Banpresto surprises My Hero Academia fans with an exceptional figurine collection, announced to highlight the tenth anniversary of the anime. This campaign, which takes an in-depth look at Class 1-A, offers a full immersion into the world of Japanimation, combining art and technique to deliver detailed and faithful models of the heroes who have marked several generations. In a series of regular announcements on the 16th of each month, a rendezvous called Hero Day, Banpresto and BANDAI SPIRITS create a new dynamic around an already highly anticipated collection. In this article, you will discover:
- The nature and specificities of this new product campaign
- The unprecedented focus on Class 1-A and its mentors
- The behind-the-scenes creation of the figurines unveiled in September 2026
- The original distribution method adopted for these figurines in Japan
- The extension of the My Hero Academia universe beyond the anime and manga
Let us dive together into the rich and meticulous universe surrounding this large-scale project, at the crossroads of passion for action heroes and collectible objects.
A figurine campaign celebrating ten years of emotion and success in My Hero Academia
The campaign Banpresto launched in 2026 aims to offer an immersive experience by proposing a complete collection of its figurines dedicated to the students of Class 1-A, a rare moment for series fans. This initiative is not just a commercial release; it unfolds over several months with a series of contents regularly broadcast around a precise calendar. Each 16th of the month, called Hero Day, Banpresto delivers to enthusiasts updates, previews, and the concrete progress of the range, thus strengthening a continuous link with the community.
September 16 marked a turning point, as a dedicated video offered an exclusive documentary on the stages of figurine design. More than a simple aesthetic showcase, this preview reveals the complexity of the artistic work: artists seek to faithfully capture the postures, expressions, and distinctive traits of each of the 23 selected characters. Each model features green touches on the costumes, a visual reference to the anniversary illustration linked to the manga’s final chapter, combining symbolism and graphic identity.
The attention to detail does not stop there: the variety of poses evokes the story and unique personality of the heroes, from Midoriya to Bakugo, passing through Todoroki or teachers like Eraser Head. This approach offers a perfect balance between narrative fidelity and aesthetics, essential to satisfy both demanding collectors and Japanimation enthusiasts seeking carefully crafted objects. The campaign, nestled in the special space dedicated to the collection, is a striking example of successful collaboration between creativity and marketing strategy.
Class 1-A and teachers: the first Banpresto collection gathering all mythical heroes
Gathering the 23 characters of Class 1-A in a Banpresto figurine line is a notable feat, as until now, the brand had rather favored the most popular protagonists. This ambitious project marks a full recognition of each student, but also of emblematic mentors such as All Might, Eraser Head, and Hitoshi Shinso, who play key roles in the narrative.
Each model was designed to represent the dynamism and very essence of the heroes’ personalities. For example, Izuku Midoriya appears with the determination visible in his features, while Bakugo adopts an explosive posture, faithful to his character. This diversity in artistic choices demonstrates a desire to leave no character in the shadows. This choice also translates into an impressive number of variations in poses, expressions, and accessories, thus enhancing the visual richness of the collection.
The fact of bringing together all the students of Class 1-A constitutes a real achievement for collectors, who can finally have a coherent and harmonious set reflecting the class as it is perceived in the anime and manga. This coherence is reinforced by a choice of a common color palette, notably thanks to the green touches on the costumes, allowing to unify the collection while maintaining the unique identities of each hero.
Looking back at this wide panel of characters answers a long-expressed request from the fan community, searching for models offering exhaustive recognition of their favorite heroes, even the more discreet ones. Such rendering also gives a more strategic dimension to the market release, where the attention paid to details becomes inseparable from the perceived value of the figurines.
The technical and artistic behind-the-scenes highlighted at Hero Day September 2026
The exclusive video presented on September 16, 2026, is the centerpiece of this campaign, revealing in depth the creation process of these exceptional figurines. Unlike a simple promotional gallery, this preview highlights all the stages of design, notably the work on poses, sculpting, and meticulous supervision of the models.
The interest lies in the transparency offered to fans, involving a dialogue between the creation team and the public. Each development phase is detailed by the artisans, whether it is the choice of materials, digital modeling, or the final touches that give life to three-dimensional characters. This approach can also inspire other derived universes such as video games, where concern for realism and gestures proves essential.
An important part concerns the supervision period, which guarantees that each figurine perfectly respects the original vision of the manga and anime. At the end of this stage, the models will be progressively finalized, in monthly updates, with particular care given to the consistency of volumes, sharpness of details, and robustness of the finish. This collaboration between creators and fans underlines Banpresto’s willingness not to rush a product release but to aim for excellence over time.
Thus, the Hero Day experience is not limited to a simple promotional window; it is a real interactive event that energizes the campaign and keeps a passionate community on edge. This regular follow-up creates a feeling of collective participation in the development of an ultra impressive and technically advanced collection, raising Japanimation to a new qualitative level.
A distribution method rooted in Japanese arcade culture
The method chosen for the official release in Japan between January and March 2027 departs from the classic channels of specialized stores. Banpresto will offer these figurines as prizes in claw crane games installed in arcades, thus giving the collection a playful and interactive dimension, typical of the Japanese experience.
This distribution method distinguishes this range from traditional releases, putting collectors face to a real physical challenge to retrieve their favorite heroes. The approach reflects Banpresto’s very identity, known for its roots in arcade games and otaku culture. The collection thus becomes an integral part of a social universe where the joy of action combines with the quest for rare objects.
Enthusiasts will need patience and strategy to acquire the entire Class 1-A and their teachers, a path sometimes strewn with obstacles but rich in satisfaction. This fragmented distribution also favors prolonged anticipation, allowing whisper by whisper, the desire around the collection to settle with intensity. This choice creates a strong link between the community and the collection, making acquisition more lively, almost memorable.
Here is a table summarizing the deployment schedule and the characters involved:
| Period | Featured Characters | Method of Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
| January 2027 | Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugo, Shoto Todoroki, All Might | Claw crane games in arcades |
| February 2027 | The other main students and teachers (Eraser Head, Hitoshi Shinso) | Claw crane games in arcades |
| March 2027 | Rest of Class 1-A with varied poses | Claw crane games in arcades |
This arrangement ensures regularity and suspense that will accompany collectors over a long period, offering a shopping experience as intense as the series itself.
My Hero Academia after the manga and anime: a living and expanding franchise
Since the official end of the manga in 2024 and the conclusion of the main anime arc at the end of 2025, the My Hero Academia franchise continues to nurture a constantly evolving universe. This vitality manifests itself through varied content, such as special episodes, spin-off mangas, and special projects like the Banpresto collection.
An excellent example is the special episode I’m a Hero Too broadcast in August 2026, which explores Eri’s youth beyond the fight, highlighting her dreams and psychology. This parallel production enriches the world while giving depth to certain secondary characters, an effective strategy to maintain public engagement.
At the same time, Kohei Horikoshi made a notable return with his one-shot Quit Laughing, Shijima, a story mixing horror and romance, published just after the end of the main manga. This work attests to the author’s ability to explore new horizons while remaining appreciated by his readers. These initiatives allow the community to stay involved, even without a new season of the My Hero Academia animated series.
This universe also continues thanks to the wide range of merchandise and regular events, such as those relayed by the Crunchyroll shop, where many collectible objects from Japanimation are accessible. This diversification strategy successfully nurtures enthusiasm around a license that continues to fascinate with its narrative and aesthetic richness. Thus, the Banpresto operation is part of a global movement to perpetuate the franchise, also offering a tangible alternative to fans beyond the pages of the manga and anime episodes.
