Importance of Toga’s Family in My Hero Academia’s Origin Story

My Hero Academia successfully attempts to generate empathy for many of its adversaries, with Himiko Toga serving as a prominent example. Nonetheless, her background story could have certainly benefited from further elaboration. It’s apparent that Toga faced rejection from her family due to her Quirk, yet her parents are depicted merely as black silhouettes, a choice that ultimately diminishes the depth of her narrative.

During the concluding arc of My Hero Academia, it is highlighted that Toga is the eldest child in her family, suggesting that she likely has siblings, particularly considering one has turned to terrorism. Unfortunately, these familial relationships play no significant part in the storyline. This leads to the impression that writer Kohei Horikoshi considered Toga’s family dynamics irrelevant to the overall plot, which could have enriched her confrontations with Ochaco Uraraka.

Disclaimer: There are spoilers ahead for the series.

How Toga’s Family Development Could Have Enhanced Her Role in My Hero Academia

Though aspects of Himiko Toga’s history are examined during the “My Villain Academia”arc and the climactic war sequences, there is little doubt that her family could have had a more pronounced presence throughout the series. Toga’s home life was a significant contributory factor for her eventual involvement with the League of Villains, and it could have depicted the struggles of ordinary parents faced with a child possessing a perilous Quirk.

In contrast, characters like Dabi, who confront issues tied to the Todoroki family, and Tomura Shigaraki, whose problems stem from All For One’s influence, offer a different perspective. Toga’s story could have provided a glimpse into a typical household grappling with such challenges. Regrettably, her parents are merely represented as silhouettes, serving primarily to illustrate the societal prejudices present in the storyline.

The absence of context about Toga’s upbringing and the reasons her family was so quick to reject and vilify her is a disservice to her character. The fact that she is acknowledged as the eldest daughter suggests the existence of siblings who are notably absent from her narrative.

The Potential Impact on Uraraka’s Conflict

Toga's family could have influenced Uraraka's story too (Image via Bones). — Toga’s family could have influenced Uraraka’s story too (Image via Bones).

Additionally, Toga’s parents could have provided a framework for Ochaco Uraraka’s initiative aimed at supporting individuals with Quirks. A scene where Uraraka shares her fears about death with Toga’s family could illustrate their gradual change in perspective and acknowledgment of their role in Toga’s misfortune.

Many fans have noted that Uraraka’s character loses significance in the series’ later stages and could have benefitted from more exploration of Toga’s background, including her family. This deeper investigation could have granted Ochaco a more personal stake in Toga’s dilemmas, rendering their ultimate confrontation more emotionally charged and clarifying Uraraka’s strong desire to rescue her.

Concluding Thoughts

Ultimately, while Himiko Toga remains a beloved character in My Hero Academia, a more comprehensive exploration of her origins and family dynamics could have significantly enriched her persona.

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