Star and Stripe was underutilized in My Hero Academia and here's how

When My Hero Academia introduced Star and Stripe, fans were thrilled to witness a superhero who was from outside Japan. Before her introduction, we saw the world of MHA having strong heroes in Japan, but not many references were given for others who operated in different nations. Therefore, when it was time to reach out for help, the No. 1 Pro Hero of the United States, a living symbol of heroism just like All Might, showed up in Japan during its time of need.

Cathleen Bate, aka Star and Stripe, made a grand entrance, and we were presented with her overpowered Qurik. Despite the massive potential of her character, Star and Stripe’s story ends almost as quickly as it begins.

Fans of My Hero Academia were quick to notice how fast she was written off from the series and were puzzled as to why the creator set her up as a powerhouse in the narrative and, ultimately, why her short-lived role felt like a huge missed opportunity in My Hero Academia’s broader world-building.

In the series, she is said to be the strongest hero in the United States. She doesn’t just embody raw strength; she’s a walking legacy of All Might, who once saved her and her family during a trip to America. Inspired by the Symbol of Peace, she devoted her life to heroism. Her admiration for All Might is so intense that she refers to him as her master, and she styles herself with a similar muscular physique, dramatic hair, and towering presence.

Additionally, it is important to talk about her Quirk. Her ability is known as New Order. New Order allows Star and Stripe to declare a rule over reality by touching a target and saying its name. This power of hers is so strong that Star and Stripe in My Hero Academia can alter reality.

Hypothetically, if she wanted to make the air feel solid, she could, or if she wanted to make someone’s heart explode or turn an enemy’s Quirks against them, in theory, nothing is stopping her. The only limitation to her overpowered strength is that she can only maintain two rules at once, and she has to know the name of her target for person-specific rules. But even with those restrictions, it’s god-tier.

By making her so untouchable, it was highly disappointing for fans to watch her in only a handful of episodes. Horikoshi has consistently centred around the main characters as the heart of the story. Even major Pro Heroes like Mirko, Best Jeanist, or Edgeshot are often sidelined. Yet it could have been improved if this U.S. superhero had gotten a little more importance.

Ultimately, her power was a game-changer. Imagine her working with the other Pro Heroes, utilizing New Order in tandem with other Quirks. She could’ve been the ace up the heroes’ sleeve.

How Star and Stripe is a symbol of foreign heroism in My Hero Academia

One of the most interesting things about Star and Stripe is that she could’ve been the gateway to global hero dynamics. For a series that had previously been so Japan-centric, her appearance hinted at something grand: a world of heroes beyond Japan’s borders. If there’s a No. 1 hero in the U.S., surely there are other hero societies, other power dynamics, other threats, and political influences.

Star and Stripe could have been the narrative bridge between My Hero Academia’s domestic conflict and a larger international scale. Imagine if her team came with her and interacted with Japan’s Pro Heroes. Imagine if her presence sparked a global hero summit or if she joined forces with Endeavor, Hawks, or even Deku in a joint operation. That would’ve been world-building gold.

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Final Thoughts

In My Hero Academia, Star and Stripe is one of those characters who had limited screentime, but yet within that limited period, they left a lasting impact. After she was written off, fans strongly felt that her role ended before it could truly begin. In a series that thrives on developing its cast through struggles and ideals, it’s disappointing to see someone so clearly inspired by those same themes get reduced to a narrative footnote. She deserved more time, story, and meaning.

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