MHA’s Author Tells Fans to “Use Their Imagination” About Deku and Ochako’s Romance

Deku and Ochako’s romance takes center stage in the final chapters of My Hero Academia, especially in volume 42, which features an epilogue bringing Class 1-A back together. Even though the series is a classic shounen, it never ignored the connection between the two characters, fueling fans’ hopes for years about a potential relationship.

MHA’s Author Tells Fans to “Use Their Imagination” About Deku and Ochako’s Romance

In chapter 431, which shows the class reunion after the major events of the series, we see a highly emotional atmosphere surrounding Ochako. She reflects on feelings she had buried—feelings pushed aside during the massive war against the villains. Her reunion with Deku makes it clear to her: there’s still something unresolved between them.

Although the manga doesn’t explicitly confirm a romance between Deku and Ochako, the final scenes are full of subtle cues. Ochako has been haunted by visions of Himiko Toga, raising questions about whether this is leftover trauma or a message Toga was trying to convey. But when she sees Deku again, Ochako realizes it’s time to face the emotions she kept buried.

Horikoshi Asks Fans to “Use Their Imagination” on Deku and Ochako’s Ending

Series creator Kohei Horikoshi stated in the Plus Ultra Guide Book that fans should read volume 42 and “use their imagination” to interpret the pair’s final outcome. In other words, another author unwilling to provide a concrete answer, instead leaving it up to the fans to decide what they want to believe.

Naturally, this led to backlash online:

• “Nobody cares anymore.”
• “Stop reading shounen trash.”
• “Don’t expect romance in a shounen.”
• “Alright then, in my imagination, they didn’t end up together.”
• “Wouldn’t it be easier to just say they’re dating? Leaving it open-ended only creates more shipper wars.”
• “Whenever I search for MHA hentai, it’s mostly Netorare with Ochako. I feel like that should mean something to the author, but who knows.”
• “Do people really think the final chapter didn’t confirm they’re a couple? Is reading comprehension really this bad worldwide?”
• “Hori is being vague just to make shippers fight each other again and boost engagement. Genius move.”

And there you have it—another author I honestly don’t know how to react to. One thing I’ve come to dislike in stories is when creators throw the burden onto the fans to just “imagine” the ending. Just give us a conclusion!

via Você Sabia Anime