For all it’s worth, My Hero Academia and Harry Potter are vastly different. Of course, some themes may overlap, but the setting, worldbuilding, and primary characters couldn’t be more distinct. And yet, the internet has found a way to bridge the gap between the two franchises—in one complaint directed specifically at Kohei Horikoshi’s acclaimed superhero Shōnen manga series.
A post on X, formerly Twitter, is gaining traction and echoes collective agreement from a group of MHA connoisseurs. It questions series creator Horikoshi’s decision to treat Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki as a part of a trio rather than focusing on the protagonist’s dynamic with Uraraka and Iida, arguably his first two friends at the beginning of his time at U.A. High School.
And to accentuate this claim, the friendship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione from the Harry Potter book/film series was used as an example.
One Narrative Decision In My Hero Academia Draws An Intriguing Harry Potter Comparison
As MHA‘s overarching narrative progressed, fans noticed that the thematic focus was more on the three primary characters: Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki.
The trio, who were pushed to the forefront, especially in the Endeavor Agency Arc, have undoubtedly become the pillars around whom the storyline advances. Of course, there’s Shigaraki Tomura, the OFA vestiges, All Might, and many other characters, including Uraraka and Iida, who’ve received their fair share of emphasis.
But the Origin Trio is unquestionably the definitive trio at the center of the universe Kohei Horikoshi has built.
Not all fans find this development pleasing, though.
In fact, one user on X highlighted the wasted potential of the friendship shared between Uraraka, Iida, and Deku—the three aspiring pro-heroes who fans have dubbed the ‘original trio.’ However, in doing so, an intriguing parallel was drawn to the Harry Potter series. Juxtaposing the original trio with the Golden Trio (Ron, Hermione, and Harry), the original poster had the following to say:
Deku leaving these two for Bakugo and Todorki is like if Harry Potter left Ron and Hermione for Draco and Seamus 😭😭 https://t.co/mtyV30JrXQ
— irose_artoo (@irose_artoo) March 27, 2024
A strong opinion, indeed, but it appears that there are many who agree with this sentiment.
Comparing Bakugo to Draco and Todoroki to Seamus may have been a pinch of exaggeration, given the character arcs (and development) of all those mentioned couldn’t be more separate and distinct. Nevertheless, the point appears to be that fans expected the focus to be more on Iida, Uraraka, and Deku’s shared dynamic.
While Bakugo and Todoroki make for interesting characters, with the former undergoing an arc that characterizes personal growth and betterment and the latter’s storyline intricately tying to his estranged brother’s, their emotional core with Deku (as a trio) doesn’t equate to the potential that it could’ve had with Iida and Uraraka… or at least, that’s what some of the MHA viewers think.
Fans Wished To See Deku’s Friendship With Uraraka And Iida At My Hero Academia‘s Forefront
Ron, Harry, and Hermione form the narrative’s emotional core in the Harry Potter series.
They meet and become friends within the first book, and the journey ahead constitutes adventures that see the solutions to several quandaries through their shared bond. Their friendship isn’t perfect; there are fights, jealousy, and misunderstandings along the road, but their companionship stands against the test of time and proves triumphant against the dangers that threaten the Wizarding World.
That is perhaps what fans envisioned for MHA’s original trio—a camaraderie that doesn’t mount up to casual school friendship but one that becomes the soul of the overarching storyline. For Iida, Deku, and Uraraka, there should’ve been opportunities for their bond to translate to their heroic showdowns, too.
We may have gotten glimpses of such possibilities when the series first commenced, but they didn’t lead anywhere. And while Deku shares incredible moments with both the characters as the story progresses, there aren’t many scenarios where the three shine in a trio. Naturally, fans who expected a Hermione-Harry-Ron-esque dynamic feel betrayed.
Adding on to the complaint, some users stated the following on X:
I was going to say it's probably because their quirks are weaker than Todoroki and Bakugo but horikoshi absolutely could have bullshit an insane power up for them like he did with almost every other character in the main story right now
— 🇮🇪 |🔊| IØN TECHNØ |🔊| 🇮🇪 (filmmaking arc 🎥) (@ion_techno) March 27, 2024
It's weird how the shift happens. I'm assuming that they're intended to be two different types of trios, I.e. a trio of friends vs a trio of colleagues, but it feels like Uraraka and Iida just stop existing when Todoroki becomes a central character.
— H to He (@tobographic) March 27, 2024
I haven't watched the show in a while but I don't think Todoroki and Bakugou ARENT interesting, I just think Ida and Uraraka would've had a better dynamic with Deku on the regular. Todoroki and Bakugou are cool alone but they don't make for a fun trio dynamic
— irose_artoo (@irose_artoo) March 27, 2024
There were also those who countered the perspective:
wouldn’t that make it more interesting than the typical underdog trio? https://t.co/gH1BI8Hvua
— ri🍎 (@namriswan) March 27, 2024
This comparison is just… a bit stupid. i'm sorry
Toroki was already friends with Deku, Iida, and Uraraka, and Bakugo has been in Deku's life since his childhood and has been slowly changing his mannerisms throughout the whole manga so… https://t.co/anRE2LiIva— aily (@ailyblossom) March 27, 2024
Iida and Uraraka were pretty boring
— KaiserAllen (@Supreme_Shadows) March 27, 2024
It wouldn’t be accurate to imply that Deku’s bond with Bakugo and Todoroki negates the one he shares with Iida and Uraraka. While the lack of further exploration of the latter group’s dynamic is a missed opportunity, it doesn’t mean the original trio has had fewer moments to shine. We see that in the Dark Hero arc.
Furthermore, it could just be that emphasizing Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki as the series’ primary trio was Horikoshi’s intention from the beginning.
Some believe that in keeping the ‘underdogs trio’ at bay, My Hero Academia brings a unique flair to its three leading characters. Within the trio, there are so many separate dynamics (some sweet, some sour, some bitter, and some a combination of the three) to deal with, and that, from a storytelling point of view, appears more engaging to other MHA enthusiasts.
At the end of the day, the two friendship groups serve different purposes in Midoriya’s life.
However, one can’t fault fans yearning for better canonical treatment of the Iida-Uraraka-Deku trio—as the potential for further exploration was definitely there.
My Hero Academia Season 7 premieres on May 4, 2024, on ytv and NTV.
