My Hero Academia Creator Kohei Horikoshi Returns to Jump with Horror One-Shot

Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia, is returning to Weekly Shonen Jump with a brand-new 61-page horror one-shot titled Don't Laugh, Shijima-san (Warawanaide yo Shijima-san). The one-shot will debut in the magazine's combined issue #37/38, releasing on August 10 in Japan.

A Shift from Superheroes to Horror

Don't Laugh, Shijima-san is described as a "boy-meets-girl horror" story, marking a sharp tonal departure from the superhero action that defined Horikoshi's decade-long career on My Hero Academia. The one-shot will receive a center color page in its debut issue, signaling the kind of premium placement Shueisha typically reserves for marquee releases.

At 61 pages, the project is a substantial one-shot by Jump standards, where most single-chapter entries clock in at around 45 pages. The extended length suggests Horikoshi has crafted a self-contained narrative with room for atmosphere and world-building - qualities that horror stories demand.

Horikoshi's First Manga Since My Hero Academia

This publication marks Horikoshi's first original manga work since My Hero Academia concluded its serialization in August 2024. That series ran for a full decade from 2014 to 2024, accumulating over 100 million copies in circulation worldwide and spawning multiple anime seasons, theatrical films, and spin-off projects.

The gap of nearly two years between the end of My Hero Academia and this new one-shot is notable but not unusual for manga creators coming off long-running serializations. Major mangaka often take extended breaks before returning with shorter works that allow them to explore genres and storytelling styles outside the constraints of a weekly serialization schedule.

Horikoshi has remained connected to the My Hero Academia franchise during this period. A 10th Anniversary Exhibition is scheduled for Tokyo and Osaka in 2027, and a U.S. concert tour is planned for September through October of this year. The video game adaptation My Hero Academia: All's Justice has also launched across multiple platforms, keeping the franchise active in the marketplace.

Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #37/38

The combined issue hosting Horikoshi's return is packed with notable content. The same release will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Osamu Akimoto's KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops, featuring a special commemorative article and an illustrated bonus card by Akimoto himself. The pairing of a veteran manga legend's milestone with one of Jump's most successful modern creators makes this particular issue a significant release on the magazine's calendar.

What This Means for Horikoshi's Future

One-shots in Weekly Shonen Jump frequently serve as testing grounds for potential serializations. Creators use them to gauge reader response and editorial interest before committing to a full series. Whether Don't Laugh, Shijima-san is a standalone experiment or a proof of concept for something larger remains to be seen, but the horror genre has been gaining traction in Jump's lineup in recent years.

Horikoshi's pivot to horror is not entirely surprising for readers familiar with his work. My Hero Academia frequently incorporated darker themes, body horror elements, and psychological tension - particularly in its later arcs. A dedicated horror project allows him to lean fully into those instincts without the structural obligations of a shonen action series.

Don't Laugh, Shijima-san arrives in Weekly Shonen Jump issue #37/38 on August 10 in Japan.