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The character array of Kohei Horikoshi’sMy Hero Academiais known for its variety and diversity. The series has some of the best-written characters, and all of them have established their place beautifully in the narrative. From simple characters like Yuga Aoyama to the main antagonists like All for One, everyone is important to the central storyline.
However, the one thing that remains constant with each character ofMy Hero Academiais the fact that none of them have a descriptive backstory that could help fans create a better image of the characters. A backstory or a past flashback helps fans understand the actions of the characters and point out whether they are justifiable or not.
A few months ago, Horikoshi revealed why he doesn’t include the backstories of the characters in the series, despite creating them. He pointed out that the main inspiration behind this aspect ofMy Hero AcademiawasTerminator 2from the widely successful James Cameron franchise.
Kohei Horikoshi Creates Backstories But Does Not Include in The Manga
A few months ago,Viz Mediainterviewed Horikoshi about the impending conclusion of theMy Hero Academiamanga and the release of the next movie from the franchise. During the interview, the manga creator was asked about the characters and their backgrounds. Horikoshi made the startling revelation that he has created multiple backstories but has never included them in the narrative.
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Horikoshi stated:
It’s not quite about not getting the chance, but I have characters and backstories that I created but didn’t include in the story. For instance, I have detailed stories for the previous inheritors of One For All. I intentionally left these out. I know it’s a little off from what the question was asking.
According to the mangaka, there are quite a few stories that he has created and would love to explore even further, but he can’t include them in the mainMy Hero Academiaplot.
The biggest example of this is all the previous holders of One for All. There were nine users of One for All,including All Mightand Izuku, and their past would certainly help in the making of an enticing plot.
Kohei Horikoshi Doesn’t Focus on Backstories Because ofTerminator 2
Further talking about the backstories of the characters and why he doesn’t focus on them much,Kohei Horikoshipointed out that he never wants to draw backstories inMy Hero Academia. The mangaka revealed that the reason behind this is the 1991 movie,Terminator 2.
No, not at all. Rather than drawing out all the well-thought-out backgrounds and episodes, I wanted to hint at those elements instead. For instance, in Terminator 2, John Connor becomes a leader in the future, and Schwarzenegger’s character is sent from that future world.
But there aren’t many depictions of the future itself. Because the future isn’t depicted in detail, the viewers’ imaginations expand, and I thought that was really great. So, I wanted to create something like Terminator 2.
The mangaka explained thatTerminator 2helped him understand the importance of the viewer’s imagination and how it helps the story become even more intriguing for the audience.
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According to Horikoshi, if he left the backstories’ interpretation to the viewers, they would have a much-expanded perspective and wouldn’t be limited towhat’s mentioned in the story. This way they can either justify or un-justify the actions ofMy Hero Academia’scharacters on their own.
My Hero Academiais available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Tarun Kohli
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2958
Tarun Kohli is the Senior Anime Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,900 published articles. He currently specializes in critiquing One Piece and other Shonen anime. A passionate fan of the genre, his love for thoughtful analysis reflects his genuine appreciation for the art of anime. His deep understanding of anime culture has earned recognition from industry figures such as Adi Shankar and the creators of Blood of Zeus.
