WARNING: The following contains spoilers for My Hero Academia Chapter #319 by Kohei Horikoshi, Caleb Cook and John Hunt, available now in English from Viz Media.
My Hero Academia isn't just about the traditional shonen quest to overcome impossible odds and become the strongest. Izuku Midoriya understands he also needs loyal friends and intense rivalries to push him further and unlock his potential, and his #1 rival is his childhood friend, Katsuki Bakugo. Their relationship has been rough, but fruitful.
These boys got along great in preschool but their paths began to diverge, only to come together once again at the U.A. school as classmates. Since then, Izuku and Bakugo have shared some essential moments that revealed who they are and what they are to each other in My Hero Academia.
When Izuku Was Diagnosed As Quirkless
In MHA's world, nearly everyone has superpowered Quirks which are only growing stronger with each passing generation. A young Bakugo was delighted to manifest his Explosion Quirk, but his friend Izuku didn't have one at all. Bakugo began to look down on his friend, seeing him as an unworthy rival or equal. Even at this young age, he felt he needed to move on, and Izuku was hurt. This did not end their friendship, however, as Izuku was determined to see Bakugo as a peer and rival. Bakugo's contempt for him deepened, and this attitude persisted when both boys enrolled at U.A.
When Izuku Declared Himself Bakugo's Rival & Equal
Early in My Hero Academia, every student of Class 1-A took part in a series of mock battles, pitting teams of two against one another. While Izuku's teammate Ochaco Uraraka faced Bakugo's teammate Tenya Iida, the rivals themselves faced off in an intense duel. Izuku reflected on their recent history, admitting to himself that he'd been frightened of Bakugo's fierce temper and powerful Quirk -- but no longer.
He was done being tossed around, professing to use One For All and his newfound conviction to face his rival and friend at full power, then astonished everyone by achieving victory for his team. Now the boys had a proper rivalry, and Izuku said as much. Bakugo, shaken by the loss, realized he must start taking "Deku" more seriously.
When Izuku & Bakugo Fought All Might Together
Izuku and Bakugo once fought together against All Might himself, but they didn't act like teammates at first. Bakugo saw Izuku as irrelevant dead weight, an attitude that cost him during the fight. Izuku insisted they become a proper team, so Bakugo had to re-evaluate what was most important: winning on his own selfish terms, or proving himself to All Might by winning at any cost. Izuku's words finally got through, and they formed a united front against My Hero Academia's top hero to achieve a narrow and painful victory. This was Bakugo's first step toward recognizing Izuku as a true rival and peer, though there was work left to be done.
When Bakugo Fought Izuku & Learned The Truth Of One For All
As MHA continued, Izuku kept making progress with One For All and was soon a frontrunner in Class 1-A to become a true Pro Hero one day. Then Bakugo got captured by the League of Villains, forcing All Might to spend the last of his energy to save him which left his young admirer with terrible guilt. One night, Bakugo confronted Izuku on U.A.'s campus grounds and vented his envy and guilt in an intense duel.
Bakugo narrowly won, but he wouldn't properly process these bitter feelings until All Might arrived and divulged the truth about himself and One For All. In light of this, Bakugo resolved to finally become Izuku's true rival and equal, channeling his ferocity in a more constructive manner. They also became slightly closer allies, and Bakugo can now compete with Izuku with a clear mind.
When Bakugo Tried To Save Izuku From Himself
In the most recent chapters of the My Hero Academia manga, Izuku has gone off on his own to fight all the villains and save the world by himself, and not even All Might can help him. His classmates are deeply concerned, and Bakugo spoke for all of them when he asked Izuku an important question: are you wearing a dazzling, heroic smile? Izuku isn't, and at this rate, he might lose himself and become a tireless berserker. Bakugo can't stand to see his rival -- and All Might's heir -- get swallowed up in darkness.
For Izuku's and the world's sake, Bakugo is ready to snap him out of this violent trance and bring him back to the light. This ongoing clash in the manga is sure to have a dramatic and exciting conclusion, and it proves just how much Bakugo has learned to care for and respect his top rival. When all this is over, Izuku may find a chance to express gratitude to his childhood friend.
