My Hero Academia, Vol. 1 (1) Paperback – August 4, 2015

*My Hero Academia*, by Kohei Horikoshi, is a manga series that is in many ways a tribute to American super-hero comics. From the chapter titles having artwork that emulates the covers of American comic books, and the general style and tone being more in line with American super-hero comics than *shonen* manga, the book is one big shout-out to the American genre.The story takes place in the future where increasing numbers of the populace have developed abilities called "quirks". These abilities help the people who have them to do amazing feats, or sometimes just mundane things that aren't super-useful. They are basically like the mutants in Marvel Comics or meta-humans in DC Comics.Because of this, some people decided to use their new abilities to hurt others and enrich themselves in selfish, illegal, immoral ways. These new super-powered villains are sometimes really difficult, if not impossible, to stop. For ordinary folks or even those with less impressive quirks, at least. For those with powerful enough quirks, such villains can be fought successfully.Such powerfully-endowed folks are able to become professional heroes who are paid by governments world-wide for their services, and some can get fame and fortune by doing so. And this brings us to our story.There is a boy in Japan named Izuku Midoriya who desperately wants to become a hero. To do so, he must attend a "hero school" and he wants to go to the premiered Hero school in his country, the U.A. High School. Unfortunately, he is a quirkless - one of the few people left who has no quirk at all, not even a mundane one.Of course, between the lack of a quirk, the bullying of the only boy in their school to have a powerful quirk, and the mockery of everyone else over his dreams, Midoriya is miserable. When he is saved from attack by his personal hero - and the strongest hero on the planet - All-Might, his fortunes turn around. All-Might is so impressed with his heart that he helps Midoriya fulfill his dreams.So begins the story of this young boy's rise from the victim of bullying and useless dreams, to beginning a journey to friends and becoming the world's greatest hero.This story was really sweet and is, like *Tiger & Bunny* a really unique tale. There are some subversions of typical Japanese genres that seem to uphold American ideas of individualism over Japanese cultural community. It's not subversive, but it does hit points that aren't often hit in Japanese series. Not that the Japanese never value individuality. Japan is a varied country of different viewpoints underneath the cultural conformity. Also, some ideas are everywhere, across cultural lines, just with differing emphases and so forth. But the tone is more American melded with Japanese. It's really quite interesting.I love Japanese culture, though there is bad just as in American culture. It's cool to see shout-outs and other stuff to American genres from a Japanese fan of such. It's as if the opposite of me in Japan wrote a series and such.The characters are also a unique mix of Japanese and American types. And in the notes on some characters, you can see where the mangaka stated he decided to go against some style that his editors asked for. These characters are the ones that have a more American feel to them. There are other characters that are explicitly Japanese styles of characters too.*My Hero Academia* has a fun story wherein the author uses some really unique mixes of Japanese and American tropes and styles. It's one of my favorite series in manga or otherwise, and one that I highly recommend.

Mutants- I mean quirks are the new norm. Most people have some type of quirk. It seems our main character, and typical Shonen kid, Deku is without a quirk despite both of his parents having one. But how does he become the number one hero? Shut up, it’s a Shonen, we don’t ask questions here. Deku has an unhealthy obsession with the current number one hero, All Might. This causes Deku to have large dreams to join the largest and hardest school, U.A. Feeling slightly defeated, Deku runs into All Might during a fight against a villain. Deku latches onto All Might(literally) and learns All Mights secret.The same villain escapes and attacks the city again. While the other hero’s try to fight off the villain, it’s Deku that kicks everyone into action. All Might realizes Deku’s potential and reveals another secret with him. Deku can take All Mights quirk. Queue montage music! Deku trains relentlessly for the awaiting admission test. The lowly Deku, barely accommodating to his new quirk steps into the test with wet pants. Never one to back down, Deku goes beyond Plus Ultra and passes his test. (Come on guys it’s a Shonen.) However, his new quirk comes with severe consequences he must learn to use it wisely.So what’s the big idea for his new teacher to test everyone’s quirk. Because school! Deku must limit himself to his use of his quirk, finding it extremely difficult as all of his classmates have shown some extension of their quirks. Deku rips himself a new one by trying to use his quirk again, but with the guidance from his teacher, Easer Head, no his head is not literally an eraser despite how cool that would be, Deku learns to limit himself. With tears in young Deku’s eyes, he moves onto his next class. A cops and robbers scenario where he must use more of his self-destructive quirk. With a costume in mind, if you guessed his crazy obsession was back, you’re right. He gears up looking too much like All Might, basically flashing in front of everyone that he’s the new All Might. He gears up to fight his arch nemesis/ old friend, Bakugo.Will everyone see the obvious connection between All Might and Deku? Is there going to be 800 episodes of unnecessary filler to finally reach a disappointing ending? God I hope not! Let’s find out in Vol. 2.MHA, I was very skeptical about at first but I’m so happy I picked it up. There’s no dragging me around on a never ending take of each character. The story is a sweet touch on what this manga is going to be about, with a strong sense of action. Not only do each characters have a personality you can relate to, they’re not overbearing. There’s so much I can’t wait for with this manga and the characters development. I give this manga a Present Mic Plus Ultra out of ten. (A ten out of ten.)

Being recognized as the "next" big thing in Shonen Jump, My Hero Academia puts a spin on the hero genre.Summary: Izuku Midoriya has always wanted to become a hero, in a super powered filled world, but sadly he was born powerless. Not wanting to accept reality or rather his "destiny", Izuku sets out, in anyway possible, to become a hero like his role model All Might. It isn't until he actually meets All Might that he is given his first real opportunity to become one.Pro's:•Great art style•Interesting characters•A likable and we'll rounded protagonist•Keeps you wanting more•A great start for volume 1Con's:•Can be a slow start for some readers•Has a lot more dialogue than some might be used to.Overall I can gladly say that this is a great first volume to start the series. The story, the characters, and the art style made me fall in love with My Hero Academia and because of this I'm excited to see where the story will go from here. (I already bought the 2nd and 3rd book!)If you like origin stories and need another Shonen Jump manga similar to Naruto or One Piece, and/or are not tired of the hero genre as of yet, then by all means buy this manga!