Bakugou’s drive and his way of living: that in this world there are those who settle and there are those who will do whatever they must, to the best of their abilities and their capabilities, to always be on top.
Disclaimer: All images used in this blog post are not mine. They are all from other sources and have been linked to the original content. I do not own anything, but the words and opinions of this post.
Photo from Bakugou Wiki Fandom page
Boku no Hero Academia, also known as My Hero Academia, is the latest Shounen manga and anime by creator Kohei Horikoshi, to gain popularity. While it hasn’t (yet) gained as much popularity as the three biggest Shounen titles (Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach…I hope I am not missing another? Fairy Tail?), it’s well on its track with an engaging story line, lovable characters, intense soundtrack, and powerful, heartfelt message.
At the center of the plot, we have two main characters. One is the protagonist, Izuku “Deku” Midoriya, and the other, the deuteragonist, Katsuki “Kacchan” Bakugou. Yet, despite the story following Midoriya, the most popular and fan favorite of the series is the character Bakugou, an aggressive, passionate, prideful, blunt potty-mouth.
People have googled far and wide perplexed and genuinely wondering why a “nasty” character is so popular and beloved. Well, “have no fear, for I am here!” to tell you all the reasons why!
Picture from Figpin
Yes, I had to do that 🙂
Warning: If you have not watched all three seasons of Boku No Hero Academia (BNHA) / My Hero Academia (MHA), I suggest you do before you continue reading any further from this point.
All content below this point are spoilers. Content will cover all episodes from Season 1-3 of BNHA / MHA. Some manga spoilers will also be present as well.
So without further ado, let us begin discussing the 12 reasons why people love Bakugou!
1. Pride
Bakugou’s pride is of course a number one. The character is known for it and acts the way he does because of it.
Personally, I think it is a pretty cute attribute of his, especially when you see him chasing after Midoriya in the 2nd episode of the anime. Midoriya had just saved Bakugou from the Sludge Monster, yet Bakugou felt the need to run all the way to Midoriya who was on his way home after the incident to tell him to his face that he would never again need Midoriya’s help.
GIF made from YouTuber KHORnime‘s video
He had all the time before Midoriya went home to yell at him after the incident, but he had to chase after him all the way back to Midoriya’s neighborhood to say it to his face when he could have said it…I don’t know, maybe the next day at school?
Picture from YouTuber Uto‘s video showing when Bakugou is getting kidnapped
In the first half of BNHA’s third season, Bakugou was kidnapped. What made his rescue so incredibly memorable for fans was just how moving and well-planned that scene was.
Why was it so touching? Because Bakugou’s pride was taken into account, being the main factor to the success of his own rescue.
Midoriya knew that he, Tenya Iida (quirk: Engine), or Shoto Todoroki (quirk: half-cold, half-hot) saving Bakugou would be an insult to his fragile pride. They needed a split-second opening that would guarantee Bakugou’s safe rescue and it hinged upon who he was willing to set his pride aside for to receive help from. That pivotal key detail was what made his rescue much more powerful and emotional. I had my fists up and pumping because that moment was just that awesome! I mean, just watch this scene again and tell me if you didn’t scream as much as I did when Bakugou’s hand latched onto Kirishima’s!!! Such manly brotherhood!
Side Note: Eijiro Kirishima (quirk: hardening)
Video from the Crunchyroll Collection YouTube account
My reaction to the hand grab: “so manly” <3
2. Short-fuse personality
Some people don’t understand why anyone would find Bakugou, a character who is constantly tense, volatile, mean, aggressive, angry, and uncalm so favorable, popular, or even the least bit likeable. Heck, my own friend wonders why I like someone like that. But, that’s just it. Bakugou’s short-fuse personality and attitude is exactly what makes him so enjoyable as a character on-screen. It helps us love him more when he becomes the butt of all jokes and is one of the comedic aspects of the anime/manga.
The other students in Class 1A are familiar with his personality as well, knowing how to pull his leg, because it’s just that fun to get him riled up.
In Season One, on the bus ride to the USJ, Tsuyu Asui (quirk: frog) commented on how unpopular Bakugou would be as a Pro Hero despite Kirishima noting Bakugou (and Todoroki) having a really powerful, flashy, and cool quirk, to which our beloved character instantly snapped at. Denki Kaminari (quirk: electrfication) soon added that it was easy to know who Bakugou is based on only a few interactions since it was just the beginning of the school year. What was it that Kaminari said (in the dubbed version)? That Bakugou’s personality was like “flaming crap mixed with garbage”?
both GIFs were created from YouTuber Artzyy‘svideo
In addition, near the end of Season Three when Bakugou is under house arrest, Minoru Mineta (quirk: pop off) is seen swiping off some dust along the window sill to tell Bakugou that he needs to do a better job at being their housemaid, prompting Lord Explosion Murder to–you guessed it–get agitated.
We’re not done yet. While he was on his final day under house arrest, he had the duty of throwing out all his male classmates’ trash. As the boys brought or dragged their large bags of garbage toward him, I have to admit, I really loved his line, “I swear it’s like you guys have been hoarding this for weeks!”
Video from YouTuber Fares Tabet
Don’t you see how fun and entertaining it is to irritate him? I mean, why do people make money on YouTube just trolling other people? Because, even if it’s mean, it’s “fun” messing with people and getting them angry (not that I condone such videos).
3. Screaming
During the Training Camp Arc when he had to boil his hands in hot water and make large chains of explosions, did anyone else besides me laugh really hard at that scene? He was having a screaming match with Koji Koda (quirk: anivoice) who had to practice being less shy and louder than the guy who kept screaming “dammit” repeatedly because his hands were literally being scorched.
Video from the Crunchy Collection
Please watch this video for the best, most intense, funniest student superhero training ever. You won’t regret it 😉
If you guys also watched the BNHA movie Two Heroes, there’s a scene in there where Bakugou yells at Midoriya asking why he is at an event that he/Bakugou was invited to. He also yells at Todoroki for beating his score in a contest.
Look at him go!
And just for you Bakugou mega-fans out there, if you haven’t seen this already, here’s a compilation of all the times Bakugou has yelled at someone:
Video from YouTube
Here’s a cute video from YouTuber bakuthen of Bakugo raging to the “Conga” song.
Very funny stuff!
4. Aggression
Bakugou’s aggression is another aspect to his character and while it made him unapproachable, downright mean, nasty, awful, and unbearable at the beginning of the story, it has now morphed into the running comedic gag of the series.
We see that in the first half of the Hero Licensing Exam Arc, when Bakugou returns to his human form after being turned into a meatball by the Shiketsu student, Seiji Shishikura. The first thing he says, or rather, screams to Kaminari is, “What took you so long, Dunce Face?!” after the poor electric type user had just saved both Bakugou and Kirishima and had complimented Bakugou’s carefulness when fighting their opponent before. Kaminari then says “That’s so mean! No wonder people keep dissing you!”
In the second half of the Exam, we witness another incident of Bakugou’s aggression. This time his victims were the test proctors who said that they’d take off points for his tone toward them when he told them to stop whining about their injuries instead of comforting them during the drill. Bakugou slowly and threateningly turns around to clench out, “What. Did. You. Say?”
5. The (violent and) funny things he says
Bakugou says a LOT of funny things throughout the anime. There’s just so much to cover, but here are some (of my favorites and most) memorable instances:
When Midoriya and Bakugo crossed paths when they were entering UA for the Entrance Exam and Bakugou says something along the lines of “move out of the way, Deku. Or I’ll set you on fire.”
I laughed so much and loved Bakugou even more with the Sports Festival Arc.
When the Class 1B and General Studies students peek into Class 1A’s classroom to scout out the competition for the Sports Festival, they witness a Bakugou who tells them to move “out of my way, extras!” What a way to break the fourth wall and to show his condescending attitude in a comical way! I also loved that he made Ochaco Uraraka (quirk: Zero Gravity) and Midoriya appalled and speechless and had Iida reprimanding him for such behavior in the background.
GIF made from YouTuber Dahikun‘s video
In addition, at the beginning of the Sports Festival when he was called out as the class representative for the Year Ones to make an opening speech–man, I will never forget a character who had so much nerve, audacity, and daring confidence to actually say in front of all his competitors, “I just want to say, I’m going to win” (dubbed version).
GIF created from YouTuber Daisen Sekai‘s video
The fact that he sealed his character and personality as an a–hole (who can back up his talk with his game) while simultaneously ensuring his classmates were also the targets of the competition and hatred from the other classes was so perfect!
His fight against Uraraka was another great moment when he says “this battle isn’t over, she’s not dead yet.” It’s laughably ridiculous that someone thinks like that (death = opponent’s defeat = I win) and it just sounds so childish, so simplistic, and so out of this world that you can’t help but chuckle.
Sometimes, this behavior is what makes a character interesting. I mean–who can you compare him to? I know there’s Sasuke and other moody characters, but they don’t really think/talk like him right? This type of thinking and speaking just makes him stand out from the other Shounen characters in fan’s hearts and minds.
Picture from Pinterest
GIF made from YouTuber Dahikun’s video
Some other cases of our potty mouth boy being too violent with his statements include when he is tasked with throwing the ball before their Quirk Assessment Test, shouting “Die!”
GIF made from YouTuber Daisen Sekai‘s video
6. Conscience/moral compass/“humility”
After the Battle Trials, when he realized he had lost to Midoriya and Uraraka, the anime did such a good job at portraying how much mental strain he was experiencing at that exact moment. His world was crumbling at such a humiliating loss and now discovering how wide the gap between he and Midoriya had shrunk.
He was actually able to hear Momo Yaoyorozu’s (quirk: creation) criticism of his battle tactics and the reasoning behind his failure. Despite having a huge ego, he knowingly and reluctantly had to admit that she was right. His pride may be unrivaled, but the fact that he was able to understand her critique, concede that she was right, and come to terms with his failure takes a lot of genuine inner character and humbleness, specifically when you are a self-confident, arrogant bully to begin with.
He’s taken down several pegs here too, especially after he watches Todoroki’s match and again, when he has to admit later on (to Midoriya for the matter!) that he was unsure whether he could defeat Todoroki in a one-on-one match at that time.
Horikoshi did a good job of shattering Bakugou’s worldview and of himself here. Bakugou in this moment realizes he lost–just look at his facial expression!!
Image screenshot from this video
It’s like he had lost his soul and is questioning his very existence right here. And he didn’t lose to just anybody either, but to someone he had called a loser; looked down and bullied on his entire life; and who had been quirk-less all this time.
Bakugou also realized WHY he failed. That’s exactly what is critical to his character development. If he was another character, he may have probably gone into denial and claimed that the rules were rigged against him or give some other excuse.
Additionally, Bakugou realized a potential rival/threat to his dream of becoming the future Number One Hero in Todoroki. This moment is also pivotal because it establishes Bakugou’s dream in comparison to Midoriya’s–that they are both aiming for the Top Hero spot. Furthermore, it ignites a fire in Bakugou to not just stroll or cruise to the top. No, he can’t afford to do that anymore like he did back in middle school. Now, now he actually has to work hard for it to one day beat Todoroki AND to not let Midoriya surpass him.
These various layers make Bakugou a very complex, multi-dimensional character–he isn’t all black and white; he isn’t just out to win. He sees a threat and knows it (Todoroki). He has the ability to admit when he is wrong with Yaoyorozu’s comments. And now he knows he must work harder to make sure Midoriya isn’t an obstacle on his journey to be the Number One Pro Hero.
Another time when his humility is also in the spotlight is when we witness his second fight with Midoriya at the end of Season 3 (Deku vs. Kacchan Part 2). However, continue reading for further explanation.
7. His unique, conflicting, and layered friendship with Midoriya
Picture from Inverse
Growing up, my parents had taught me that tears were a sign of weakness. And it took me years to see that sometimes tears could be a sign of strength too, that you’ve been holding out for so long and the tears just have no choice anymore, but to escape your eyes. My point is, I hate crying in front of others and I am a girl. I can’t imagine how hard it is to be a guy who has to act tough all the time to find yourself crying in front of another guy and especially one who you consider and repeatedly shame for being weak.
That aside, I just think it’s eye opening and incredibly stirring to observe someone who is a bully, who constantly terrorized Midoriya ever since they were both children, actually openly cry in front of his victim twice.
The first time was when he admits defeat after the Battle Trial and declares his rivalry against Midoriya.
Image from this video
See his pouty face here? It’s so precious! Don’t you just want to hug and comfort him?
We see him cry again in the Deku vs. Kacchan Part 2 fight when he admits that he doesn’t understand why and how Midoriya surpassed him; why All Might (the former Number One Hero) chose him to give his powerful quirk to; and when he blames himself for All Might’s retirement.
GIF from Tenor
I think it takes a lot of vulnerability to cry in front of someone. Bullies always try to act tough and what’s revealing about Bakugou’s character is that–whether he knows it or not, despite hating Midoriya and always acting strong around him, by sharing his worries and tears with Midoriya, there is a level of complicated trust and friendship between them.
I don’t know much about Japanese friendships. Regardless, I have read that they’re truly valued, most importantly when it’s between two people who are childhood friends. They even have a name for such a bond: osananajimi.
Returning to my point above about tears being a sign of weakness: if you’re so strong and you want to continue having that brave face and tough guy exterior because you have a superiority complex (or inferiority complex (too?)?), I don’t know about you, but if I was Bakugou, Midoriya (the victim of my bullying) would be the very LAST person I’d cry to.
The fact that Bakugou would share his troubling inner thoughts, his emotions, his worries, his internal demons, his tears and let Midoriya witness them all—is such an honor. Bakugou allowed Midoriya to see him in his weakest state, his weakest mindset, with all of his walls down, his defenses low, pouring his heart out in confusion and anguish. That takes courage, exhibits faith, and gives more complexity to their one-of-a-kind relationship.
Just to give you guys an idea of how real Bakugou’s confidence is in Midoriya, for someone who has so much pride, Bakugou is not at all worried that his tough guy image would be ruined if Midoriya went and told the other classmates that he saw Bakugou crying. Bakugou makes a big deal over how much he despised being offered help from Midoriya when he fell into a river back when they were kids. Yet, here, he is crying, showing weakness, and seeking Midoriya’s help for catharsis: through a fight to decide who is the best between the two. It’s an incredible side we get to witness for this character.
Image from Tumblr
8. Continued character growth and depth
Attack on the USJ: In this arc, Bakugou’s and Kirishima’s thoughtless, instinctive attack on the villain, Kurogiri (quirk: Warp Gate), costed Class 1A to be separated from each other in a divide-and-conquer method for the villains. Kirishima worries for their classmates and wants to save them, but Bakugou trusts their classmates’ skills enough to assume that they’d be able to handle the villains they were facing and could take care of themselves. This trust would allow him to focus on going after Kurogiri for Round Two and to ensure that the villains had no way of entering or exiting the USJ . It also meant that he had learned from his mistake and is making sure that it is not repeated again. In addition, it is also here that we witnessed the dawn of a beautiful brotherhood that would bloom later on and blossom into something that makes your heart tingle (Bakugou Rescue Operation).
Image from this video
The dawn of a beautiful manly brotherhood
Uraraka vs. Bakugou: Bakugou had further development in his fight against Ochaco Uraraka. In the first season, he states that he wants to become the greatest hero to be rich and famous, meaning he wants to be adored. But take a look at the expression on his face when he is being booed by the Pro Hero crowd for going hard on his female opponent in battle.
Picture from Twitter
He doesn’t protest the treatment, yet he responded briefly when he previously told his peers that he would win the entire competition before the Sports Festival even began and was booed right then. Midoriya even mentioned that the old Bakugou would have laughed after saying that (“I just want to say, I’m going to win”). Basically, when his peers scorned him, he had responded, but dismissed them. On the other hand, he stayed silent when the crowd of Pro Heroes ridiculed him.
In addition, on online forums, most fans praised him for respecting Uraraka by not holding back on her, fighting her fair and square, and treating her like an equal.
Everyone knows that famous “frail” comment. After his battle with Uraraka when he returned to his seat in the stadium, Bakugou’s classmates reprimand him for going too hard on a “frail girl.” However, Bakugou replies that there was nothing frail about Uraraka, showing his non-sexist attitude. That and the fact that he had called out her name right before she collapses displayed his respect for Uraraka’s drive, capabilities, resolve, grit, and strength. It’s funny to think that we can actually say that Bakugou could be a feminist with this battle against Uraraka, treating her as his equal, even if she’s a girl.
Side Note: To be honest, I had not even realized that he had called her by her name until I read the comment section for the YouTube video showing their battle.
Image from Tumblr
Image from this video
Conversely, Bakugou could have been like Kaminari or Iida and gone easy on Uraraka like these boys did with their female opponent, Ibara Shiozaki (quirk: vines). Although Kaminari attacked Shiozaki, he looked at her as a potential date after their match while Iida shoved her out of bounds, refusing to physically harm her. While both boys’ intentions were to be chivalrous, they didn’t really treat their female opponent as their equals, rather as ladies who should never face battle and have a chance to test their skills.
Picture from Tumblr
Picture from the My Hero Academia Wiki page
Bakugou’s match against Uraraka distinguished him from his peers and served as a point of contrast between them and him. I am sure Todoroki and Midoriya would have been more gentle up against Uraraka, too. Then again, maybe Bakugou just doesn’t see the world as a separation of boys and girls. Rather, what he sees in his world is that everyone being placed in front of him is an opponent who are all obstacles in his path to success.
Deku vs Kacchan Part 2: While it is inexcusable of Bakugou to tell Midoriya to go jump off the roof of their middle school and kill himself (Note: Horikoshi regrets that moment saying he went overboard at the beginning of the series with Bakugou since it was in the earliest chapters when Horikoshi was still trying to explore the character), it is through Bakugou that we see what’s wrong with their world’s society and with our very own.
One of Bakugou’s most powerful lines occurs in his Deku vs Kacchan fight Part 2. There, he wonders if he was the cause for All Might’s retirement because despite believing he, himself, is a strong fledgling hero with an incredibly powerful quirk, he had to be saved by All Might and his weakness costed his hero’s, the Number One Hero‘s, career.
Image from Dotandline
This fight highlights another aspect of Bakugou’s character: that he is weak mentally and needs to grow in that area. Horikoshi handles this part of Bakugou’s character pretty well, developing Bakugou internally by hurtling obstacles that challenge his world views, his inner thoughts, and his personality.
While we’re on this topic, please check out this thought-provoking article that does a better job than I do at explaining the significance of Bakugou’s mental breakdown in this rivalry battle: https://www.inverse.com/article/49565-my-hero-academia-season-3-mental-health
The article is written by Briana Lawrence who does an amazing job at explaining how Bakugou’s mental health and teen mental health, in general, is explored via My Hero Academia’s story line.
One of my favorite takeaways from her blog is that when you’re assumed to be so strong and capable, usually no one asks how you are doing after a traumatic experience. That once you’re deemed as strong, you’re expected to always be strong. You can never have a moment of weakness.
Note: this is not verbatim.
This concept applies to Bakugou throughout the story. For instance, when Midoriya attempts to save Bakugou from the Sludge Monster at the beginning of the series, everyone asked how Midoriya was doing after the incident. No one really asked that of Bakugou, who was the real and actual victim of the situation.
Instead, the Pro Heroes all praised him for being brave, staying strong during the whole ordeal, and having an awesome quirk that would make him a great sidekick at their agency in the future. Although compliments are always nice to hear, the Pro Heroes missed the point of their rescue: to comfort those they had saved. The kid had almost died (through suffocation) or almost had his body taken over. He just overcame a traumatic experience and he doesn’t need to hear such words about his future right now; what he really needs is to be comforted mentally and psychologically at that very moment.
Image from Wattpad
“Man, you’re tough kid! And that quirk is something else! When you want to go pro, head over to my agency first. I’d love for you to be my sidekick…”
Circling back to my point about how Bakugou develops in this scene, when he verbally expresses his puzzlement with all the events that have recently transpired and questions his admiration for All Might in comparison to Midoriya, I couldn’t help, but go “oh snap.” My heart ached hearing him poetically admit to Midoriya his confusion as to how he was now and unknowingly became the one “chasing someone who’s always been behind me.”
He also begins wondering if his love and respect for All Might had been enough or had been less than Midoriya’s because why did the Number One Hero grant someone, who he despised, a powerful quirk instead of him (Bakugou), the talented one? The part where he asks if he was the end of and the very reason that costed his hero’s career and retirement stunned me. I had never even considered that all these thoughts had been burdening our little short-fused hot-headed tough guy.
Image from Pinterest
There, there Baku-boo. Everything’s going to be all right because “I am here!” What? Wrong timing?
The change of his arrogance: Again, Bakugou is known for his pride. So I believe it took a lot of maturity for him to give tips after his second fight with Midoriya to someone he hated, especially now that he knows Midoriya has All Might’s most coveted power. He could have been jealous and acted petty about it, choosing not to give Midoriya advice on how to defeat him the next time they battle. However, he chose to overcome that basic and instinctive childishness. Therefore, Bakugo is a noble character in his own way. I can’t see Seto Kaiba from Yu Gi Oh doing that.
Image from Tumblr (Nysh’s niche)
I have to admit, I used to look down on other people. Growing up, I was praised for my quick thinking, brightness, and talents. I was smart and very artistic compared to my peers in elementary through high school. It wasn’t until I actually went to university that I was slapped with reality. My grandma had always told me that there are mountains and there are higher mountains. In other words, you may think you’re great, but when you go outside of your little bubble to meet the rest of the world, you’ll be shoved off your high horse by life to learn that there are other people who are much better than you than what you had previously thought was a naturally born talent or gift.
This is the exact reason why I connect with Bakugou, personally. In the beginning, Bakugou is depicted as rude, insanely arrogant, and overly-confident. He believes that he is the only worthy student from his middle school who had any chance of being accepted to UA.
GIF made from YouTuber KHORnime‘s video
It is at this very prestigious, top-notched school that he learns he is not, in fact, the only talented person in the world who is blessed with an awesome quirk and incredible intelligence when compared to Todoroki or Yaoyorozu, respectively. Midoriya’s continual growth throughout the series also keeps him on his toes and forces him to compete for the title of the Number One Hero, to really work hard and grind for it.
And failing the Hero Licensing Exam helps make him become more down-to-earth. For instance, manga spoiler: in the Hero Licensing Remedial Course that Todoroki and Bakugou take together because they both failed the previous one, there is a child who is a bully and Bakugou understands his way of thinking, obviously.
Horikoshi displays a parallelism between this kid and a kid who somewhat outgrew his bullying days, having Bakugou tell the kid that:
“if all you ever do is look down on people, you won’t be able to recognize your own weaknesses”
Image from Tumblr
Such moving, mature, and powerful words from a (kinda-)former bully
Bakugou gets a moment to inspire a little future hero just like how Midoriya had the chance to inspire little Kota in the Training Camp Arc. I love how Horikoshi writes Bakugou and Midoriya’s parallelism and growth, too–that they are both the same coin, but are two different sides. It takes good writing and planning to create a story and characters who are this symbolical and intricate.
9. Character design, talent, skills, quirk, intelligence, and personality
Bakugou’s character concept is also amazing on multiple levels.
Character design: For one, he looks handsome/ yummy (come on, where are my fellow Bakugou fans at?) with his smug expression: angry eyes and cocky smirk.
Image from Gramho
Talent: I love how badass Bakugou is, able to rake in 70 points blasting through the robots in the practical portion of the UA Entrance Exam.
Image from Wattpad
Skills: His tough guy attitude pairs well with his badassery. I really enjoy the fact that he’s not all talk; he can back up his potty-mouth and arrogance with his skills, perceptiveness, and battle sense.
For instance, when he and Kirishima are battling the low-level thugs who invaded the USJ, we get to witness his lightning-fast reflexes when the chameleon thug tries to pull a behind-the-back attack on Bakugou. Bakugou is very versatile with his battle sense, able to learn and gauge his opponent’s abilities during battle. As Shota Aizawa (quirk: erasure), their homeroom teacher, says:
“on the battlefield is where Bakugou shines the brightest.”
Image from the My Hero Academia Wiki page
GIF from weheartit
Quirk: The dude can FLY and maneuver in the air with his quirk and his body can actually take the recoil from the explosions.
Intelligence: It also helps that he’s not an idiot, being one of the smartest, most studious, diligent, and highest scoring students in Class 1A. He is able to be creative with his attacks, even with a powerful quirk. For example, when he debuted his innovative Howitzer Impact in his battle against Todoroki in the Sports Festival. Did anyone else scream like I did when you watched how he dodged Todoroki’s second attack in their match?
GIF made from YouTuber Bakusatsu-O Howitzer‘s video
I LOVED this scene so much
Original Personality:
I love how Bakugou is so full of himself that he doesn’t bother remembering his classmates’ names; instead, opting for giving each of them a funny, understandably reasonable, well-suited, and special nickname.
Side Note: I think I connect with him over this, too, because in my own life, I give people I know and am fond of nicknames also, so it’s nice to meet someone else who has a knack for giving great nicknames, as well.
However, what I and other fans love specifically, is when Bakugou actually remembers a certain character’s name, because that means that that character has earned Bakugou’s respect. What a distinctive quirk (yes, I went there!) to his character! To receive respect from someone so vulgar is a great honor. And the way he recognizes you is noble too. You have to display hard work, determination, and grit to get him to notice and be worthy of getting him to use some brain cells in order to remember you.
As an audience, you can’t help but feel accomplished watching Kirishima get acknowledged for being able to speak Bakugou’s victory language; then Uraraka for demonstrating her will to win; and Todoroki later on too, just for being a worthy rival. It’s such a nice concept that I thank Horikoshi for coming up with this character trait. It really is a great addition to Bakugou’s character design and personality.
Picture from Quora
Bakugou has to like Kirishima enough to let him touch him and be in his personal space, right?
10. Unmatched ambition and passion
I have never seen a character like Bakugou. People call him the Sasuke 2.0, but I have to disagree. His clear and focused ambition, drive, determination, passion, and goals makes him more relatable and unique from that comparison. Of course, I believe that because I don’t have a clan who was murdered by an older brother who deep down loved me more than he did my parents.
That aside, Bakugou’s passion inspired me in my own life because again, I have never witnessed a drive so wild, so strong, so vicious, so unrelenting, and so undeniably powerful, moving, and palpable.
I mean, just look at his battle against Nieto Monoma (quirk: copy)! When he snatched back his headbands from that Class 1B student, regaining his spot in the competition, that wasn’t enough for him. Bakugou HAD to reclaim ALL—every single one–of his headbands back, defeat Monoma (for the sake of his wounded pride?), AND be first place. Time was running out too! Yet, his insane perseverance demanded that he achieved every one of those to-dos on his checklist before he could target Todoroki and Midoriya for the climax of that round and be satisfied with himself.
GIF made from YouTuber Kimseung Anime‘s video
Don’t you just love the “oh, shit” look on Monoma’s face? :O
GIF made from YouTuber Kimseung Anime‘s video
I can’t imagine having so much determination and desire for something the way Bakugou does. Wanting something–or everything, rather, badly like that and not wanting to settle for third or even second place makes him exceptional. I loved how Aizawa described Bakugou in that moment: that Nieto underestimated Bakugou. Despite having a well-planned and carefully-crafted strategy, Nieto failed to understand and calculate Bakugou’s drive and his way of living: that in this world there are those who settle and there are those who will do whatever they must, to the best of their abilities and their capabilities, to always be on top.
That to me is admirable, crazily heroic, and unequivocally inspiring. I found myself in such awe at this character’s outlook on life that I began seeing it reflected in my own. It’s either go big or go home…or maybe for Bakugou, don’t come home at all.
Before, I had been lukewarm about Bakugou. He was just a cool, good-looking jerk and an eye candy when watching the anime. The moment Bakugou punched his way through that solid air bubble to grab back those headbands and his placement in the round, I fell in love with him. He stole my heart by knocking Kirishima on the head when the red-haired character had said they were at least third in the competition. However, our explosion boy disagreed, claiming it wasn’t enough and they had to be the indisputable champions of this round.
GIF made from YouTuber Kimseung Anime‘s video
There’s always just something so irresistible about a man who just knows what he wants and will do whatever it takes to accomplish it, right friends? 🙂
We see his unrivaled ambition and grit again when he and Midoriya battle All Might in the Final Exam Arc. He was willing to break his body just to win, even if it was not a real battle. That is what he’d sacrifice for victory. He will never accept defeat. He won’t ever accept being a loser. It’s all or nothing for him and I just love that attitude.
His line in that moment: “I will win my way” perfectly summarizes his principle. You can see how steadfast he is to those ideals when he bites on All Might’s hand and when you see his muscles tensing and straining as he continuously blasts several big explosions, one after the other, at the Number One Pro Hero.
Image from YouTube
Furthermore, the way he wants to win too is another reason why I respect and love his character. No matter how hungry he is for victory, he absolutely does not want an empty, meaningless triumph. That’s why when he “defeated” Todoroki, but realized the Ice/Fire boy didn’t even give his best, his all, and a fair fight–it enraged him. He felt insulted. Bakugou is not like Seto Kaiba, who wants to win at all cost (yes, I have a thing against Kaiba) by, yes, threatening his opponent with a “hey let me win or I will fall off this cliff” scare. No, Bakugou is an honorable winner and that for me is what makes him more reputable and phenomenal.
Image from YouTube
Side Note: I enjoyed watching how infuriated Bakugou was when he was muzzled and cuffed to a pole during the Award Ceremony of the Sports Festival. It was ridiculously hilarious.
Did you guys also love Fumikage Tokoyami (quirk: Dark Shadow) ironic thinking that Bakugou was acting like a feral animal? It takes one to know one, right?
Video from YouTuber Rocker McGee
Click on this video to watch Bakugou go rabid on Todoroki for basically handing him first place
The other part of the Sports Festival that I had such a joy watching was during the race when Bakugou yells his annoyance to Todoroki that the Ice/Fire Quirk User had declared war on the wrong rival. You can see it in Bakugou’s eyes just how offended and disappointed he feels not being seen as a mutual threat by someone he believes he can’t beat.
Image from YouTube
Side Note: I loved Midoriya’s plan to step on both Todoroki’s and Bakugou’s backs, using them as leverage to help him slam the robot part onto the ground, making it explode so that he could win first place in the race.
Image from Basics of Superheroes
11. Cute and cuddly on the inside
Overall, despite getting a kick out of watching Bakugou be a short-fused, ill-tempered character, I think most of us also enjoy seeing Bakugou’s soft side, too.
Image from Pinterest
Hey, Handsome ;D
After being rescued from the League of Villains, Kirishima tries to hold onto Bakugou as if to make sure he is safe and sound until they get home, but Bakugou dismisses his friend’s hand.
video from YouTuber Kirishima Trash
We see another instance of his cuteness when Aizawa lectures Class 1A for breaking the rules to go rescue Bakugou or knowingly not preventing Midoriya and the others from going to save Bakugou from the villains. Bakugou felt bad that his classmates were reprimanded for his sake and he doesn’t want his classmates to notice him return the money Kirishima used to buy the night vision goggles for the rescue operation. So, he grabs Kaminari and makes him go dumb to distract the others’ attention (all while lightening the mood after Aizawa’s scolding) to hand Kirishima the money.
Also, who doesn’t love this face?
He just looks like a cat I can cuddle with.
Image from YouTube
Image from Tumblr
12. Bakugou’s theme is him
I remember hearing this theme for the first time when Bakugou smashes through the solid air bubble and snatches back his headbands from Monoma. I was actually screaming at 2am in my room watching that episode, punching the air and screaming “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Bakugo’s theme IS him. It encompasses and embodies his beliefs, drive, and personality–that you have to win, no matter what. The drums even help drive the message home, creating this powerful, moving, and intense tune like an anthem for victory. Midoriya is right that when I think of victory, the image that comes into mind is that of Bakugou. That picture is even clearer with this theme song AND Horikoshi’s writing, vision, and characterization of Bakugou.
Video link
That’s my 12 reasons for why fans love Katsuki Bakugou! Thank you so much for waiting for the release of this post, my Twitter fans, and to everyone else who read this entire post and reach the end here! It means a lot to have love and support!
My next post will be the reasons why fans love My Hero Academia/ Boku no Hero Academia, so stay tuned! If you want keep up-to-date with the status of all my posts, please follow me on my Twitter account: @talkwithdonuts.
Still hungry for more talk and donuts? Check out my post on Asian American identity here. Love Asian food? Check out my post about Banh Xeo here. If you love mukbangs, know the YouTuber HyuneeEats (or want to learn more about her), and have some cravings, click here. And if you want a quick laugh with a hint of sarcasm, don’t hesitate to click here.
Thank you again guys and talk to you next week!