Kohei Horikoshi is finally stepping out from the shadow of My Hero Academia — and bro, he did not choose the safe route.
Two years after My Hero Academia wrapped up in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, Horikoshi has returned to the magazine with a new 60-page one-shot manga titled Quit Laughing, Shijima. Instead of another superhero story, this one leans into horror, seaside mystery, and creepy supernatural vibes.
That alone makes it interesting. After spending years defining modern shonen hero manga through Deku, Bakugo, All Might, and the whole hero society chaos, Horikoshi could have easily come back with another action-heavy battle concept. Instead, he is testing a darker lane.
What is Quit Laughing, Shijima about?
The one-shot takes place in a seaside city and follows Azumi, a young boy who transfers in from another town. He becomes fascinated by a girl named Shijima, whose laugh has made her the centre of attention in the city.
But of course, this is not just a cute school-life setup.
Something strange and monstrous is hiding in the sea — and Azumi appears to be the only person who can see it. The story later reveals that Shijima is meant to become the city’s latest sacrifice, continuing a long tradition of offerings to an elder sea god.
Azumi then decides to save her, no matter what it takes.
The source also notes that Azumi visually gives off some Deku energy, which is honestly not surprising. Horikoshi’s character language is very recognisable. But the setting and tone here are clearly not My Hero Academia 2.0. This is more myth, dread, and monster design than hero rankings and Quirks.
Why this matters beyond just MHA fans
Analysis / inference: For Malaysia and SEA anime fans, Horikoshi’s return is worth watching because My Hero Academia is one of those gateway modern shonen series that stayed huge across streaming, cosplay, manga collecting, and convention culture. When a creator with that level of reach tests a new genre, people pay attention — especially if it has anime potential later.
Horror is also a smart pivot. Horikoshi has already shown he can draw disturbing, emotionally charged character designs through villains like Tomura Shigaraki. A full horror-leaning world could give him way more room to push that side of his art.
Right now, though, Quit Laughing, Shijima is only described as a one-shot. There is no confirmed full serialization in the provided source. So jangan overhype yet. This could remain a standalone experiment, or it could become the seed for Horikoshi’s next bigger project if Shonen Jump decides to move forward.
Could it become an anime?
Interestingly, Studio Bones is not shutting the door.
Bones president Masahiko Minami told ComicBook that if there is an opportunity, he and Studio Bones would be very interested in bringing the story to life as an anime. Since Bones handled the My Hero Academia anime, that connection makes the possibility extra spicy.
Still, this is interest — not an announcement. No anime adaptation has been confirmed in the source.
For now, Quit Laughing, Shijima feels like Horikoshi clearing the board after My Hero Academia and showing fans he has more than hero academia stories in him. A creepy seaside sacrifice manga from the creator of Deku? Yeah, that is the kind of curveball worth keeping on the radar.