Bakugo’s Growth: From Bully to True Hero in My Hero Academia

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Summary

  • Bakugo learned to overcome his flaws by setting aside his ego and embracing empathy and teamwork.
  • Despite his initial arrogance, Bakugo began to feel left behind by Deku, leading to self-reflection and growth.
  • Bakugo’s true heroism shone through in a moment of crisis, revealing his desire for acknowledgment and growth.

In “My Hero Academia“, we follow the stories of both heroes and villains. At first glance, it seems that heroes embody hope and selflessness, while villains symbolize ambition and selfishness. However, characters like Bakugo challenge this simple categorization. Despite his lifelong dream of becoming a hero known for power and standing on the side of good, Bakugo’s emotions often prevent him from truly embracing the qualities that define a “hero”.

In simpler terms, Bakugo’s inherent talents made him proud and unmindful of others from an early age. However, as the story unfolded, he found himself falling behind, which made him feel like a disappointment. This realization led to a transformation in him, eventually guiding him towards the path of truly becoming a heroic figure. The path Bakugo took was one of self-improvement and overcoming his shortcomings.

Bakugo Started As a Bully

In this universe, people are characterized by their unique abilities known as quirks. Young Bakugo, possessing the potent quirk “Explosion”, became a focal point of admiration and anticipation due to his power. Being constantly lauded made him think highly of himself compared to those around him. However, during an unfortunate event, Bakugo ended up in a river and Deku immediately stepped in to assist him. Deku viewed both of them as equals and desired to help him out of friendship. Yet, Bakugo perceived Deku as inferior and below him. He found it insulting that a supposed weakling like Deku attempted to rescue him, even suspecting that Deku might have looked down on him. This triggered his initial animosity towards Deku and the subsequent bullying behavior.

Nevertheless, similar to Deku, Bakugo held great respect for All Might. Like All Might, he aspired to become a hero with immense power capable of vanquishing all wickedness. While Deku admired All Might’s capacity to rescue lives with a cheerful disposition, Bakugo admired his strength and skill in defeating any adversary. However, these aspirations were concealed within him, and his rough and aggressive demeanor was the only side of him that others could see.

He Started to Slowly Fall Behind

In a different wording: From the get-go, Bakugo didn’t consider Deku or himself as equals. However, even as early as Episode 2, it was Deku who began altering this relationship. When the Sludge villain trapped Bakugo, Deku acted swiftly and selflessly to save him – a characteristic of a hero that Bakugo, powerful as he was, hadn’t demonstrated yet. Following the acquisition of One For All, Deku gradually matched Bakugo’s abilities. In Episode 8, Deku outperformed Bakugo in a training exercise, an event that left a profound impression on Bakugo. Yet, it wasn’t because of his power but rather his overconfidence and inability to work cooperatively that led to his defeat.

From now on, Deku continued to grow stronger, and Bakugo made every effort to match him. Despite their comparable strength, Bakugo often felt outpaced. Unlike Deku, who demonstrated heroic qualities such as empathy and teamwork, Bakugo struggled to do the same. Though he emerged victorious in the U.A. Festival, Bakugo remained unsatisfied because he judged his own performance against Deku’s and felt Shoto hadn’t given his best against him. He was unaware of his own progress due to his high self-imposed standards.

In the chilling grip of the League of Villains, I couldn’t help but question my own strength. The retirement of All Might only intensified these doubts, as I found myself shoulder-blaming for his departure. However, in Episode 61, a shocking truth about Deku’s quirk came to light. Rather than casting blame upon him for wielding this newfound power, I found myself scrutinizing my own reverence for All Might.

I was seething with frustration, realizing that despite our shared admiration for the legendary hero, All Might chose Deku over me. This revelation gnawed at me, making me feel as though my aspiration to become a hero was faltering compared to Deku’s determination. Yet, amidst this struggle, I began to uncover my true feelings and slowly accept that there was still much I needed to learn.

Bakugo’s Moment of True Heroism

Throughout the series, Bakugo appeared as a hardened and boastful teenager who didn’t seem overly concerned with emotions. His primary focus seemed to be on becoming more powerful. However, in Episode 149, we got a glimpse into Bakugo’s true emotions. After being severely defeated by Shigaraki, it seemed as if all hope was extinguished. Yet, despite his predicament, Bakugo managed to rise again, fighting with renewed vigor and agility. Although his powers were causing him pain, he persisted in the fight to shield others.

In the midst of battle, we get a glimpse into Bakugo’s inner thoughts. Contrary to his tough exterior, Bakugo harbored dreams of being an exceptional hero, much like All Might. The weight of expectations placed upon him fostered arrogance and ambition. However, his recurring setbacks provided him with insight into those around him and allowed him to recognize his own shortcomings. It became evident that everyone else was working just as hard, leading Bakugo to appreciate their efforts, particularly Izuku’s. Ultimately, it appeared that Bakugo yearned for recognition of his skills and tireless dedication.

My Hero Academia is available to watch on Netflix and Crunchyroll.

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2025-02-23 20:08