Few things strike more dread into an anime fan’s heart than hearing that their favorite series is getting a live-action adaptation. The medium’s troubled history is littered with infamous examples, none more so than the disastrous Dragonball Evolution. However, the upcoming live-action adaptation of the My Hero Academia manga is taking definitive steps to avoid that same legacy, starting by ensuring that the creator is directly and deeply involved.
The film’s screenwriter, Jason Fuchs, believes the project has a key strength to make it appeal to fans. Fuchs, who is also co-showrunner for HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry, emphasized in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly that the production’s greatest asset is its direct collaboration with author Kohei Horikoshi. According to Fuchs, the My Hero Academia creator is “very involved” in the adaptation’s development. He explained that Horikoshi meticulously reviews every stage of the creative process, from the initial treatment and outlines to individual scenes. The mangaka provides detailed notes and direct approval — a thumbs up or thumbs down — on all materials. This deep level of involvement has given Fuchs confidence that the team is going to deliver something that fans will feel great about.
My Hero Academia Live-Action Movie Takes Steps to Dodge the Dragon Ball Curse
Deku leaps at the viewer with his teeth bared and green energy around him in the My Hero Academia anime.Image via Studio Bones
This approach stands in stark contrast to the production of Dragonball Evolution. The 2009 film was widely lambasted by fans and critics for its poor writing, visuals and drastic departure from the source material. Reports indicated that the failure was heavily influenced by Shueisha’s lack of creative control over the American-led project. Without final cut rights, the Japanese publisher could not prevent controversial creative decisions in the movie, such as completely changing protagonist Son Goku’s backstory or recontextualizing the series with an American high school setting. Furthermore, original creator Akira Toriyama’s input was reportedly ignored by filmmakers — a mistake the My Hero Academia team appears determined not to repeat.
Horikoshi’s high level of involvement mirrors the successful strategy employed by Netflix for its One Piece live-action series. Creator Eiichiro Oda was meticulously involved in the production, even visiting the sets and providing crucial input on elements like casting to ensure the adaptation stayed true to his source material. This hands-on approach paid off, allowing the Netflix adaptation to stick its landing and defy the live-action “curse.” The series became one of the most-watched shows on the platform upon its release, breaking viewing records previously set by the streamer’s flagship series Stranger Things and Wednesday.
My Hero Academia’s Live-Action Film Is Still in Early Development Stages
Deku MHA You’re NextImage via CBR
Fuchs, who joined as a screenwriter for the live-action My Hero Academia film earlier in September, noted that the team is “very early” in the production process, and that he was still in the process of “writing it right now.” He stressed that his primary concern is not the challenge of the live-action element itself, but rather “capturing the tone and the spirit of the characters.” Fuchs elaborated on the need to balance authenticity with accessibility. “You want to do something that fans feel respects the canon and the original, but also find an access point for people who’ve never read [the manga], who’s never seen the first films,” he said. He also cited protagonist Deku’s relatability as a key entry point, describing him as “a young man who is in that 20 percent of quirk-less people in a world where everyone has something special… You connect with him so quickly.”
The live-action has been in development for a long time, with Legendary Entertainment first announcing its acquisition of the production rights nearly seven years ago in October 2018. In August 2021, Shinsuke Sato was confirmed as the film’s director. Sato is highly regarded for his extensive experience adapting manga and anime into live-action, having directed projects like Gantz (2011), Bleach (2018) and Alice in Borderland (2020). In December 2022, Netflix brought the film under its belt, partnering with Legendary. While Joby Harold (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts) was previously attached as screenwriter in late 2023, Fuchs was later announced to join the team in the same capacity.
The live-action My Hero Academia film’s release is still some ways off, with a release window yet to be revealed. Meanwhile, fans can watch the final season of My Hero Academia‘s anime, which is currently streaming on Crunchyroll, with new episodes being released every week.
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