My Hero Academia Ending Proves Bakugo Had the Best Character Arc With a Subtle Return

The flashback contained in episode #7 of My Hero Academy the anime adaptation contains one of the most pivotal moments not only for its protagonist Deku, but also for his rival, Katsuki. After Bakugo fell into a river, Deku offered him helpa small but powerful gesture that would define their relationship for years to come. As a child, Katsuki saw this act as Izuku proving his superiority despite not having Quirk, and began to bully him.

This tragic misunderstanding was mirrored during the final chapter of the manga#430, with the roles being reversed. Rather than causing more trouble for their childhood friends, Deku and Bakugo’s latest interaction is a loving homage to their origins. It also serves as proof of the incredible character development that Katsuki went through as the series progressed.

A gesture of friendship ruined Deku and Bakugo’s initial relationship

Offering help both destroyed and saved your friendship

Despite growing up as friends, the relationship between Izuku and Katsuki became strained when the former learned of his Quirkless status. Bakugo, who was told by adults how powerful he was, began to see Deku as a weakling who would never amount to anything. Things only got worse the day the duo and their friends decided to explore the forest near their homes. While leading the group, Bakugo fell into a river, leaving him in a state of shock. Only when Deku entered the water and offered him a helping hand did Katsuki react.

This is the real reason why Bakugo started bullying Deku, as he scolded Midoriya for believing he was better than him despite not having any special abilities. This anger would fuel Bakugo’s hatred for Izuku for almost a decade, taking every possible chance to attack his rival and “put him in his place”. Years later during the events of the Dark Hero arc, Bakugo finally understood how wrong he was, giving his friend a well-deserved apology during episode 136. However, their consequences would later be referenced in their final interaction in the series.

Bakugo and Deku’s relationship comes full circle at the end of the series

This time, Bakugo extends a helping hand

At the end of the series, Izuku spent many years as a civilian, after giving up One for All to defeat All for One in the final battle. However, in the final pages of the last chapter, All Might reveals that all of Deku’s friends have saved money from their hero jobs for years (especially Bakugo), to fund a high-tech suit that will allow Deku to be a hero again. Right after Izuku hears this from All Might, the next panel shows Bakugo prepared for hero work. reaching out to Dekubefore the finale where all the former students of class 1A, including Deku, come into action.

This simple panel ended Deku and Bakugo’s arcs, showing that Katsuki has truly learned from his mistakes and is willing to help his friend when needed. It’s a touching detail that makes the series finale that much more specialturning one of Izuku’s worst memories into a sign of hope for a better future.

Bakugo has the best character arc in My Hero Academia

When the My Hero Academy As the series began, Bakugo was introduced as an arrogant, cruel, and violent teenager who had no qualms about hurting others. Due to his status as a Quirkless individual, Izuku was one of his main targets, with Katsuki even telling him to die in one of the series’ most disturbing moments. His biggest problem with his former friend was the fact that he still wanted to be a hero, even without the power to help him. Bakugo was a firm believer in the idea that only strength mattered, but this was actually a way of hiding his insecurities.

Deku, who wanted to help others despite not having any kind of power, was an affront to his philosophy, as Katsuki believed he did it simply to prove he was better. Throughout his time as a student hero, he was forced to confront these toxic beliefs, coming to terms with his horrible behavior. There are two moments that perfectly exemplify his growth as a person, the first being his willingness to receive help from Kirishima in episode #48. The second is his last appearance in the series, as seen in chapter #430 of the manga.

Deku was right to never give up on Katsuki

Izuku knew what a great hero Bakugo would become

THE My Hero Academy The series made it clear from the beginning that Deku would always be one of Katsuki’s biggest supporters. No matter how cruel his former friend could be, Izuku never stopped believing in his potential to become an exceptional hero. This was not only due to Deku’s admiration for Bakugo, but also because of his inherent belief in the good of others. Despite how adamantly Dynamight refused to admit it, this unconditional support is largely a thank you for his drastic change in behavior.

Bakugo often saw others as pawns or stepping stones on his path to greatness, never considering their needs or desires. This idea was immediately challenged as soon as the blonde student entered UA, upon realizing that several other characters were stronger than him. When he was at his lowest point, Deku continued to show his support, reminding him almost daily about the great hero he could one day become. In the end, it was their friendship and Izuku’s unwillingness to give up on him that allowed Bakugo to grow as a human.

Bakugo’s decision to extend a helping hand to Deku in times of need proves that he no longer sees helping others as a sign of weakness. The epilogue of My Hero Academy the manga is filled with homages and references to many of the franchise’s most iconic moments. Despite how divisive it may have been, it is undoubtedly a love letter to fans. Details like Bakugo offering help to Deku and fulfilling his character arc show how much care and attention went into creating this incredible story.