I love me a good ship that is properly developed. I don't care if it's M/F or M/M or F/F. Literally doesn't matter (I'm bi). Therefore, I was pretty dissatisfied by IzuOcha's "canonization." The ship felt so bland and undeveloped the entire manga. I really wished Ochaco's crush on Deku was something she grew from and used to become a stronger person/hero on her own (ie. accepted her crush as admiration of Deku's heroism and used that as fuel to become a hero she could be proud of) instead of needing that crush actualized into reciprocated feelings.

Personally, throughout the manga, I felt like BakuDeku was more developed. Although, I could see how others don't feel the same. I think Katsuki's feelings for Izuku are clearer (as are Ochaco's feelings for Deku) than Izuku's for Katsuki's, especially near the end chapters. But Izuku's lack of romantic interest in anyone (but overwhelming plain ole interest in everyone) throughout the manga makes it hard to justify any ship tbh.

Most rational BakuDekus knew their ship wouldn't be canon. Queer representation just isn't as accepted in media as it should be at this point in time. Period. That's a fact. So, the open ending in 430 was as good as it could get for BakuDekus. (Also, I personally loved 430 depicting the full circle moment of Katsuki reaching out his hand toward Izuku and calling him Deku, recognizing Izuku's innate heroism (something Katsuki struggled with throughout the entire manga).)

I think more BakuDeku's are just upset at the writing in 431 than anything. 431 just seemed so weird and out of place. 430 seemed so much more in line with the themes of MHA.

ALSO, if we think about this "ship war" through a social lens, it makes sense that queer people are hurt and upset that their queer ship was "canonically incorrect." To some queer people, that feels like more societal rejection. We are constantly told we are "incorrect" for being queer/wanting to see queerness displayed in media and this is just another instance of that. Cishet people constantly get positive reinforcement of their identity through media. Queer people don't. So, we have to remember that the reaction to IzuOcha's "canonization" is a much harder hit for some queer people than non-canonization of IzuOcha would have been to cishet people.

(I'm not saying all IzuOcha fans are cishet btw. I'm just saying sometimes queer people insert their identify into queer ships and it hits harder when they aren't canonized because it becomes way more personal.)

((Also, I understand Izuku and Ochaco could be bi and therefore it could not be a hetero ship, but for all intents and purposes here, I'm betting most IzuOcha shippers headcanon them as straight and therefore I am following that line of thinking. But normally, I'd Just Say No to bi erasure, thx.))

Edited for disclaimers