One of the biggest reasons My Hero Academia feels so rich and layered is because it doesn’t just build its own superhero world — it quietly celebrates the giants of anime and gaming that came before it. Creator Kohei Horikoshi has always been open about being a massive fan of manga, anime, and video games. That passion shows up everywhere in subtle nods, background sketches, stylistic parallels, and blink-and-you-miss-it cameos.
In this deep blog analysis, we’ll explore five major Anime & Game Easter Eggs:
- Todoroki’s fight resembling Naruto’s shinobi battles
- Naruto cheering Deku sketch
- Super Mario (Goombas & Koopa Troopas) reference
- Denji cameo from Chainsaw Man
- Dragon Ball combined attack reference
Let’s break them down in detail — visually, thematically, and symbolically.
1. Todoroki’s Fight – Naruto Shinobi Style Inspiration
During certain battle sequences — especially in tournament-style settings — fans noticed that Shoto Todoroki fights in a way that strongly resembles ninja combat from Naruto.
The Arena Similarity
In Naruto, many iconic battles occur in:
- Open stadium arenas
- Tournament-style settings
- Structured one-on-one matches
Todoroki’s Sports Festival battle mirrors that same dramatic energy.
Ice vs Ninjutsu Parallels
Naruto’s shinobi battles often involve:
- Elemental techniques (fire, water, lightning)
- Hand gestures before releasing attacks
- Large-scale environmental destruction
Todoroki’s ice waves:
- Freeze entire battlefields
- Change terrain instantly
- Overwhelm opponents with scale
The visual of massive ice spreading across an arena strongly resembles large-scale jutsu like water-style or earth-style techniques in Naruto.
Emotional Core
But the deeper similarity is emotional.
In Naruto, many fights are not just physical — they are about:
- Trauma
- Family legacy
- Breaking expectations
Todoroki’s fight against Midoriya is emotionally charged because:
- He rejects his father’s fire
- He suppresses half of himself
- He struggles with identity
This mirrors characters like Sasuke, who are defined by family trauma and internal conflict.
It’s not copying — it’s thematic inheritance.
2. Naruto Cheering Deku – A Passing of the Torch
One of the most heartwarming Easter eggs is a sketch of Naruto Uzumaki cheering for Izuku Midoriya.
This isn’t just a joke cameo.
It’s symbolic.
Generational Respect
Naruto was one of the defining shōnen manga of the 2000s.
My Hero Academia became one of the defining shōnen manga of the 2010s.
The image of Naruto cheering Deku represents:
- A generational shift
- Respect from one era to the next
- Inspiration flowing forward
Horikoshi has openly admired Naruto’s creator, Masashi Kishimoto.
So this sketch feels like:
“Thank you for inspiring me.”
Thematic Parallel Between Naruto & Deku
Both characters:
- Start powerless or weak
- Are underestimated
- Carry inherited power
- Believe in saving everyone
Naruto carries the Nine-Tails.
Deku carries One For All.
Both stories are about:
- Hard work
- Legacy
- Passing power to the next generation
The cheering image is more than a cameo — it’s symbolic storytelling.
3. Super Mario Reference – Goombas & Koopa Troopas
In an early chapter of the manga, sharp-eyed fans noticed background enemies that resemble characters from:
Super Mario Bros.
Specifically:
- Goombas
- Koopa Troopas
These designs were subtly placed in a crowd scene but later removed in the anime adaptation.
Why It Matters
This Easter egg reveals something about Horikoshi:
He isn’t just inspired by comics.
He is inspired by gaming culture too.
Mario is one of the most iconic characters in gaming history. Including his enemies in a background scene is a quiet tribute to Nintendo’s legacy.
Manga vs Anime Difference
The fact that this reference was removed in the anime likely relates to:
- Copyright concerns
- Licensing issues
- Legal protection of character likeness
But the manga version preserved that fun nod.
It shows how manga sometimes includes playful background jokes that anime studios must adjust.
Cultural Layer
Mario represents:
- 1980s gaming
- Simplicity in design
- Universally recognized icons
Including Goombas and Koopas in a superhero world shows how MHA merges:
- Superhero culture
- Shōnen tradition
- Gaming nostalgia
It’s a multi-layered pop culture universe.
4. Denji Cameo – Chainsaw Man Cross-Generation Nod
In Chapter 259, fans spotted what appears to be Denji from Chainsaw Man in a hero team-up scene.
The creator of Chainsaw Man, Tatsuki Fujimoto, and Horikoshi were publishing in the same magazine (Weekly Shōnen Jump) at the time.
Why This Is Significant
This cameo reflects:
- Friendly rivalry between creators
- Shared publication space
- Mutual respect
Jump magazine often encourages playful crossovers in background panels.
Thematic Contrast
Interestingly, Chainsaw Man is darker and more chaotic than MHA.
Denji represents:
- Brutality
- Moral ambiguity
- Anti-hero chaos
Deku represents:
- Hope
- Hero idealism
- Structured morality
Seeing Denji in MHA’s world creates a fascinating tonal contrast.
It’s subtle — but it connects two modern shōnen giants.
5. Dragon Ball Combined Attack Reference
Perhaps the most emotionally powerful Easter egg connects MHA to:
Dragon Ball Z
In Dragon Ball Z, one of the most iconic scenes is the Father-Son Kamehameha — where Goku spiritually supports Gohan during a final attack.
In MHA, the parallel appears when:
- All Might and Deku combine strength
- A symbolic generational transfer occurs
- The mentor empowers the student
Passing the Torch Theme
Dragon Ball pioneered:
- Power inheritance
- Next generation surpassing the previous
- Emotional final attacks
MHA modernizes this through:
- One For All being passed down
- Deku learning to control legacy power
- Emotional climaxes tied to mentorship
Visual Homage
The framing of certain attacks — especially the scale, glow, and positioning — echoes Dragon Ball’s cinematic energy.
It’s not a direct recreation.
But fans immediately recognize the influence.
The Bigger Picture: Why These Easter Eggs Matter
All these references — Naruto, Mario, Chainsaw Man, Dragon Ball — show that:
My Hero Academia is a love letter to pop culture.
It respects:
- Shōnen history
- Gaming legends
- Fellow manga creators
- Generational storytelling
Horikoshi doesn’t just build a superhero society.
He builds a universe that acknowledges the media that shaped him.
Final Thoughts
My Hero Academia thrives because it stands on the shoulders of giants — while still being original.
These Easter eggs are not lazy references.
They are:
- Signs of respect
- Cultural bridges
- Creative tributes
From Naruto’s legacy…
To Mario’s gaming roots…
To Denji’s modern chaos…
To Dragon Ball’s generational power…
MHA quietly celebrates the entire evolution of anime and gaming culture.
And that’s what makes spotting these Easter eggs so satisfying.
If you want, next I can write a 3000+ word blog on Western Movie References in MHA (Star Wars, Bane, Godzilla, S.H.I.E.L.D., etc.) for your blog series.
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