Unleashing Uraraka's Untapped Potential in My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia features a wide range of characters, each brimming with potential. However, having a large roster can be a challenge with limited screen time, especially for female characters in shonen anime. They often end up sidelined and bear the brunt of time constraints. Ochaco Uraraka serves as a prime example, showcasing how a well-written female character can ultimately be pushed to the sidelines without a significant role in the narrative.

Initially portrayed as a strong and empowered female character, Uraraka's characterization was well-received. Unfortunately, as the series progressed, she transitioned from a major character to a mere love interest and side character, losing the potential she initially held. My Hero Academia falls into a common shonen trope where male characters receive more character development and screen time, leaving their female counterparts neglected and irrelevant.

What Uraraka Initially Had to Offer

Uraraka smile - What Uraraka Initially Had to Offer

Uraraka quickly captured the hearts of fans when she was introduced in the first few episodes of the show with her endearing personality and grounded goals. Despite being a primary supporting character for Deku, she maintained her own independence, standing out from typical shonen female characters.

In contrast to other female characters in shonen anime whose goals are often tied to male characters, Uraraka had her own unique aspirations from the start. Her desire to become a hero in order to earn money and support her family resonated with fans, adding relatability to her character. As her popularity grew, fans eagerly awaited further development for Uraraka.

Uraraka’s Growth Through Battle

Uraraka Fighting Bakugo - Uraraka’s Growth Through Battle

Uraraka's shining moment came during her intense battle against Bakugo in the U.A. High Sport Festival. Despite her quirk's limited offensive abilities, she displayed strategic thinking, sharp intelligence, and unwavering determination. This early display of skill quickly established her as one of the top contenders in 1-A.

"I'll win! I'll win and be like Deku too!"

Where Did My Hero Academia Go Wrong?

Uraraka’s decision to undergo martial arts training with Gunhead was sparked by her realization of the weaknesses in her abilities after facing Bakugo in battle. This newfound hand-to-hand combat skill proved crucial during the League of Villains attack in the Forest Training arc, where she faced Himiko Toga. Despite these successes, Uraraka’s character development took a downward turn following these events.

Deku and Uraraka - Where Did My Hero Academia Go Wrong?

Initially, Uraraka was believed to be one of the focal characters of the series, and her friendship with Deku further led fans into believing this to be true. With so many characters populating the narrative, it’s only natural for a select few to be at the forefront, while the rest accept their place on the sidelines. However, My Hero Academia switched up its focus one too many times.

Uraraka Was Relegated to a Love Interest

Midway through the show, however, this spotlight shifted drastically, with Deku, Bakugo, and Shoto becoming the primary focus of the show. Uraraka, along with the rest of her classmates, were forced to take the backseat. However, this change was the most apparent in Uraraka’s case, as she went from a primary ancillary character to a mere love interest with little to no screen time.

Ochako Uraraka Flustered - Uraraka Was Relegated to a Love Interest

In the beginning of My Hero Academia, Deku used to feel flustered around Uraraka, resulting in some amusing situations. However, as the series progressed, the role of the awkward romantic shifted to Uraraka. Despite this change, Deku's character remained consistent while Uraraka's character development seemed to suffer.

Deku Saves Uraraka - Romance has never impeded a character’s growth, but when being a love interest is the only thing going for the character, a few issues are bound to arise

Uraraka's character growth has never been hindered by romance, but when being reduced to just a love interest, problems start to emerge. Unfortunately, this is the situation for her as her presence on screen significantly decreased after season 2, with most of her scenes solely focused on admiring Deku from a distance.

Too Many Characters Took Over the Narrative

my-her-academia-class-1-a - Too Many Characters Took Over the Narrative

Uraraka, despite her popularity in My Hero Academia, plays a rather inconsequential role in the series. Removing her from the equation would have little impact on the show's narrative, as the attention she does receive is minimal compared to other characters like Bakugo and Shoto. She has never been a crucial part of the plotline.

Author Horikoshi missed several opportunities to further develop Uraraka's character. Her initial goals of becoming a hero and her rivalry with Toga were introduced but never explored further. These plotlines could have provided a significant character arc, but with an overcrowded lineup, My Hero Academia did not have the capacity to delve deeper into her story.

Uraraka’s portrayal in My Hero Academia may seem like another instance of inadequate female representation in shonen anime. However, her initial development hints at underlying issues that extend beyond just poor writing for female characters. The series' lack of equal screen time for female characters and reluctance to elevate them to the same level as male characters highlight the pervasive gender disparities present in My Hero Academia, ultimately hindering Uraraka’s potential.

For those interested in watching My Hero Academia, the series is accessible for streaming on Prime Video.

Editor's P/S:

The article on Ochaco Uraraka's character development in My Hero Academia was insightful and well-written. It highlighted the potential that Uraraka had as a character, but also the missed opportunities that led to her being sidelined. The author effectively conveyed the disappointment that many fans felt as Uraraka's role in the series diminished.

The article also touched on the wider issue of gender disparities in shonen anime, which is a topic that deserves more attention. Uraraka's case is not an isolated one, and it reflects a larger problem within the industry. By examining Uraraka's journey, the article sheds light on the challenges that female characters often face in shonen anime and the need for more balanced representation.