Kohei Horikoshi Deserves More Credit for How Well Written ‘My Hero Academia’ Characters Are through Its Most Underrated Pair
- Toga and Uraraka's relationship symbolizes the complexity of love, with Toga's obsession contrasting Ochako’s empathy and understanding.
- Horikoshi deserves recognition for crafting a deeply emotional battle between Toga and Uraraka, showing love as something unique and profound.
- Their bond transcends traditional romance, embodying love's complexity as it involves trauma, acceptance, and the willingness to embrace one another.
My Hero Academia tops the most-watched anime in 2024, above Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, One Piece, and Solo Leveling. Its final season is now scheduled for 2025 and fans can gear up to go beyond one more time!
With the manga being concluded in 2024, Kōhei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia has cemented its place among the best in new-gen anime and manga.
Despite MHA‘s contested ending, the anime’s latest season actually brought considerable buzz online, increasing anticipation for the final installment
MHA Season 7 reflected the brilliant storytelling and character design of Horikoshi, highlighting every character’s growth with each episode. However, many fans may have overlooked some of the mangaka’s remarkable skills due to the ignorance of one of the most underrated pairings and emotional battles in the series.
Toga vs Ochako: A Heartfelt battle of emotions and ideals
MHA Season 7 marked the end of Deku’s journey and All for One‘s final attempt to thwart humanity’s future and rule above everyone. The show left several fans awe-struck battling a rollercoaster ride of emotions and praying for Heroes’ success.
Ironically, Kōhei Horikoshi received thousands of criticisms after MHA‘s epilogue made waves online about its rushed conclusion. Even if Horikoshi successfully delivered an interesting new MHA chapter that makes for a much more satisfying epilogue, criticisms still prevail.
Among all the criticisms and disappointment concerning the epilogue, some of the fans seem to forget to see the glory of Season 7 and the beauty of character development.
From Todoroki and Dabi to Toga and Twice, each story ended with a meaningful ending. However, many missed the depth of the Toga-Uraraka battle, which is a heartwarming emotional fight that defines these characters.
Toga bonded with Ochako initially during their first encounters, fascinated by their common traits and even extending a limb to connect on a deeper level. However, the death of Twice and the mess of war meant that Toga’s efforts at friendship went unrequited by Ochako.
Ochako was unmoved initially, but eventually grasped the depth of Toga’s trauma during the final war arc. This empathy and growth in her character led to a meaningful connection.
Horikoshi has skillfully designed each villain in his tale, and Toga is a perfect example. Battling through immense trauma and constantly misunderstood, her past is filled with tragedy.
Through Toga’s character, Horikoshi explores the complex nature of love, showing how its understanding can be deeply profound, yet vastly different for each individual. For Toga, love is an intense desire to become the person she loves, believing it requires consuming their blood. She falls for others easily, often for simple reasons.
// Toga sacrifices her life for Uraraka by transferring her blood into her body. They just became friends.
— Izuku Midoriya (@Call_me_Deku) October 12, 2024
😢 pic.twitter.com/xwwMXKasX9
Uraraka was unlike anyone Toga had ever encountered, and their final battle became a deeply emotional clash of trauma that moved everyone to tears. Instead of rejecting Toga like others, Ochako embraces her in her own way, telling Toga her smile is the cutest in the world—a simple gesture that brings Toga to tears.
Why Toga and Ochako’s confrontation became one of My Hero Academia‘s most iconic moments
Toga and Ochako’s bond goes beyond typical romance, defined by Toga’s unique understanding of love. Toga’s obsession with becoming Ochako shows a deep connection, while Ochako’s kindness toward her during their confrontation hints at a profound emotional bond.
Despite the nature of their bond being complicated by their shared feelings for Deku, Ochako’s response to Toga sets her apart from everyone else.
Rather than rejecting Toga, she embraces her, offering words of kindness that move Toga to tears, – arguably the most romantic moment in all of My Hero Academia.
After Toga’s death, Ochako’s grief and her gesture of wearing Toga’s favorite flower as a hair clip reflect the lasting emotional impact Toga had on her. This deep emotional connection between the two, though not traditionally romantic, suggests that their relationship could have evolved into something more profound had Toga survived.
My Hero Academia is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
