Summary
Katsuki Bakugo, a.k.a. Kacchan,fromMy Hero Academia, is a complex, dynamic, and inspiring character who dreams of someday surpassing his childhood idol, All Might. In his relentless pursuit of greatness, he recklessly puts his life on the line for the greater good while trying to make amends for mistakes he made in the past.
Kacchan’s explosive Quirk and intense personalitymake every episode he is in exciting and memorable, but a few stand out among the rest. These five episodes focus on Bakugo’s transformation, his struggles, losses, and victories, highlighting moments that made him the warrior he is now.
5Season 5, Episode 9: “Early Bird!”
Bakugo Surpasses His Past Limitations
Katsuki Bakugo is known for his abrasiveand stubborn nature as he refuses to pay heed to others' advice, relying primarily on his instincts to act in any circumstance. His impressive Quirk control allows him to thrive despite strategic shortcomings, allowing him to dramatically shift the tide of the battle in his favour through sheer explosive force and raw power. However, his lack of cooperation with his teammates often puts him at a disadvantage.
“Early Bird!” revolves around the events in the Joint Training Arc, in which Bakugo teams up with his peers to compete against students from Class 1-B. Eager to leave a lasting impression on the onlookers and win All Might’s approval, he fights recklessly, looking to dominate his opponents. But in a shocking departure from his typical demeanour, Bakugo, instead of fighting all by himself, tries to look out for his teammates and makes sure that he defends them.The episode is filled with exciting fight sequencesand captures Kacchan’s dramatic evolution as a potential hero.
4Season 2, Episode 12: “Todoroki vs. Bakugo”
Kacchan Faces Shoto at the U.A. Sports Festival
In the U.A. Festival Battle Tournament, Katsuki Bakugo impresses everyone with his explosive combat style and sheer tenacity. After dominating his previous competitors, he finds himself up againstEndeavor’s super-talented son, Shoto Todoroki. Bakugo’s adversary has shown reluctance to use his full powers due to his father’s presence in the stadium and the accompanying trauma that he continues to trigger to this day.
Bakugo has been observing Shoto closely, and before the fight, he asks him to activate his fire as he wants to defeat him at his best. When the two classmates step foot on the battlefield, Todoroki’s inner conflict continues to hold him back from pushing himself to his limits. But instead of taking advantage of it, Kacchan appears offended by his opponent’s reluctance to use his Quirk properly. “Todoroki vs. Bakugo” is an exciting clash that centres around Shoto’s identity crisis and Kacchan’s unyielding pride. The high-stakes battle uncovers their vulnerabilities and the underlying complications of their respective paths as heroes in the making.
3Season 2, Episode 24: “Katsuki Bakugo: Origin”
Bakugo and Deku Face Their Hero
In the Final Exams Arc, the last match is held between All Might, Katsuki Bakugo, and Izuku Midoriya. Realizing that facingthe Symbol of Peacewould naturally be a monumental task for the two of them, Deku proposes that they work together to defeat Hero No. 1. But Bakugo, being Bakugo, refuses to listen to any ideas about teamwork and proclaims that he will defeat All Might on his own.
As the match commences, Deku appears reluctant to take on All Might, while Bakugo confronts the Symbol of Peace head-on, demonstrating an absurd faith in his abilities that borders on reckless overconfidence. With Hero No. 1 refusing to show any mercy to the two promising students, the intensebattle pushes Kacchan and Midoriya to their limits. “Katsuki Bakugo: Origin” focuses on one of the most impactful fights for Bakugo as it shapes him into the promising hero he goes on to become. Furthermore, it addresses the underlying tension between Kacchan and Deku while laying the background for their evolving rivalry and eventual camaraderie.
2Season 3, Episode 23: “Deku vs. Kacchan, Part 2”
Bakugo Confronts Deku to Reveal the Truth About His Quirk
Ever since Bakugo was a young kid, he was proud of his Quirk and wanted to somedaysurpass his hero, All Might. He grew up with Deku and always used to look down on him. For years, he even resorted to bullying Midoriya, despite always getting treated nicely in return. However, things changed dramatically as Izuku, who had been Quirkless all his life, suddenly transformed into U.A. High’s most promising student.
Unlike his peers at the U.A., Kacchan had known Deku since he was a kid and always felt that his evolution appeared unrealistic. “Deku vs. Kacchan, Part 2” follows Bakugo as he finally succeeds in connecting the dots and concludes that All Might has chosen Midoriya as his successor. The episode focuses on Kacchan’s inner turmoil, his emotional confrontation with Izuku, and his acceptance of the uncomfortable truth.
1Season 6, Episode 9: “Katsuki Bakugo: Rising”
As Tomura Goes Berserk, Kacchan Heroically Saves Deku
In the Paranormal Liberation Arc, heroes face an unprecedented crisis on every front after trying to confront Tomura Shigaraki and his men before the villains can unleash a deadly attack. While Gigantomachia unleashes a wave of destruction as he heeds his master’s call, Shigaraki is singlehandedly busy fighting Endeavor and students from U.A. High. In their struggle, they findEraser Head’s quirk-nullifying ability quite useful.But things take a dramatic turn when Tomura takes Shota out of the equation.
Deku demonstrates brilliant strategic reflection by lifting Shigaraki into the air after activatingNana Shimura’s Quirk, Float. Meanwhile, Bakugo is undergoing a serious internal conflict that involves his actions in the past and his desire to make amends for them. Sometime before the all-out war broke out between the heroes and villains, Kacchan had a deep conversation with All Might, in which he expressed his concern for Izuku’s well-being and his regret for bullying him when they were young.
AsMidoriya puts his life on the linefighting Shigaraki, Bakugo feels desperate to get involved and ensure that his friend is safe. He hatches a plan with Endeavor and Shoto to take down Tomura. But as Hero No. 1 unleashes PLUS ULTRA Prominence Burn, All for One takes over Shigaraki’s mind and pierces Endeavor’s body with the Rivet Stab. As the black tendrils extend towards Deku next, Bakugo is overcome by heroism and, without even thinking about himself, pushes his friend out of harm’s way.
