As both a Shonen and Shojou fan, it can get hard navigating my expectations from both genres. When I watch a good Shojou, I feel like I’m missing out on a fast-paced plot and slow burns are the bane of my existence. But when I’m watching a Shonen, I really miss the cuteness of a budding romance subplot and end up shipping characters together to placate myself. It’s like the best of both worlds when a Shonen anime has characters that I can ship, even if they don’t end up as a couple (Midoriya x Uraraka for the win!).
My Hero Academia is not lacking in those character dynamics. Practically everyone under the sun has been paired with its protagonist, Izuku Midoriya. (Though I am partial to good old Bakugou x Deku.) And yet, no character is more popular as a potential love interest than Ochaco Uraraka, his classmate at UA Academy and forever moral support. And while there haven’t been any signs that the two are together currently, that doesn’t mean we rule them out in the future.
I mean, it’s easy to see why they would work as a couple. Midoriya, also known as Deku, always gets flustered around her while Ochaco Uraraka really admires him back. Both have a very trusting bond and it’d be cute to see them together. However, the curse of Shonen being too high stakes at every moment to entertain giving time to a budding romance, persists. While it’d be nice to see them become more, that won’t be happening for a long, long time. It’s pretty on par with the formula, hence there being no headway into a possible relationship.
But that doesn’t mean we haven’t seen glimpses of them shyly showing concern for each other. But most importantly, they have grown as both individuals and classmates throughout the duration of the franchise. One thing I will give this series, is the fact that it takes care in building a relationship from scratch, like with those two. And that’s what we’ll be breaking down in Lore Analysis – where we take a good look at a franchise to see where the plot might be headed.
Ochaco Uraraka And Izuku Midoriya: A Natural And Easy Companionship?
Midoriya and Ochaco share a great friendship between themselves. Midoriya likes how confident and supportive Ochaco is, whereas Ochaco herself strives to be the kind of Hero that Midoriya is. They are pretty good on the mutual care front.
Even if you just look at their relationship platonically, it’s so sweet and endearing. Ochaco was the first person he interacted with when he entered UA Academy, and the only that didn’t look down on him for being someone who had just acquired a Quirk shortly beforehand. She evn goes as far as to defend him to others bullying him with the ‘Deku’ nickname, claiming how she likes it because it stands for ‘never giving up’.
She is super positive when Midoriya feels like he’s not good enough, always rooting him on. And for how selflessly she acts, Midoriya thinks the world of her. To him, she is brave and bright, always standing up for what’s right. He loves how strategically inclined she is, going along with her plans without question They both respect each other immensely and a pretty protective as well.
Why Those Two Will Probably Be Endgame:
With their reactions, it feels very likely that Ochaco Uraraka and Izuku Midoriya will be a canon couple by the end of the series.
Midoriya holds her in high regard, and vice versa. He blushes around Ochaco very easily, even after getting more confident with talking to girls. And Ochaco has developed a crush on Midoriya as well, carrying the All-Might keychain he gifted her as part of a Secret Santa exchange. But the best part is how genuinely wholesome their bond is. The two thanked each other for lending support and strength, fist bumping over it. Midoriya defended her against Bakugou Katsuki and helped her fight at her best against him. They regard how both of them are a little weird and how that makes them kindred spirits. And it’s all just very nicely done.
Their growth as a duo is very gradual and never feels forced. Even as a BakuDeku stan, I can respect how good Midoriya and Ochaco have been for each other!
