My Hero Academia’sprotagonist, Izuki Midoriya, also known as Deku, is one of anime’s most motivational and persistent heroes. Born Quirkless, he continued to work diligently towards his lofty goal and refused to let this inconvenient setback stop him from becoming one of the greatest superheroes alive. However, viewers may be shocked to hear that although he is an extraordinarily gifted protagonist,Deku has not earned himself the spot of all-time fan favorite.
Kohei Horikoshi,My Hero Academia’screator, statedin an Anime News Network interviewthat he was shocked to discover who the fan-favorite character in the series was. Time and time again, fans professed their love for Deku’s hotheaded U.A. High classmate, Katsuki Bakugo.Bakugo’s tremendous popularity has allowed him to triumphover every other character in ranking polls.
“Bakugo has been a bit of a surprise. I assumed everyone would hate him, but it’s been the opposite. In the character questionnaires we do, Bakugo comes in #1 most popular.” - Kohei Horikoshi,Anime News Network
Horikoshi himself stated that Bakugo wins by a landslide almost every time a popularity poll is conducted. SinceBakugo was such a cruel bully who mistreated Dekuin many scenes of the series, Horikoshi never expected him to resonate with fans the way that he has.
Bakugo Changes For the Better, More Than Any Other Character
The Hotheaded Hero Learns Humility, Taking Accountability for His Wrongdoings and Bullying Behavior
Bakugo’s victory in these polls may be unexpected, but Horikoshi attributes the character’s success tohis monumental growththroughout the story, which allows fans to “see Bakugo’s humanity, that he was just a short-tempered kid.” Katsuki might have started out as one of the most unkind, relentlessly cruel characters in the series, but he developed into much more than a stereotypical bully as the story progressed, showing viewers that he is much deeper and more complex beneath the abrasive, blunt surface persona he portrays to the world. Bakugo went from one of Deku’s biggest adversaries to a true friend, a shocking shift.
When the pair first met, Bakugo was unspeakably malicious to Deku, insulting him both to his face and behind his back, telling him he could never be a hero, and even urging him to jump off the roof, which Horikoshi even lateradmitted was “a little too far”, even considering Bakugo’s bully personality. After a few months at U.A. High and some sobering experiences likebeing kidnapped by the League of Villainsand having a heart-to-heart conversation with All Might,Bakugo noticeably mellowed out and became kinder and more accountablefor his past wrongdoings and unnecessarily nasty outbursts, especially those towards Deku.
Bakugo Learned to Properly Channel His Rage and Passionate Feelings
Rather Than Bullying Others, He Now Reserves His Angry Outbursts for Deserving Villains
AsMy Hero Academiaprogressed, Bakugo began to realize his behavior was unacceptable and evenhumbly admitted his own insecurities to All Mightin a rare emotional moment for the previously coldhearted hero. In chapter 322 of the manga, he began making amends and apologizing to those he had wronged, expressing to Deku that he genuinely regretted his past behavior. Bakugo’s complete turnaround and accountability for his actions, while still keeping aspects of his fiery and spirited personality, makes him a fan-favorite and has earned him the place ofMy Hero Academia’sfavorite character, even over the protagonist.
Bakugo is an impassioned and oftentimes snarky character, and these aspects of his personality have not drifted away completely since his apology. Horikoshi still allows these bold and snappy parts of his demeanor to shine, but the difference is that fans can now see that he has a heart underneath, andhe is no longer so needlessly mercilessto Deku and others. He now reserves a lot of his rage and spite for those who deserve it, like villains who attack innocent people. Learning how to properly channel his powerful feelings of anger has been a crucial aspect of Bakugo’s character arc.
My Hero Academia: 5 Times Bakugo Was The Best Hero (& 5 Times It Was Midoriya)
Bakugo has had his fair share of heroic moments but then again, so has Midoriya.
Bakugo Humbly Owned up to His Insecurity in Conversations With All Might and Deku
These Moments of Honesty Helped Him Begin Making Positive Changes
Fans love Bakugo because he is imperfect, complicated, and eventually, was willing to change and become better. Admitting shortcomings and insecurities is no easy feat, but Bakugo braved this difficult task and confessed his lack of confidence to All Might and Deku. As much as he claimed to hate Deku, a larger part of himfelt fear and jealousy when he saw Izuku’s monumental successesas a hero, worrying he’d never live up to that same level of greatness. Understanding Bakugo’s inner thoughts and worries makes him more lovable and more relatable, since similar feelings of inadequacy and comparing oneself to others are common.
Horikoshi has explained in interviews that he was stunned to see that anyone genuinely liked Bakugo as a character, since he initially started out as a simple bully. However, with thoughtful writing, Horikoshi developed the once one-dimensional Bakugo into a multifaceted hero with compelling inner struggles to work through andastonishingly pleasant moments of humbleness and admittance of his own faults.After watching the first few episodes ofMy Hero Academia,no one would expect Bakugo to transform so drastically, but his character is proof that anyone can become a better person with the right mindset and willingness to work for it.
Bakugo’s Story Proves That It Is Never Too Late To Change
He Still Kept Aspects of His Fiery, Bold Personality, but Also Became Kinder to Those Around Him
Bakugo’s journey is motivational, proving that positive change is always possible, at any point in life. His insecurities also humanize him, showing the audience that even the most mighty superheroes have anxieties about themselves and their own ability to succeed at their goals. However, Bakugo does not just stay complacent or refuse to grow, he does the hard work of becoming a kinder person and stronger hero. For these reasons, it is clear to see whyhe has becomeMy Hero Academia’smost popular heroby far and a true inspiration,proving that positive growthis always attainable.
My Hero Academia
Cast
Anime series My Hero Academia follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers in a world where most have them. Despite his lack of abilities, he enrolls in a prestigious hero academy, striving to learn the true essence of heroism and fulfill his dream of becoming a hero.
