My Hero Academia: How Bakugo Became Calmer and Deku Became Angrier

Highlights

Bakugo and Deku’s childhood friendship is tested by their contrasting personalities and society’s norms.
Bakugo shows growth in understanding and compassion towards Deku, while Deku takes on burdens for society.
Deku’s admiration for Bakugo leads him to emulate his rival’s strong and confident personality in battles.

As a dedicated fan of My Hero Academia, I’ve had the privilege (and occasional frustration) of witnessing the transformative journey of two of its most compelling characters: Deku and Bakugo. These young prodigies, bound by their shared history and rivalry, have grown from hot-headed, ambitious students into complex individuals with depth and nuance.

In the anime titled “My Hero Academia“, Bakugo stands out due to his explosive, stern, and rough demeanor. Meanwhile, Deku is often viewed as a kind-hearted character who helps those in need throughout the series. Yet, these longtime friends, who grew up together, frequently encounter misconceptions and societal prejudices.

Watching as new adversaries emerge, I can’t help but wonder how their powers will be measured and their relationships reshaped. As long-standing rivals, Bakugo and I have always been keen observers of each other, so it seems plausible that Bakugo might soften some of his harsh words towards me, and in turn, I’ll find myself growing bolder in my efforts to follow in his footsteps.

Bakugo and Deku’s early life

Bakugo’s explosive attitude and Deku’s meek yet assertive personality

In the opening stages of “My Hero Academia” series, our primary protagonist, Izuku Midoriya (also known as Deku), is initially portrayed as a shy yet perceptive character. Despite his lack of self-assurance, stemming from the prejudice he’s encountered due to being Quirkless, he remains composed and decisive when responsibilities arise.

Yet, Bakugo Katsuki, who is Bakugo, embodies an explosive childhood friend with a rugged demeanor, largely shaped by his extraordinary Quirk. The Hero Society’s admiration towards those with powerful Quirks has elevated him, making him feel superior. Consequently, Bakugo values himself above others, viewing them as mere obstacles on the path to his success.

Initially in this series, these two old friends find themselves at polar extremes within Quirk society. While Deku is resolute in pursuing his ambition despite being devoid of a Quirk, Bakugo struggles to grasp how someone lacking a Quirk could confront formidable villains without any support.

Currently, Bakugo’s initial sketch emphasizes three key aspects: his explosive temperament, self-assured demeanor, and cognitive acumen. This rough depiction serves double duty, symbolizing not only his Quirk Explosion but also its impact on his character, as this ability fuels his confidence. It’s important to note that the animation style might also contribute to Bakugo appearing intimidating in certain scenes, where he is portrayed as a threat with a perpetually grumpy expression and a penchant for shouting.

This starkly contrasts Deku, who is shown to be slim with little muscle on his body. Additionally, Deku frequently holds his arms in a defense position around his head when he is embarrassed or needs to protect himself. To reiterate, Deku has shown the determination and assertiveness needed to be confident; however, given his Quirkless nature at this time, he could be seen as a pebble against a flurry of vicious waves.

Bakugo Becomes Slightly More Understanding

Character development is in the works for Bakugo

My Hero Academia: How Bakugo Became Calmer and Deku Became Angrier

As the series unfolds, Bakugo’s anger intensifies due to the fact that he has known Deku since they were children, following Deku’s discovery of his Quirk. To Bakugo, it is a severe blow to his pride and challenges everything he believed in throughout his life – Bakugo being superior and Deku being quirkless.

At the moment, Bakugo felt he was merely doing what he perceived as right. Bakugo admired the vigorous, top-ranked Hero, All Might, and believed that to emulate him, he needed to act in a similar manner. When All Might retired, it was then that Bakugo experienced an emotional collapse in front of Deku. He felt remorseful for being the one who “ended” All Might, and his pride was shattered by Deku’s rapidly increasing power.

In Season 3, Bakugo found out about Deku’s hidden power, One For All, and his role as All Might’s successor. This season showcases the softening of Bakugo Katsuki’s harsh persona, gradually revealing a more thoughtful and caring side. Yet, this is also when Deku’s adventure truly begins, unveiling a sinister influence and potential threats looming on the horizon.

Deku Emulates Bakugo To give Himself More Confidence

Deku finds power in Bakugo’s actions

Throughout the series, one constant is Deku’s deep admiration for Katsuki, whom he views as an extraordinary and motivating figure. In Deku’s eyes, Bakugo was more than just a peer; he was someone who stood significantly closer to him than All Might. Despite Bakugo’s often rough demeanor, Deku recognized the immense effort Bakugo invested in his pursuit of heroism.

Through their proximity, Deku gradually adopts Bakugo’s traits, both in character and combat style. He does so for a couple of reasons. Imitating Bakugo’s aggressive demeanor during battles against villains helps boost his own confidence and serves as an intimidation tactic. In the world of heroes, personal conduct is critically evaluated, especially during ranking events where they might encounter criticism. However, employing such a forceful personality in fights with villains can terrify them into surrender and undermine their determination.

In the anime “My Hero Academia”, Deku has been quirkless throughout his life up until now. Unlike other Quirk users who have a sense of their abilities, Deku hasn’t had that advantage. Instead, he tends to employ moves similar to All Might’s and creative adaptations of Bakugo’s attacks, as he lacks the unique powers they possess.

Since Bakugo was nearby, Deku frequently studied how his power functioned. Yet, as Deku gained additional powers, he sought help from his classmates. This allowed him to learn techniques like Froppy’s style and fighting with legs similar to Iida using Full Cowl and Shoot Style.

Bakugo Mellows Out, and Deku Takes All the Burden On His Shoulders

Bakugo still has his explosive personality, while Deku’s hardens

Through the progression of the storyline, it becomes evident that Bakugo’s genuine emotions surface. Despite maintaining his fiery demeanor, Bakugo demonstrates a willingness to sacrifice himself for Deku. Initially portrayed as abrasive and dismissive, Bakugo undergoes a transformation over the series. However, after exhibiting selflessness towards Deku, Bakugo emerges as more empathetic and insightful. This change is underscored by a softening of his facial features, reflecting a shift away from the gruff personality he once embodied.

Instead, Deku grapples with personal struggles, particularly during the Dark Hero Arc. He harbors discontent towards the Hero society due to its unfairness and the discrimination faced by its citizens. Moreover, he tends to distance himself from others, fearing they might get hurt because of his connection to All For One. Regrettably, this self-imposed isolation worsens Deku’s situation; battling escaped villains from Tartarus has left him physically drained.

At this point, Deku grows increasingly enraged towards All For One, witnessing the destruction of innocents and the manipulation of others. It’s clear that All For One has devastated the lives of countless civilians. Despite his efforts to halt Tomura and All For One, Deku harbors a sense of compassion for Tomura, hoping to save him in his last moments.

Nevertheless, Deku quickly sheds his anger, which not only makes him more determined in fights but also keeps him as the kind-hearted teenager we initially knew. Similarly, Bakugo has undergone significant growth and change, yet he remains true to his fiery temperament.

My Hero Academia is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2024-08-03 21:33