Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo were buddies since they were kids. However, their friendship turned toxic over time. Katsuki Bakugo went on to develop an immense hatred for Izuku, and their bond has been completely shattered since then. Both have come a long way, inspiring each other in their complex rivalry. So, did Deku and Bakugo ever mend their relationship and become good friends at the end of the My Hero Academia series? Find out what fate had in store for them here.
Spoilers Warning:
This article contains spoilers about Deku and Bakugo’s relationship in My Hero Academia. Proceed with caution.
Why Did Bakugo and Deku Stop Being Friends?
Now, Bakugo didn’t begin to hate Izuku just because of his existence. When we examine the root cause of their toxic friendship developing rapidly over the years, it is primarily due to Bakugo’s insecurities and his complete misunderstanding of his true friend, who has stood by his side since day one. Bakugo was considered the “special kid” with his powerful explosion quirk, drowning in praises.
On the other hand, Izuku Midoriya was a quirkless and timid boy, as we know. These circumstances eventually led to Bakugo belittling and bullying Izuku from a young age. Despite all the torment he received, Izuku looked up to his friend. Their relationship would only get even worse once Deku received his One For All quirk from All Might.
You wanna be a hero so bad? I’ve got a time saving idea for you. If you think you’ll have a Quirk in your next life. Go take a swan dive off the roof! – Bakugo
When Deku acquired a quirk and enrolled in U.A. High alongside Bakugo, all of a sudden, the latter believed that Deku had deliberately hidden his true identity from him, which further ruptured their bond. After all, one of the main reasons Bakugo looked down on his friend was his jealousy and fear of Izuku ending up a greater hero in life than him.
Their clash only got much more fierce after the two began their hero studies together under the same roof. When Bakugo learned that his superhero idol, All Might, bestowed his quirk on Deku, it only added fuel to the blazing fire inside him. On a fateful the two battled it out, which could have ended up things bad for them. Thankfully, All Might intervened during their clash and put an end to their growing problem at the right time.
Instead of letting Bakugo’s insecurity take control of him, he advised Bakugo to inspire each other with their rivalry instead of hurting each other over it. Upon venting out his frustrations that he had bottled up all this time, Bakugo set out on the right path to redemption from then on.
Katsuki Bakugo’s Apology to Izuku in MHA
The first step in Bakugo’s redemption was his acknowledgment of the guilt built up over the years and truly regretting his actions against Izuku. It was evident when he went to extreme lengths to save Izuku in their battle against Tomura in the Paranormal Liberation War arc. And the real change happened in the Dark Hero arc when Bakugo finally apologized to Deku directly for the first time in the series.
“You know, I always looked down on you because you were quirkless. You were supposed to be beneath me, but I kept feeling like you were above me. I hated it, I couldn’t bear to look at you. I couldn’t accept the way you were. So I kept you at arm’s length and bullied you. I tried to act all superior by rejecting you, but I kept losing that fight. Ever since we got into U.A., nothing’s worked out how I thought it would. Instead, this past year has forced me to understand your strength and my weakness.”
Now I don’t expect this to change a thing between us, but I got to speak my truth, Izuku. I’m sorry for everything.
When Deku was so fixated on doing everything on his own, Bakugo was the first person to remind him that they were all in this together. Since then, the two began to do what All Might wanted to see, which was to push each other to become better heroes. Having a good rivalry, Bakugo (who dreamed if he could go up to the level of Izuku) was the one who gave the final blow to All For One and defeated him in the final war.
Deku and Bakugo Become Good Friends Later in Life
Following their victory against the villains in the final war, Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo becomes good friends and rivals that they couldn’t have been before. In case you aren’t aware, Deku had to sacrifice his One For All to defeat Tomura Shigaraki, and Bakugo is the first person to be deeply affected by this news, as his dream of rivaling him is shattered.
When Deku becomes quirkless again after eight years, Bakugo stands up to help his friend by funding a mechanical suit, which allows Deku to become a hero again, similar to All Might’s armor. Deku and Bakugo’s friendship became much evident in the final epilogue chapter, where Bakugo advises Izuku on life, like how a real brother would.
At first, he even invites Izuku to join his hero agency, but the latter kindly rejects, as he wants to keep teaching young heroes. Then, Bakugo remarks that it is high time Deku starts prioritizing himself, as he has always put others before himself. In addition, Bakugo also encourages Izuku to get in touch with his special person, Ochaco Uraraka.
Though Deku and Bakugo started on the wrong foot, Horikoshi sensei meticulously fleshed out an incredible friendship and rivalry drama between the two. Thus, Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo do become friends later in life at the end of the My Hero Academia series.
That said, what is your moment between Deku and Bakugo in MHA? Let us know in the comments below.
Yes! Bakugo always had a respect for Deku previously, and he began to show it in the final arcs of MHA.
Bakugo indeed stopped bullying Deku once they fought it out, and after he took All Might’s advice seriously.
Bakugo has a deep respect and admiration for Deku, which pushes him to become a better hero.
