In a recent interview with Toho CEO, Hiroyasu Matsuoka, the spotlight turned towards My Hero Academia’s significant influence on global anime. Matsuoka shared insights into TOHO animation’s trajectory, revealing that before the emergence of My Hero Academia, the studio faced considerable challenges.
He recounted, “During that period, when I was overseeing international operations, I found myself inundated with daily visits from overseas distribution companies eager to negotiate deals for My Hero Academia. Their persistence was remarkable, with offers continuously escalating and even rival companies joining the fray, driving up prices.”
This surge in demand shed light on the untapped potential of anime in overseas markets, prompting TOHO to shift its focus towards international expansion. Matsuoka explained,
“Recognizing the burgeoning global appetite for anime, we redirected our efforts towards overseas expansion while still nurturing the domestic market. The overwhelming response to My Hero Academia served as a catalyst, motivating us to seize the opportunities presented by the expanding anime phenomenon.”
He also highlighted TOHO’s readiness to capitalize on this trend, leveraging their established network to handle subsequent successes like Jujutsu Kaisen, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and The Apothecary Diaries.
Toho Ceo Statement
Despite the interview being conducted in 2023 and released in 2024, Matsuoka expressed anticipation for the release of Kaiju No. 8, underscoring TOHO’s ongoing commitment to innovative anime productions.
Regarding My Hero Academia, the manga series by Kōhei Horikoshi has enjoyed widespread acclaim since its serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in July 2014. With numerous spin-offs, video games, and adaptations, including seven seasons of the animated series produced by Studio Bones, the franchise has firmly established itself as a global phenomenon.
Crunchyroll succinctly summarizes the essence of My Hero Academia: a tale of Izuku’s unwavering pursuit of heroism in a world where superpowers are the norm, despite being born without any. His journey through one of the world’s most prestigious hero academies resonates with audiences worldwide, contributing to the series’ enduring popularity and cultural impact.