WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Season 5, Episode 13 of My Hero Academia, "Have A Merry Christmas!" now streaming on Crunchyroll, Funimation and Hulu.
Episode 13 of My Hero Academia Season 5 introduces the Endeavor Internship arc, as hero work-studies become a mandatory part of the students' schooling due to a rise in villain activity. Shoto Todoroki says he intends to learn from his father, the new #1 Pro Hero Endeavor. However, he invites both Katsuki Bakugo and Izuku Midoriya to have their work studies there as well. For Bakugo, this could be a great opportunity to learn from a fellow ignition-type Quirk user. But it could also be a potential disaster for his growth as a hero.
Bakugo and Endeavor have an awful lot in common. In romantic relationships, this can be a positive. But in a mentor-peer situation, it could have drastic consequences -- especially since the peer is sometimes unstable and prone to bouts of anger.
From their desire to be the #1 hero to their aggressive attitudes and ferocious temper, Bakugo and Endeavor are similar in a lot of ways. One big detail they share is their rivalry with a fellow hero -- Endeavor with All Might, and Bakugo with Deku. Their ambition to be the top Pro Hero pushes them beyond normal means to best those around them, including their biggest supporters. Bakugo and Endeavor also abuse the people who care about them, Deku and Shoto respectively. They take out their frustration in such similar ways, it would almost make sense for them to be father and son.
On the one hand, Bakugo could learn quite easily from Endeavor, even finding him easy to understand because he can empathize with his rough attitude. Both are trying to better themselves as people, so this mentorship could be an opportunity for them to give and receive fully without exploding into their worst selves.
On the flip side, these similarities could bring out the parts of themselves that they are currently trying to overcome. For example, if Endeavor starts to slip into an angry, irrational persona, teaching Bakugo would be difficult or nearly impossible. Bakugo would just pick up on Endeavor's temper and slip into his own frenzy, and at that point, it would be very hard to teach him anything. The similarities in their personalities could be a complete disaster, depending on how they handle the challenge.
My Hero Academia's Endeavor Internship arc will challenge Class 1-A's top three students to become better heroes. They will learn from the new and improved #1 Pro Hero who is on his own journey for betterment and growth. Bakugo is on a high note in his personal development, utilizing his new skills like teamwork and communication to more effectively take down villains and save citizens. The timing of this internship is delicate -- because Bakugo is still honing his growth, he could go either way, gaining immense skill or dissolving into the worst version of himself under Endeavor's influence.
Whether or not Bakugo collapses into his toxic habits is entirely up to his new level of discipline and respect for the job. Endeavor will certainly be challenged by him, maybe even a little unprepared to deal with someone of his aggressive and volatile mood. Either way, it will be an entertaining journey from start to finish. And if the risk is worth it, Bakugo will reap countless invaluable skills.
