Summary

Bakugo Katsukiis arguably the character inMy Hero Academiawho has changed the most. At the start, his role in the story seemed to be nothing more than Deku’s greatest bully. But as time passed, he developed a defined personality of his own andbecame a hero fans could root for in spite of his initial propensity for lashing outat everyone around him.

His Explosion Quirk is one of the most powerful in the series, allowing him to blast away enemies. His unique ability even caught the eyes of the League of Villains,who hoped to convert him to their cause. Bakugo is a hero at his core though, and he possesses a shining heart of gold under his tough, standoffish exterior.

My Hero Academia: You’re Next Deku, Bakugo, and Class 1-A faces off against Dark Might over a gold statue of All Might.

10"If You Keep Looking Down on Everyone… You’re Never Gonna Notice Your Own Weaknesses."

Bakugo was always the first to fire off a biting insult or snappy remark. Especially in early seasons ofMy Hero Academia,he had a remarkably short fuse andvery little patience for anything or anyone.This unfavorable quality was one he had to work hard to change, and that he did.

In this quote, he expresses his realization thatbelittling others like Dekuwas only holding him backfrom his own potential. As he admitted to All Might, he was only dragging others down out of fear and personal insecurity. Although this does not make it acceptable behavior, Bakugo’s willingness to be humble, own up to his shortcomings, and make a plan to better himself makes him quite admirable.

Collage style image featuring manga panels of Bakugo from my Hero Academia, with an AU version of him in the center.

New My Hero Academia: You’re Next Trailer Teases Class 1-A’s Darkest Battle Yet

A new trailer for the upcoming My Hero Academia: You’re Next movie includes teases for massive battles featuring an evil All Might clashing with Deku.

9"I’ll Take His Growth and Make It My Own, All To Rise Higher. Even Higher Than Him - The “Chosen One”. I’m Not Gonna Lose… I Can’t Afford To Stay a Loser!"

Bakugo Reframed His Mindset, Focusing on Self-Improvement Rather Than Humiliating Deku

Bakugobecame a considerably more likable characterafter he experienced a drastic shift in his mindset. This change occurred shortly after hesurvived a kidnapping attempt by the League of Villainsand confessed the inner worries that were guiding his behavior to All Might and Deku. Although he didn’t lose his desire to be the best, he learned to exhibit it in healthier ways.

Bakugo reframed his rival relationship with Deku for the better. Rather than attempting to take down his fellow hero, he instead beganusing Deku’s successes to motivate himself further. Instead of focusing on defeating Deku, he began channeling that energy into bettering himself and saving others, and that is when he began noticing notable improvements.

my hero academia anime poster TLDR vertical

8"Because Being a Hero Means Protecting Everyone."

In Just a Few Simple Words, Bakugo’s Positive Changes and Selflessness Are Highlighted

In the early days of Bakugo’s hero career, he was not only blunt and rude,he hated anyone he perceived as weak. Obviously, this is not an ideal trait for a hero to have. Fortunately, this quote seems to show that his priorities are in order now, and he understands the necessity of protecting the weak and those who have been harmed by villains.

In this line, he asserts that heroes are responsible for keeping everyone safe. He might not have agreed with this sentiment earlier inMy Hero Academia,so this assertionhighlights his positive growth. Bakugo has transformed from a selfish, insecure student to avaliant and respectable hero who puts others before himself.

7"This Man Is the Highest Wall in the World. The Greatest Hero!"

Bakugo Hopes To Be Greater Than All Might One Day and Follows in His Footsteps

Although Bakugo at times seems to genuinely respect very few people,he has always looked up to All Might.His admiration for All Mightactually links him and Deku together, since they both were inspired by the same hero. Bakugo doesn’t just appreciate All Might’s efforts, he wants to emulate him.

Even in Bakugo’s childhood, he proclaimed that he would become a hero of All Might’s caliber. Bakugo has undoubtedly gone through rough patches, such as physical injuries, times of self-doubt, and even been the victim of a kidnapping. Thankfully though, none of these incidences caused him to lose sight of his goal:to become just like the hero who is considered the Symbol of Peacefor humanity, and even surpass him.

6"I Break and Break Myself. Even if It Means Twisting Myself, I’ll Win the Way I Choose."

Bakugo Wants To Be Number One on His Own Terms

Bakugo is very resilient and has toughed it out through many difficult circumstances. He has survived countless villain attacks, being kidnapped and asked to join the League of Villains, physical injuries, and inner battles within his own mind. In spite of the odds against him,he refuses to give up on his goal.

Bakugo wants to become the best hero. However, his desire is to achieve that status in his own way, regardless of what he has to sacrifice in the process. This quote showcases his wish to become the number one hero on his own terms andusing his own unique fighting style, not anyone else’s.

5"I’m the Man Who’ll Become the Number One Hero!"

Bakugo Aims Sky-High and Plans To Be a Better Hero Than All Might

Bakugo sets pretty high standards for himself, and that is evident based on this quote. He proclaims, both to himself and everyone else, that he will be the number one hero. Astoundingly, he even asserts that he will rise to greater levels of skill and strength than even All Might.

Although Bakugo has openly struggled with feelings of inadequacy compared to other successful heroes like Deku, he still plans to be the best one day. This degree of cockiness does fade somewhat, andBakugo gradually grows more humble in later seasons ofMy Hero Academia.Bakugo never stops aiming high, though, and continually pushes himself to excel.

Bakugo Insists That No One Will Ever Be a Better Hero Than Him

Class 1-A is filled with some of the best talent in all of U.A High School. Bakugo has some stiff competition in his quest to be the best. In this quote though,he proclaims he can surpass any one of his classmates, and anyone else, for that matter.

Many other aspiring heroes in Bakugo’s class are very strong, with an array of useful Quirks among them. Todoroki and Deku in particular often compete directly with him because they are two of the other mightiest students in the class. Despite everyone else’s talents,Bakugo still continually insists he can crush the competition.

3"I’ve Always Admired All Might’s Triumphs. No Matter What Any of You Jerks Say… Nothing’s Ever Gonna Change That!"

Bakugo Courageously Refused the League of Villains’ Offer To Join Them

Bakugo’s most terrifying moment yet occurred in season three, when he was taken by the League of Villains during summer training camp. The groupchose him specifically because of his sheer power,but they chose poorly because Bakugo’s morals are stronger than they realized. He had every opportunity to join the League, but his devotion to fighting evil prevented him from agreeing.

In a shocking moment of brazenness, he talked back to Shigaraki and the other members of the League. He angrily snarled at them that he would never join their despicable cause. Because of his lifelong admiration for All Might, dream of being a hero, and dedication to preventing evil acts,Bakugo could never turn to the dark side.

My Hero Academia’s Bakugo isn’t Just Important, He’s Key to Understanding the Series' Themes

Bakugo’s redemption arc in My Hero Academia is pleasantly surprising, inspirational, and highlights an incredibly important theme in the series.

2"I’ll Beat You With an Indisputable Difference!"

After Class 1-A Completed Their Internships, Bakugo Wanted to Defeat Deku at All Costs

Bakugo has always felt threatened by Deku’s progress as a hero and his sudden development of a powerful Quirk. His feelings of self-doubt and anger were only heightened after the hero internships. Not only did Deku learn how to use his One For All Quirk more efficiently thanks to his assigned hero, Gran Torino, he beganexhibiting moves in battle that were shockingly similar to Bakugo’sgo-to moves.

Upon seeing Deku “copying” him, Bakugo flew into a rage and threatened to defeat Deku in battle regardless. This quote perfectly represents Bakugo’s outlook at this point in his life.He secretly lacked confidence in his own power or ability to live up to Deku’s example, but he still acted as if he was superior to everyone else around him.

1"Izuku…I’m Sorry For Everything."

The Turning Point in Bakugo’s Relationship With Deku

Arguably one of the most emotional moments in the entire series is when class 1-A finally catches up with Deku after he ran away from U.A. to “keep them safe”, and decided to shoulder the weight of the fight against All for One by himself. While all the students do their part to bring Deku to their senses, it’sthis moment between Midoriya and Bakugothat stands out as the peak of an incredibly emotional arc.

Bakugo finally confesses that the reason he bullied Izuku in the past was because he was jealous of his unbreakable spirit despite being Quirkless. He felt inferior, so he kept Midoriya away.Bakugo’s unexpected and heartfelt apologyis what finally brings Deku back to his senses, and it’s the perfect culmination of their relation. It still stands as one of the most poignant and emotional moments in the entireMy Hero Academia.

My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia is a multimedia franchise that follows a young boy named Izuku Midoriya, who dreams of becoming a hero despite being born without superpowers. These superpowers, known as “Quirks” are found in most people after birth, but Izuku wasn’t so lucky - until a fateful encounter with All Might, Japan’s greatest hero, Izuku inherits his Quirk and enrolls in U.A. High School to learn the true meaning of heroism. Alongside his classmates, each endowed with unique abilities, Izuku faces rigorous training and lethal threats from villainous forces.