A New Dawn for Shonen: Why Horikoshi’s Recommended Manga, Ichi the Witch, is Poised to Surpass MHA

For a decade, Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia reigned as a titan of the shonen manga and anime world. Its vibrant cast, intricate world of Quirks, and compelling themes of heroism and self-sacrifice captivated a global audience. But with the manga’s recent conclusion, a massive void has been left in the landscape of battle shonen. While fans mourn the end of an era, a new series has emerged with the official endorsement of Horikoshi himself, and it is already showing immense potential to become My Hero Academia’s successor: Ichi the Witch.

The Passing of the Torch: A Creator’s Endorsement

The confirmation of Ichi the Witch as a leading contender to fill My Hero Academia’s shoes comes directly from the source. In a public statement following the finale of his own series, Horikoshi highly recommended Ichi the Witch to his fanbase, an act that immediately garnered attention and a massive influx of new readers for the nascent series. This isn’t just a friendly nod; it is a powerful co-sign that speaks to the quality and potential of the work. For a creator to point to another manga as a worthy successor, especially one that has just begun its serialization, is a rare and significant event in the competitive world of Weekly Shonen Jump. This endorsement has given the series a monumental boost, helping it avoid the common fate of being “axed” in its first year and propelling it towards a level of popularity that guarantees an eventual anime adaptation, similar to the trajectory of Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man.

A New Vision: Greater Potential in a Different Mold

While Ichi the Witch and My Hero Academia are both fantastical battle shonen, they are fundamentally different in their approach, and it is in these differences that Ichi the Witch’s greater potential lies. While My Hero Academia was a masterclass in heroism and action, it was also criticized by some for its adherence to a traditional shonen formula. Ichi the Witch breaks this mold in several compelling ways:

• A Unique World and Power System: Unlike the widespread Quirks in MHA, Ichi the Witch is set in a world where magic is primarily a feminine art. The protagonist, Ichi, is a young boy who is the first male in history to be able to wield it. This fresh premise creates a rich and unique social dynamic and a power system that is both visually stunning and strategically complex. The rules of magic are still being explored, offering a sense of discovery that was a hallmark of My Hero Academia’s early arcs.
• A Fresh Protagonist: Ichi is not your typical shonen hero. He is not a bright-eyed idealist like Deku, but rather a quirky, almost feral kid with a background as a hunter. This provides a constant source of humor and a different kind of character growth, as he learns to apply his unique mindset to magical conflicts. His relationship with his mentor, the powerful and hilariously arrogant witch Desscaras, is a masterstroke of character writing and a refreshing departure from the traditional student-teacher dynamics seen in other series.
• A Deeper Emotional Core: While My Hero Academia excelled at massive, high-stakes battles, Ichi the Witch has been praised for its deep focus on character work and comedy. The series is not just about fights; it’s about the emotional journeys of its characters. This balance between engaging action and heartfelt character moments gives it a broader appeal and allows for more nuanced storytelling, an aspect that will only grow as the series progresses.

The Road Ahead: Building a Legacy

The path to becoming a true successor is long, but Ichi the Witch is already on the right track. Its early success is not just a result of a creator’s recommendation, but a testament to its compelling characters, unique setting, and smart writing. It has already amassed a dedicated following and is generating significant buzz in the manga community. The inevitable anime adaptation, which many fans hope will be handled by a studio with a similar visual style to MHA, will only further cement its place. As the story unfolds, Ichi the Witch has the potential to not only replicate the success of My Hero Academia but to forge its own legacy as a modern classic, proving that the shonen genre is as vibrant and innovative as ever.