Bakugo’s Macho Journey: From Top Dog to True Hero in My Hero Academia

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Summary

  • Despite privilege, Bakugo is also a victim of hero society, shaping his ego and sense of worth.
  • Bakugo needs to redefine his meaning of strength after facing challenges at U.A. with Deku and others.
  • Bakugo’s development involves learning to find strength in others, apologizing, and redefining victory.

In the narrative of My Hero Academia, Bakugo’s personality sparks varying reactions, both within the story and among its fans. Inside the MHA universe, he stands out as a gifted prodigy, poised to be one of the leading heroes of the next generation, yet his abrasive demeanor often clashes with those he encounters. Beyond the pages of the manga or screens of the anime, Bakugo is the most frequently debated character, with fans either strongly supporting him or expressing criticism. Despite these differing viewpoints on Bakugo, it’s undeniable that his character development mirrors many fundamental themes that have become synonymous with My Hero Academia.

In “My Hero Academia,” it’s not just about One for All versus All for One; it’s a deeper exploration of our protagonists grappling with their roles in hero society and the legacies they wish to create or uphold. Initially, characters like Bakugo follow one path but eventually change due to friendships, experiences, and influences from other heroes, ultimately shaping who they become as heroes.

Warning: Spoilers for My Hero Academia Anime and Manga ahead.

Katsuki Bakugo: Origin

Despite His Privilege, Bakugo is also a Victim of Hero Society

In the story, Bakugo is frequently referred to as the “child prodigy” or “naturally gifted”, serving as a narrative contrast to Deku. Their conflicting positions often fuel their intense rivalry across the series. From early on in his life, Bakugo was consistently applauded and recognized for his exceptional abilities. He excelled at tasks that other kids struggled with, even learning to read before most of them. Later, his quirk manifested, further cementing the belief that this extraordinary child would also possess an extraordinary quirk.

In Bakugo’s childhood, being universally admired and having lofty expectations placed upon him fueled an ego that steadily expanded. When those around you consistently say you are exceptional and demand excellence from you, it becomes challenging not to absorb such affirmations. Unlike Deku, who was made to feel insignificant due to his quirklessness, Bakugo felt compelled to continually validate his inflated self-worth. He had to prove himself as the strongest, he had to be the best, at all times.

Bakugo finds it deeply insulting that Deku is around, primarily because Deku lacks a quirk, making him seem weak. Yet, Deku would still extend a hand to Bakugo if he sensed help was needed. Conversely, for Bakugo, help isn’t merely unwelcome; it’s an affront. In his mind, those who need assistance are inferior or weak. An early instance that encapsulates this is when Bakugo falls into a river and Deku rushes to help him up. To Deku, this action is just natural. However, for Bakugo, it’s a clear indication that Deku views him as weak and looks down on him. This moment marks the beginning of his growing contempt towards Deku.

In the end, Bakugo views himself as far superior to Deku, and he believes that someday he may even surpass All Might, the greatest hero in existence, whom he admires greatly. To Bakugo, All Might is the epitome of victory, a role model he strives to emulate – the one who never loses, always triumphs. Discovering that this idol isn’t invincible would likely shatter his perspective on life.

Challenging His Status

Bakugo Realizes He Must Redefine His Meaning of Strength

Just before attending U.A., Bakugo faces significant challenges. An earlier encounter with a slime monster places him in need of Deku’s assistance once more, adding to Bakugo’s pride being humbled. When they arrive at U.A., Bakugo discovers the immense strength that others possess, including Deku, who has recently acquired One for All.

When Bakugo witnesses Deku’s impressive show of strength during the physical test, it leaves him taken aback, realizing that Deku had outperformed him slightly. This revelation leads him to question if Deku had been stronger than him all along. If he accepts this idea, then he must also concede that Deku likely thought himself weaker and looked down on Bakugo when offering assistance. The situation becomes even more troubling for Bakugo when he observes Todoroki’s demonstration of power, causing him to doubt his own strength compared to his classmates for the first time.

In the sports festival, Todoroki doesn’t unleash his full power against Bakugo during their final clash, only using partial flames. This makes Bakugo suspect that Todoroki was holding back and not giving him a genuine fight. As these encounters significantly shape Bakugo’s character, his major transformation occurs when he witnesses the Symbol of Victory losing, an event he believes was caused by his own inadequacy to handle the situation independently.

Katsuki Bakugo: Rising

Bakugo Must Redefine His Image of Victory

Following All Might’s valiant battle against All for One, Bakugo’s world experiences turmoil. However, the extent of his emotional distress isn’t fully understood until he clashes with Deku once more. It is then that he confesses his sense of guilt over All Might’s demise. Not only did their greatest hero suffer a kind of defeat, but if Bakugo had been stronger, he wouldn’t have needed the assistance of All Might and others. Interestingly enough, this scenario mirrors Deku’s own struggles. Both characters resist help from others, seeking to validate their strength and worthiness through personal actions. However, when confronted with his wrongdoings towards Deku and forced to reevaluate his role in the world, Bakugo starts to grapple with his self-destructive mindset. Although his personality remains harsh, and characters comment on his roughness, it is through deliberate changes that we witness Bakugo’s transformation into a hero who aspires to be better.

In one of these initial instances, we witness an occasion called Joint Training, where his commitment to maximizing the potential of his teammates results in a quick and decisive triumph. Previously known for being intelligent and competent, his fellow students now acknowledge Bakugo’s increased readiness to collaborate with others. The adversaries assumed he would operate solo, but his resistance to this stereotype enabled him to secure victory, and he continued to flourish from that point onward, attaining even greater successes.

In a selfless act, Bakugo puts his life on the line to protect Deku from Shigaraki. During the Dark Hero arc, he takes charge in the search for Deku, which ultimately leads to a heartfelt apology from him towards Deku about past mistreatment. Though there are comedic moments showcasing Bakugo’s fiery temperament, it is during crucial instances that we witness his personal growth. This transformation reaches its peak in the final battle when Bakugo is prepared to be a martyr for the sake of everyone, and ultimately helps finish off All for One once and for all with the help of others.

Stepping off of the Pedestal

Bakugo’s Story is About Learning to Find Strength in Others

At its peak, My Hero Academia shines when it delves into how characters have evolved within and reacted to the challenges and truths of living in a heroic society. For instance, Bakugo’s bullying behavior stemmed from the way he was treated by hero society during his early years. On the other hand, although it undeniably mistreated the so-called villains, hero society also fell short when it came to nurturing its own heroes – individuals like Deku, Bakugo, All Might, Todoroki, Aizawa, and Hawks.

The joy in this tale lies in observing the characters come to understand and respond to the influence of hero society, aspiring to construct a brighter future for generations to come. For Bakugo, apologizing to Deku was a crucial milestone on his path towards atonement. As they progress through their heroic journeys, it will be intriguing to witness how Bakugo redefines what victory means for him.

In the end, both Bakugo’s and Deku’s character development within My Hero Academia culminate in a shared central idea: It’s acceptable and even essential to lean on others, while striving for personal growth to become the best version of yourself.

🌟Excitedly speaking here! If you’re a fan of “My Hero Academia”, you’re in luck! Stream it right away on Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon Prime (where available). And for those who prefer the original manga, dive into the story with VIZ’s Shonen Jump App or Shueisha’s MangaPlus – both fantastic options to quench your thirst for this amazing series!

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2025-04-02 16:11