My Hero Academia is one of the big three anime of the new generation. The number of fans that the anime has amassed since airing in April 2016 is enormous. Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia, gave the anime a Western touch, making it much more prevalent in Western countries. All Might, one of the beloved characters in the anime industry, is from My Hero Academia.
Everyone knows about Kohei Horikoshi’s obsession with the Western World. But few people know that he based one of My Hero Academia‘s characters on a Hollywood Star. Fans might be shocked to hear this, but it is the truth. He himself confirmed this fact recently.
Which My Hero Academia Character is Based on a Hollywood Star?
In Volume 4’s character profile and in Shonen Jump issue #12 of 2022, Kohei Horikoshi confirmed that Neito Monoma of Class 1-B at UA High in My Hero Academia is based on Hollywood Star Dane DeHaan. To be more precise, the character was based on Dane DeHaan’s role as Harry Osborn/Green Goblin in Andrew Garfield‘s Amazing Spider-Man 2. When anime enthusiasts carefully read both characters, they can find similarities.
Neito Monoma has the same style as Dane DeHaan’s Harry Osborn. Both have side-swept hairstyles is the first one that people can notice. They also have a similar facial structure and prefer to be well-dressed. Harry Osborn does not have any powers of his own. Neito Monoma’s quirk is also not very useful in battles. Monoma’s battlesuit is a tuxedo and long-tailed coat, similar to how Dane DeHaan dresses in Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Is Neito Monoma a Villain Like Dane DeHaan’s Green Goblin?
Kohei Horikoshi designed Neito Monoma in a way that he despises students of Class 1-A of UA High. But thinking him to be a villain is pretty far-fetched. At times, he does shenanigans that annoy Midoriya and his classmates. Unlike Harry Osborn, he keeps his limit at competitive levels. This is due to his belief that his quirk is weaker than others.
Even after all this, he proves to be a valuable asset during the final battle. This shows that he is not a direct rip-off of Harry Osborn. Instead, he also has some good qualities, like that of Spider-Man. During the release of Amazing Spider-Man 2, Kohei Horikoshi was still busy writing the initial chapters. So it is not a surprise to see him take up a few bits from Hollywood. Considering his crush on Western movies.
Neito Monoma might not be a tremendous character, but he is essential. And thanks to Amazing Spider-Man 2 for this character.
Source: Ruetir
