With My Hero Academia season 4 coming to a close, it's become clear that Ochaco Uraraka needs to get some more screen time in season 5. Uraraka was one of the central characters during the series' early moments, playing key roles in the development of both Midoriya and Bakugo as heroes while also growing into one herself. As time has gone on, however, Uraraka's story arc has taken a back seat to develop out other heroes, and while that's great, she needs a return to the spotlight sooner rather than later.
Over the course of My Hero Academia's new season, Uraraka was largely relegated to a role, featuring briefly in some key moments but never operating as a centerpiece of any strategy. That, coupled with her budding relationship with Midoriya only getting teased a few times over a lengthy season, has made her feel much less central to the plot of the story. Uraraka is one of the most interesting heroes in My Hero Academia and her quirk, Zero Gravity, has some of the most potential, often leading to the most interesting team-up situations in the series. With other heroes receiving major boosts in power recently, there's never been a better time to showcase Uraraka's ability.
Of course, Uraraka's development is limited by how she progresses in the manga, but it's not like she's become totally absent in that, either. Given the flexibility of the anime and the popularity of the character, My Hero Academia's Zero Gravity expert should be easy to slot into a few key animated spots in the show's next season. As one of the show's main characters and a hero that ranks consistently in the top ten of the manga's popularity polls (having finished outside those ranks only once), it makes sense to renew focus on Uraraka, especially as the anime barrels into some key arcs over the next few seasons. She's one of the most humanizing presences and her progression arc has felt very natural - although it's impossible for it to feel rushed given how infrequently she's been showcased recently.
More than just her potential to be a relatable and intriguing character, though, My Hero Academia's Ochaco Uraraka is compelling because explosive or physics-based quirks, Zero Gravity is a no-brainer to grow and feature in the anime's gorgeous fight scenes. Combinations with Midoriya have already been eye-catching and, as she grows more powerful, Uraraka's Zero Gravity quirk opens the door for several other exciting fight combinations.
As the build-up to My Hero Academia season 5 inevitably begins in the not so distant future, fans will begin discussing which heroes they want to see more of. With characters like Hawks already looming large as major fixtures in seasons, it's time to double down on the characters that fans have grown to love and ensure they don't get lost in the shuffle on television screens as animators begin to condense content to fit into a season's arc. My Hero Academia's Ochaco Uraraka needs more screen time in season 5, and the Zero Gravity quirk, given the chance, can easily steal the show.