Thread by @aitaikimochi

Horikoshi's comment on the MHA Vol. 6 light novel:

"I can't believe this is the 6th light novel! I'd love to one day be the mangaka to Yoshi-sensei's stories about the everyday lives of characters in MHA. They understand the characters so well and breathe life into them. TY!"

DO IT, HORIKOSHI. DOOOOO ITTTTTT!!!!! FINISH "MY HERO ACADEMIA" AND START "MY HERO LIFE" WITH ANRI-SENSEI AS THE WRITER, PLEASE!!!!!! I KNOW MILLIONS WOULD LOVE IT 😭😭

For those who don't know, Anri Yoshi (the author's pen name iirc) is the one who writes all of the My Hero Academia light novels. Horikoshi reads over them and approves each story as well as provides illustrations for the chapters. It's been this way since the first light novel.

I also get this question every light novel, "is it canon?" Light novels as well as movies and any other official material is considered "supplemental official material" in Japan fandom. There is no concept of "canon" in here because anything 公式 produced is considered official.

Unless the creator explicitly states either or (e.g. for ONE PIECE, a lot of the movies are not canon because it's stated as so), usually the supplemental material just adds to the experience of the series as a whole. It's up to the consumer to decide if you want it as canon.

On that note, it's also up to the consumer to deem it not canon for them, but in the general view of things, what is officially produced is still "official" to the series + the story, especially if the creator says so. Anyway, just thought to put some cultural insight about this!

One more addition: supplemental official material usually just adds more to the understanding of each character and world-building of lore, etc. Japan's 公式 (official) works does not equal the Western's terminology of canon. It just ADDS to the experience, so take it as you will

Side material = canon notion applies only if it's explicitly stated by the creator, in this case Horikoshi, such as "yes, this definitely happened and also is referred to in the manga." If it's not explicitly stated, it just adds to a better understanding of characters and lore.