Why Did Bakugo Bully Deku in My Hero Academia?

Why did Bakugo bully Deku in My Hero Academia? Taking a look at how their relationship progressed over the course of the series

Why did Bakugo bully Deku in My Hero Academia? (Image via BONES)

The My Hero Academia series has finally concluded after an entire decade. The first chapter was released back in 2014, and since then, it has released over 400 chapters. Now that the manga series has concluded, hardcore fans have revisited some of the older chapters in the series. Naturally, netizens participated in various discussions involving characters like Bakugo and Deku. Not only are they incredibly important to the story, but they also happen to be one of the most popular duos. 

Fans absolutely love these two characters. One of the reasons is their relationship dynamics. They were good friends as children. However, Bakugo bullied Deku during the earlier parts of the series. Despite Deku’s willingness to be on good terms with Bakugo, the latter looked down on Deku far too many times. 

Those who are relatively new to the series might want answers to this important question – why did Bakugo bully Deku in My Hero Academia? This is a loaded question. However, Bakugo probably bullied Deku because of the former’s inferiority complex. This was visible quite early in the series. However, as the series progressed, Bakugo’s character grew and slowly resolved this major issue. 

Deku and Bakugo’s Childhood in My Hero Academia

Bakugo and Deku when they were children (Image via BONES)

So, why did Bakugo bully Deku in My Hero Academia? As mentioned earlier, Bakugo suffered from an inferiority complex during the course of the series. When they were kids, Bakugo and Deku were on good terms. However, the problem began when Bakugo started developing his Quirk. He showed great signs of strength from a young age. Naturally, people praised him for his abilities. Midoriya also praised him, but there was something that bothered Bakugo. Despite his impressive powers, he felt inferior to Deku. The latter didn’t develop any Quirk, making it easier for everyone in the group to make fun of him. 

Bakugo’s lack of emotional maturity at that age led him to lash out at Deku. This was due to his inability to understand where that inferiority complex stemmed from. One of the most prominent trigger points was seen during the time when Bakugo fell into the river. While he was a child, he was praised by everyone for his gifted Quirk abilities. At that moment, a Quirkless Midoriya extended his hand for help. Bakugo felt insulted that someone without a Quirk, who was weaker than him, offered him help. This is when the bullying began at a more frequent rate. Their relationship soured severely even though Midoriya constantly tried to be on good terms with Bakugo. 

Why did Bakugo Bully Deku in My Hero Academia?

Katsuki Bakugo as seen in My Hero Academia anime
Katsuki Bakugo as seen in My Hero Academia anime (Image via BONES)

Fans appreciated the manner in which Kohei Horikoshi wrote Bakugo. Initially, he was a rage-fueled combat maniac trying to prove to everyone how tough he was. His approach to being a hero was one of his biggest flaws as a character during the initial parts of the story. To him, being a hero meant that he was the strongest. However, being a hero is a lot more than just being strong. His willingness to prove to everyone just how strong he was stemmed from his insecurity. 

It was insecurity that played a massive role in Bakugo’s willingness to bully Deku on a regular basis. Despite the obvious gap in their abilities, Bakugo constantly felt the need to prove that he was better than Deku. Insecurity and the feeling of inferiority flooded Bakugo. This was amplified when he saw the results of the U.A. Examination. In his mind he was better than Deku. However, his bitterness towards Midoriya increased multifold when he realized that the latter passed the exam. Seeing him use a powerful Quirk infuriated him. This is because he assumed that Deku was hiding his abilities just to mock him. 

Bakugo and Deku’s Relationship in My Hero Academia After U.A.

Bakugo and Midoriya as seen in the anime series (Image via BONES)

After the U.A. Examination, the bullying stopped gradually. Additionally, there was a certain degree of mutual respect between the two. Once again, the mutual respect was in a state of flux because there was a new entity in the equation – All Might. Bakugo respected All Might considerably. Seeing All Might spend so much time on Deku only increased his anger exponentially. Bakugo came to terms with the fact that Deku was a strong fighter. This pushed him to become a better hero. He also spent a considerable amount of time refining his Quirk abilities. 

The stakes constantly rose, especially when the war against All For One and Shigaraki commenced. The fate of the entire world rested on the shoulders of these teenagers. Naturally, it forced the duo to put their petty squabbles aside and focus on the big picture. Eventually, Bakugo realized that he no longer had to prove anything to anyone and that he was a splendid hero. Towards the midpoint of the overall story, their relationship becomes a lot more mature. They start treating each other like adults, and they no longer harbor any animosity.

The Development in Bakugo and Deku’s Dynamic

Bakugo and Deku had great synergy on the battlefield (Image via BONES)

Bakugo and Deku’s relationship was extremely one-sided at first. Bakugo was an angry young man, and his temper only grew when he realized that Deku received One For All. However, he slowly accepted things for what they were. Bakugo not only stopped fighting with Midoriya but also expressed concern at various stages. He put his life on the line to save Deku, and this was because he genuinely cared for his friend. Hearing about Bakugo’s death changed Deku forever. However, Best Jeanist’s sacrifice didn’t go in vain, as he managed to restart Bakugo’s heart. 

Their bond was quite strong, and they were the closest friends by the time the series ended. Both of them acknowledged each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Their bond grew multifold and eventually became inseparable when the series concluded. 

Conclusion

Bakugo bullied Deku as a child because of his insecurities. He was a young child who didn’t make the smartest decisions. His inability to process certain feelings resulted in him lashing out at others, which in turn presented itself in the form of bullying. However, Bakugo’s character had a brilliant progression. He realized his mistakes, accepted things for what they were, and became a good friend of Deku’s. Despite their rocky start, the duo became inseparable on and off the battlefield. 


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