My Hero Academia Creator's Horror Manga Debuts
Kohei Horikoshi's new one-shot manga, Quit Laughing, Shijima, marks a significant genre change from superheroes to horror, set in a Japanese seaside town with a dark tradition

Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of the popular manga series My Hero Academia, has released a new one-shot manga called Quit Laughing, Shijima, which was published on Shonen Jump on August 10, 2026. This new work marks a significant genre change for Horikoshi, shifting from superheroes to horror.
The story of Quit Laughing, Shijima is set in Konoshiro City, a Japanese seaside town with a population of three million. The main character, Azumi, is a high school student who can see terrifying creatures in the bay and is in love with his classmate Shijima. However, Shijima is chosen as a sacrifice to a godlike being that inhabits the bay and grants prosperity to the town.
Horikoshi had expressed his desire to work on a horror manga as early as 2022, and Quit Laughing, Shijima is the result of this desire. The manga is available to Western readers on the Manga Plus app.
## What changed My Hero Academia ended two years before the release of Quit Laughing, Shijima, and since then, Horikoshi has been working on new projects. Quit Laughing, Shijima is a departure from the superhero genre that made Horikoshi famous, and it will be interesting to see how fans react to this new direction.
## Why it matters The release of Quit Laughing, Shijima is significant because it shows that Horikoshi is willing to take risks and try new things. Many manga artists stick to the same genre and style throughout their careers, but Horikoshi is branching out and exploring new themes and ideas. This could lead to new and exciting opportunities for Horikoshi and his fans.
The fact that Quit Laughing, Shijima is a horror manga also makes it stand out. Horror is a popular genre in manga, and Horikoshi's take on it is likely to be unique and interesting. The story's setting in a Japanese seaside town with a dark tradition adds to the sense of foreboding and tension, making it a compelling read.
Overall, the release of Quit Laughing, Shijima is an exciting development for fans of Kohei Horikoshi and manga in general. It shows that Horikoshi is still a creative and innovative artist, and it will be interesting to see what he does next.





