Bakugo acts as the deuteragonist of My Hero Academia and a foil to the protagonist Izuku Midoriya, his childhood friend and rival. Initially introduced as a barbaric, delinquent type of character, Bakugo gets some of the best character development by gradually becoming more heroic. Once Bakugo lets his guard down a little, he's able to build real friendships with his classmates.
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Granted, Bakugo doesn't completely let go of his hotheadedness, but his maturity ends up making some of his unsavory traits more endearing. His hostile front and moments of vulnerability have made fans embrace him almost as a classic tsundere character. Indeed, Bakugo's character and softer moments make him almost as cute as Izuku.
10 Bakugo Was An Endearing Rascal As A Child
Flashbacks show that when Bakugo was a child, he was quite the cutie pie and much sweeter than he is today. He used to get along with Izuku as they would play together, and their friendship was much more stable. Although he still had a sense of pride even as a tyke, he wasn't arrogant yet.
Bakugo was much harder to anger and actually spent time with other kids his age. His open admiration for All Might as a boy was especially adorable to see. Although he hasn't changed much, it can't be denied that Bakugo was a cute kid.
9 The First Time Bakugo Smiles Is Nice To See
There are plenty of happy-go-lucky characters in My Hero Academia with infectious smiles. However, some are considerably not as upbeat, especially the surly Bakugo. He can smirk and grin wickedly just fine, but he seldomly gives off a genuine smile.
The occasions where Bakugo does actually crack a smile are genuinely cute. Humorously enough, the first time he's seen smiling is when Izuku gets hit by Kota. Despite his clear schadenfreude, Bakugo actually looks approachable and endearing when he's not scowling.
8 Bakugo's Trust In Kirishima Means They're Best Friends
Bakugo hasn't had much luck with friends, nor does he seem interested in having any. He and Izuku's friendship was strained during their childhood, and his lackeys were purely sycophantic followers. Eijirou Kirishima is Bakugo's first true friend in a long time. While he doesn't always show it, it's clear that Bakugo grew to like the similarly passionate boy.
Bakugo has helped Kirishima study, paid him back money for the goggles he brought, and trusts him on a deeper level than anyone, as he accepted his hand when Kirishima and company rescued him. Their friendship is one of the most wholesome friendships in the series.
7 Bakugo Was Genuinely Happy To See Izuku & All Might Victorious
Bakugo and Midoriya's friendship turned into bitter enmity and then a rivalry. Midoriya is still cordial to Bakugo, even though the latter acts aggressively and sometimes cruelly to him. However, Bakugo has slowly learned to get along better with Midoriya.
Their shared respect for All Might and heroic dreams keep them together as they both try to follow in his footsteps. Bakugo might be mean to Midoriya, but he never wishes ill on him. In fact, Bakugo is capable of acknowledging his old friend when he improves. The way he smiles for him and All Might's victory against Wolfram in Two Heroes is a sweet sight to behold, especially when he turns away after Todoroki catches this sincere happiness.
6 Bakugo's Vulnerability After His Battle With Midoriya Is One Of The Manga's Strongest Moments
All Might's retirement after his battle against All For One was one of the darkest moments of the series. It impacted the entire world, especially his students and protegés: Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo. Although Midoriya's feelings about the ordeal were more transparent, Bakugo bottled up his true emotions up until he impulsively challenged Midoriya to a second fight.
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Rather than anything personal against Midoriya, it's more Bakugo's way of venting everything that's been troubling him to his old friend. At the end of their battle, Bakugo all but breaks down about his traumatic experience and the misplaced guilt he feels about All Might's retirement. It's Bakugo's most vulnerable moment to date, and fans everywhere wished to hug the poor boy. Thankfully, All Might was able to offer him the comfort that he needed.
5 The First Time Bakugo Laughs Is Oddly Charming
It's rare for Bakugo to sport a genuine smile, but it's even rarer to hear him laugh. Bakugo's serious and intense personality doesn't allow him to have much of a sense of humor. However, he can find things amusing, especially if it has to do with mocking his rivals, especially Midoriya and Todoroki.
Bakugo might have failed the Provisional License Exam, but remedials gave him the opportunity to work together with Todoroki, Inasa Yoarashi, and Camie Utsushimi. Camie's use of her quirk paints the stoic Todoroki in an over-the-top princely light that Bakugo can't help but find hilarious. He laughs for the first time despite trying to hold himself back. It's not only a funny moment — it's adorable to hear someone as prideful as Bakugo laugh for a change.
4 Bakugo Giving Good Advice To A Child Shows His Maturity
During the remedials, Bakugo has to "win the hearts" of unruly children who are worse than he used to be at that age. Although he considered violence as an option, he heeded the advice of his other allies to try a passive approach. Bakugo lightens up for a moment and even has a heart-to-heart with the ringleader of the children.
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Seeing himself in the child, Bakugo tells the boy not to look down on everyone so that way he won't grow up arrogant and unable to see his imperfections. Bakugo knows this from experience, and it's clear that his words move the young boy. Maturity is a good look for Bakugo, as it softens his features and shows how much he's learned so far.
3 Bakugo Had Real Fun With His Bandmates During The Culture Festival
When Class 1-A needed to come up with an attraction for their Culture Festival, Jirou suggested a band. And when they needed a drummer, Bakugo revealed to have impressive drumming skills. Initially, he refuses, but he does come around for the sake of his classmates.
Bakugo is as brash and prideful about it as ever, but he puts in real effort to make sure he and his class give the best performance. Bakugo even sports one of his rare smiles during the event, showing that he's actually having fun performing with his class. Even afterward, he's out having a genuinely good time with everyone.
2 Bakugo Learns To Team Up With Todoroki
In the beginning, Bakugo was abysmal at working with others. His cooperativeness ranking is even at a measly 1 out of 5 in the Plus Ultra Handbooks. However, he's been working on this flaw by making an effort to work with his allies, but the one he learns the most with is Todoroki.
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Although Todoroki often annoys Bakugo, Bakugo reluctantly ends up befriending him and becomes willing to work together with him. Best of all, Bakugo comes up with a much better resolution to be a hero who saves in order to win and works with other heroes to make that happen. All Might even gives him a pat on the head just to make the moment and Bakugo look cuter.
1 Bakugo's Concern For Midoriya Shows Just How Much He Truly Cares
Bakugo and Midoriya have come a long way since the beginning. Although Bakugo still acts like his usual self around Midoriya, he's a lot more considerate of him nowadays. He even takes the initiative to help him train and watch over him as he gets stronger with One For All.
In private, Bakugo confides to All Might about how he really feels about Midoriya. He reveals that his reason for helping the boy is an attempt to make up for how awful he treated him in the past. This is astounding self-awareness and one of his softest moments as Bakugo proves that he really does care about Midoriya and that he's become a much better person and hero.
NEXT: 10 Times Bakugo Stole The Show In My Hero Academia
