How Bakugo’s Horrible Start Made His Redemption Arc Unforgettable

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In the popular anime series, My Hero Academia, Katsuki Bakugo garnered a significant fan base over the years, topping numerous popularity polls. Some viewers, however, felt that his behavior during Season 1 was excessively harsh and thought he should not be forgiven for it. What these fans might not comprehend is that if Bakugo hadn’t been so “unforgivable” initially, his eventual transformation and redemption wouldn’t have held the same impact on viewers.

Bakugo’s personal growth stems from the resentment he harbors towards Midoriya, who is also known as Deku. If Bakugo hadn’t been so mean to Deku, he might not have had the opportunity for personal growth. It seems that everyone has the capacity for cruelty within them, and Bakugo appears to be particularly prone to it. So, it’s no surprise that he would act so unnecessarily cruel towards his long-time friend. Bakugo’s harsh words were shocking, but they played a crucial role in shaping his character.

Part Of Bakugo’s Development is Based on the Mangaka’s Guilt

Kohei Horikoshi Regretted Making Bakugo So Vile in the Beginning

Initially, Bakugo was designed to have an entirely distinct character. Instead, mangaka Kohei Horikoshi chose to portray him as a secondary villain. The original intention was to make Bakugo as unpleasant as possible. However, after the early volumes were published, Horikoshi decided against making Bakugo a one-dimensional villain.

Readers found Bakugo’s harsh demeanor off-putting, and the creator, Horikoshi, noticed this too. Bakugo seemed more like an adversary than the genuine villains due to his personal jabs. As a result, Horikoshi felt that Bakugo required a more compassionate portrayal. He sensed there was a deeper side to Bakugo hidden beneath his aggressive facade. However, because of Bakugo’s intimidating behavior in the initial volumes, Horikoshi realized he would have to make Bakugo more relatable. This necessitated giving Bakugo consequences, which meant delving into his backstory and developing his character further.

In the following parts of the narrative, Bakugo gets captured by the Villain League, is manipulated into believing he caused All Might’s power loss, and fails his Temporary Licensing Test. He also suffers significant injuries throughout the story, leading to a near-death experience. It might appear that Bakugo experiences numerous setbacks in the tale. However, from Horikoshi’s perspective, it was necessary for Bakugo to fall from grace in order to make amends for his past mistakes.

Bakugo Needed To Be Awful So That He Could Ultimately Grow as a Character

Bakugo’s Bullying Makes Sense In Context, Even If It’s Horrifying

While some fans found Bakugo’s early actions displeasing, they were essential for his development. Bakugo needed to be exceptionally rude to foster growth. Bakugo’s character is built on the conviction – the understanding – that he is unparalleled. He is highly skilled and seldom outperformed, even by more experienced individuals. Yet, Bakugo is persistently reminded by Deku of his shortcomings. This contrast in character between Bakugo and Deku’s inherent kindness enrages Bakugo immensely.

In response to constantly feeling overshadowed by Deku since their childhood, Bakugo, who was taught by his parents that bullying stems from the bully rather than the victim, found it necessary to make Deku feel as badly as he did. This behavior is not acceptable, but unfortunately, it’s a reality in many situations. In the story of “My Hero Academia,” Bakugo had grown tired of Deku’s presence in his life and reacted by lashing out. However, this is something that Bakugo later came to regret.

After taking some time to ponder over his actions and experiencing genuine setbacks instead of imagined ones, Bakugo eventually offers an apology. He comes to understand that his issues were self-inflicted and unrelated to Deku. Bakugo’s poor behavior was driven by inner turmoil. Ultimately, All Might and his own awareness facilitate Bakugo’s introspection about his negative conduct, as it was essential for Bakugo’s character development. If Bakugo hadn’t acted poorly in the first place, there would have been no room for his character arc to unfold.

Bakugo’s Redemption Is Made More Poignant In The End

Bakugo Realizes His Own Jealousy

Despite Bakugo’s harsh actions being tough to accept, they were vital for the story as they made his eventual redemption all the more impactful. The transformation from Bakugo in Season 1 to Season 7 is staggering, considering the remarkable journey he has taken. Given that we know Bakugo’s humility doesn’t come easily, it only heightens the emotional impact when he publicly apologizes to Deku and strives for change.

In Season 7 and beyond, Bakugo exhibits a newfound sincerity rather than just outbursts of anger or frustration, which makes his reserved moments all the more valuable within the series. This change is particularly touching given Bakugo’s personal growth. Now that he has evolved as an individual, he assists Deku (a former adversary) in recognizing his own value and rejoins the class at U.A. In a significant shift, Bakugo also addresses Deku by his first name for the very first time in the series during his apology, demonstrating the profound transformation he has undergone.

Initially, Bakugo harbored strong feelings of jealousy towards Deku. This animosity intensified when Deku joined U.A. and demonstrated an extraordinary power, leaving everyone amazed. As Bakugo has grown older, he has come to realize that his jealousy was the source of much of his own suffering. He now understands that he was the one with the issue, and that Deku was unjustly targeted by Bakugo’s self-hatred. This does not in any way justify Bakugo’s behavior. His bullying was reprehensible, but the extent to which he was cruel was truly appalling. The fact that Bakugo is now acknowledging his mistakes is a striking change from his earlier persona, leaving many viewers utterly astounded by his confession.

Bakugo Is Just A Character in My Hero Academia

Bakugo’s Actions Are Ultimately There To Serve A Story

Initially, Bakugo might seem harsh due to his character traits in the anime, but it’s crucial to remember that he’s merely a fictional creation. While we may feel deeply about him, it’s essential to hold the creators accountable for their work, but we shouldn’t judge Bakugo the character by real-world standards since he’s not truly existent.

Bakugo went too far with his bullying, and it’s clear from Horikoshi’s guilt that his words were hurtful and personal. However, Bakugo is just a fictional character, and he’s already paid for his mistakes within the story. At this point in the anime, there isn’t much more he can do to make things right. Whether his apology is seen as sincere enough by viewers is subjective.

Essentially, what matters most is that Deku has forgiven him, and Bakugo is making an effort to better himself. While not everyone may find him likable, they can’t argue against his transformation for the better. If there’s a lesson here, it’s that Bakugo demonstrates no one can alter the past, but our actions moving forward are what truly matter. Perhaps Bakugo’s earlier harsh character was simply part of the original writing, but Horikoshi has skillfully evolved him into a beloved figure in the series. This transformation is all thanks to Bakugo coming to terms with the harm he has inflicted on others.

Ultimately, Bakugo’s abrasive personality served to enhance his character. His turbulent past and self-contempt are integral components of who he is. His frequent displays of anger are essential elements in the crafting of his character, making the climax even more poignant. Moreover, these traits give him a sense of authenticity that sets him apart from other characters in the series, which may have larger casts but less development. In essence, Bakugo’s complexity and depth make him a standout character within the show.

In a more simplified and engaging manner: Unlike Deku who experiences significant growth throughout the series due to his potential for change, Bakugo starts out as incredibly powerful and maintains this strength through the anime. Despite his questionable past actions, which are quite severe, he has apologized and been forgiven by Deku, which is what truly counts in their story. While some fans may still find him dislikable, Bakugo’s transformation makes for the most intriguing narrative within the entire franchise due to the remarkable changes he undergoes.

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2025-04-20 00:55