My Hero Academia Returns with a Surprise Eri Anime Short
Just when fans thought they had finished their emotional goodbye to My Hero Academia, creator Kohei Horikoshi dropped a bombshell aouncement. A brand-new anime short titled I am a hero too will premiere at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles before getting a wider release in August. This is not a drill — more MHA content is coming, and it focuses on one of the franchise most beloved characters: Eri.
If you are still reeling from the series finale, this is the perfect palate cleanser. But what exactly is this short about, and why should you care? Let us break down everything we know so far.
What Is I am a hero too About?
The anime short adapts a one-shot manga chapter that Horikoshi originally wrote for the My Hero Academia: Ultra Ages fanbook. It takes place after the events of the main series finale and follows Eri as she navigates life in high school. Think of it as an epilogue episode — a chance to see how the little girl who once lived in terror under Overhaul and the Shie Hassaikai is doing now that she has found her freedom.
The aouncement was first teased on May 2, 2026 alongside the release of another short episode called More, which adapted Chapter 431 of the manga. But the lack of initial details left fans wondering whether this would arrive months or even years later. Turns out — it is coming much sooner than expected.
Release Dates You Need to Know
Here is the complete release timeline for the short:
- Anime Expo 2026 Premiere: The short will screen for the first time at Anime Expo, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 2 to July 5, 2026. A specific MHA panel has not yet been added to the AX 2026 schedule, so the exact premiere time is still TBD.
- Japan Theatrical Screening: After AX, it will be shown in Japanese theaters on August 1 and August 2 as part of special Character Matchup screenings featuring popular MHA episodes.
- Streaming Release: The short arrives on streaming platforms on August 3, 2026.
That means fans outside Japan only need to wait about two and a half months. Not bad at all.
Studio Bones Delivers Again
The anime is produced by Studio Bones — the same studio behind the main MHA anime series. Fans can expect the same quality animation that made the final arc so visually stuing. While no trailer or animation clips have been released yet, Bones track record with emotional character moments suggests this short will hit hard.
The image accompanying official aouncements shows the iconic Studio Bones and Funimation branding, confirming this is a legitimate, canon-adjacent project with full production backing.
Why Fans Are Losing Their Minds
Eri has always been one of the most emotionally resonant characters in My Hero Academia. Her rescue from Overhaul was one of the most memorable arcs of the entire series, and her healing journey has been a fan-favorite storyline ever since. Seeing her get her own focused anime short — essentially a glimpse into her post-series life — is exactly the kind of content fans have been craving since the main anime wrapped up.
Combine that with the tenth-aiversary celebrations and the surprise speed of this release, and it is easy to see why the MHA community is buzzing.
What Do You Think?
Are you hyped for the Eri-focused anime short? Do you think Studio Bones will deliver another emotional masterpiece, or are you hoping for more content focused on other characters like Deku, Bakugo, or Todoroki? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we want to hear your theories and reactions!
