Kohei Horikoshi is back, and he is not messing around. The legendary creator behind My Hero Academia just dropped a brand-new manga on Weekly Shonen Jump, and it is nothing like what anyone expected. Forget heroes, forget villains, forget Quirks entirely. Horikoshi has entered the world of horror, and fans across the globe are losing their minds over it.
Two years after My Hero Academia ended its historic run in both manga and anime, Horikoshi finally broke his silence. On August 10, 2026, a new one-shot manga titled Quit Laughing, Shijima hit the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump. The story is described as a boy-meets-girl horror tale, a massive genre shift for an author who spent a decade crafting the world of Izuku Midoriya and the students of UA Academy. And according to multiple industry insiders, Studio Bones is already considering an anime adaptation.
What Is Quit Laughing, Shijima About?
The manga follows a supernatural horror premise centered on a young protagonist who encounters a mysterious girl named Shijima. The title itself is a warning, and the story leans into creeping dread rather than the explosive action sequences that defined My Hero Academia. Early reviews from both Comic Natalie and ComicBook.com describe the tone as a mix between Jujutsu Kaisen’s darker supernatural elements and Horikoshi’s signature expressive art style.
That comparison is not accidental. Multiple critics have already noted that Quit Laughing, Shijima reads like Jujutsu Kaisen written in the My Hero Academia art style. The atmospheric horror, the character-driven tension, and the psychological edge all feel like a departure from hero shonen, yet Horikoshi’s beautiful character designs and dynamic paneling remain unmistakable. It is familiar enough to feel like home, but strange enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Why Fans Are Going Insane Over This
The manga community has been waiting two years for Horikoshi to return. After the massive success of My Hero Academia, which ran for over 400 chapters and spawned one of the biggest anime franchises of the 2020s, many wondered whether Horikoshi would take an extended break or jump straight into a new project. The answer came with an announcement from Comic Natalie that shocked everyone: a horror manga.
Fans on social media are calling this the most unexpected comeback in recent memory. The fact that Horikoshi chose horror over another superhero story has divided opinions, but the overwhelming consensus is excitement. One viral post stated, “Horikoshi drawing horror is like if Kubo wrote comedy. It should not work, but it absolutely does.”
Meanwhile, Polygon reported that the manga was initially described as a “boy-meets-girl horror story,” which only fueled more speculation. Is Shijima a ghost? A demon? A manifestation of the protagonist’s fears? Nobody knows yet, and that mystery is exactly what has everyone hooked.
Studio Bones and the Anime Question
Here is where things get really interesting. According to MSN, Studio Bones, the animation studio that adapted My Hero Academia for ten years, is already in early discussions about adapting Quit Laughing, Shijima for anime. This would mark a potential third collaboration between Horikoshi and Bones, following My Hero Academia and the now-concluded anime series.
Studio Bones President has also recently addressed the possibility of a My Hero Academia remake, suggesting the studio is far from done with Horikoshi’s work. If Quit Laughing, Shijima does get the anime treatment, it could become one of the most anticipated horror anime releases of 2027 or beyond.
The timing is also significant. With Crunchyroll expanding its manga platform and Fall 2026 stacked with massive anime returns, including Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4 and the final episodes of Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4, a new Horikoshi anime would be competing at the highest level. But if there is one thing this industry has learned, it is that you do not bet against Kohei Horikoshi.
The Horikoshi Legacy Continues
My Hero Academia was more than a manga. It was a cultural phenomenon that introduced millions of fans worldwide to anime and manga. Characters like Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugo, and All Might became household names. The series won multiple awards, sold over 100 million copies, and helped cement Shonen Jump’s dominance in the global market.
For Horikoshi to follow that up with a horror one-shot is both bold and refreshing. It shows an author who is not content to repeat himself, who wants to push into new territory and challenge both himself and his audience. Whether Quit Laughing, Shijima becomes a full serialization or remains a standalone one-shot, it already proves that Horikoshi is one of the most versatile and daring creators in the industry today.
What Do You Think?
Kohei Horikoshi swapping hero shonen for horror is a move nobody saw coming. Some fans are thrilled about the genre shift, while others wish he would return to the world of My Hero Academia. Studio Bones potentially adapting it into an anime makes the stakes even higher.
Do you think Horikoshi can pull off horror as well as he pulled off superhero action? Would you watch a Quit Laughing, Shijima anime? And what does this mean for the future of My Hero Academia?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below. We want to hear what the community thinks about the MHA creator’s terrifying jump into horror.
