Are Koichi and Pop Step’s Friendship Strong Enough to Survive the Temptation of Romance?

by

In an anime like “ “, having a smaller group of characters allows for a deeper exploration of character development and relationships. While “My Hero Academia” did have intriguing dynamics such as Deku and Bakugo’s shonen rivalry, other potential friendships were overshadowed. On the other hand, the “Vigilantes” anime has the opportunity for greater emotional depth, but it requires careful handling. This observation particularly applies to the characters of Koichi Haimawari and Pop Step.

From the start of this anime, it’s evident that Koichi and Pop Step are destined for a strong friendship and crime-fighting partnership. Typical of shonen anime, there’s a possibility of romantic development between them. However, the storyline should avoid exploring that aspect. Instead, their connection and emotional growth should stem from their friendship, rather than romance.

Romance Would Disrupt Koichi’s and Pop Step’s Careers

Romantic Involvement Could Cause Problems

When two characters from “My Hero Academia” collaborate in their profession, be it a regular job or superhero duties, personal feelings can act as a complex instrument. On one hand, a romantic bond might serve as a powerful motivator, pushing them to work even harder, safeguarding each other and sometimes attempting to outdo each other in their tasks. Love can instill a strong belief in a cause and boost determination, which is closely linked to the series’ theme. However, feelings can also lead to undesirable consequences. In fact, love has saved the day many times before in shonen and shojo anime, but it can just as easily bring about negative outcomes.

Characters driven by emotion can sometimes act impulsively or irrationally due to their overriding focus on love. These characters might not be particularly likable because of their tendency to disregard other important factors. Conversely, emotionally constricted characters may lack appeal too. A character who is overly emotional, however, can frustrate fans as they often make ill-advised decisions, prioritizing romantic interests above all else. This can lead to dire consequences for heroes, vigilantes, and similar figures. Moreover, the enemies of a superhero or vigilante may exploit their love interest by taking them hostage to manipulate them. In this way, love can become a potential liability, particularly if the lover is weaker than the hero and the villains are stronger.

For Koichi Haimawari and Pop Step, pursuing a romantic relationship might not be wise due to potential complications. Their dedication and drive stem from other sources, like the backing of their team and mentorship by Knuckleduster. A romantic entanglement could mainly lead to distractions and confusion for both parties. Moreover, they should avoid any circumstances where villains could manipulate them by kidnapping one for leverage against the other. Unfortunately, they don’t have the luxury of involving law enforcement or professional heroes in their personal affairs, as they are vigilantes often seen as little more than villains by those in authority.

In the anime “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes”, if Koichi and Pop Step decided to pursue their growing romantic feelings, they might face the repercussion of an awkward split. If their relationship ended, they would find it challenging to work together in battles due to discomfort. Leaving the team altogether would also be a costly option, as the remaining duo might not have enough strength to continue their vigilante activities effectively.

Shonen Anime Rarely Follow Through With Romantic Subplots

Teasing a Koichi/Pop Step Romance Feels Pointless

One reason why the anime “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” might not pursue a relationship between Koichi and Pop Step is because such developments are uncommon in shonen anime. Although the early episodes hint at this potential pairing, with Pop Step reminiscing about how Koichi saved her when she was young, and the All Might hoodie gift symbolizing a bond that could deepen into romance. Additionally, it’s typical for shonen anime to generate romantic tension between male and female characters of similar ages who work together or attend the same class. The closeness and familiarity these characters share can spark fan speculation about potential romantic pairings, and shonen anime often play on this curiosity by suggesting but not confirming such relationships.

In many shonen anime series, the romantic elements are frequently left unresolved, leading to feelings of frustration among fans who had been hoping for certain characters to end up together. This pattern is often employed as a tactic to keep viewers speculating or as a checklist item, but it seldom develops into a meaningful storyline. Given that Koichi and Pop Step are unlikely to become lovers, it’s unnecessary for the anime to hint at this possibility. This issue might not seem significant initially, but it’s important to remember the backlash fans experienced with the ending of My Hero Academia, where unfulfilled romantic arcs can leave a bitter taste. Therefore, Vigilantes should steer clear of this problematic route to avoid disappointing its audience.

Koichi and Pop Step Can Set a Good Example as Friends

Shonen Could Always Use More Male/Female Friendships

Thankfully, Koichi and Pop Step have numerous activities they can engage in together, regardless of whether they opt for a non-romantic dynamic as vigilante partners and friends. While Pop Step frequently displays irritation towards Koichi and Knuckleduster’s antics within their shared space, their friendship remains intact. Their occasional disagreements are minor and do not threaten to dismantle their bond or make it dysfunctional. As a result, fans can overlook their actions and appreciate the strong friendship they have developed. It would be beneficial for the series “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” to further emphasize this friendship.

The friendship between Pop Step and Koichi in “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” is intriguing because they are distinct individuals on the surface, yet share some common ground as vigilantes. This dynamic results in an enjoyable and unique on-screen interaction. Unlike the sometimes volatile relationship of Deku and Bakugo or the straightforward bond between Deku and Ochaco, this friendship strikes a perfect balance: they are similar enough to acknowledge each other’s worth, but different enough to bring out new aspects of one another. It serves as an ideal model for friendships in the anime and could potentially surpass even the popular relationships seen in the main series, such as Eijiro and Mina or Tsuyu and Ochaco. With a smaller cast of characters, “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” can explore this friendship more deeply.

A unique aspect of their friendship in Vigilantes is its non-romantic nature, which allows Koichi and Pop Step to develop an exceptional bond without any romantic entanglements to cloud things. In many shonen anime, male and female characters sharing time together often leads to romantic tension or relationships, but these are frequently formulaic and lack depth for viewers. By showcasing a sincere friendship between males and females, Vigilantes offers a refreshing change of pace, demonstrating that mutual understanding and support can exist beyond romantic involvement. This approach feels more authentic and inspiring than the usual predictable romances.

Read More

2025-05-08 05:01