Would Bakugo Have Become a Top Pro-Hero Without Deku’s Influence?

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Summary

  • Bakugo’s success as a pro hero was influenced by Deku’s presence & lessons learned from him.
  • His view of Deku changed his attitude & helped him overcome shortcomings.
  • Bakugo’s talent could still have carried him forward, but Deku was crucial in inspiring him.

The following contains minor manga spoilers for My Hero Academia.

In the anime titled “My Hero Academia“, the longstanding rivalry between Katsuki Bakugo and Izuku Midoriya forms a significant part of the storyline. More often than not, they clash, but their relationship also demonstrates mutual reliance and motivation. Essentially, it appears that their successes are interconnected: when one excels, the other tends to do so as well.

Could it be possible that Bakugo might not have achieved such success in the hero profession if Deku hadn’t presented challenges for him during their journey? Was it essential for Bakugo to encounter these obstacles set by Deku in order to learn the necessary lessons and climb the ranks of professional heroes?

Bakugo’s Talent

Would His Strength Alone Carry Him Forward?

In an alternate scenario, if Midoriya hadn’t obtained One For All or attended UA, it’s plausible that Bakugo could’ve become a Pro Hero, but he would have faced considerable hurdles. The primary antagonists in “My Hero Academia” might still have targeted All Might, and they may have attempted to capture Bakugo for their evil purposes.

In an alternate reality, if Bakugo hadn’t faced defeats at Deku’s hands, he might not have gained the lessons needed to keep refining himself and staying ahead of Deku. This alteration could make him more susceptible to falling into villainy instead of sticking with the hero’s path. Interestingly, Bakugo is frequently perceived as having traits resembling a villain, even by his peers. Given his psychological issues, it wouldn’t be surprising if he were to adopt a Stain-like admiration for All Might at some point in this hypothetical situation.

In a world without Deku’s influence, Bakugo’s explosive Quirk and battle-hardened instincts might still prevail, making it feasible for him to become a pro-hero. However, as the manga progresses, we notice that Bakugo doesn’t rise to the highest echelons of pro-heroes until Deku appears on the scene. Even though Bakugo possesses great physical strength, throughout the series, he consistently lacks certain elements necessary for him to achieve even greater heroic potential independently.

Midoriya is Important to Bakugo

What if Bakugo’s View of Deku Never Changed?

At the start of the anime “My Hero Academia”, a significant portion of Bakugo’s self-assurance and self-esteem stem from his perception of Deku. He takes pleasure in reminding Deku, who lacks a quirk, of his supposed inferiority. This validation reinforces Bakugo’s belief in a hierarchy where he belongs at the top. If it weren’t for Deku’s victory over him and his subsequent motivation to improve, Bakugo may have remained content in his complacency.

In simpler terms, only someone as understanding as Deku, who could accept Bakugo’s feelings without abandoning him, could assist Bakugo in overcoming his flaws and achieving his pro-hero dream in a more positive way. If Bakugo had always viewed Midoriya as incapable or quirkless, his perception of himself might never have changed. This arrogant mindset he possessed could have ultimately led to a significant blunder against the formidable villains who would be aiming for UA to reach All Might, potentially resulting in dire consequences.

“Shutup. I’ll win. That’s what it means to be a hero!” -Katsuki Bakugo

In terms of the narrative, it’s significant to note that without Deku’s brave act, Bakugo might not have survived his encounter with the Sludge Villain. Although All Might eventually intervened and defeated the villain, it was only after witnessing Deku’s resilience that All Might could muster the strength to break through his own barriers and save both of them. In the course of the story now, not only has Deku played a crucial role in Bakugo’s journey towards becoming a hero, but he may have also saved Bakugo’s life. This doesn’t mean that Bakugo is incapable without Deku by his side; rather, it’s the multiple instances where Deku has rescued him that have made Deku a pivotal factor in Bakugo’s success. If not for Deku, Bakugo might not have achieved hero status or even had the opportunity to become one at all.

My Hero Academia can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

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2025-05-28 16:07