My Hero Academia Creator Shares How Spider-Man 2 Influenced the Series (Exclusive)

As a dedicated fan and connoisseur of both manga and superhero lore, I must say that Kohei Horikoshi has truly outdone himself with My Hero Academia. The man’s ability to weave intricate narratives while paying homage to classic comic book stories is nothing short of genius.

It’s often said that genius appreciates genius, and this certainly rings true for Kohei Horikoshi, the brainchild behind “My Hero Academia.” Since breathing life into this popular series, Horikoshi has experienced quite a journey. Fast forward to July 2014 when “My Hero Academia” first made its global debut, and now, with the manga drawing to a close, the creator has had some time to reflect on the series. In an exclusive chat with ComicBook, Horikoshi shared his thoughts on how the acclaimed film “Spider-Man 2” left a significant impact on his successful creation.

After being questioned about how real-world heroes impacted him while illustrating “My Hero Academia”, Horikoshi admitted that he drew inspiration from Marvel, specifically citing a scene from “Spider-Man 2” as instrumental in shaping his concept of superheroes.

As a gamer, I can’t help but draw a parallel from my gaming world to the thrilling scene in ‘Spider-Man 2’ featuring Tobey Maguire. In this moment, Spidey is more than just a superhero stopping a runaway train; he’s a man revealing his true identity. Interestingly, an ordinary passenger gives him back his mask that a child had found and says, “I won’t tell anyone,” as Horikoshi pointed out.

As a gamer, I believe that particular moment encapsulates what a hero truly is. To me, a hero isn’t just someone with extraordinary powers; it’s an individual who lends a helping hand to ordinary folks like us. And in turn, those ordinary people become heroes too, by passing on the kindness they receive. That, to me, seems to be the essence of what a hero is – nothing more, nothing less.

Undoubtedly, Marvel enthusiasts will recognize the pivotal moment Horikoshi refers to in “Spider-Man 2”. Known as one of Marvel’s finest films before “Iron Man”, it remains compelling even today. As the movie nears its end, viewers witnessed Spider-Man sacrificing his anonymity to save a train full of bystanders. Wounded and terrified, Spider-Man was in the hands of those he saved, who reciprocated by saving him in return. In this emotional scene, the public rallied around their hero, shielding Peter Parker from public scrutiny – a theme that resonates strongly with “My Hero Academia”.

If you still haven’t had a chance to explore “My Hero Academia”, you can find the entire manga on the Shonen Jump app. For comprehensive information about Horikoshi’s popular series, take a look at the official synopsis provided below for all the necessary details.

Throughout his life, Izuku has yearned to become a hero – an ambitious aspiration for many, but particularly difficult for someone without superpowers, given that they are common among eighty percent of the population. Despite being born ordinary in a world where people typically possess special abilities known as “quirks,” Izuku remains undeterred and decides to attend one of the world’s most esteemed hero academies.

2024-08-12 21:39

Read More