The creator of My Hero Academia is back in Weekly Shonen Jump with a brand-new manga. Kohei Horikoshi has made his first return to the magazine since his superhero series ended in August 2024. This time, he is leaving heroes behind and stepping into horror.
Shueisha announced that Horikoshi’s latest work, titled Don’t Laugh, Shijima-san (also known as Warawanaide yo Shijima-san), will appear in the combined issue 37/38 of Weekly Shonen Jump. The issue hits store shelves in Japan on August 10, 2026.
A 61-Page Full-Color Horror Story
The one-shot manga runs for 61 pages and will be published entirely in full color. This marks a big change for Horikoshi, who spent over ten years drawing the black-and-white pages of My Hero Academia.
The story is described as a “boy-meets-girl horror” tale. While plot details remain limited, the official announcement came with a promotional illustration showing two characters on a scooter. The artwork gives fans a first look at the new direction Horikoshi is taking.
The one-shot is his first published work in Weekly Shonen Jump since My Hero Academia ended. It represents a fresh start for the manga artist after concluding one of the magazine’s most successful modern series.
Why Horikoshi Chose Horror
Horikoshi has not kept his interest in horror a secret. During the final arc of My Hero Academia, he mentioned having “a small desire to draw a horror manga”. That wish has now become a reality.
Throughout his superhero series, Horikoshi showed he could create genuinely scary moments. Villains like Shigaraki, All For One, and Stain brought dark and creepy elements to the story. These glimpses of horror made fans wonder what he could do with a full horror story.
Now, with Don’t Laugh, Shijima-san, he gets to explore that side of his storytelling fully. The shift from action-packed superhero battles to a spooky campfire-style story shows his range as a creator.
What We Know About the Story
The one-shot takes place in a small coastal town. A new student arrives and discovers a girl named Shijima who is always laughing. Soon, he uncovers dark secrets about the town, and the girl sits at the center of it all.
The premise mixes everyday settings with supernatural horror. Fans have already started comparing the tone to other horror manga series. The 61-page length gives Horikoshi room to build atmosphere and deliver scares, though some readers feel the story could support a longer run.
Special Features in the Same Issue
The combined issue 37/38 of Weekly Shonen Jump includes more than just Horikoshi’s one-shot. The magazine will also feature a special section celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kochikame (officially titled Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutsujo).
The anniversary feature runs for six pages and is supervised by horror novelist Seisuji (also known as Sesuji). Seisuji is known for works like About a Certain Place in the Kinki Region and A Questionnaire on Mouths.
Readers who buy the issue will also receive a bonus illustration card featuring new artwork by Kochikame creator Osamu Akimoto.
Fan Reactions and Online Buzz
The announcement of Horikoshi’s return has generated significant excitement across social media. Fans have been waiting for new work from the creator since My Hero Academia ended.
Following the one-shot’s debut on August 10, it immediately started trending on Shueisha’s official MANGA Plus app, where readers can access the manga for free. The platform allows global audiences to read the latest chapters simultaneously with Japan.
Horikoshi shared a new visual on his official X (formerly Twitter) account along with a message encouraging fans to read the one-shot. He also left a note in the “Mangaka Musings” section of the magazine, saying:
“I’m so happy to be in Jump! Drawing was so fun! Hope you enjoy it!”
The positive response has led to discussions about whether the one-shot could become a full series. Shueisha has a history of testing new ideas through one-shots before deciding on serialization. My Hero Academia itself started as a pilot one-shot in 2008 before launching as a full series in 2014.
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Horikoshi’s Career After My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from July 2014 to August 2024. The series became a global phenomenon, surpassing 100 million copies in worldwide circulation by April 2024. It spawned multiple anime seasons, movies, spin-offs, and video games.
Since ending the series, Horikoshi has remained active in the industry. He served as a judge alongside Tite Kubo (Bleach), Yūki Tabata (Black Clover), and Gege Akutami (Jujutsu Kaisen) for Shueisha’s talent contest seeking new manga IP.
He also contributed an additional 38 pages of new content to the manga’s 42nd and final compiled volume, released in December 2024.
Where to Read the One-Shot
Don’t Laugh, Shijima-san is available in the combined issue 37/38 of Weekly Shonen Jump, released in Japan on August 10, 2026.
International readers can access the one-shot for free on Shueisha’s MANGA Plus app and website. Viz Media also publishes English editions of Weekly Shonen Jump content for North American audiences.
The one-shot joins a growing list of special releases from major manga creators exploring new genres after finishing long-running series.
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Source: Comic Natalie
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