My Hero Academia: Horikoshi’s Unique Approach to Ochaco Could Shape the Future of Shonen Manga

After a decade-long journey, the highly praised series My Hero Academia by author Kohei Horikoshi has finally come to an end, generating extensive dialogue within the community. Fans are especially intrigued by the development of Deku’s storyline and Ochaco’s portrayal as the female lead.

In contrast to the romantic paths given to Hinata Hyuga and Orihime Inoue in two of the Big 3 anime, Naruto and Bleach, Horikoshi sensei takes a distinct approach with Ochaco Uraraka.

One notable aspect of the series is its lack of romantic development between the main characters, including those in Class 1-A. This sets it apart from many older shonen series and has sparked much discussion among fans. Horikoshi sensei’s choice to avoid romance could potentially indicate a new direction for future shonen series.

Please be aware that this article contains spoilers from the My Hero Academia manga. The views expressed here are subjective and represent the writer’s individual perspective.

Analyzing Horikoshi’s Decision to Omit a Romantic Ending for Ochako in My Hero Academia and its Impact on the Shonen Genre

In many popular Shonen series such as Naruto, Bleach, and Fullmetal Alchemist, it is common for characters to have romantic endings. For instance, in Naruto, both Hinata and Sakura find romantic resolutions with Naruto and Sasuke respectively, while in Bleach, Orihime also ends up with Ichigo.

In contrast, My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi adopts a unique approach. The series ends without explicitly confirming any romantic relationships between the main characters, such as Ochako and Deku, or other important characters. The only hint of a relationship is the subtle implication that La Brava and Gentle have gotten married during the 8-year time skip.

Despite many fans’ hopes for a romantic relationship between Deku and Ochako in the series finale, the Mangaka has chosen to leave their future as a couple open-ended. By not explicitly defining their romantic futures in My Hero Academia, the author allows for the audience to use their imagination to fill in the details of their personal lives.

Despite possibly disappointing some fans, Horikoshi sensei’s approach in this decision could potentially set a new trend for upcoming shonen series. In these series, romantic subplots may either remain unresolved or become less prominent as the story progresses, giving more attention to other elements of the plot.

Deku and Ochako in My Hero Academia (Image via Bones)

Despite the clear hints at Ochako’s romantic feelings for Deku throughout My Hero Academia, the lack of a canonical ending for their relationship left many fans disappointed. This was especially true for fans who were eager to see their favorite ships reach a resolution, with Deku and Ochako being a particularly popular pairing.

Despite taking a different path, Ochako’s character arc still ended on a positive note. She transformed into a self-sufficient hero who prioritized aiding others and making a positive impact on society, rather than conforming to the societal expectation of becoming a homemaker. It’s worth acknowledging that opting for a domestic life is not inherently inferior or less meaningful, and can bring fulfillment to those who value a tranquil family existence.

Nonetheless, it can be disappointing when characters who possess considerable power and potential, such as Naruto’s Hinata and Bleach’s Orihime, shift from being central figures in the narrative to assuming more domestic roles, as it limits the potential for further exploration of their abilities.

Throughout their respective series, these characters were developed and built up, but their journeys ultimately ended in a way that may seem to lessen their potential. However, characters such as Rukia from Bleach and Sakura from Naruto are able to effectively balance their professional duties related to their powers with their personal lives, adding depth and coherence to their stories.

Ochako in the last chapter (Image via Kohei Horikoshi/Shueisha)

This method enables their characters to remain relevant and meaningful, rather than being completely pushed aside, resulting in more fulfilling journeys and fully realized potential.

The evolution of Ochako and other female characters in My Hero Academia, as depicted by Horikoshi sensei, represents a change in societal norms. The narrative highlights the idea that women are not limited to conventional domestic roles and have the ability to pursue successful and independent careers.

The evolution of shonen series reflects the changing perspectives in the real world, where happiness is no longer solely dependent on romantic relationships or family life. In contrast, older shonen series typically ended with characters finding happiness through family and romance, reflecting the societal values of their era.

Alternatively, it is possible that the mangaka chooses to leave the characters’ romantic lives open to interpretation, rather than explicitly portraying them. This approach of downplaying romance in the story could potentially set a new trend for future shonen series, where traditional romantic storylines are not a key focus.

In Jujutsu Kaisen, mangaka Gege Akutami seems to be following a similar trend by shifting the focus away from romance and towards character development and the overall plot.

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