My Hero Academia is a series well known for sneaking in fun and sometimes crazy references. While most of the references revolve around other superhero series, there is no doubt that Star Wars also makes an appearance or two.
In fact, the more you pay attention to the details within My Hero Academia, the clearer that fact becomes. So today we're going to list some of our favorite references and influences from the famous franchise that is Star Wars. Tell us, did you spot these on your own? Or did they surprise you?
8 Tatooine Station
First and foremost, did you notice that one of the first locations is named after an iconic planet from Star Wars? Early on in the series, you'll see a giant villain fighting several heroes (this is also the first time we see many of said heroes, so it is a big moment).
Can you guess the name? It's Tatooin (Tatooine) Station. Yes, you read that one right. Apparently it's a long-standing tradition to name locations in MHA after locations in Star Wars, though they naturally don't correlate in size.
7 Kamino Makes An Appearance
Kamino is another Star Wars location that exists within the world of MHA. Granted, other than the name these two don't have much in common. Unless you count the replication of soldiers/enemies. In which case, the connection is quite clear.
Kamino is famously the location in which clone troopers are trained. In MHA, it is also the location (one of) where Nomus are created and/or stored. That is probably not a coincidence.
6 Wookiees Get A Mall
Next up on our list of references involves a mall. This mall just so happened to be named in honor of the Wookies, which we think is actually quite sweet. The mall in which Class 1A went shopping (in preparation for their summer training) occurred at Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall (Wookies).
Even without throwing Wookies in the end, it was pretty clear what reference was being made. After all, Kiyashi is not that far off from Kashyyyk, home planet of the Wookies.
5 Phantom Menace's Cameo
Let us not forget the Phantom Menace reference that occurs. Though this is one that manga fans will have noticed, but perhaps not anime fans. You see, the name was altered during the adaptation, probably because it was too obvious a connection.
Mirio Togata, like most students and heroes, has created an ultimate move or two. The most iconic (and powerful) of those moves had been named...you guessed it! Phantom Menace. This is the move in which he rapidly moves through surfaces in order to increase his own speed.
4 Gran Torino's Influence
Many fans have noticed certain similarities involving All Might and Deku's trainer, Gran Torino. While it isn't technically confirmed, we're going to go ahead and consider the connection intentional. After all, there are too many to be a coincidence.
Gran Torino is arguably designed after Yoda himself. They're both smaller in stature, have significant experience worth passing on, and have been forced (again and again) to take on training the youngest generation of heroes.
3 Future Locations
Some of the locations revealed in the manga also have Star Wars references. For those that don't want spoilers for the anime, stop reading this section now. The current location of a major battle involving the Pro Heroes and our favorite villains is taking place at Jaku Hospital and Gunga Mountain Villa.
Those names should ring a bell. Jaka is very clearly a reference to Jakku, home planet of Rey. Meanwhile, Gunga is likely a hat-tip to Gungan, the same race as the infamous Jar Jar Binks. We're trying to resist the urge the draw more parallels from that name, as it has some worrisome implications. Hopefully, it is nothing more than that. Only time will tell.
2 Similarity In Names
As we mentioned above, many locations are named in common between the two franchises. Though this time around there's no need to debate what came first; the origin is clear. One of the many names borrowed for MHA is Hosu. This is the town in which the iconic battle against Stain occurred.
Other obvious connections you may spot include Dagobah (the Municipal Beach Park), Nabu (Junior High School), Musutagu (Mustafar/in Japan). There is also Doroido Technical Academy, which is surely a stand-in for Droid. Last but not least, Orudera Junior High, which we believe is a reference to Alderaan. These are just to name a few of the references to be found. More will surely be created in time as well.
1 All For One And Darth Vader
This is both the most obvious, and most important connection. The major antagonists in both MHA and Star Wars have quite a lot in common. A fact that almost any fan has surely picked up on by this point.
There's no doubt that the design of All For One was largely inspired by Darth Vader. There's the facial scarring, the need for a helmet/ventilator, as well as the overall aesthetic. Mainly, the darker colored clothing.