Horikoshi has commented on Ochako and Deku's relationship, and he confirmed they are canon in MHA.

Deku Never Needed A Quirk in My Hero Academia As mentioned above, quirks losing significance in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes have had a reverse effect on the original story. Knuckleduster’s character ...

The aim is to create a generation that knows how to feel. Kohei Horikoshi knew this. While many fans were calling Deku a bad protagonist, it was only because they did not know he was a ‘real one.’ ...