Despite being considered a fairly lighthearted series all around, there is actually a lot of death inMy Hero Academia, certainly more than I expected. Heroes and villains alike lose their lives in the series' wars and battles, butone death is more difficult for me to accept than any other,and it reveals fundamental societal issues in the series.
I adoreToga Himikoas a character and cried when she died, because her death was one of the most emotionally stirring in the entire show. Although I wish she had been able to survive longer, heal and grow as a person, and achieve the true happiness she deserved,her death was a necessary catalyst to cause positive change in the hero world.
Toga’s Death Made it Clear That Hero Society Has Major Issues
Individuals With Powerful Quirks Receive Praise, While Those With Unusual Quirks Receive Judgment
Although at the beginning ofMy Hero Academia,it may seem that heroes are perfect, godlike beings without any flaws, that is far from the truth, and characters like Toga prove it. Individuals with Quirks that are impressive and useful in hero work receive money, fame, power, and nearly endless praise from society. However,those with more unusual or uncontrollable Quirks like Toga have a markedly different experience. These individuals are forced to either attempt to hide their abilities, like Toga tried to for many years, or embrace them and risk either becoming a villain or an outcast.
My Hero Academia Somehow Made Himiko Toga Even More Depressing
In chapter 341 of My Hero Academia, Himiko Toga explores her tragic past in the most heartbreaking way imaginable, but with no mention of Ochako.
Toga’s Transform Quirk could only be used by drinking blood, so many people in Toga’s life were disgusted by her. She was encouraged by her family and friends to act “normal,” while simultaneously being judged for a Quirk she could not possibly get rid of. She snapped badly one day from the unbearable pressure of putting on a constant act, and attacked a classmate, which caused her loved ones to grow even more revolted by her.Toga joined the League of Villains, hoping to regain the love she had lostfrom everyone else, and was easily manipulated as she mentally spiraled.
Ochaco Carried on Toga’s Legacy Through Her Work With Those With Uncontrollable Quirks
Because of Toga, Ochaco Started the Quirk Counseling Expansion Project to Help Others With Their Quirks
Toga’s tragic deathcould have been avoided if anyone in her life had showed her empathydespite her Quirk. In the League of Villains, she did find some genuine affection, from members like Twice and Mr. Compress, who saw her humanity and treated her like a friend. Toga’s most touching friendship in the story, though, was with Ochaco, and sadly, Toga died before their bond could really develop deeply. Ochaco and Toga fought each other many times, since one was a hero and one was a villain. Their friendship was an unlikely one, but absolutely life-changing for both of them.
After meeting Ochaco, Toga became almost obsessed with earning the other girl’s favor, while Ochaco was understandably not at all eager to build a friendship with a villain. Despite Ochaco’s constant rejection, Toga continued pursuing her, and as Ochaco spent more time around Toga, she began to care for her deeply. Although they live opposites lives, Ochaco began to see that Toga just wanted someone to love and understand her, which is what she wished for as well. Although she did her best to help save Toga, it was tragically too late, andthis experience changed the course of Ochaco’s life.
Toga’s Sacrifice Helped Improve the Lives of Others Who Suffered With Their Quirks Just Like She Did
Her Heartbreaking Death Motivated Ochaco to Dedicate Her Life to Saving Others With Quirks Like Toga’s
Toga sacrificed herself to keep Ochaco alive, giving her blood, which was her most valuable resource that her Quirk revolved around. This final, meaningful act proved that there was so much kind-heartedness and love within Toga, despite her technically being a villain. Toga’s death highlighted significant problems in hero society, namely, the fact that those with uncontrollable and dangerous Quirks are often left to struggle completely on their own. Had someone like Ochaco intervened sooner, I believe Toga’s story would have had a very different, happier outcome. Her death was a catalyst for positive change though, and much of it was led by Ochaco herself.
MHA Finally Delivers the Ochaco Vs Toga Fight Fans Have Waited For
Fans have long hoped to see a clash between Deku’s two admirers, but the circumstances of this fight’s arrival are particularly tragic.
After Toga’s death, Ochaco was inspired to start helping people at risk of becoming villains,by starting her own organization titled, The Quirk Counseling Expansion Project.This project was designed to offer support to those with Quirks like Toga’s that are more difficult to control. If something like this had existed when Toga was alive, she might not have lost her life or become a villain at all. By creating this admirable organization, Ochaco revealed just how much Toga’s death affected her, and how committed she is to helping others like her lead lives filled with the acceptance and love Toga did not find.
Toga Completely Changed Ochaco’s Life and Career Path
Ochaco’s project positively changed individual lives, as well asshifted society’s perceptions and acceptance of those with more dangerous or uncommon Quirks like Toga’s.Although a world without villains or evil at all will likely never exist, Ochaco honorably carries on Toga’s legacy to try to prevent as many people as possible from suffering her unfortunate fate and turning to villainy as a solution. Part of me does selfishly wish Toga could have survived, received the healing she deserved, and formed close friendships with Ochaco and others, because she experienced so much unwarranted pain and judgment during her short life.
My Hero Academia’s Ending Isn’t Just Great, It’s Redeeming the Series
My Hero Academia’s Final War arc has been an exhilarating climax for the blockbuster series and has successfully redeemed the manga’s reputation.
Although Toga’s death was sorrowful and preventable,her sacrifice saved so many others in the years to come.The story ofMy Hero Academianeeded a dramatic, distressing scene like this to highlight the adjustments that needed to be made within society so everyone could be accepted and loved, regardless of their Quirk. Most of all,Toga changed everything for Ochaco, causing her to completely rethink how she viewed villains. Without her experience with Toga, Ochaco may never have started her transformative organization, so even after her death,Toga’sinfluence inMy Hero Academiacontinued to help others for years to come.
