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My Hero Academia is filled to the brim with action, emotion, and unique characters. Kohei Horikoshi, the author, illustrates what it means to be a hero on each page of the My Hero Academia manga. With the manga’s end on August 5, 2024, My Hero fans may be looking for a manga to fill the void that the 10-year long manga has left. As it is a shonen manga, fans won’t have to wander far to find a replacement for My Hero Academia.
One-Punch Man
One-Punch Man is similar to My Hero Academia in which the story revolves around super heroes. However, that is where the similarities almost immediately end. One-Punch Man is mostly a comedy due to the protagonist, Saitama. After years of training, Saitama becomes the strongest hero able to end all battles in one punch. But what makes this hero manga attractive beyond the comedy is the cast of characters. Similar to My Hero Academia, the cast of One-Punch Man strive to be the best hero, or villain, they can be, save for Saitama. Saitama wants to fight someone on equal footing.
Shy
In Shy, the human heart plays a significant role in the story. Heroes protect the human heart from the manipulation of villains. This concept applies to the heroes as well. Heroes wear bracelets that help them transform when their hearts are synced with the bracelet. Momijiyama Teru is a hero assigned to protect Japan from these villains under the alias of Shy. Teru was given this name due to her timid nature. This shy personality of hers gets in the way of saving people in a burning building. However, she presses on past her insecurities to help those in need. While they might not be completely parallel to each other, Midoriya Izuku (the protagonist of My Hero Academia) and Momijiyma Teru (the protagonist of Shy) both share the desire to help people.
Tiger and Bunny
The story of Tiger and Bunny displays a different side of the superhero world. Beyond centering around superheroes and their abilities, Tiger and Bunny revolves around the professionalization of superheroes much like My Hero Academia. Heroes in this world are sponsored by corporations for money, fame, and the chance to be a real hero. Akin to Midoriya, the main protagonist, Kotetsu Kaburagi, isn’t a hero for fame or fortune. Both of these individuals became heroes to save people in need.
Fire Force
A common theme amongst most of the titles on this list is that the main characters desire to help people. The protagonist of Fire Force is no different from those amiable souls. After being saved in a fire by some from the Fire Force as a young child, protagonist Shinra Kusakabe joins Special Fire Force Company 8. Shinra was shunned and ostracized by those around him for his unnerving smile. Those same people thought he was the one who caused the fire that killed his mother and brother. Shinra still aspires to be like the man who saved him that day.
Zipman!!
Zipman!! is a mixture of heroes and tokusatsu. Aspiring toku actor, Kaname Tatara, strives to be a hero like his idol, Jackman. His goal is to make everyone smile despite his hostile demeanor. His genius twin brother, Koshiro, dies from mysterious circumstances. A week later, Koshiro returns as a wearable robot. Kaname Tatara now wears his brother to defend and defeat their enemies.
Zipman!! Did not have a long run in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump. This shonen manga only ran for 17 chapters; resulting in two manga volumes. Though, it didn’t last as long, those interested in My Hero Academia should give a try as themes of heroism, family, and love shine through in this manga.
Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 is significantly different from My Hero Academia in that it is not a superhero manga. However, the artist, ONE, does show glimpses of comedy, tragedy, and acceptance akin to My Hero Academia. Similar to Midoriya at the beginning of My Hero Academia, Shigeo Kageyama, the protagonist of Mob Psycho 100, is trying to find a place where he belongs. Shigeo is an esper who hides his emotions to control the overwhelming power that lurks within. Unlike Midoriya, Shigeo (or Mob) was born with his powers. Where these two protagonists converge is on their ideals. They both want to protect what is precious to them. Both Kohei Horikoshi and ONE convey emotional moments during fight panels in each manga.
While there are other manga that draw parallels to My Hero Academia. Manga like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece come to mind when digging through a list of examples of battle manga to recommend reading. The manga above conveys themes present in the My Hero Academia manga.
Visit Viz Media to read every chapter of My Hero Academia. You can also watch the superhero series on Crunchyroll.
