Is Pop Step in love with Koichi in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes? Explained

Thanks to the ongoing anime adaptation, underrated characters like Koichi Haimawari and Kazuho Haneyama, better known as Pop Step from My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, are finally getting the attention they deserve.

For those who are unaware, the world of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes focuses on gritty, street-level scenarios involving a trio of vigilantes—Koichi, Pop Step, and Knuckleduster—who operate outside the official Pro Hero system. However, beyond the flashy Quirk battles, fans have begun to notice a romantic subplot developing between Koichi and Pop Step.

Pop Step is in love with Koichi. In fact, she's had feelings for him for a long time—ever since he saved her when they were kids. That being said, let's take a closer look at their relationship in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.

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Pop and Koichi's relationship, explained

Kazuho and Koichi officially met in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes when Koichi gave her a heads-up about the police approaching her for illegal street performances.

The two became friends after Koichi saved her from some thugs one night, and they subsequently joined forces with Knuckleduster to fight minor crimes in their neighborhood.

Although Kazuho wasn't involved in Vigilante missions as actively as Koichi, she supported him in many other ways, like performing recon, providing strategic advice, and using her platform as Pop Step to indirectly help him in his missions. The two often argued, particularly about Koichi risking his life on a daily basis. Despite that, a strong and mutual trust always existed between them.

A still from the My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime (image via Studio Bones)

It was eventually revealed that Koichi and Kazuho had actually met before as kids. One day, Kazuho fell into a river and couldn't swim, even though the water was shallow. Fortunately, Koichi was nearby. He jumped in to save her without hesitation, after which he handed her his jacket and quickly ran off because he was late.

While Koichi didn't seem to remember this incident, for Kazuho, it was a cherished memory. For all those years, she held on to his jacket, highlighting just how much that encounter meant to her. It's also clear that the meeting planted the seed of her admiration for him, which blossomed into something much deeper over the years.

As the series progressed, Kazuho's feelings for Koichi became more apparent. She grew jealous when other girls started showing interest in him. Additionally, she would watch him from a distance before they officially met, and despite being frustrated with him for constantly risking his life, she was always there to support him.

The two shared several key moments in the series that showed just how much they meant to each other, even though Koichi was completely oblivious to Kazuho's true feelings for him. Things became a bit rocky between them later on when Kazuho learned about Koichi's plans to retire from vigilantism.

To make matters worse, she overheard Makoto confessing her feelings to Koichi, which made her feel left behind and insecure about her own emotions. Fortunately, the two eventually reconciled after Koichi risked his life to rescue Kazuho when she was kidnapped by Number 6. It was during this arc that Koichi realized how deeply he valued Kazuho's presence in his life and that he didn't want to lose her.

As for Kazuho, this arc revealed her deepest desire. She dreamed of continuing her vigilante life with Koichi for a few years until she graduated, after which she wanted to eventually get married, settle down, and have two kids with him.

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Do they have any other love interests in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes?

Koichi and Kazuho in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime (image via Studio Bones)

Quite frankly, neither Koichi nor Kazuho was hinted to have any meaningful love interests apart from each other in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.

Koichi was practically blind to romantic cues—a trait common among most shonen protagonists. He was the kind of person you'd have to directly spell out your feelings to; even then, there was a decent chance he still wouldn't catch on.

As for Kazuho, it seemed Koichi was the only person she had romantic feelings for. After all, she dreamed of a whole future with him. And even though it appeared the story was gearing toward their relationship blossoming into something more, Hideyuki Furuhashi ultimately chose to leave their story open to interpretation.

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Final thoughts

In conclusion, although Pop Step truly loved Koichi, her feelings largely went unnoticed and unreciprocated by him. It wasn't that he didn't care about her, but rather that he simply did not see her as a romantic partner.

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