Kohei Horikoshi’s commercially successful My Hero Academia—with its enchanting world of quirks, heroes, villains, and shades of grey in between—has entertained a wide range of the population since its serialization in 2014.
It has introduced to readers (and viewers since its anime adaptation in 2016) a plethora of characters to either detest, root for, or merely hang on to as they develop. Among such faces that the series has acquainted its connoisseurs with is the deuteragonist Bakugo Katsuki.
In taking a gamble with the hot-tempered childhood friend/bully of protagonist Izuku Midoriya, there’s a reason why Horikoshi expected people to react negatively to Bakugo—maybe even hate him.
But the opposite has been the case. The character is always the front-runner in popularity polls and character questionnaires. The turn of events surprised Horikoshi himself. But when asked why this is the case, the creator had a fitting reply that reverberates the consensus voiced by the fandom.
My Hero Academia Creator Kohei Horikoshi Expected Everyone To Hate Bakugo
At the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con, Anime News Network interviewed My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi. While the renowned mangaka delved into several details surrounding the superhero manga/anime television series, one question urged him to divulge the character(s) that the fans reacted to in a manner that completely contradicted his own expectations. Unsurprisingly, Horikoshi mentioned Bakugo’s name.
Following was his response:
“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.”
In the popularity polls announced by Weekly Shonen Jump over the years, except the first one, Bakugo has consistently snagged the first position (via ComicBook.com). He has done so seven times consecutively. With the ninth survey on the horizon, it’s likely that the arrogant, ill-tempered hero, who has mellowed considerably since the series’ dawn, will once again reign supreme.
But what is the reason behind the character’s unfathomable fame and widespread acceptance? Given his turbulent beginnings, which cast an antagonistic shadow over Bakugo, what could’ve prompted the audience to like him so much? Although ardent MHA lovers may already know the reasons, Horikoshi had just the words to offer a concrete explanation:
“Bakugo has always been the bully, and he ends up going to school with Deku. So I had them in a big fight pretty early on, but through that fight, you see … Bakugo’s humanity, that he was just a short-tempered kid.”
The ‘fight’ in question that Horikoshi references is either the first fight they had in Deku vs. Kacchan (Vol. 2 Chapter 9/Season 1 Episode 7) or the second one in Deku vs. Kacchan, Part 2 (Vol. 14 Chapter 119/Season 3 Episode 23).
One is inclined to believe that the latter is the sequence the author is speaking of, considering the emotional intensity of the encounter, culminating in a vulnerable confession from Bakugo.
It’s one of the first times we see Bakugo for what he is—an insecure child whose ego is a by-product of the very structure within which the hero society functions. Blaming himself for having caused All Might’s downfall is a glimpse we get into the character’s vulnerabilities, and the aftermath of this showdown marks the beginning of the changes we see in Bakugo later on.
Bakugo’s Character Development Accounts For His Immense Popularity
To those up-to-date with the manga and the anime, Bakugo’s evolution has been a long time coming, and it’s no doubt a significant contributor to his popularity. Nobody enjoys one-dimensional characters. Bakugo doesn’t cling to the trope of a bully throughout the entire series, nor do his past actions go unpunished.
He evolves with changes in circumstances, starting from his time at U.A. High School. Each and every arc challenges Bakugo’s powers, questions his strength, and pushes him to inspect his insecurities and adapt accordingly.
Even before Season 6, the changes in the hot-headed hero were glaringly obvious. In Season 4 Episode 17, Bakugo even iterates during the Remedial Course Arc, “If you keep looking down on everyone, then you won’t notice your own weaknesses.”
And this quote symbolizes his growth throughout the series. Bakugo goes from a despicable, condescending, egotistical prick to someone who knows the strength of teamwork and isn’t afraid to admit his shortcomings.
Of course, he retains some of his trademark traits; his loud, brash disposition is something the audiences find endearing or even funny.
However, he’s not the ‘bully’ he used to be. His atonement in the later seasons and the manga, through one of the biggest sacrifices seen in the series and a subsequent heartfelt apology, shows that he’s willing to turn over a new leaf with the protagonist and become a better version of himself.
From a hero who prioritized winning to one who now understands the significance of saving—Bakugo’s arc is a subversion to the ‘rival’ archetype, and fans can’t wait to see how Horikoshi concludes his ever-evolving journey.
My Hero Academia is available for streaming on Hulu and Netflix. The forthcoming seventh season will premiere on May 4, 2024, on ytv and NTV.
