Is Bakugo projecting? Is Bakugo insecure about Midoriya's heroic strengths? Is Bakugo being an idiot? Yes, yes, and yes.
This isn't just an entertaining fight, but an emotionally powerful fight too. I mean, Midoriya is basically saying he looked up to Bakugo just like he looked up to All Might. While All Might was on TV or on the posters, Bakugo was in Midoriya's life, and it wasn't perfect but Midoriya still admired him.
Still kinda toxic though, lol. "You bullied me, but I kept chasing you with tears in my eyes, because you're amazing!" Midoriya needs therapy. They need to work a lot out before they can mend into a better friendship I think., but there is hope for them yet!
This is peak. This is what peak looks like.
Of course Deku is going to punch. He loves punching. Don't think this school-yard fight is worth using his busted arm though, but I guess it's to show that he is really giving it his all.
Man... you were mad that Deku might be better than you...now you're feeling negative about him losing to you... Unscramble your noggin, Bakugo, make up your mind.
All Might is here! Deku had the heart but not the power, and he deserved his shot. Bakugo already had a powerful quirk going for him. Now that I think about it, Bakugo probably also feels sore about the fact that the first time he met All Might was in a moment of weakness where he needed to be rescued.
This show has a knack for pulling tears out of my eye ducts, I swear. I don't usually cry so much watching anime.
I'm so happy he accepted the hug for a second. He needs it! Now Midoriya needs to get up and make it a group hug! GROUP HUG! GROUP HUG! GROUP HUG!
Okay, remember WAAAAYYYYYYYY back when I said to put a pin in what Mitsuki said when she blamed her son for All Might’s retirement? Welp, here’s that pin now. It’s true that there was nothing Bakugo could have done in a situation like that, but when his own mother, the woman who gave birth to him is saying something like that, how can he not resonate with it, replaying it in his head, over and over and over again? And if she was willing to tell him that, blame him for something that was 110% beyond his control, who knows what other ideas she may have put in his head, intentionally or not? I’m not saying she’s a bad mother, but she certainly isn’t a good one either, or at least, she’s not the mother that someone like Katsuki needed in that moment
I do remember! I can see where you're coming from. I think there may be some cultural difference at play with this too. There is a sentiment of 'not causing problems for others' that is pretty strong in some countries, Japan included. Bakugo's independence and lack of social grace would be viewed as him causing trouble for his community (in this case it manifests as All Might losing his powers). Mom-kugo is matching a wider cultural feeling that Bakugo's solo attitude invites problems to the group, and so he needs to 'shape-up and stop causing issues with his attitude'.
I agree that this is harmful in context to his kidnapping (I mean, what happened to him was wild). Of course it isn't Bakugo's fault, and no matter how he acts or what his attitude is, it isn't on him that he was kidnapped. All Might was going to lose his powers in a matter of time. I do think this was Mom-kugo making a big parenting mistake, but I wouldn't say that it makes her an overall bad parent either. I want to see more of her!
Baby Salad... this is Bakugo we are talking about... of course it is going to end in a fight.
Is Bakugo saying he beat Deku up, because he was clingy? lol. I love flashbacks to when they were little kids. They look so cute but their dynamic was so messed up even then.
See, it's the view that people are inferior to him just because of his powerful quirk that has put him in this psychological pretzel to begin with. If he didn't think 'best quirk = higher value as a person' he wouldn't be breaking down over Deku.
Oh. Okay, that is heartbreaking. This is just a kid who has been through some crazy shit, and is taking the fault onto his own shoulders.
And it comes back to strength with Bakugo, but there was no way for him to be stronger than the League or than AFO. That's such a harsh standard to put on himself, and since that's an extremely high-bar to clear he feels helpless (and is lashing out at Deku).
I mean, it's sweet that Deku is willing to meet Bakugo where he is at and speak his language (with fists), but... I hope he knows it isn't actually his job to accept Bakugo lashing out at him all the time.
Good, but do you know you don't even have to fight at all?... Like... what would Bakugo even do if Deku walked away right now? I guess Deku is just down for beating each other up just to let Bakugo vent his emotions, but let's get Bakugo a stress ball instead, maybe?
There's no talking with a guy whose main strategy of dealing with emotion is to default to competition, and fights you to satiate his inferiority complex, Little Salad. But Bakugo opening up a crack and admitting to some of his vulnerabilities here is a nice step forward.
Oooo, one on one time with Potato Daddy, lets gooo!
At least he's honest and self-aware about it?
This is a cool visual. Thank you to who ever came up with this shot. These two are flip mirror images of each other. It's the idea that super heroes can't exist without their counterpart villains and vice versa.
I love how much AFO uses psychology. It's so physically powerful, but his real weapon of choice is talking major shit. Using - now you're weak and everyone who relied on you is going to suffer, and that is all your fault - is so saucy evil.
I love how Tiny Might is wearing his big hero costume to talk to AFO like he is ready for battle even now.
Unfortunately, I find this level of pettiness extremely funny.
Jokes on AFO, the taunting only makes All Might more determined!
This motherfucker's already got a plan of escape, doesn't he?
OH MY GOD, IT'S HAPPENING!
Bakugo, you can't just call people pebbles.... His main character syndrome is too strong. I really hope he figures out that he doesn't have to be #1 to have worth soon. It's hard to watch him be awful to people, but also sad to watch him limit his own view of his value too.
Why does it look like he is spreading his ass cheeks as he bows?
Were these realizations worth almost setting a guy on fire? Sero and Mina in the background just watching these dingus's interact, lol.
This is the funniest possible thing that could have happened to Bakugo. I love that Horikoshi made the two students with the most overpowered quirks fail this test due to low social-emotional skills. It makes the characters feel balanced with both strengths and flaws.
Look at our little broccolini growing up! He'll be a fully grown broccoli before we know it. I'm so proud!
Mom and All Might....like Mom and Dad...now I'm the one who is crying.
Ok...that is so unnecessary to add? Is this guy trying to win Olympic gold for petty grudge holding? Brother, Todoroki didn't even remember who you were...move on.
This reveal had me shook up, not gonna lie. I thought 'this girl is kinda weird', but I did not see Toga coming. It puts all if the 'let's sexually harass Izuku' behavior in a brand new light...downright criminal activity.
Yikes. I don't even want to know what she is going to do with that. This might be an odd thought, but does Toga's quirk protect her from blood-borne illness? Wouldn't that be a concern?
This is the worst possible way you could have tried to make friends, Inasa...but there is no way he could know the baggage behind that little sentence.
Shoto is tunnel-visioned in his anger and Inasa is disGUSTED! He is such a 'life is full of joy and passion' type of kid his mind is being blown by someone looking grumpy and telling him to shut up. What he doesn't know is that he pushed Todoroki's trauma button.
He kind of reminds me of people who have lived charmed and sheltered lives, so they can't wrap their heads around people who aren't greeting everyday happy like they do.
PTSD can make you forgetful. It's just the mental illness, baby.
I mean...you CAN...but it will manifest as panic attacks in your 30s so...I don't recommend it.
Gang Orca NO! Gang Orca put baby DOWN! Bad Orca!
A petty hater? Yeah...go back to loving bugs man. It's a simpler life.
The parallels! They are very opposite characters, but they have both been sucked into hatred by their contact with Endeavor (one obviously more seriously than the other). They also both have the strength of character to become self-aware of their flaws and work to fix them.
RISE SHOTO, RISE, INASA, RIIISE! Make up for your dingus mistakes!
Sick. See kids, if you put your differences aside, you too can defeat an Orca with a spiraling fire tornado. That's the lesson of today's episode.
Deku is the one who really held down the fort here though. It might have been a total disaster without him. Imagine if Shoto and Inasa had actually hit that other guy with the fire before Deku rescued him? LAWSUIT!
Behold! The power of SCIENCE! It also kind of shows how their quirks could work well together in a different context, but because they are both haters at the moment they are feeding each other's worst tendencies instead.
You and me both, Gang Orca, you and me both. Public arguments are embarrassing, let alone, during a test!
Hitting his wife...making his son puke by training him too hard...slapping things out of random kids hands...
At first I was like, Inasa is just mad he didn't get an autograph...that's not such a big deal, BUT Endeavor's casual aggression to this random kid is a small part of the bigger problem of his entire personality.
It's less about the autograph and more about Endeavor's entire demeanor being off. Inasa met him and saw that those were not the eyes of a hero.
Ok...so Inasa wasn't holding that bad experience with Endeavor against Shoto at first. It seems like he was trying to be friendly until Shoto gave him the cold shoulder, or you could say he iced him out, or maybe he left Inasa out in the cold...ok, ok, I'll stop.
Ouch, Inasa, do you need some ice for that burn? I'm so sorry I promise I will stop for real now. It is honestly sad that Shoto is getting lumped into Endeavor's asshole reputation when Shoto's lack of social grace is a result of Endeavor's assholery.
It is like 'wow this kid is an asshole just like his dad!', but what Inasa doesn't know is that Shoto only comes across like that due to trauma and saying 'he's just like his dad' is so presumptuous about a family he doesn't know.
Tell him, Todoroki.
Deku told him 'It's your power not his', but that doesn't make all the difficulty fade out of Shoto's life instantly. Shoto is still coming up against his dad's famous reputation, and trying to establish his own separate identity from that.
It is totally natural to hate your abuser. That emotion is valid and okay, but it looks like Shoto feels like he needs to remove himself from that hatred to become his own person. To not be defined by it. That's valid and okay too. I'm rooting for him!
Haha, Izuku is out here screaming 'priorities people!' I don't know, I think Shoto is making a breakthrough about himself that will lead to growth, and while a test is not the best timing, it is ultimately a positive for him.
Everybody knew a 'bug kid' at school. Those goofy kids that would run up and tell you to close your eyes and stick your hand out then put a WORM in your hand.
It is interesting how Inasa see's both Endeavor's and Shoto's eyes and identifies their look as 'hatred' when the truth is that both of them have a singular focus on a seemingly impossible goal. More than hate, it's blocking everything around you out in the pursuit of something greater, and that making them careless to the feelings of people around them (Endeavor to a much worse extent, obvs).
Endeavor is so focused on the goal of out-doing All Might he has hurt people. Shoto is so focused on the goal of shunning his Dad by becoming a hero only using his mother's quirk that he has been rude. Shoto didn't realize that that single-mindedness was something he was emulating from his Dad, so he still needs to work through it all to become a better hero.
It is also interesting that we see this 'hateful' energy that emanates from Endeavor has spread. It has spread to his son who has the same cold look in his eyes as him, and it spread (from just one bad meeting) to this random kid too. Inasa, who loved everything, and was passionate and cheerful about everything, now has an object of hatred for the first time. It's very well-woven writing!
Imagine your house collapses in a natural disaster, scared, and probably hungry. Surrounded by rubble and devastation hoping a hero will appear. Then you hear an angry Chihuahua barking 'save yourselves, losers!' Our young hero, everybody.
Kirishima and Kaminari are so embarrassed. They can't take him anywhere, honestly.
I love when the show reminds us that, underneath the volcanic personality, Bakugo is a smart strategic thinker.
Help. This is what my paralysis demon looks like.
It seems like Izuku is doing a bit better with smiling and being a calm and comforting presence. I wonder if this crisis actor is actually young or is older and just short?
So there is a ranking for scary looking heroes...that's kind of insulting? Are they going to do a ranking of the ugliest heroes next?
I just realized that he is kinda dressed like a college professor...the sweater vest? No disrespect, Gang Orca is badass!
I am experiencing some whiplash from the first half of season 3 being such an adrenaline rush with the plot and action, and now going back into school classes with much lower stakes. The episodes are still fun though.
Are these...crisis actors? Why is he wearing his headphones like a beard? The fake baby is crazy.
He is so blunt, lol.
Speaking of blunt, holy shit! At least he's an honest and open communicator, I guess.
This guy is making a lot of assumptions about someone he doesn't know at all. What are 'your eyes are the same' even supposed to mean...that's just genetics...
Uh-oh, 10 points from Gryffindor, Izuku!
Points are being made. 'That looks bad' is really dropping the ball if you want to be a professional hero.
Izuku, you look insane. I love that the protag of our story isn't just flawlessly perfect at everything, and has to really work on himself.
And Uraraka is inspired by his work ethic to do her best too. I love how much this show is about how people inspire each other in little ways, and how that dominoes into everyone being a better hero than they were by themselves.
It is a little sad that she feels like she has to push down her personal feelings to focus on her hero work though. It is like she thinks she has to separate her emotions from her goals, but I think it's possible to balance both if she tries!
I like how this show emphasizes how you can achieve your dreams, but you have to back it up with action. Deku doesn't just get handed OFA and all his dreams just immediately come true, no, he has to work with all his effort to keep earning his dream.
This is true for all of the characters in their own way. 'My actions are also the shape of my dream', is a great way to put it.
Aoyama too! He may be a silly guy with a kinda ridiculous quirk, but he is working 'actions' into his dream too.
I also love how all the 1A kids are constantly inspiring each other. Aizawa just talked about Deku and Bakugo inspiring everyone, but here we see Iida being inspirational too.
Did he-Did he just-Did Bakugo just say something...not rude to Midoriya? I wouldn't call it a compliment. It's just kinda neutral? Either way, I'm calling it progress!
He can't believe what just happened. Bakugo not being rude to him is like seeing snow fall in July. A miracle. Don't let your guard down Deku. Bakugo is still a yappy asshole.
What can I say, baby baguette, kids your age don't usually wear ruffled shirts.
Why can I hear ABBA in the distance?
I was not expecting the self-sacrifice play from Aoyama. Looking at these screenshots next to each other it hit me that both Iida and Aoyama are wearing armor.
Aoyama is more of a traditional European and Iida is a little more mech suit, but Iida suit still looks like a knight, so this is like an interaction between two knights.
It seems like Aoyama is really taking Iida's words to heart.
BIIIIIIIRRRRDSSSSS!!!
Aoyama thought he was sacrificing himself, but he ended up being a beacon that lead the class to pulling a head!
But I really just wanted an excuse to include a picture of Mina, there is not enough Mina, look how happy and dorky she is giving a thumbs up.
Aww, he was acting all tough in front of Ms. Joke, but of course internally this class trying to pass these tests has got him feeling like -
Ugh, he has piles of bodies lying around you like play dough rejects (I like the purple hair though). He really likes lecturing them doesn't he?
I guess this guy cares about public appearances and looking dignified. A very natural enemy for raging Pomeranian Bakugo.
What a gross little meatball. Somebody take a picture quick and put it in the UA yearbook.
Okaaay...kinda sadistic. Does this mean they are in constant pain from their bodies being made into goop, or only if they get kicked or hit that they will feel it, or both? Either way, boots off Kirishima!
It is rare to see our resident Pikachu with such a serious expression on his face. This is your moment Kaminari!
Why does this guy talk like he is their Dad? Better have good manners in public, sons. Reflect on the consequences of your actions, sons.
I'm loving this spotlight for Kaminari. The way he fights is super smart too, which shows he can be more than the goofball he usually is when things get serious.
"Sir", lol.
"Unhand my besties, sir! Their vulgar manners doth offend thee, however they are true knights in training!!!"
Jokes aside this is really sweet. Kaminari is basically outlining why he has chosen to be friends with these two. He sees how hard Bakugo is trying and knows that Kirishima is a pure good guy. It is great for Kaminari to have a chance to have their backs.
And now they are going to back him up too! This is going to be a world of pain for Sir Talks-A-Lot.
Tsu hibernates when it gets too cold? That is adorable. Someone get her a heated blanket quick.
Me whenever someone is blasting the worst music from their car...
This is my worst nightmare. The tiny little fingers...someone free my boy Kirishima please.
The lumps of flesh. It is like some kind of Mr. Potato Head catastrophe. I get the feeling that Horikoshi is into body horror.
You and me both, Kaminari, you and me both. Relatable king.
Bakugo for all his rage demon tendencies has really grown on me. It went from: This guy is obnoxious, to this guy is obnoxious but funny, to this guy is obnoxious but now it's weirdly endearing.
It helps that his hot sauce energy is being aimed at an even more annoying target at the moment.
Aizawa is always worried about his dingus kids, but his confidence in them outweighs his worries. I mean, this is a class of kids he has fought alongside in real battles more than once. These other schools don't know what they are dealing with with class 1A!
Calling out the double trouble GOATS. Also, close up of his cute scar.
That is an interesting point that I haven't thought of before. Neither Deku or Bakugo are popular or traditional leaders. Both of them have social hang ups. Deku with his timidity and nerdiness and Bakugo with his volcanic personality.
Their drive is undeniable though and passion is infectious. When you see someone who is deeply motivated it moves you to want to step up too.
It is impossible not to fall for them considering what they have been through and how wholesome they have remained while surviving it. It's kind of like Aizawa falling for the class mirrors the audience also getting to them and falling for them while watching the show.
Proud father of the year. I love how Ms. Joke kind of says 'you've fallen for them' with a little bit of sarcasm and Aizawa just responds with essentially: damn right I have.
Ok, but this is a cute picture of them. This is the kind of picture you could cut in half and put in matching lockets, lol.
What in the ever loving hell is going on here? I did not sign up for body horror when I started this show (she's still cute though).
Is he the Energizer Bunny?
Dayum, he is powerful. He has to have a lot of control too considering unleashing a wind storm would be disastrous if he wasn't cautious. Also, his cloak is majestic.
Hello to another new character. She looks like she belongs on a beach and wears flip-flops everyday.
Um...personal space please?
Why is she kind of scary? The people from this other school are all intense in some way.
Oooh noooo, Green Bean danger alert! Green Bean look behind you! Fake-Uraraka is going to touch you with her ball!
Is it just me or are there an unusual number of girl characters that have to be naked or exposed in some way in order to use their quirks? First Momo has to have her booba out, then Invisible Girl has to have her clothes off, and now this girl too...kinda obviously pervy of Horikoshi.
I think it is also supposed to be funny, but I just feel bad for Deku being put in this extremely awkward situation.
Haha, his face. They should come up with secret password questions to ask each other just in case of situations like this.
How does the new girls quirk work exactly? She confused me. Did we see her even meet Uraraka before? Did she pick her to turn into because she saw the Sports Festival?
I love MHA but even with a story I love I think it is healthy to still think critically about it. This show has a problem with lots of 'sexual harassment as a joke' humor. While it is realistic for the teen characters to react this way, there is an older author who should know better who is writing this into his story intentionally, and that is the issue.
It is directly called a 'molester's quirk' in the show itself, so there is some self-awareness about the situation at hand, but it is presented to the audience as something to just laugh over and not take seriously. It is easy to call out when it is Mineta bothering the girls, but it is just as wrong here.
Uh-oh...Todoroki is about to fight low-rent Power Rangers? They must be pretty scared of him to go after him with such a big group.
Tsu's HAIR!!! The huge bow looks like a water fountain on top of her head.
Oooo guuurl you have a crush.
Poor Uraraka. She is so career focused she is shoving her emotions down. Meanwhile, Mina is all - I will talk about romance if it is the last thing I do.
Well, this guy is...intense.
His expression is like a cat being forced to interact with a puppy it wants nothing to do with.
And this is the puppy.
Why is Aizawa so perfect as everybody's comedy duo partner? Aizawa and Present Mic are a comedy duo...Aizawa and All Might are a comedy duo...and yet again Aizawa and Ms. Goofy right here are a comedy duo. This is what he gets for being such a serious guy.
Have you heard of personal space, sir?
Lots of new characters being introduced this episode. There are already so many characters in MHA. Please, don't tell me I need to remember all of these people, my brain is already full.
Rude but I get it. The guy from the other school was laying it on a little too thick. There is friendly and then there is over-friendly.
Maybe I'm too grumpy myself, but...she isn't very funny. But the annoying puppy poking the cantankerous cat is entertaining enough.
Classic tough love approach. Let them face the pressure in school so when they are under real danger they can handle it.
Impeccable logic. Just run with your arms, ok, will do. I wonder why her gloves have one uncovered finger?
She's a maniac in the best way. This show really emphasizes work ethic doesn't it?
If one invention fails she can just invent 10 more things. Learning from what fails is probably how she fine tunes everything.
Midoriya knows all about innovation, because he is high-key a tactical wonder brain. It's all of the green vegetables he eats. The intelligence sprouts from the top of his head.
...no...oh no..no,no,no this show did NOT just make Mineta say something I AGREE with. I never want to agree with Mineta on anything especially not on costume fashion. The kid walks around wearing a bowl that looks like a diaper. But he is...right.
Listen, I know it is SO sweet that Inko made the costume and it has sentimental meaning, but Midoriya really needs a better costume. At least he isn't wearing that horrifying hood anymore. Small blessings.
Oh shit it's a ROCK! It is kind of sad to think of All Might as vulnerable now. He can't even protect himself from a rock.
What. Kicking? Using legs instead of breaking his fingers twice over??? Wooow. This is a monumental day. The day Midoriya remembered he has feet.
Ok, that's a cool name. Now I kinda wish Midoriya would kick me just so I could see him being cool in person.