The Ideal Student for Star & Stripe from My Hero Academia (Guess Who’s Not Deku)

My Hero Academia introduces a variety of intriguing characters, among which Star and Stripe stands out due to her position as the top hero in the United States and her unique Quirk, New Order. While many fans may have wished to see her interact with the iconic Izuku “Deku”Midoriya, a different character from the series, Manga Fukidashi, would have proven to be an even more fitting contender for her mentorship.

Fans of My Hero Academia, particularly those who closely followed the Class 1-A versus Class 1-B arc, might remember Fukidashi for his relatively minor role. Despite his limited exposure, his Quirk, Comic, offers an interesting parallel to Star and Stripe’s abilities, positioning him as a potential protégé. Fukidashi’s Quirk allows him to speak onomatopoeic words, which then come to life, echoing the core mechanics of Star and Stripe’s Quirk. While Comic may not be as powerful, the synergy between their abilities hints at an intriguing dynamic that could have unfolded with mentorship.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series.

Why Manga Fukidashi Would Be the Ideal Student for Star and Stripe

Manga Fukidashi as seen in the series (Image via Bones).
Manga Fukidashi as presented in the series (Image via Bones).

Manga Fukidashi first made an impression during the Sports Festival arc, but his abilities truly came to the forefront during the matchup between Class 1-A and Class 1-B. In his face-off against characters like Aoyama and Momo, Fukidashi demonstrated his unique talent. His Quirk functions by bringing spoken sounds to life, allowing for creative applications that are reminiscent, albeit weaker, of Star and Stripe’s formidable New Order.

Star and Stripe’s New Order enables her to impose two distinct rules on any object or individual, acting through physical contact and the declaration of names. Her Quirk’s versatility and the ability to shape outcomes in battle made her a significant player, as evidenced by her intense confrontation with a combined version of All For One and Tomura Shigaraki, which resulted in her defeat.

Although audiences were eager to witness interactions between Star and Stripe with Deku and All Might, it’s important to consider how Fukidashi’s Quirk could have fostered collaboration with her. The potential for synergy could have not only enriched their respective arcs but also highlighted how Fukidashi’s character, often sidelined, could have played a crucial role in the narrative’s broader conflicts.

Analyzing Star and Stripe’s Character Arc

Star and Stripe as seen in the anime (Image via Bones).
Star and Stripe portrayed in the anime (Image via Bones).

Star and Stripe’s short-lived tenure in My Hero Academia has left many fans feeling disappointed. Her swift defeat by Shigaraki and the absence of interactions with key characters like All Might and Deku contributed to a perception that her character was underutilized. In an objective light, her purpose seemed primarily to serve as a narrative device to weaken the enhanced version of Shigaraki before the climactic war arc. This indicates that her role was not designed to carry significant weight in the overall storyline, a sentiment that some fans believe could have been better executed by creator Kohei Horikoshi.

Concluding Thoughts

Manga Fukidashi’s Quirk presents an engaging aspect of My Hero Academia that remains insufficiently explored, a sentiment that applies to Star and Stripe as well. Hence, envisioning the potential mentor-pupil relationship between them opens up a fascinating avenue of narrative possibilities that fans would have loved to explore.

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