My Hero Academia is the epitome of a great superhero story, filled with bold characters who devote their lives to saving innocent humans from danger. In this world, the majority of people were born with a superpower called a Quirk, and it is considered more abnormal not to have one. The bravest and most ambitious of these individuals go on to enroll in hero training programs with the dream of becoming a Pro Hero.

Pro Heroes represent the best of the best, those heroes who work tirelessly to keep the world a safe and happy place free of villains’ cruelty. Arguably the most famous Pro Hero of all is All Might, a hulking figure who uses his physical brawn and confident personality to take down any evildoer he can.

He is a shining beacon of inspiration for everyone, especially the series’ protagonist, Izuku Midoriya, and is admirably nicknamed the Symbol of Peace. My Hero Academia’s plot is truly inspirational and most viewers can’t help but find themselves motivated by these persistent and mighty heroes.

Ochaco Uraraka’s Powerful Motivator Sets Her Apart From Other Heroes

The Aspiring Hero Plans to Support Her Beloved Parents With Her Hero Salary

Becoming a Pro Hero may seem like a fantastic deal, since it comes with many perks like widespread respect, monetary gain, and the potential to shape society into a better place. However, the job does not come without monumental risk as well. Hero work takes an immense toll on a person’s body, mind, and emotional state. It is not only a physically grueling and dangerous profession, but can potentially be very upsetting, as Deku realized when he uncovered the uncomfortable truth that, try as he might, not every single life can be rescued and loss and pain are inevitable aspects of the job.

Most of My Hero Academia’s Pro Heroes and aspiring young heroes share the same motivation for choosing this job: they want to do their part and defeat villains. However, Ochaco Uraraka, one of Class 1-A’s students, possesses a different motivation that led her to become a hero, setting her apart. She selected this job in order to make money to support her beloved parents, who helped and inspired her during her youth. Her goal is just as ambitious and noble as the others in the series, but markedly different because she’s largely motivated by financial incentives and not the heroic nature of the job.

Uraraka’s Family Was Relatively Poor as She Grew Up And She Hopes to Change This

She is Determined to Pay Her Parents Back For Giving Her a Happy Childhood in Spite of Financial Issues

Season 2, episode #1, “That’s The Idea, Ochaco”, focuses on Uraraka’s character and what pushed her to enroll in hero training. In the episode, Uraraka explained to her friends she doesn’t want to just work as an employee at her parent’s construction business, she wants to be able to single-handedly support them with the salary she will obtain through a hero’s work. Using her unique Zero Gravity Quirk at her parent’s company could definitely prove useful, since it’s in the construction industry and being able to move things around so easily would be a big help to them.

But, Uraraka’s goal is a lot more aspirational, and she hopes to retire her parents, letting them live off of her salary for a change. She explains that they financially supported her very well in childhood, even though they were by no means rich, and set a phenomenal example for her. Their giving nature rubbed off on their daughter and made Ochaco into one of My Hero Academia’s most helpful and selfless heroes. Throughout the series, Uraraka’s love for her friends and family knows no bounds, so her idea of becoming a hero to help them fit well with her personality.

Uraraka’s Bubbly and Loving Nature Explains Her Inspiration for Becoming a Hero

In All Areas of Her Life and Hero Journey, She Prioritizes Inspiring Others and Caring for Them

In order to work such a terrifying and oftentimes thankless job, it is crucial that these heroes never lose their driving motivations that help them power through the tough moments. Each member of Class 1-A possesses a nearly indestructible will due to their dedication to their goal. The series’ protagonist Deku is predominantly motivated by a desire to be like his childhood hero, All Might, and protect others from harm. Todoroki hopes to surpass Endeavor, his ruthless and cruel father, and be able to stand on his own as a hero. Uraraka’s motivation is undeniably a bit different from other heroes.

However, Ochaco is by no means a greedy character or purely inspired by financial gain only. As the series progresses and her character is developed, viewers are able to see that although her initial reason for becoming a hero was money, she also has an innate desire to help others and keep them happy, ensuring they always wear the same smile that is perpetually plastered across her cheerful face. Uraraka is one of the most positive characters in the series and bounces back rather quickly from disappointments, doing her best to inspire others and keep their spirits lifted in burdensome circumstances.

Uraraka’s Goal is Truly Respectable and Makes Her an Admirable Hero

The Desire to Help One’s Parents is Relatable and a Very Noble Pursuit

Uraraka’s reason for becoming a hero has a lot of layers, but her primary motivation is helping her parents, which is a noble cause that reveals her caring nature. She grew up fairly poor but happy, and wants to repay her parents’ efforts by giving them an easier life going forward. Although Ochaco does also share similar goals as the other Class 1-A students, like protecting others, her core motivation is truly unique and makes her equally respectable as the heroes who surround her. Uraraka’s radiant joy and sensible but inspiring goal keep My Hero Academia uplifting, even in its darkest moments.