Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia, has followed his landmark superhero series with a very different project. Quit Laughing, Shijima is a 61-page horror-romance one-shot, and its English digital edition is available to read for free through the Shonen Jump app and website.
A new genre for Horikoshi
The standalone manga follows Azumi, a second-year high school student who develops a crush on Shijima, an older student celebrated for her outgoing personality and loud, infectious laugh. The setup suggests a familiar school romance, but the story quickly moves into much darker territory.
The Japanese edition appeared on August 10 in issue 37/38 of Weekly Shonen Jump. An English simulpub release arrived digitally through the Shonen Jump app, making the one-shot accessible to eligible readers without a separate purchase.
Horikoshi’s first Shonen Jump work since 2024
This is Horikoshi’s first new work for Shonen Jump since the My Hero Academia manga concluded its run from 2014 to 2024. His earlier series for the magazine included Barrage and Oumagadoki Zoo.
My Hero Academia has now passed 100 million copies in sales, placing it among the rare modern manga successes to reach that milestone alongside Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan.
What happened after My Hero Academia?
The anime adaptation officially ended in December 2025 with its eighth and final season, produced by Bones Film. The concluding season was noted for its detailed animation and emotional character payoffs.
A bonus special titled More followed on May 2, 2026, functioning as an epilogue. The franchise also received the six-minute mini-episode I Am A Hero Too, which adapted the manga’s final bonus material.
Where to read Quit Laughing, Shijima
Readers can access Quit Laughing, Shijima at no cost through the official chapter page. Australian readers should check the service’s regional access and account requirements before beginning.
Since the manga ended, Horikoshi has continued sharing highly detailed illustrations connected with new anime episodes. That activity inspired online jokes about an “unemployed Horikoshi”, but Quit Laughing, Shijima marks his first substantial return to Shonen Jump publishing.
The one-shot’s genre shift offers an early indication of how broadly Horikoshi may want to work beyond superhero fiction. Whether it leads to a future serialised manga remains unknown.
For more coverage of gaming culture and entertainment news, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog, explore arcade videos, or browse the Arcade Machine Buying Guide for advice on choosing a cabinet.
Leave a Reply