In my quest to read more manga and graphic novels in 2026, I figured I would try reading them as eBooks for a change. In theory, it is brilliant; multiple volumes that aren’t physically owned and circulated by the library system can be read via Libby. I can request them and, when I am available, opt to read them once they are available to me. No fuss getting stacks of volumes out at once, no hassle returning them either. Given the novels are roughly 190 pages (at least volume 1 was), it also means I can get through each volume in roughly 30-40 minutes. Again, it is shaping up to be a pretty easy pick in favour of the eBooks.

My Hero Academia, Vol. 1 by Kohei Horikoshi invites readers into a world where superpowers, known as “Quirks,” have become commonplace, appearing in 80 per cent of the population. Against this backdrop, society has embraced the roles of heroes and villains, with battles between the forces of good and evil unfolding in streets worldwide. In this exhilarating environment, aspiring heroes must train and hone their abilities, and the prestigious U.A. High School stands as the premier institution for such an education. However, what becomes of those born in the minority, the 20 per cent without any Quirks? Enter Izuku Midoriya, a middle school student who dreams of becoming a hero despite his Quirkless status. Izuku’s journey seems destined for disappointment, overshadowed by the impossibility of attending U.A. High School. His personal struggles with powerlessness and self-doubt paint a poignant picture of perseverance. The stakes dramatically shift when he meets All Might, the greatest hero of all time. This fateful encounter sets Izuku on an unexpected path, offering him a unique chance to change his destiny and prove that heroism is not solely defined by having a Quirk.

Let me start by saying that, yes, I will be continuing to read My Hero Academia through eBooks. But it isn’t because I prefer it that way. The story is so fun, creative, and energetic, and I would love to be able to read the physical copies of these graphic novels. Unfortunately, as I noted earlier, my library system does not have all the physical volumes in circulation. This means that I will have to opt for eBooks to complete my reading. This is fine for me because I don’t mind the eBooks. They are very easy to read, the panels are clear, and flow well when swiping to the next page, and the general feel of the story isn’t hugely diminished by the electronic factor. It is just my immersion in the story that suffers.

I am undoubtedly a physical book reader. My Hero Academia Vol. 1 isn’t the first eBook I have read, and it evidently won’t be the last, but I struggle to read eBooks for long periods of time. That’s good if it were to be most other activities I am doing, as it promotes breaks from the screen, but when I read a short book, I want it read in one sitting. I want to be able to fit a read in whenever I have the time, including in the evening, and I can’t see myself reading books longer than 200 pages electronically unless they are graphic novels, which are largely illustrations with short text bubbles. I remember reading A Pressing Engagement by Anna Lee Huber as an eBook, and while it may have only been around 120 pages, I struggled to keep engaged and immersed in the read. My eyes fatigued more quickly, my brain got distracted sooner, and I don’t recall much of the novella now, looking back on it. Graphic novels and manga, I am sure, will be a different story.

Maybe I have found the perfect thing to read as an eBook. I will have to read a few more volumes to get a full report on how it goes for me, but I am looking forward to continuing this manga series and really getting into it. This volume was such a quirky (I’m sorry, I was planning on using a different word, but it just fits) and funny read, and the characters are so interesting. If you haven’t thought about it, maybe you could add a manga like My Hero Academia to your tbr list for 2026.