After years of speculation and divided fan reactions, My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi has finally addressed the ambiguity surrounding one of the series’ most hotly debated character moments and relationships. In a newly published interview from the My Hero Academia Kohei Art Exhibition pamphlet, Horikoshi breaks his silence on the relationship between Izuku Midoriya and Ochako Uraraka in regard to Chapter #431’s emotional final scenes.
Horikoshi’s comments offer fans insight into why romance hasn’t played a larger role in the series, even as certain relationships became fan favorites. He explains that although love is a powerful emotional element, it was never central to the story’s main themes. While he acknowledges the narrative responsibility to explore the emotional groundwork laid by characters like Ochako and Toga, he answers the question many fans have with another question.
Horikoshi Shares His Thoughts on Deku and Ochako’s Interaction
Romance Was Never Meant To Be a Focal Point in My Hero Academia
In the interview, Horikoshi discussed how the series handled romantic elements, especially between Deku and Ochako, and clarified that romance was never meant to be a main focus of the series. However, through Ochako and Toga, Horikoshi aimed to explore different perspectives on love rather than emphasizing romance itself. In doing so, he added emotional depth and thematic complexity to their arcs without allowing romance to overshadow the story. He also noted that Deku’s unawareness of romantic cues helped him avoid traditional love storylines while still grounding the characters in emotionally impactful experiences.
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However, as the story moved toward its conclusion, Horikoshi acknowledged that love was unavoidable. Chapter #394 set the stage with Ochako and Toga’s confrontation, which focused heavily on emotional vulnerability and unspoken feelings. This ultimately led to the decision to follow up with Deku and Ochako in Chapter #431. Yet, instead of confirming a typical romance, Horikoshi aimed to express something broader and more complex. “However, rather than depicting romance itself,” he said, “I wanted to depict love in a form as part of something even greater, but I wonder how it turned out?”
My Hero Academia’s Ending Is Left up to Interpretation
Kohei Horikoshi Purposefully Left Interpretation in the Hands of the Audience
Horikoshi’s final remarks on the moment between Deku and Ochako invite various interpretations from the audience. His statement about wanting to depict something greater than simple romance suggests that his goal was neither to confirm nor deny a romantic outcome, but rather to explore love as a broader, more aspirational force. This aligns with themes introduced in Chapter #394, where Toga’s parting message to Ochako was about embracing her own way of living and loving. In that context, Ochako’s moment with Deku can be seen less as an emotional resolution rooted in self-acceptance and freedom.
Chapter #431 continues this idea by focusing on Deku and Ochako coming to terms with their emotional needs after a long period of self-sacrifice. Both characters had been so consumed by their responsibilities that they lost sight of their own desires. With the help of Bakugo and Toga, they’re reminded that it’s okay to pursue happiness, even love, on their own terms. Ochako represents the “more” that Deku is encouraged to reach for, something that extends beyond duty and heroism. Horikoshi’s choice to leave My Hero Academia open-ended allows fans to decide for themselves what form that love ultimately takes.
- Movie(s)
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My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018), My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019), My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission (2021)
- First Film
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My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018)
- Cast
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Daiki Yamashita, Kenta Miyake, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Ayane Sakura, Yûki Kaji, Aoi Yuki, Kaito Ishikawa, Toshiki Masuda, Marina Inoue, Yoshimasa Hosoya
- TV Show(s)
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My Hero Academia
- Video Game(s)
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My Hero Academia: Battle for All, My Hero One’s Justice, My Hero One’s Justice 2
- Character(s)
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Izuku Midoriya, All Might, Katsuki Bakugo, Ochaco Uraraka, Shoto Todoroki, Tsuyu Asui, Tenya Iida, Eijiro Kirishima, Momo Yaoyorozu, Fumikage Tokoyami
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
