u/Finding-Herself

I wish I could reply with photos to comments, but that isn't an option in this sub, so I'll make a separate post. I'll start off by first saying that anyone is allowed to read it however they want. It was left up to interpretation for a reason, but I'll give a good platonic reading that I found that I've seen a lot of people already agreeing with so far across the spaces I've come across.

Touching on the theme of romance was never about making a moment inherently romantic. It was about tying it into what held Ochako back in the past from living her life freely and to the fullest. Present day, we see that she is so wrapped up in work and other obligations that she isn't allowing herself to pursue connections outside of that. What she had with Toga was a love of understanding who the other is at their very core and wanting more for them.

Ochako cared about Toga despite her being a villain, and close to death, Toga mentions in the manga how if she had received more love (supportive, not romantic), she would have been able to live more freely and because of the love Ochako offered her, she was able to do so. That is the main theme that is being touched on.

Ochako reminisces on that love confession because it's what held her back then. She also reflects on the cliffside because Izuku was that person who sought her out to lend her that extra support she needed in her life. He noticed the pain behind her smile when no one else did.

Tsu recognizes it present day, but Ochako is still covering it up and trying to act like she's fine when at the beginning of the episode, we get a lot of hints that she is still hurting deep down.

"Someone might look like they don't have any troubles when they're actually carrying heavy stuff deep down."

This was a thought Ochako had to herself. We also see how she's stressed to the brim and pushing herself too hard. I think these flashbacks of Toga are popping up when she started talking to Izuku more, not due to romantic feelings necessarily (although it can be perceived that way), but because she still hasn't processed everything yet.

The guilt and trauma she carries from Toga is heavy. It doesn't just dissolve. Not even after 8 years. Izuku was the one person in her life who could understand because he went through the same thing with Shigaraki and still has visions of him nowadays. The post talks about the importance of communication, and that is spot on because they are both burying themselves in obligations without considering more connection for themselves outside of that (romantic or otherwise).

Now, something else to note. In Chapter 429, Izuku calls Ochako his hero. That's not some romantic love confession. That's an acknowledgment of all the ways she has been there for him as a friend, yet he's shoved that friendship to the backburner to pursue everything else outside of that friendship connection they had at the start of UA. In the episode, it's similar to how he says everyone is special, but "I was hoping I'd get a chance to talk to you more."

That's a connection that is important to him, and I still believe that he saw the pain behind her smile because Tsu did at dinner, and Izuku gives a similar look, like even after all this time, he still sees it. He wants to be there for her more. I've seen in a lot of spaces how the episode frames it as a "helping hand," which is exactly what he lends her. Toga is setting her free from holding onto the pain of her past and pushing her to live more freely in every aspect of life.

There was no "I want more with you, Uraraka." It's been debunked now. The English translation heavily played into that to amplify it when that was never the actual meaning. In the original translation, it was Izuku saying, "I want to talk more with you, Uraraka." Which is how the episode puts it. Then they have "From now on, more-"

The meaning behind that is realizing that from now on, they won't constantly keep getting weighed down by the burdens of the past or letting current obligations prevent them from pursuing whatever else they want out of life. They are wanting more from life. Not necessarily more from or with each other outside of talking more. It's them living more freely in every aspect of life.

Toga straight up said that she loves Uraraka. We could see that as romantic or not. Same way as her having more life to live and love to give is not confined to romance. You are allowed to give love to people that you care about, even in a platonic sense. You are allowed to see that people in your past played an important part in your life at some time and want to have a stronger bond with them outside of romance.

As for the blushing, it did occur, though it was toned down a lot from what was in the manga. The main blushing on Izuku's end was after they bumped into each other, so of course you'd be flustered by that. We even see Ochako blushing heavily in her scenes with Toga. Personally, I don't find blushing to be an indicator of romance when it happens all throughout the manga with different people also.

Something else I found interesting was how the shipping wiki officially updated the canon status back to "semi-canon," rather than canon, which is fitting. Horikoshi's intentions were never to depict romance specifically but to show that whatever you want out of life, you should live it to the fullest. The connections that are important to you, you should build upon. I find it great that Toga pushes Ochako towards Izuku because he is the only one who can fully understand her pain and help her move past it.

She has "more love to give," which she can not go about giving until she lets go of the past and starts to define what it is that she seeks out of life. That may be a romantic connection at some point, but it is not explicitly defined as that right now, and showing how she's still struggling, it would actually be best for her to fully heal first. All in all, you should perceive it how you want, but just know there is not one "correct interpretation."

Canon status means explicitly confirmed with no room for interpretation. Something like a kiss, two characters confessing they're in love with each other, the manga author stating that they are dating, etc. None of that happened, so the semi-canon is fitting to let people perceive it how they wish. Canon or not, love what you love at the end of the day and don't be fixated on the haters or things that you do not like. Live life more freely.

I'm open to discussing if anyone would like to discuss any points more in depth. I've loved analyzing it so far and seeing all the analysis online for people who have different interpretations. Also, it isn't just bakudekus or togachakos who have this view. I've seen many other shippers and nonshippers who see it the same way. You are free to view it however you wish to

Credits to @starfryd on TikTok and other platforms. This was too cute, I had to repost here. Like, look at them 🥹 I headcanon that these two spend so much time on rooftops together at night overlooking the city and talking about the future together. Somehow, all of their plans always involve each other. It always leads back to them in the end. I also love yearner Katsuki. That man is so in love with Izuku; it's undeniable.

" Izuku " always spoken in the softest voice ever.

"My name is Kacchan Bakugou. "

"For the rest of our lives. "

Pshhhh, he isn't fooling anyone.