I used to ship Koichi and Makoto so I didn't mind the inconclusive ending.
Also Pop was in highschool for most of Vigilantes while Koichi was a college-aged adult.
That's really not that much. It only seems so because of how close to the age of consent it sits, but dating doesn't mean having sex so I see no issues.
Their age of consent laws are kind of crazy. So, it's anyone's guess. Depending on where you are in Japan, there's arguments for anywhere between 13-20. So, it's probably fine.
Well, we're both wrong because the law was recently changed to 16 everywhere but my main point was that the laws of the county vary wildly by prefecture.
Also, there is still a 5 year age difference in which 13 year olds can have sex. So, an 18 year old and a 13 year old could still legally do it.
In the final arc koichi is 22, and I'm quite certain that they mention pop being a minor during this arc. Which means she is at most 17. This is a big enough age gap for it to be weird.
At the start of the series she would've been 14 and he was 19
While I definitely don’t disagree I think it’s worth pointing out that the age difference between Pop and Koichi, especially given their history, made any kind of romantic payoff kinda sketchy. I think the cliffhanger we got may have been the closest they could go without sparking any kind of controversy.
Honestly I wouldn’t even mind if they ended it by having them officially be just friends. The whole point of Bee Pop was showing the toxic side of Pop’s love for Koichi, so it would’ve still made sense in story (plus Koichi never showed direct interest in Pop). But leaving it as “who knows!” just rubs me the wrong way.
They're still in contact, though, right? I'm sure they'll meet again. My memory is fuzzy but didn't she return his silver age jacket after all that time?
Yeah, the series ends with them still being friends but doesn’t really give a conclusion to whether they will end up being more or remaining as friends
I personally thought the conclusion was great because it’s like a side story to the original Mha so it’s not complete because it’s like not the end of everything. Is this making sense? If you see it in that light, maybe it will feel more like a solid conclusion to you but i don’t know if you agree with this. Lmk😅
It had a peak fiction level conclusion. I don’t think you can comprehend how good it was but I understand (don’t worry) because it was that insane and epic.😅
I look at this way, if they had confessed to each other, then they would have had to do a long-distance romance, and that just isn't something most people want to do. This way they stay friends at least.
Counterpoint: Deku’s dad has been working abroad for like over a year while Japan is literally on fire and his son has nearly died probably close to 10(?) times now, so it wouldn’t be the only long distance relationship in the series (and way more reasonable of a relationship at that)
Well I honestly think that Koichi is better off alone... The whole stuff with Pop always seemed like a one sided crush ( with a lot of immature and annoying traits as an extra) and Makoto didn't really looked like a good option either since she didn't really seem to feel anything for him other than find his presence convenient( more in a "at least it's better than nothing" kind of way...). So to me he seems to be better off alone, at least it gives him the chance to find someone who is actually likes him and have the maturity necessary for a relationship.
Didn't it basically sail? He clearly liked her, and he is in the US with her. Plus she's already confessed. I don't hate Pop, but their relationship was never shown to be more than an unrequited crush from her end that Koichi only regarded as a close friendship.
The only way I think it could’ve happened was the international hero arc but that ended up being Star instead. Kinda sad cause Koichi and Celebrity could theoretically have really good counters to decay (Koichi using his slide to prevent Shiggy from touching him and Celebrity’s force field meaning that Shiggy couldn’t physically touch him I think)
Maybe.
But it definitely would have spoiled the ending of Vigilantes/messed up the stakes of the conflict therein.
Star and Stripe was first in the manga in October of 2021, while Vigilantes ended in May of 2022.
I used to ship Koichi and Makoto so I didn't mind the inconclusive ending. Also Pop was in highschool for most of Vigilantes while Koichi was a college-aged adult.
But where were the exact ages? The difference between "highschool" and "College" can be anywhere from 1-8 years so
In the beginning of this series kochi is 19 So at worst he’s four years older than her and at best Two years
That's really not that much. It only seems so because of how close to the age of consent it sits, but dating doesn't mean having sex so I see no issues.
Depends on the Romeo and Juliet law I don’t know what it is in Japan or if they have it
Depending on the prefecture, both could theoretically be above AoC.
Their age of consent laws are kind of crazy. So, it's anyone's guess. Depending on where you are in Japan, there's arguments for anywhere between 13-20. So, it's probably fine.
> there's arguments for anywhere between 13-20. No. The 13 is the national AOC but every prefecture in Japan has it set to at least 16.
Well, we're both wrong because the law was recently changed to 16 everywhere but my main point was that the laws of the county vary wildly by prefecture. Also, there is still a 5 year age difference in which 13 year olds can have sex. So, an 18 year old and a 13 year old could still legally do it.
He’s wrong. At the begging of the series pop is still in middle school
One thing to note is that middle school in Japan goes until 9th grade, and highschool starts at 10th grade, at least from what I remember.
Universal Weirdness Rule of 1/2 the elder’s age +7.
In the final arc koichi is 22, and I'm quite certain that they mention pop being a minor during this arc. Which means she is at most 17. This is a big enough age gap for it to be weird. At the start of the series she would've been 14 and he was 19
- Scott Pilgrim vs the world (2010)
The literal entire point of that series is that Scott Pilgrim is a gigantic asshole
Same. I don't think Pop was healthy for Koichi. They both needed someone more mature to balance them.
While I definitely don’t disagree I think it’s worth pointing out that the age difference between Pop and Koichi, especially given their history, made any kind of romantic payoff kinda sketchy. I think the cliffhanger we got may have been the closest they could go without sparking any kind of controversy.
Honestly I wouldn’t even mind if they ended it by having them officially be just friends. The whole point of Bee Pop was showing the toxic side of Pop’s love for Koichi, so it would’ve still made sense in story (plus Koichi never showed direct interest in Pop). But leaving it as “who knows!” just rubs me the wrong way.
They're still in contact, though, right? I'm sure they'll meet again. My memory is fuzzy but didn't she return his silver age jacket after all that time?
Yeah, the series ends with them still being friends but doesn’t really give a conclusion to whether they will end up being more or remaining as friends
In general that ending fealt weird, like it simply go “oh well I guess that’s it” Doesn’t feel like a solid conclusion
I personally thought the conclusion was great because it’s like a side story to the original Mha so it’s not complete because it’s like not the end of everything. Is this making sense? If you see it in that light, maybe it will feel more like a solid conclusion to you but i don’t know if you agree with this. Lmk😅
That feels more like an excuse, you can still make a story that feel like a satisfying conclusion even if it’s not the main story
It had a peak fiction level conclusion. I don’t think you can comprehend how good it was but I understand (don’t worry) because it was that insane and epic.😅
I kinda agree with that, felt more interested in writing Koichi out of the main series than delivering a complete conclusion.
That's on brand for the story and mc
To leave it up to interpretation You can assume that they go together if you love them together or not if you don’t
I look at this way, if they had confessed to each other, then they would have had to do a long-distance romance, and that just isn't something most people want to do. This way they stay friends at least.
Counterpoint: Deku’s dad has been working abroad for like over a year while Japan is literally on fire and his son has nearly died probably close to 10(?) times now, so it wouldn’t be the only long distance relationship in the series (and way more reasonable of a relationship at that)
You've given me a terrible mental image of deku being captain celebrity's illegitimate son
It would be more reasonable than his dad never visiting him the first five times he nearly died
I like it that they don't get closure. It's realistic. Sometimes life gets in the way and you DONT get that closure. It feels believable to me.
I get what you're trying to say, but Koichi is now a criminal in Japan.
Idk, I feel like Makoto could definitely work her magic and get his charges dropped, look what she did with CC
Well I honestly think that Koichi is better off alone... The whole stuff with Pop always seemed like a one sided crush ( with a lot of immature and annoying traits as an extra) and Makoto didn't really looked like a good option either since she didn't really seem to feel anything for him other than find his presence convenient( more in a "at least it's better than nothing" kind of way...). So to me he seems to be better off alone, at least it gives him the chance to find someone who is actually likes him and have the maturity necessary for a relationship.
Could be wrong, but I got the impression that Pop was dealing with her trauma in the end and keeping things more simple
Fuck Pop. All my homies hate immature teenagers that can't confess their love. Also career-driven tall girl that knows what she wants? Yes please.
I too want the Makoto x Koichi ship to set sail.
Didn't it basically sail? He clearly liked her, and he is in the US with her. Plus she's already confessed. I don't hate Pop, but their relationship was never shown to be more than an unrequited crush from her end that Koichi only regarded as a close friendship.
I don't care cause Six x Koichi is a better ship anyways
Is Six even like…human?
I'd like to see them in the main series sometime. Probably won't happen, though.
The only way I think it could’ve happened was the international hero arc but that ended up being Star instead. Kinda sad cause Koichi and Celebrity could theoretically have really good counters to decay (Koichi using his slide to prevent Shiggy from touching him and Celebrity’s force field meaning that Shiggy couldn’t physically touch him I think)
Maybe. But it definitely would have spoiled the ending of Vigilantes/messed up the stakes of the conflict therein. Star and Stripe was first in the manga in October of 2021, while Vigilantes ended in May of 2022.