My Hero Academia: Horikoshi not following the Hinata and Orihime route with Ochaco could be the way forward for next-gen shonen

Mangaka Kohei Horikoshi's acclaimed series My Hero Academia has concluded after its decade-long journey, sparking widespread discussion in the community. Fans are particularly focused on the narrative direction regarding Deku's fate and Ochaco's role as the female protagonist.

Unlike the approaches seen in two of the Big 3 anime, Naruto and Bleach, where Hinata Hyuga and Orihime Inoue were given clear romantic paths, Horikoshi sensei takes a completely different approach with Ochaco Uraraka.

Notably, the series avoids giving any romantic direction to its main characters, including the students of Class 1-A; a contrast to many earlier-generation shonen series. This choice has become a major topic of discussion among fans. Horikoshi sensei's decision to steer clear of romance might signal a new direction for next-gen shonen.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from My Hero Academia manga. All opinions presented here are subjective and solely reflect the writer's perspective.

Exploring why Horikoshi sensei's choice to avoid a romantic ending for Ochako by the end of My Hero Academia could shape the future shonen

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Shonen series are often known for giving their characters romantic conclusions, as seen in popular titles like Naruto, Bleach, Fullmetal Alchemist and many others. In Naruto, for example, Hinata and Naruto, as well as Sakura and Sasuke, find romantic conclusions, while in Bleach, Orihime also ends up with Ichigo.

However, Kohei Horikoshi takes a different approach in My Hero Academia. The series concludes without establishing any romantic relationships for its main characters, including Ochako and Deku or any other key characters. The only exception is the subtle implication that La Brava and Gentle have married by the series' end, as hinted in the eight-year time skip.

Many fans hoped to see Deku and Ochako end up romantically together by the series' conclusion. However, their relationship remains open-ended, with Mangaka choosing not to define the romantic futures of his characters in My Hero Academia. This deliberate ambiguity leaves their personal lives to the fans' imagination.

While this decision might have disappointed some, Horikoshi sensei's approach could pave the way for a new trend in next-generation shonen series, where romantic subplots are either left unresolved or take a backseat by the story's end, focusing on other aspects of the story instead.

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

Many fans were eager to see a canonical ending for their favorite ships in My Hero Academia, particularly with Deku and Ochako, given how the series had clearly hinted at Ochako's romantic feelings for Deku. However, the lack of resolution in their relationship left many fans disappointed.

On the bright side, Ochako's character arc took a different route, as she evolved into an independent hero dedicated to helping others and contributing to society, rather than settling into a traditional role as a housewife. It's important to note that choosing a life as a homemaker isn't inherently negative or less significant and can be fulfilling for those inclined towards a peaceful family life.

However, when characters with significant power and potential, like Naruto's Hinata and Bleach's Orihime, transition from central figures in the story to more domestic roles, it can feel like a missed opportunity to further explore their capabilities.

These characters were built up throughout their respective series, only to have their journeys conclude in ways that may come off as diminishing their potential. In contrast, characters like Bleach's Rukia and Naruto's Sakura manage to balance their professional responsibilities related to their powers with their roles at home, giving their stories more depth and continuity.

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

This approach allows their characters to maintain relevance and significance, rather than being completely sidelined, making their journeys feel more complete and their potential more realized.

Horikoshi sensei's portrayal of Ochako and other female characters by the end of My Hero Academia reflects a shift in current societal trends. The story emphasizes that women are not confined to traditional family roles and can lead strong, independent lives, focusing on their careers instead.

This evolution mirrors the changes in real-world perspectives, where the notion of happiness is no longer exclusively tied to romantic relationships or family life. In contrast, older shonen series often concluded with characters finding fulfillment in family and romance, reflecting the values of their time.

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The mangaka's decision to end My Hero Academia without tying the characters to romantic outcomes highlights a modern interpretation that a satisfying life doesn't necessarily depend on romantic or familial commitments.

Alternatively, it could simply be that the mangaka prefers to keep the characters' romantic lives ambiguous, leaving their fates open to fan interpretation. In any case, this approach to sideline romance from the story may signal a new direction for future shonen series, where narratives are not bound by traditional romantic arcs.

A similar trend can be seen in Jujutsu Kaisen, where mangaka Gege Akutami also appears to be steering the story away from romance, focusing instead on other aspects of character development and the overall plot.

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Edited by Dishani Dutta