Decoding the Connection between Kudo and Bakugo in My Hero Academia

Decoding the Connection between Kudo and Bakugo in My Hero Academia

Unraveling the intriguing ties between Katsuki Bakugo and Kudo of My Hero Academia as the series intensifies with a potentially climactic battle against All for One Delve into the validity of Bakugo's triumph and explore captivating final musings

My Hero Academia is currently centered on what may be one of the series' ultimate showdowns: Katsuki Bakugo vs All for One. Author Kohei Horikoshi continues to deliver incredible artwork, but there is no denying that this battle has sparked a range of opinions and questions. One prevailing question is the potential connection between Bakugo and Kudo, the second One for All user.

In a recent chapter of the My Hero Academia manga, All for One mentioned how Bakugo reminded him of Kudo, the second One for All user and the man who took Yoichi, his younger brother, away from him.

Fans have theorized a possible connection between Katsuki and Kudo after the villain pointed out their similar expressions in the series. Please note that this article contains spoilers for My Hero Academia.

Explaining the connections between Katsuki Bakugo and Kudo in My Hero Academia

When All Might was believed to be facing death at the hands of All for One, Katsuki Bakugo intervened, triggering a Quirk awakening and confronting the villain. This led My Hero Academia author Kohei Horikoshi to delve into the series' lore, revealing the origin story of All for One. The exploration connected to all the One for All users, starting with his brother, Yoichi, and their upbringing. Of note was the attention drawn to the similarities between Bakugo and the second One for All user, Kudo, in their appearance, expressions, and capacity to incite the same anger within All for One. It was also revealed that All for One viewed Kudo as responsible for taking Yoichi away from him, seeing his brother as his possession.

The validity of Bakugo defeating All for One

However, in chapter 408 of the manga, Horikoshi asserts through All for One that Bakugo cannot be related to Kudo because he eliminated all of Kudo's relatives. Therefore, any perceived similarity or connection between the two characters is purely symbolic and tied to the thematic exploration of inherited will that Horikoshi aims to convey in this manga.

Decoding the Connection between Kudo and Bakugo in My Hero Academia

Recent chapters of the manga feature Bakugo (Image via Shueisha).

The latest arc of My Hero Academia has sparked debate among fans due to the absence of character deaths, the handling of certain plot points, and the off-screen nature of Deku and Tomura Shigaraki's battle. However, perhaps the most contentious aspect of the arc is the intense showdown between Bakugo and All for One.

Katsuki Bakugo was revived by a drop of sweat that kick-started his heart, not by Edgeshot as fans had assumed. Despite being gravely wounded by Shigaraki, Bakugo experienced a Quirk awakening and became strong enough to pose a problem for All for One, a development that feels somewhat forced.

It is now up to Kohei Horikoshi to demonstrate whether he can properly resolve this fight and give it the ending it deserves. Fans have valid reasons to be concerned, as Bakugo was already a divisive character in different parts of the fandom, and this latest development is likely to add to the controversy.

Final thoughts

Katsuki Bakugo and Kudo, the second One for All user in the My Hero Academia series, do not share any familial connection. Their link is purely symbolic. Nevertheless, they both incite similar feelings of anger and frustration within All for One, leading him to compare Katsuki to Kudo.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am intrigued by the potential connection between Katsuki Bakugo and Kudo in My Hero Academia. The series has been building up to this climactic battle against All for One, and the revelation of Bakugo's resemblance to Kudo adds an interesting layer of complexity to the story. I appreciate how Horikoshi is exploring the lore of the series and connecting the different One for All users. However, I do have some concerns about the recent developments in the manga. The absence of character deaths, the handling of certain plot points, and the off-screen nature of Deku and Tomura Shigaraki's battle have left me feeling a bit disappointed. I hope that Horikoshi can properly resolve these issues and give the series the ending it deserves.

Overall, I am enjoying the current arc of My Hero Academia and am excited to see how the battle between Bakugo and All for One unfolds. I am also curious to learn more about the connection between Bakugo and Kudo and how it will impact the story going forward.