Deku's Explosive Popularity: My Hero Academia x Detective Conan Collaboration Ignites Fandom!

Izuku Midoriya, the protagonist of the immensely popular anime My Hero Academia (MHA), is currently at the center of significant buzz across social media. This surge in attention is largely fueled by the unveiling of a special collaboration between My Hero Academia, celebrating its 10th anime anniversary, and the nationally beloved anime Detective Conan, which marks its 30th anime anniversary. This unprecedented team-up has sparked tremendous excitement among fans.

To commemorate this landmark event, a special promotional video has been released, featuring dual narration by the iconic protagonists themselves: Conan Edogawa (voiced by Minami Takayama) and Izuku Midoriya (voiced by Daiki Yamashita). Adding to the dream-like collaboration, original crossover illustrations have been revealed – Detective Conan creator Gosho Aoyama has drawn Izuku Midoriya, while My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi has illustrated Conan Edogawa. On X (formerly Twitter), the fandom's reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with comments like "I'm trembling, it's too amazing," "Fans are overjoyed that such a divine collaboration is happening," and "It's so emotional, it makes me cry," flooding the platform.

Beyond the collaboration, Izuku Midoriya's character and heroic journey continue to draw fervent interest. His impressive special moves and iconic moments, such as "United States of World Smash" and "Deku: Rising," are frequently discussed. Fans are once again expressing awe over his early battles, where he fought through pain so severe it caused 'bone fractures,' remarking, "He's a monster, isn't he?" His profound bond with Katsuki Bakugo, allowing them to coordinate with "just a momentary glance," and his intense admiration for All Might, often described as 'faith,' have also deeply resonated with fans. Many describe him as 'mero-i' (a slang term indicating someone is charming or endearing), underscoring his multifaceted appeal that continuously captivates his audience.

The enduring popularity of the series is further evident in the active flow of information regarding Izuku Midoriya-related merchandise and games. Fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming Ichiban Kuji, which will feature MASTERLISE figures of Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo in their U.A. High school uniforms. For the latest console game, My Hero Academia All's Justice, an early unlock pack for "Deku: Rising" is offered as a pre-order bonus. Meanwhile, the mobile game ULTRA IMPACT is set to introduce a new UR memory depicting the powerful teamwork between Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo. Beyond these, various other merchandise initiatives have been reported, including PICO CAT-style visual goods at the "PICO PARK POP UP STORE," fluffy keychains, and collectible stands known as Korekazaro. The universe of content surrounding Izuku Midoriya continues to expand dynamically.

The popularity of My Hero Academia and its earnest protagonist, Izuku Midoriya, shows no signs of waning. This monumental collaboration with Detective Conan, in particular, has amplified expectations for even more exciting developments in the future.

The Context

For non-Japanese readers, understanding the cultural significance of this collaboration requires a brief introduction to the two anime giants involved.

• My Hero Academia (僕のヒーローアカデミア, Boku no Hīrō Akademia): Often abbreviated as "HeroAca" or "MHA," this series is set in a world where superpowers, known as "Quirks," are common. It follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without a Quirk, who dreams of becoming a superhero. He inherits a powerful Quirk called One For All from the legendary hero All Might and enrolls in U.A. High School, a prestigious academy for aspiring heroes. The anime's 10th anniversary signifies a decade of its broadcast, a notable milestone in the competitive anime industry.
• Detective Conan (名探偵コナン, Meitantei Konan): Known as Case Closed in some English-speaking regions, this long-running mystery anime centers on high school detective Shinichi Kudo. After being poisoned by a mysterious organization, he shrinks into a child and adopts the alias Conan Edogawa to secretly investigate the organization while solving numerous other cases. Its 30th anime anniversary highlights its incredible longevity and status as a cultural phenomenon in Japan, with a dedicated annual movie release tradition.
• Anniversary Collaborations: In Japan, major anime and manga anniversaries (like 10th, 20th, 30th) are often celebrated with special events, merchandise, and cross-franchise collaborations, much like this one. These collaborations are highly anticipated by fans and serve as a testament to a series' enduring legacy and influence.
• Ichiban Kuji (一番くじ): This is a popular lottery-style merchandise system common in Japan. Customers purchase tickets, and each ticket guarantees a prize, ranging from high-quality figures (like the MASTERLISE figures mentioned) to smaller goods like keychains or clear files.
• "Mero-i" (メロい): A relatively new Japanese slang term, derived from "meromero" (メロメロ), which means to be head-over-heels in love or utterly charmed by someone. "Mero-i" describes someone or something as being incredibly charming, captivating, or adorable. Its use here indicates the deep affection fans have for Izuku Midoriya.