Boku No Hero Academia T. Magazine August 2018 Edition Interview with Horikoshi Kouhei

The August 2018 edition of T. Magazine (Toho Cinema Magazine) has a long interview with Boku No Hero Academia’s Horikoshi Kouhei. He talks about the Boku No Hero Academia movie and how it’s connected with the manga, what it means to be a hero, the future of the series, and more! Interesting points to note I translated the entire interview and hope that it gives everyone a better idea of the series and the movie! (For anime news sites asking, please credit if you repost this interview!) Enjoy~

INTERVIEW WITH BOKU NO HERO ACADEMIA’S HORIKOSHI KOUHEI

HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MOVIE AS WELL AS CHANGING THE IMAGE OF A HERO

80% of the world’s population has super powers known as “quirks,” similar to X-Men’s concept of mutants, and these beings live in a super society.

Within this society, there is a career to become “heroes,” which the world often shines a spotlight on. The story of Boku No Hero Academia focuses on a young boy named Midoriya Izuku, who was born without a quirk and yet is still able to become the number one hero. The story, written by Horikoshi Kouhei, is currently being serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, affectionately known as “Hiroaka” (T/N: I will use the abbreviation BNHA when they say Hiroaka in this interview).

The series currently has an anime being shown each week, and this year for the first time ever, an official movie was announced. Horikoshi has made characters that appear outside of the manga as well as extensively supervised the production of the movie. Because this is the first movie for the series, Horikoshi has also contributed enthusiastically to the script.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE THE NUMBER ONE HERO?

Horikoshi himself is a huge fan of American comic book series, and he compares his first experience seeing Marvel books as a flower blossoming within him, and he used this idea to also create the basis of BNHA, and we asked him directly about this. What he made clear to us is that in the continued serialization, a budding conscience was changed.

IN THE FIRST STAGES OF PLANNING THE SERIES, I HAD AN IDEA THAT MIDORIYA = SPIDER MAN

Interviewer: First, Horikoshi-san, we would like to discuss the movies related to American comic books, specifically the “Avengers Infinity War,” which you watched recently, correct?

Horikoshi: Yes, I watched it and was blown away. It was seriously amazing and surprised me in various parts! The story is great of course, but when the credits started to role, I thought to myself, “Wait, you’re joking!?” (laughs). I was so shocked that I was left dumbfounded. I want to watch the next movie like, now, and this is my feelings from the bottom of my heart.

Interviewer: Was there any scene that was impactful for you?

Horikoshi: When Thanos first did that “snap” and Bucky (the Winter Soldier) you know…that scene…yeah. At that time, I didn’t know what would happen if he did the snap, and since I didn’t have the answer to that, it was really shocking. It was a scene that really left an impression on you and makes you think about how the story will continue from them on. It had such an impact on me to the point that I almost thought they were lying to us. That is not to say that I am particularly emotionally attached to Bucky, but that scene really hit me hard.

Interviewer: Well then, among the American comic books that you enjoy, which character do you like the most?

Horikoshi: I love Spider-man. In the beginning stages of BNHA when I was still doing rough drafts, I thought it would be cool to have the protagonist Deku fight and talk in ways like Spider-man. However, I thought that it might be TOO similar to Spider-man, so I ended up throwing that idea out.

Interviewer: Ant Man and the Wasp is also out this summer. Are you interested in seeing how it relates to Infinity War?

Horikoshi: I’m pretty sure the events happen before Infinity War, but if it’s not then various things can be…Oh also I really like the character Venom, so I definitely want to watch this movie. A sequel to Spider-man Homecoming has also been decided, and I’m super looking forward to that as well.

Interviewer: Were you first introduced to the series of Spider-man through the comic books or the movies?

Horikoshi: Through the movies first. It all started when I got into Sam Raimi’s rendition of the 2004 Spider-man movies. Doc Oct (Doctor Octopus)’s fight was so incredibly cool, and I got goosebumps when Spider-man stopped the train by himself. When it looked like he would not be able to stop the train yet pulled through, weaving through the passengers and saving them, and finally when the kid took off his mask and Spider-man gave it to him…man, it was just so awesome, don’t you think?

Interviewer: I totally agree! It was a scene that really pulled at your heartsrings.

Horikoshi: I thought that this was so cool. It really showed what it meant to be a hero.

Interviewer: Is that when you entered the world of American comic books?

Horikoshi: I thought to myself, just exactly what kind of hero is Spider-man? Because of that, I started reading the comic books. At that time, there weren’t many books that were in Japanese, so I was able to understand much of the story, but the art was so cool that I was so attracted to it.

Interviewer: When I was reading your work, I had a feeling that some of the visuals in your manga were modeled after the shots in the American comic books.

Horikoshi: Visually, I am very influenced by the American comic books. However, I also enjoy their stories a lot, and I sometimes wonder why they drew it out in this way as I am reading them. In particular, the character’s feelings are well thought out, and I refer to this while also respecting its own art as well.

Interviewer: Are you mostly into Marvel comics only?

Horikoshi: I suppose so. I’m mostly into Marvel, but I also enjoy Batman from DC Comics.

Interviewer: Do you watch other movies aside from American Comic Books adaptations?

Horikoshi: Oh of course! I don’t usually feel like going to the movie theaters to watch movies, but I often buy DVDs. We often have movies playing at work while we’re drawing too.

Interviewer: Do you have some sort of standard when deciding on what to watch?

Horikoshi: Not really, just whatever I’m feeling at that time. If there’s a new movie that I see at work, and if I get into it, then I would watch it over and over, countless of times!

Interviewer: When you’re thinking of challenging yourself, is there a specific movie that you watch to get the gears going, so to speak?

Horikoshi: Hmm…what would that be…I guess it has nothing to do with American comics, but the movie AKIRA by Katsuhiro Otomo would be it. We play Akira often in the office. From the world up until the characters, it’s a vast and complex piece. I really like the character Tetsuo. Not just his character design, but his gestures and the way he talks is super cool.

That’s why I made Bakugou Katsuki from BNHA similar to the character of Tetsuo in the movie. Oh, I just remembered, but in the upcoming movie, there is a very AKIRA-esque scene. Bakugou and Izuku have these scene where they’re talking to each other that is very Tetsuo-like. I was happy that this scene was included!

Interviewer: Did Okamoto Nobuhiko (the voice of Bakugou)’s performance draw your attention?

Horikoshi: Hmm, let me think. I don’t know if it was bringing awareness for me, but if he was able to deliver, then it would be awesome.

THE TWO HERO COMBO MOVE THAT’S NOT IN THE MANGA

Interviewer: Our previous conversation got quite long, but let’s focus now on the Boku No Hero Academia first ever movie in the series. The anime started in 2016, and the anime has had many different character books, and character designer Yoshihiko Umakoshi recently said “I’d like to make an original story one of these days” to me. That soon became a reality, and how do you feel about this right now?

Horikoshi: When I first heard that they were planning to make a movie, to tell you the truth, I was really worried that BNHA could even be that kind of story that can warrant a full-length feature (laughs). When I think about it now, I get really excited!

Interviewer: The anime is currently airing Season 3 and the manga is extremely popular, so what kind of worries did you have?

Horikoshi: Talks of a movie were actually made in the early stages of the series. Because of this, I thought that the series would be dropped anyway, and that’s what I half expected to happen. However, as the conversation progressed along with the expansion of the series, the worries I had expected slowly changed.

Sometime ago, the movie staff asked me to watch the complete rough cut of the entire movie to offer any other points that I would like them to edit in regards to the story or scenes within the movie, and even though some parts were not yet polished in animation, it was so great! I thought, “Wow, this is going to be an amazing movie” and was very moved. I did all I could do up until that point, and the rest of the editing is now left in the hands of the staff, so I’m sorry I cannot do more!

Interviewer: The movie takes place after the Final Exams and before the School Field Trip. Horikoshi-san, you were in charge of overall supervision as well as character designs, so what kind of decisions did you make in the production of the movie?

Horikoshi: We had meetings with the anime team, and we were able to decide all things very naturally. First, I wanted to show more of All Might and Deku’s interactions, and that was the starting point. Because All Might loses his powers in the fight with All For One, I decided that this movie needs to take place before that; thus, we were able to decide on the timing of when this story takes place quite easily.

Interviewer: When you were writing the arc for the Final Exams, did you plan this out already?

Horikoshi: Not at that time, but after the exams were over and during summer break, there were moments when some school work blended in, so I decided that I wanted the main characters for the movie to be All Might and Deku, much like how the first episode had the two as well. I wanted to show that scene to various fans, and for those who are not familiar with BNHA, I wanted to create a story where they can easily understand the type of story that surrounds this series.

Interviewer: In the movie, All Might’s past is shown too, and it seems like it was an added element, correct?

Horikoshi: There were many ideas from the initial planning stages that the setting of the movie with Deku and All Might be in America. In the manga, I always had the idea of having All Might study abroad in America in his past, and since this was not present in the manga up until now, I thought that I could use this in the movie to satisfy the fans as well! It was a concept that I felt I should expand upon.

Interviewer: The movie contains an original story, but does it have any correlation to the current story in the serialized manga?

Horikoshi: I always wanted to include a chapter about All Might’s past, or rather, I thought that I definitely NEED to write about his past. In the movie, the young All Might is shown studying abroad in America, and I thought this might not be something that could be brought up anymore in the actual manga story up until now, so I saw the movie as a chance to present this. Of course, without a doubt, the movie and manga are adjoined, and the movie’s story is connected to the manga story that happens after it.

Interviewer: You mentioned just now about watching the rough cut, and are there any specific parts you’d like to mention?

Horikoshi: I think all of the action scenes have a great amount of variation, and I thought to myself while watching the movie, “Woah, the characters move a lot!” It was so cool, and I’m really looking forward to it! Also, Deku and All Might’s combo scene is a point of interest. Since this was something I missed out on including in the manga, it made me really emotional. I’m pretty sure this combo move is a scene that those who read the manga will definitely want to see, and that scene alone makes it worth watching the movie.

The production staff are in the middle of perfecting everything right now, but even so, you can feel how intensely passionate they are in animating this movie (laughs). I am also extremely excited for the completion of this movie. I guess saying that might give them pressure though.

Interviewer: However, the Season 3 anime staff’s Director Nagasaki Kenji, as well as Studio Bones are an unshakeable force that you can certainly put your trust in, right?

Horikoshi: Yes, of course. I fully entrust Director Nagasaki and Studio Bones with this work, and I know this time, much like all previous anime work, will turn out great, especially since the action scenes, such as the All Might versus Noumu fight in Season 1, were all magnificently completed.

Interviewer: It’s the scene where he punched him more than 300 times, right?

Horikoshi: Right, I actually counted the number of times that All Might packed those punches, and it’s absolutely surreal to me…but you probably don’t really care about that, sorry (laughs). Also in Season 2, with Deku versus Todoroki and Season 3 with All For One against All Might, these are all amazing scenes. The things that I want to see are performances that exceed my own expectations, scenes in the anime that will fascinate me, and thinking about this makes me really happy. I am really thankful that they are working on the project, and I have complete faith and trust in them.

Interviewer: In the anime, when you see a character’s movement, do you ever get any inspiration as a mangaka?

Horikoshi: Oh yes. For example, in one of the more recent chapters I drew, Chapter 186, Endeavor uses a powerful move called the Jet Burn, and while he uses it, a building goes flying off. I thought of making that scene when I was watching the anime’s Episode 30. Up until then in the manga, there were no scenes of Endeavor truly fighting (T/N: he implies the entire fight scene including the blue fire). However, in the anime, Endeavor scales a building, and his flames melt the building as he climbs higher and throws a spear made out of his flames at a noumu who’s flying away. I thought that was so freaking cool!

Interviewer: Was that scene an idea proposed by the anime team?

Horikoshi: Yes, indeed. It was a completely original scene. When I watched it on T.V., it left a huge impression on me, and I thought that I could never do it justice if I included it in the manga. I was wondering how he could run up and then have an awesome fight mid air, and when I did I just thought “I’ll have him fly!” That’s why in Chapter 186, you see him flying in that scene (laughs). That’s why if you refer to inspiration, I am incredibly inspired by the anime, and it gives me motivation and material to work with.

THE NUMBER ONE HERO THAT ALL CAN AGREE UPON

Interviewer: I would like to now ask a few questions about the manga itself. From All Might and Deku to All For One and Shigaraki Tomura, I get a sense of a “Star Wars” influence with the concept of training the next generation within the story. Did you have any conscience of this when creating the manga?

Horikoshi: I didn’t really think about the concept of changing generations, but more a sense of what kind of effect would come out of it, but now that you mention it, there might be a hint of the “succeeding generations” [from Star Wars]. I am a huge Star Wars fan so…

Interviewer: By the way, for BNHA’s entire story, how many parts do you think it will be?

Horikoshi: At the moment I think we’re at the fifth part of the story. I can’t say for sure how much the story will expand up until the ending, but just like how it’s written in the first chapter of the manga, this is a story where Deku becomes the Number One Hero. Because of that, there’s a question of “What exactly does it mean to be the Number One Hero?” and I want to show that in my manga.

Interviewer: “What does it mean to be the Number One Hero?” I’m sure you have your own ideologies surrounding this question, but what do you think makes a hero?

Horikoshi: It’s a theme that I’m conflicted about…When BNHA first started its serialization, I thought that what makes a cool hero is someone who can save people and make others feel safe. However, as the serialization progressed, the answer became more and more difficult.

Interviewer: What were the roots of the idea that a hero is someone like All Might, a person who saves and makes people feel safe?

Horikoshi: All Might’s influence probably comes from Dragon Ball’s character Goku. In the arc with Freiza, when Gohan and the others get messed up by Frieza, Goku just finished having his wounds tended to and was late in joining up with the others. I was reading the manga in real time and thought “since it’s Goku, he will definitely be able to do something!” It was truly a real experience.

When I read the manga, this feeling of happiness did not occur before or after. All Might’s “I am here!” line that he uses was decided because during that time as I was reading Dragon Ball, I knew that if Goku came, then everything will be okay. That’s why I gave that feeling to All Might. “He will definitely save everyone, he will definitely think of a way—“ That’s my image of a hero, of All Might, that resonated within me.

Interviewer: I see, so does this mean that this image of a hero from All Might will be passed onto Midoriya Izuku?

Horikoshi: Yes, Deku and All Might move based on the value [of saving people and ensuring safety as the number one hero]. In the beginning, I thought to push forward with that thought as well. However, in the present, I think that there are so many different values that go with being a hero. Everyone has their own different views of what it means to be a hero. That’s why little by little, my thoughts of what is a hero started to change. It’s not a negative change, quite the opposite actually. I don’t want to go against what others view as a hero figure.

Interviewer: Since you mention that, in Chapter 117 with the battle of Deku versus Bakugou, that fight was also made because of their side by side differing views of what it means to be a hero, right?

Horikoshi: For Bakugou, his idea of a hero is that “No matter what, I will win at the end.” That’s the type of character he is and what he values. Also, other characters all have their different views on what it means to be a hero. That’s why I want to capture that idea and thoroughly flesh it out within the manga of BNHA, and it will relate to what it means to be the “Number One Hero.” That’s why when I write about the villains, there is a question of “would it actually be cool if they are defeated, or maybe not…” and that thought excites me.

Interviewer: Speaking of BNHA villains, within their beliefs lies some twisted aesthetics, and they completely oppose the Hero’s Association and leaves an impression of constant conflict.

Horikoshi: Yes, that’s right. There are many different types of villains. For example you have the Villain Stain who has his own firm beliefs, you have villains who are utterly not capable of being saved, you also have those who have no choice but to be a villain– there are a lot of different types of villains.

Interviewer: “Villains who are not capable of being saved.” Is there anyone in the BNHA world who’s like that?

Horikoshi: I think if I answer that question, it will be a huge spoiler, but characters like Muscular who find great happiness in killing others would fit this category. If there comes a story about a villain being saved, then I feel like there needs to be a reward for that.

Interviewer: “A villain that should be saved.” Would Shigaraki Tomura apply to this category?

Horikoshi: Yes, I think so. I think that we have gotten to the point where Shigaraki can no longer turn back though. How should I put this, if I say more, I feel like it’ll dampen your imagination, so I won’t explain in detail. All I can say is that I hope you look forward to the expansion of the story from here on out.

Interviewer: Thank you very much. Lastly, there is one thing that I am very curious about regarding the invisible female character Hagakure Tooru. What does her real face look like?

Horikoshi: To tell you the truth, I have no idea (laughs). When I was writing the Cultural Festival arc, there was talk in the planning stages to have her win the beauty pageant.

Interviewer: Then that means she would be super cute!

Horikoshi: Maybe, perhaps her beauty would overpower the other girls, maybe an absolutely stunning girl?? (laughs) But if Hagakure were to win the beauty pageant, then she would have to probably cover herself in powder or something so you can see her face… Also, if she truly is a true beauty, I myself don’t even know how to draw that, and it would be a pretty large hurdle for me to figure out. So rather than not drawing it, I CAN’T draw it… In either case, to be curt, I would say that my real intention is to probably never have to draw her real face (laughs). If I did, probably all the other girl characters would be obsolete- that’s how beautiful she should be. But anything more than that (T/N He plans to draw her but doesn’t want to reveal how)- please cut me some slack here! (laughs)

T/N: Horikoshi is such a Marvel fanboy! This entire interview was so fun to read and translate! Please DM me if you want the original Japanese version of this interview. You can also DM me on Twitter!