Not sure if you should try out Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia? Here’s some reviews to see if it’s worth your while!
David Brooke, AIPT:
“This isn’t a comedy by any means, but the cartoonish facial expressions help when it comes to adding some lightheartedness to the very serious nature of the superhero elements in this book. All Might is a bit bland in his look though, but this is probably on purpose to make him more of an archetype than anything else. By issue’s end it’s pretty clear Horikoshi has established a very nice, cartoony look to the characters while maintaining a very detailed and realistic look to the city and world around them.”
Matt, Taykobon:
Another aspect of My Hero Academia that I loved was the way that author Kohei Horikoshi infuses his artwork with style reminiscent of American superhero comics. This is most obvious in All Might’s character design as in his powered-up form he is drawn in a style that obviously calls back to American superhero comics, portraying him in a nostalgically heroic way. This is also cleverly used to create a clear contrast between All Might’s powered up “superhero” version and his weaker self, which is drawn in a more conventional style.
Lesley Aeshcliman, Watch Play Read:
I have to admit that when I first saw that this series was about people with a genetic mutation becoming superheroes, I was afraid it was going to be a Tiger & Bunny clone. Thankfully, that fear was quickly dispelled, because the setup for the two series is vastly different. After finishing My Hero Academia Volume 1, I thought the story was off to a strong start. I may not have found it to be quite as strong as Tiger & Bunny, but it’s good for what it is.
Dustin Cabeal, Comic Bastards:
This is probably one of the first manga I could offer to an American comic reader and have them enjoy it. I don’t have to say what genre it is or what it’s like, I can just say it’s a superhero story and have them enjoy it. Maybe that’ll get them to check out more manga that isn’t superhero themed, but then that logic doesn’t even work on American comics so probably not. What I can say for certain is that anyone that reads this book is sure to enjoy it because even though there are familiar elements, at the end of the day they’re combined to form something new and the way they’re handled is very endearing. If you’re a fan of heroes or underdog stories, you’ll be a fan of My Hero Academia.
Joseph Luster, Otaku USA:
My Hero Academia has a lot going for it so far. There’s a bit of the ol’ Marvel Comics brewing in here along with the classic shonen tropes, and the cast of new heroes are all poised to make something of themselves and really flex their powers. It’s easy to see why it was popular right out of the gate in Japan, and hopefully it continues to build upon its strong opening in the coming volumes.
Sean Gaffney, A Case Suitable for Treatment:
Nothing here is really original, but also nothing here is really poorly done, either. The author has learned from Barrage, his previous series. Izuku is a bit of a shy coward without being unlikeable, All Might’s secret allows him to be hilarious as well as inspiring, and his new friend Ochako is cute, and not Shiemi from Blue Exorcist despite all appearances saying she is. The fight scenes look smooth and non-confusing, and there is actual tension as you wonder how this will get resolved – it also allows Izuku to be clever, which is the best way to advance when you also have cool superpowers. Add on a reluctant mentor and some random giant woman fanservice, and you can see exactly why this became a bit hit while Barrage was cancelled after 2 volumes.
Ken Haley, Sequential Ink:
…Meanwhile, the class setting, school rankings, and other things like a rival character call to mind a myriad of shonen tales. While it’s an interesting mixture and an enjoyable read, it doesn’t quite come together to create a compelling and gripping read.
Isaac Akers, Otaku Review:
The standout, though, is All Might, who isn’t quite as all mighty as his name would suggest. There’s a surprising amount of depth to this superhero (who is drawn in a distinctively different style from the other characters) and his mentoring of Izuku really brings out the best in Izuku’s character. It’s a huge boon for the show that their relationship will continue on past this volume — it’s one of the manga’s strongest points.
To conclude, there are also a ton of tiny little hints at deeper points. The success of later volumes, I think, will rely on how well these what are currently no more than slips of a character’s tongue are used to create further texture in these already likable characters. There’s really not much to dislike in My Hero Academia at this point; for those that like the shonen battler genre, this is a huge score.
Scott, SKJAM! Reviews:
This shounen manga homage to American superhero comics was something of a sleeper hit; Mr. Horikoshi’s previous two efforts had a lukewarm reception, and the immediately preceding series, Barrage, tanked. So the online edition of Shonen Jump didn’t even bother running a preview when it debuted. But this time Horikoshi is firing on all cylinders.
James Ristig, How To Love Comics:
“If you’re new to comics and manga, this is an easy to follow superhero story you can just pick up and read. This is a great starting point since only the first volume has been released so far. If you’re an old comics fan, buy this book! Kohei stuffs plenty of references and gags about comics and superheroes into this book that will leave you smiling. It pains me not to spoil a future storyline, but one of the characters has a very familiar design if you grew up in the 90’s. There’s so much to love about this story. Deku is a really charming protagonist you want to root for. The supporting cast all get their time to shine over the course of the story. Finally, All Might is awesome! A hearty recommendation!”
Katherine Dacey, Mangablog:
Though the plot twists are unsurprising, and Izuku’s classmates familiar types (e.g. the Bully, the Spazzy Enthusiast), the breezy script propels My Hero Academia past its most hackneyed moments. The clean linework, playful superhero costumes, and artfully staged combat further enhance the series’ appeal; Kohei Horikoshi could give a master class on the reaction shot, especially when a supervillain is wrecking havoc on a downtown skyline. Most importantly, Horikoshi respects the sincerity of Izuku’s ambitions without letting the character’s earnest intensity cast a pall over the fun–in essence, it’s a Silver Age comic in modern shonen drag, with all the corny humor and fist-pumping action of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s best work on Spider-Man.
Feel free to add your thoughts on My Hero Academia in the comments below! You can also check out the first chapter on Viz Manga to see what you think.
