My Hero Academia Creator Kohei Horikoshi Returns With Horror One-Shot
After a hiatus, Horikoshi pivots from superhero action to supernatural romance in 'Quit Laughing, Shijima'.
Kohei Horikoshi, the mangaka behind the global phenomenon 'My Hero Academia', has officially returned to publishing with a new one-shot titled 'Quit Laughing, Shijima' (Warawanai de yo Shijima-san). The release marks Horikoshi's first official work for Weekly Shonen Jump following a two-year break.
The 61-page story, which includes a center color page, debuted in Japan on August 10, 2026, appearing in the magazine's combined Issue #37/38. To reach a global audience, the work was released simultaneously on digital platforms MANGA Plus and VIZ. Described as a 'boy-meets-girl horror' or horror-romance blend, the plot centers on a student's attraction to an upperclassman named Shijima, who conceals a dark secret behind her boisterous laughter.
A Departure from Superheroes
This pivot represents a sharp stylistic shift for Horikoshi. For over a decade, he was defined by the high-octane superhero action of 'My Hero Academia', a series that concluded after a massive run of 430 chapters. While his previous work focused on the societal structures of heroism and combat, 'Quit Laughing, Shijima' leans into the supernatural and the intimate, trading sprawling battles for a focused, atmospheric narrative.
Industry Implications
Horikoshi remains one of the most commercially successful manga artists of the last ten years, making any new output a significant event for the industry. By choosing a one-shot in the horror genre rather than jumping immediately into another long-form action epic, Horikoshi is signaling a period of creative experimentation. This move allows him to test different storytelling tones and genres without the immediate pressure of a weekly serialization commitment.
What to Watch
While 'Quit Laughing, Shijima' is a standalone piece, industry observers view it as a potential bellwether for Horikoshi's future. Whether this foray into supernatural horror is a one-time exploration or a blueprint for his next major serialized project remains to be seen. For now, the one-shot serves as a high-profile return for an author whose absence was deeply felt by the Shonen Jump readership.