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Many My Hero Academia fans would assert that All Might is actually the main character of the series, not Deku, because of his tremendous influence on the story. Not only was All Might the world's greatest protector from villains for years, he was a cultural icon, known as the Symbol of Peace. His influence impacted everyone, from the most average, ordinary citizen to aspiring young heroes who would soon embark on hero training courses of their own to follow in his footsteps.
Deku has always been known as All Might's biggest fan since childhood, boasting a bedroom plastered with merchandise of the hero. Furthermore, Deku quite literally never would have become a hero without All Might, since he inherited All For One directly from his idol. However, other U.A. High students were just as affected by All Might's work and legacy as Deku, despite being less outspoken about their affections. Although All Might did choose Deku as his successor, he devotes time and effort to guiding all of his students, and there is one he positively affected just as much as Deku.
All Might Saved Bakugo in More Ways Than One
When Bakugo Hit Rock Bottom at the End of Season Three, All Might Was There To Help
Bakugo Katsuki, U.A. High student and previously the class bully, idolizes All Might, just as much as Deku does. Although he also adored All Might since he was very young and aimed to be just like him, Bakugo was straying down the wrong path when he first enrolled at U.A. High School, and even before that. Bakugo was bullying others, particularly targeting Deku, and his vitriolic tirades towards his classmate only worsened when they both got into U.A. In his early high school days, Bakugo was acting unnecessarily violent and careless with his very dangerous Explosion Quirk, endangering himself and others.
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Bakugo Wasn't a Real Hero Until One of His Darkest My Hero Academia Arcs
Bakugo's lowest moment in My Hero Academia was essential to him becoming a real hero because it forced him to reflect on his behavior.
Bakugo professed his commitment to winning, no matter what it took. Even after receiving warnings from teachers like Aizawa to be cautious with his power, Bakugo would heed no advice, and chances of him changing seemed hopeless. His mindset was misguided, as he treated others cruelly, and pursued heroism for selfish reasons. At the end of season three, after being kidnapped by the League of Villains and failing the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam, Bakugo had hit rock bottom like never before. Without a pivotal All Might moment that occurred after this mighty failure, it is easy to imagine Bakugo becoming a villain.
Bakugo Could Have Succumbed to Villainy Without All Might’s Wake-Up Call
All Might’s Honesty Not Only Helped Bakugo Mature, It Helped Repair His Relationship With Deku
After not passing the Hero Exam with the rest of the class, Bakugo challenged Deku to a fight outside the dorms, in a complete rage about his loss. All Might intervened at the most opportune moment, not only saving both boys from harm, but ultimately, saving Bakugo from himself. Without All Might’s positive influence and the candid conversation they both shared, Bakugo's villainous streak might have continued. Thankfully though, this humiliating and humbling moment forced him to not only confront his own inadequacies, but admit them to his hero, All Might, and his classmate and previous sworn enemy, Deku.
Bakugo was more honest than ever before, explaining to both of them that he only mistreated Deku out of jealousy and personal insecurity. He was not only afraid that Deku would surpass him, he was envious that All Might gave his Quirk to Deku instead, leaving Bakugo feeling like his idol favored his enemy. Had All Might not spoken to Bakugo during this scene, Bakugo's hatred towards Deku would have grown to horrific heights, perhaps even leading him to do something horrible in retaliation. All Might cleared up the controversy and alleviated Bakugo's fears, though, shifting Bakugo away from evil.
All Might Has Always Been Bakugo’s Greatest Positive Influence, Pushing Him Towards Heroism
This One Seemingly Insignificant Conversation Set Bakugo Back on the Path of Heroism for Good
All Might told Bakugo that he gave Deku All For One because Deku needed a Quirk, and that Bakugo's Explosion Quirk was already so mighty that he did not require another Quirk. This calm, reasonable explanation comforted Bakugo and removed some of his anger towards Deku. Bakugo also felt tremendous guilt about All Might losing his powers while saving him, but All Might once again, soothed Bakugo by assuring him that All For One was fading away anyway, and it was not Bakugo's fault. This conversation completely changed Bakugo's trajectory, giving him a difficult but necessary wake-up call.
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My Hero Academia's Final Exam Arc is Essential to Bakugo's Growth
The final exams arc may have lower stakes than some previous arcs, but its content is essential to the growth of Bakugo and his relationship to Deku.
Bakugo's love for All Might was always present, and he told everyone, even Tomura Shigaraki, that he wanted to "win like All Might." This honest conversation with All Might was Bakugo's most emotionally open and vulnerable moment, and although it was incredibly hard and embarrassing for him, it changed his perspective and life and solidified his fate of becoming a hero, rather than a villain. Had this scene never occurred, and had All Might not been in Bakugo’s life to inspire him, Bakugo could have turned to evil instead and been one of My Hero Academia’s most petrifying villains.
In My Hero Academia, some humans have superpowers called quirks. Izuku Midoriya, nicknamed Deku, is not one of them. Deku has always idolized heroes like the number one hero, All Might, and since he was a child, he has always wanted to be a hero. However, his lack of a quirk has always held him back, but a chance encounter with All Might after discovering a classmate in danger sets Deku on the path to becoming a true hero. My Hero Academia centers around Deku and a class of heroes-in-training at UA. This school shapes young quirk users into future heroes through fake rescue missions, combat training, and other hero-tempering tasks. With young Deku inheriting the "One-For-All" quirk, he will learn what it means to be a true hero while facing off with dastardly supervillains.
Release Date April 3, 2016
Seasons 7
Franchise My Hero Academia
Production Company Bones
Number of Episodes 113
English (US) ·