: The final season of the My Hero Academia anime adaptation is set to air, promising new, exclusive scenes overseen by Horikoshi to enhance the finale’s impact.
• Spin-offs and Media: The popular prequel series, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, and the lighthearted Team-Up Missions continue to expand the existing hero world.
• The Creator’s New Short Works: Horikoshi has stated he is working on a collection of “short manga panels” and light-hearted illustrations—a way to maintain creative momentum without the crushing weight of a weekly serialization schedule, while keeping his name in the conversation.

In conclusion, the replacement for My Hero Academia is two-fold: an immediately recommended, promising new series in Ichi the Witch, and the highly anticipated, genre-shifting, solo project by Kohei Horikoshi himself. The latter, while currently just a concept, represents the true continuation of a master storyteller’s journey, promising a fresh, darker world that will inevitably become the next big topic in pop culture news and the global entertainment industry. The clock is ticking for the reveal that will define the next era of Jump Comics.

(Source: Interviews and statements from Kohei Horikoshi collected in official My Hero Academia fanbooks and reported by multiple industry news outlets including Game Rant, CBR, and GamesRadar in late 2024 and mid-2025.)