Eiichiro Oda, the legendary creator ofOne Piece,paid homage toMy Hero Academia’sfinale in one creative way that many fans missed. In a special tribute, Oda recreateda fan drawing by futureMy Hero Academiacreator Kohei Horikoshi, initially submitted for aOne Piececontest. This connection between two of the biggest names in the manga industry highlights not only their mutual respect, but also howOne Piecehas inspired generations of mangaka, including Horikoshi himself.
Back in 2002, a young Horikoshi submitted a drawing of theOne Piececharacter Smoker for a contest in Volume 77 ofOne PieceSBS. His artwork won the competition, marking one of his early achievements as a fan and aspiring artist. Fast-forward to today, Horikoshi has risen to the top of the manga world withMy Hero Academia,and Oda’s recreation of that same drawing serves as a heartfelt nod to their shared history. This moment celebrateshowOne Pieceinfluenced Horikoshi’s journeyto becoming a professional mangaka.
The Worldwide Bestselling Manga Inspired Horikoshi’s Own Manga Journey
One Piecehas been one of the most influential manga since its debut in 1997, inspiring fans but also future creators like Horikoshi. The adventurous world and larger-than-life characters crafted by Oda sparked Horikoshi’s own creative ambitions. In interviews and online,Horikoshi has openly shared howOne Piecemotivated himto pursue his dream of becoming a mangaka.
“I Wanted to Challenge Myself” - My Hero Academia’s Creator Was Inspired By One Piece in a Surprising Way
To help write the longest My Hero Academia arc at the time, creator Kohei Horikoshi searched for inspiration from a famous rival.
For Horikoshi, winning theOne Piecefan artcontest in his younger days was a major milestone. It wasn’t just about getting recognition, it was a moment of affirmation that he could contribute to the world of manga. It also likely played a role in pushing him toward creating his own groundbreaking work withMy Hero Academia.
Horikoshi’s Journey Comes Full Circle With Oda’s Tribute
The Fan Art Becomes Canon Art In One Piece Chapter 1122
Now, withMy Hero Academiafinished and completely published, Oda’s recreation of Horikoshi’s fan art inOne Piecechapter 1122 brings things full circle. This tribute is not just a simple homage, it is a full creative cycle where the Horikoshi who was once the inspired boy is now Oda’s inspiration. As Horikoshi’s work onMy Hero Academiais now finished,the tribute feels like a passing of the torchbetween two of manga’s greatest storytellers.
WhileMy Hero Academiais finished,One Piececontinues its monumental release. Oda’s tribute serves as a reminder thatOne Pieceis not only an ongoing epic tale, but also a source of inspiration for the next wave of mangaka who are shaping the future of the manga world.
One Piece
Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a multimedia franchise that began as a manga series and follows the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as led by Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy, an enthusiastic pirate with a thirst for adventure, is afflicted by a mysterious curse that gives him various powers he uses to protect himself and his friends. The manga eventually gave way to the anime series, with the two being some of history’s longest-running anime and manga series. Along with over fifty video games made over the years, the series entered the live-action world with Netflix’s 2023 adaptation.
