With the release ofMy Hero Academia’svolume 42, the author Kohei Horikoshi included dozens of new pages of content, which served to close the loose ends of the manga’s epilogue. However, the most surprising part is a new extra chapter which not only revealed more about the destiny of many heroes but also finally answered the question that many fans expected since the end of the story,the possibility of aromance between Izuku and Ochako.
Although Izuku and Ochako starred in an emotional moment in the epilogue during the weekly serialization, many fans were disappointed, as they expected them to confess their feelings and possibly blossom a sweet love between both protagonists. However, at long last, fans can celebrate thatMy Hero Academiachapter 431 focused onDeku and Uraraka’s relationship, showing their long-awaited reunion and establishing the ship with an adorable moment.
My Hero AcademiaConfirmed Izuku & Ochaco’s Ship as Canon
Deku & Uraraka Finally Face Their Feelings in New Chapter
Although during the storyit was always hinted that Izuku and Ochako’s feelings were mutual, with Uravity confirming her love for him to Toga,My Hero Academiachapter 431 showed how both of them during the time-skip were never able to prioritize their own lives and feelings by focusing on their responsibilities. Ochako dreams about Toga because she hasn’t been able to forgive herself for her death, so she has unconsciously been holding back her own happiness. Likewise, Izuku hadn’t faced his feelings until now because he was focusing on his work as a teacher.
Because of this, it’s Toga and Bakugo who encourage Ochako and Izuku to go for each other. As a result, after the dinner of the former Class 1-A students,Izuku meditates on who is the most special person to him and runs off to catch Ochako. When they meet, Izuku tells Ochako that although they couldn’t talk before, he wants to talk to her and spend more time together from now on, subtly confessing his feelings.
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Even though this flustered Ochako, she recalls her dream, and an image of Toga pushes her forward, encouraging her to embrace the future, let go of the guilt, and live the way she wants. Finally,Ochako tells Izuku they share the same thoughts, accepting his feelings. They officially confirm the ship as canon with a touching panel of them blushing and handholding, an action that carries a lot of meaning inMy Hero Academia’s story.
My Hero AcademiaLeaves Open Izuku & Ochaco Future as a Couple
The Confirmed Romance Elevates the Manga Ending
While Izuku and Uraraka reveal they want to be closer to each other, which confirms their blossoming relationship, this is contrary to other shōnen mangas likeNarutoorBleach,where the main couple’s future family is shown. This way,Horikoshi decided to leave what happens next to be filled with the readers' imagination. Although this could indicate thatHorikoshi plans to develop moreof the couple in the future, this also ties with the manga artist’s writing philosophy, as Horikoshi has previously stated that he likes to hint at things rather than flesh them out to the readers.
However, for many fans ofMy Hero Academia, this final dose of romance in the extra chapter farimproves the bad taste in their mouths left by the end of the manga, since it shows a much more complete outcome in which both Izuku and Ochako have been able to overcome the traumas they suffered in the past and reach a happy ending together.
My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is a multimedia franchise that follows a young boy named Izuku Midoriya, who dreams of becoming a hero despite being born without superpowers. These superpowers, known as “Quirks” are found in most people after birth, but Izuku wasn’t so lucky - until a fateful encounter with All Might, Japan’s greatest hero, Izuku inherits his Quirk and enrolls in U.A. High School to learn the true meaning of heroism. Alongside his classmates, each endowed with unique abilities, Izuku faces rigorous training and lethal threats from villainous forces.
