by Fans of My Hero Academia have another reason to celebrate. A brand-new special short anime titled I Am a Hero Too will begin streaming on August 3, 2026, giving viewers a heartfelt look at Eri’s life after the events of the main series.
Ahead of its release, the production team has unveiled several preview stills, offering fans their first glimpse of Eri as a high school student pursuing the dream she once believed was impossible.
The emotional side story expands the world of My Hero Academia by revisiting one of the franchise’s most beloved characters and showing how her future has changed thanks to the heroes who once saved her.
A New Story Based on Kohei Horikoshi’s Special One-Shot
I Am a Hero Too is adapted from a special one-shot manga created by Kohei Horikoshi, the original creator of My Hero Academia.
The story was originally published as an exclusive bonus chapter in the official fan book My Hero Academia Ultra Age, released in December 2024.
Although brief in its original manga format, the one-shot became popular among fans because it revealed what happened to Eri years after the conclusion of the main story.
The anime adaptation now brings that emotional chapter to life for the first time.
Eri Returns as a High School Student
The biggest highlight of the special is the return of Eri, one of the most beloved supporting characters in the franchise.
When fans first met Eri during the anime’s Hero Internship / Shie Hassaikai Arc (Season 4), she was a frightened little girl imprisoned by Kai Chisaki, better known as Overhaul, the leader of the Shie Hassaikai.
Thanks to the efforts of Izuku Midoriya (Deku), Mirio Togata, and the pro heroes, Eri was finally rescued and given the chance to live a normal life.
The special short anime jumps eight years into the future.
Now a high school student, Eri has grown into a cheerful young woman determined to pursue her own dream.
Following Her Dream of Music
Throughout the original series, Eri slowly regained her confidence after years of trauma.
She even revealed that she dreamed of becoming a singer.
In the final episode of the TV anime, fans briefly saw an older Eri smiling while carrying a guitar case, hinting that she had begun following that dream.
I Am a Hero Too expands on that moment.
The story follows Eri as she visits U.A. High School once again while continuing her musical journey.
Rather than focusing on battles, the special emphasizes personal growth, healing, and finding the courage to chase one’s ambitions.
Preview Stills Offer a First Look
The newly released preview images highlight several touching moments from the special.
Fans can see:
- Eri wearing her high school uniform.
- Her carrying a guitar case.
- Emotional scenes at U.A. High School.
- Warm reunions with familiar faces.
- Moments that reflect her confidence and determination.
The visuals suggest that the short will maintain the heartfelt atmosphere that made Eri’s original storyline so memorable.
A Different Kind of Hero Story
Unlike the action-heavy battles that define much of My Hero Academia, I Am a Hero Too focuses on a quieter and more emotional message.
The title itself reflects one of the franchise’s central themes:
Anyone can become someone’s hero.
Rather than saving the world through combat, Eri now inspires others simply by overcoming her painful past and continuing to move forward.
The short celebrates hope, recovery, friendship, and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.
About My Hero Academia
Created by Kohei Horikoshi, My Hero Academia is set in a world where most people possess superhuman abilities known as Quirks.
The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without powers who inherits the legendary Quirk One For All and enrolls at U.A. High School, Japan’s premier academy for aspiring heroes.
Alongside classmates including Katsuki Bakugo, Shoto Todoroki, Ochaco Uraraka, and many others, Deku learns what it truly means to become a hero while facing increasingly dangerous villains.
Over the years, the series has become one of the most successful modern shonen franchises.
A Global Anime Phenomenon
Since its debut, My Hero Academia has achieved enormous worldwide success.
Major milestones include:
- Manga serialization beginning in Weekly Shonen Jump in July 2014.
- The manga concluding on August 5, 2024.
- More than 100 million copies of the manga sold worldwide.
- The TV anime premiered in April 2016.
- Eight television seasons airing between 2016 and 2025.
- Multiple theatrical films, OVAs, and special episodes expanding the franchise.
Even after the conclusion of the main story, new projects like I Am a Hero Too continue to explore the lives of fan-favorite characters.
Why Fans Are Excited About Eri’s Return
Eri has remained one of the most beloved characters in the series ever since her emotional rescue during Season 4.
Many fans have wanted to know what happened to her after the story’s ending.
The new special finally answers that question by showing:
- Her growth into a confident teenager.
- Her continued connection to U.A. High School.
- Her pursuit of a music career.
- The peaceful future created through Deku’s efforts.
Rather than revisiting her painful past, the special highlights the hopeful future she earned.
Streaming Information
My Hero Academia Special Short Anime
I Am a Hero Too
Streaming begins:
August 3, 2026
12:00 AM (JST)
Available on:
- ABEMA Premium
- Amazon Prime Video
- DMM TV
- d Anime Store
- d Anime Store for Prime Video
- d Anime Store Nico Nico Branch
- Hulu
- J: C OM STREAM
- Lemino
- milplus
- Netflix
- TELASA
- TELASA (Ponta Pass)
- U-NEXT
- Anime Times
- Anime Hodai
The special will be available through unlimited streaming on participating platforms.
What Makes This Special Worth Watching?
Fans can look forward to:
- Eri’s long-awaited return.
- A heartfelt continuation of her story.
- New anime adaptation of Horikoshi’s exclusive one-shot.
- Beautiful slice-of-life moments.
- Emotional scenes set after the series finale.
- More insight into the peaceful future achieved by the heroes.
The special serves as both a celebration of Eri’s character and a touching epilogue to the world of My Hero Academia.
Final Thoughts
My Hero Academia: I Am a Hero Too offers fans a heartfelt opportunity to reunite with one of the franchise’s most inspiring characters. By adapting Kohei Horikoshi’s exclusive one-shot manga, the special explores Eri’s journey from a frightened child rescued by heroes to a confident high school student chasing her dream of becoming a musician.
With touching new scenes, beautiful preview visuals, and a hopeful message about healing and perseverance, the short promises to be a meaningful addition to the My Hero Academia universe. Whether you’ve followed the series from the beginning or simply loved Eri’s emotional story arc, I Am a Hero Too is shaping up to be an uplifting chapter that reminds fans that true heroism isn’t only found on the battlefield—it can also be found in the courage to keep moving forward and pursue your dreams.
