My Hero Academia is one of the most celebrated shonen anime to come out in recent times. While it doesn’t have the same following as the seasonal heavy hitters like Jujutsu Kaisen or Demon Slayer, it has its place in the hearts of shonen fans.
Bakugo is a nuanced character. One of his biggest faults is his brash attitude and lack of care for others around him. This directly led to him bullying Midoriya in his early years. However, the show develops his character so compellingly that it’s hard not to root for him. To prove that he really has changed for the better, here’s a list of all the times he stood up for Deku, even though he used to bully him before.
8 Episode 37: Blow Deku Away
During the first term final exams, students are pitted against their teachers in a mock battle. Since Bakugo and Deku are the top performers in their class, they have to fight against All Might, posing as a villain. The fight isn’t even close; they get understandably demolished by All Might even though he is severely holding back. Seeing that he is one of the strongest heroes in anime, that isn’t surprising.
However, the two friends get closer because of the massive obstacle they must overcome and work together to win the test. Although hesitant at first, Bakugo ends up believing in Midoriya and launches him forward, sacrificing himself to hold back All Might so that Deku can secure the win. However, being the selfless person that he is, Midoriya comes back to save Bakugo and bring him to the finish line alongside himself.
7 Episode 95: Worrying About Deku
During the second fight of the Joint Training arc, Midoriya unlocks a new aspect of his power which is apparent for everyone to see. This arouses suspicion in his classmates, who ask him if he has multiple quirts later on.
Afterward, Bakugo specifically comes over to scold him for being careless and not protecting his secret very well. He also expresses his concern over the well-being of Midoriya after recklessly using One For All.
6 Episode 61: Keeping The Secret
In the aftermath of the Hideout Raid arc, Bakugo challenges Midoriya to a fight that is considered one of the best Deku fights in the series. The two friends give it their all and express their frustrations and feelings. This helps the two move on to a new era of friendship and understanding.
Bakugo figures out the secret of One For All. Without being asked, he says that he won’t tell anyone for the sake of both All Might and Deku.
5 Episode 80: Motivation
After the devastating loss of Sir Nighteye during the Shie Hassaikai arc, Midoriya is seen in a generally downtrodden mood. His overall demeanor, while not drastically different, is much less muted than before. Other classmates, like Yuga, also notice this and do their best to cheer him up, with some success.
During their training for an ultimate move, Bakugo asks Deku about his progress and, in his own way, encourages him to keep up his hard work lest he is left behind.
4 Episode 56: Compliment
During the Provisional Exam arc, Bakugo starts giving hints that he has figured out Deku’s secret and his “borrowed power.” This isn’t surprising, all things considered. After all, Midoriya, in a rush of emotions, had confessed that he got his power from All Might in a previous episode. At that time, Bakugo dismissed it as a rhetorical passing on of powers, but he connected the dots after the speech made by All For One.
During this episode, Bakugo compliments Deku for making the borrowed power his own. On the one hand, that concerns Deku since his secret might be revealed. On the other hand, he can’t believe Bakugo complimented him, however offhand it may have been.
3 Episode 61: Claiming His Faults
Episode 61 is really a roller coaster of emotion for the young superhero. After his fight with Deku, he works out his differences with his childhood friends and progresses as a person.
Of course, he doesn’t instantly become a better human being; the change is gradual. However, this episode does mark an overt change in their relationship. Because of the fight, the two friends get into trouble. However, Bakugo owns up to his fault and says that he threw the first punch, saving Deku from getting into too much trouble.
2 Episode 46: Don’t Come
The League of Villains attacked the training USJ students and kidnapped Bakugo. Even when he is being carried through a portal to their hideout, with no hope of getting away himself, Bakugo tells Deku not to come for him because he doesn’t want him to take on more than he can handle.
This episode really cements Bakugo’s character. People reveal their deepest characteristics during times of stress, and this was no different. Of course, Midoriya completely ignores his statement and does his best to help anyway.
1 Episode 122: Saving Deku
The fight with Shigaraki is one of the best ones in the series. The best heroes in Japan are trying their best to put down one person, and they’re failing. During this fight, in one of the most critical moments, Shigaraki manages to get a clean shot at Midoriya.
Without thinking about it, Bakugo’s body moves and pushes Deku out of the way, getting hit himself in the process. It directly parallels the slime incident, showing how much the two friends care for each other. This is arguably one of the best Bakugo moments in the show.
