My Hero Mangaka Apologises for Hawks’ Mistake in Chapter 299

When you are at the highest level of your craft, like Kohei Horikoshi, everything you do is expected to be flawless. Even the smallest mistake does not go unnoticed in the face of a fanbase like that of My Hero Academia.

Due to the nature of the Japanese language, any change in the way certain characters speak is instantly distinguishable by the local readers. These distinct dialects often get lost in translation for us English readers.

This might not seem like a big deal, but when it comes to the character of Hawks, every tiny detail is important. 

My Hero Academia mangaka Kohei Horikoshi has apologized for a dialect error concerning Hawks in manga chapter 299. The chapter titled “Like Those Tragic Tales” discovers the dark origin story of Hawks, who does not speak in his usual dialect in the flashback.

THE Apology 1

Hawks didn’t speak in dialect in his past chapter (ch 299). It’s actually because I submitted the script too late, so we didn’t have time for dialect editorial. I’m sorry he didn’t speak in dialect. Btw, for the editorial, I asked my ex-editor, Toriyama-san. I heard he got promoted as the head editor.

Please take me out for a meal, Head Editor Toriyama.

Apology By Kohei Horikoshi

Horikoshi has stated that he did not submit the script in time, so he could not make changes to Hawks’ dialect in the chapter. Hawks speaks in “Hakata-ben,” the dialect spoken by the people of Fukuoka.

This detail is important because, during the story, Hawks acts as a double agent for the Public Safety Commission and the Meta Liberation Army.

His mystique is derived from how he never reveals his true nature while interacting with either side. His lack of dialect might have been interpreted as his true nature, implying how the dialect was an act all along.

We will probably see this flashback in the next season of the anime during the Paranormal Liberation War Arc, given how consistent it has been, there’s no doubt that there will not be any mistakes in Hawks’ speech.

This error might have gone past us English readers and might not have mattered that much in the grand scheme of things; the fact that Horikoshi decided to issue an apology just shows how much he cares for his work.

About My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia is a Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since July 2014, with its chapters additionally collected in 37 tankōbon volumes as of February 2023.

It follows a quirkless boy Izuku Midoriya and how he backed the greatest Hero alive. Midoriya, a boy who has been admiring heroes and their ventures since the day he was born, came into this world without a quirk, where almost everybody is born with one.

On one fateful day, he meets All Might the greatest Hero of all time and discovers that he was quirkless as well. With his diligent attitude and unwavering spirit about being a hero, Midoriya manages to impress All Might. He is chosen to be the heir to the power of One for All.

Source: Twitter