the end of My Hero Academia (d)Boku no Hero Academia) left the fans divided. After more than a decade of action, intense emotions and character development, the history of Izuku Midoriya It closed its cycle in December 2024 with a 38-page epilogue included in the final volume of the manga. However, a big question was left in the air. What happened to the romance between Deku and Ochaco? Although both characters appear holding hands, there is no explicit declaration of love. This decision generated controversy in networks and disappointment among fans. now.
Kohei Horikoshi explains the romantic controversy between Deku and Ochaco
During an exclusive interview published in a special flyer for the exhibition My Hero Academia Original Art Exhibition on Tokyo, , Horikoshi He directly addressed one of the most debated topics by the fandom. The interview, translated and shared by Audrey Lamsam (d)CEO of Aitai Japan), revealed that the author decided not to develop the romance between Deku and OCHACO explicitly because it did not fit the thematic heart of the story.
Instead of showing romance, I wanted to contrast the visions of love between Ochaco and Toga. Romance is a very strong stimulus, and as soon as you include it, it becomes the center of attention. I wanted to prevent that from taking weight away from the main message. Horikoshi explained
In the school context, Horikoshi admits the contradiction
Although the series My Hero Academia, develops in a school environment. The author acknowledged that portraying an institute without romances seemed unrealistic. Even so, he justified his decision by pointing out that Deku He was always busy saving the world, which prevented him from being aware of the feelings of OCHACO.
in his final battle against Himiko Toga In chapter 394, OCHACO talk openly about his emotions, which Horikoshi considered essential to return to the epilogue. However, instead of developing a conventional romantic scene, the mangaka preferred to convey love as part of a larger idea. the human connection and the mutual desire to be saved.
My Hero Academia is a story about saving and being saved, not a love story. That’s why I preferred to treat love like a postscript, something that adds but doesn’t dominate. Although I still wonder if I got what I wanted. affirmed the author.
The My Hero Academia anime says goodbye in a big way this fall
the story of Midoriya and his colleagues from the UA Academy It is close to closing its cycle also on the screen. The final season of the anime My Hero Academia It will arrive in October 2025, and promises to adapt the most decisive moments of the manga. This latest installment will be key to showing, with all the power of animation, the emotions and combats that marked a generation of fans.
Though Horikoshi avoided traditional romance, the link between Deku and OCHACO He left a mark on the heart of the fandom. Its connection, more than a simple kiss or confession, represents the type of love that is born between two people who fight for the common good. Now with the end of Anime of My Hero Academia in sight. It only remains to see how the animators will decide to give a visual closure to this story that, with or without a kiss, is already a Shonen classic.
© . 堀越耕平／集英社・僕のヒ . ーローアカデミア製作委員会
