Remember our discussion on how this scene is about Katsuki coming to terms with Izuku’s weaknesses, not his own?
Katsuki already acknowledged his own weaknesses after Deku vs Kacchan 1. He stopped looking down on his classmates a long time ago, and we know that. That’s how he’s able to defeat Monoma in the cavalry battle and Uraraka and Todoroki and everyone else in the tournament. His friendship with Kirishima is proof that he can build equal relationships with his classmates.
So do you really think this little kid is supposed to represent a younger Katsuki?
Katsuki‘s advice in this scene is heart-warming for the audience because he hasn’t put words to it before. It’s nice for him to say out loud something like this just to confirm that he knows this truth.
But his words here aren’t the character development he gained from Deku vs Kacchan 2. That part of Katsuki’s development is showcased through his actions, not his words.
Katsuki is reaching out instead of keeping to himself. Katsuki is speaking from the heart to earn trust. He’s trying to save people.
So how is that kid Izuku?
Well, why don’t you tell me what his quirk is.
That’s because he never uses his quirk. We don’t even know if he has one.
All the kids in that class attack the remedial student heroes except this kid, who is somehow their leader. The kid even scoffs at the notion of violence when Katsuki suggests combat. All the other kids are down to fight heroes, but this kid acts like he’s better than all that.
Refusing to use his quirk? Avoiding direct combat? Looking down on everyone else?
Sounds an awful lot like what Katsuki accused of Izuku in Deku vs Kacchan 1.
That’s right, this kid is giving us Katsuki’s perspective on who Izuku is. So then, why would Katsuki want to tell Izuku, “If you keep looking down on everyone, then you won’t notice your own weaknesses”?
Because accepting weakness is how to get stronger.
Izuku can say as many times as he likes that he doesn’t look down on Katsuki, but why should Katsuki believe him? Izuku’s actions don’t always match his words.
Whose fault is it in the practical exam that the two are incapable of teamwork?
The anime cuts out this moment where Izuku realizes Katsuki somehow knows All Might’s weakness. From the beginning, Katsuki has the correct strategy for dealing with All Might, but Izuku doesn’t acknowledge it. Even worse, Izuku gives no good reason why they should run away. All he says is basically, “Kacchan, you can’t defeat All Might.”
And he’s wrong, as they go on to prove.
They’re not able to work as a team until Izuku admits his weakness, that he can’t think of a way to win. At the same time, he admits Katsuki’s strength, that Katsuki can think of a way to win.
Izuku does look down on Katsuki sometimes. The mistake Katsuki makes is assuming Izuku is doing so consciously, because Izuku never says the other part out loud, not in a way that acknowledges his admiration of Katsuki without looking down on him…
…until Deku vs Kacchan 2.
And suddenly Katsuki realizes Izuku has the same problem Katsuki himself once did: Izuku hasn’t noticed his own weaknesses.
If Deku vs Kacchan 1 teaches Katsuki how to acknowledge his own weaknesses, then Deku vs Kacchan 2 is when he learns to accept weakness, be it in himself or in others.
Going back to our discussion, I concluded with Katsuki’s strategy for victory:
[Katsuki] hasn’t heard what he wanted, but he accepts that he has to grow stronger in order to prepare for when the OFA secret gets out. He’ll follow All Might’s advice and do what he has to do to be ready, and he’ll hold Izuku to the same standard. When the time comes, Izuku cannot lose.
He’ll grow. He’ll get stronger. He’ll take All Might’s advice to heart and become the ultimate hero who wins and saves. He’s planning their victory strategy, and he’s making sure they’ll be ready.
If there’s one thing Katsuki’s a genius at, it’s victory.
If Kastuki is a potential weakness for Izuku because he knows the secret of OFA, then anyone else who learns the secret could also become a weakness. Even if Katsuki becomes strong enough to take care of himself, Izuku is still vulnerable via All Might or anyone else who knows about OFA.
All Might was unable to protect Katsuki in the Kamino Ward arc, and that led to his downfall. If Katsuki wants to surpass All Might and Izuku, he has to make sure Izuku doesn’t meet the same end, and he has to do what All Might couldn’t.
Katsuki has to be strong enough to protect anyone else who could be used against Izuku.
(the last third of the post is under the cut due to manga spoilers)
