Bakugou Apologized and I Have Some Constructive Criticism
So, I read the fan translation for Bakugou’s apology, and I figured I’d analyze it to the best of my ability. Well, not analyze, more like give my opinion on it.
I want to start off by saying that I’m not an anti. I’m I’m a stan either. I’m tagging this as both, though because I want to hear every side, and think about everyone’s opinions so that I can make sure mine is the best it can be.
Also yes, I know it’s fan translated and that the official will probably be different, but I wanted to have fun and do it anyway
Please note that this is my opinion. You are more than welcome(in fact encouraged) to tell about your own opinion in the replies, but please be respectful.
Everything I write here is to be read in the most respectful and kind tone. It’s how I was meaning for it to be read. I’m sorry if it doesn’t come off that way, but please know I am in no way trying to be rude with anything I say.
Now then, let’s get started.
First of all, he starts out with a bit of an insult “you were always far behind me” thats not true, but it’s Bakugou’s opinion. I’m not sure I like how he states it as fact. “You were always so far behind me.” Rather than “I used to think you were always so far behind me.” or “I thought you were so far behind me.”
Bakugou does, however, imply that him looking down on Izuku because of him being quirkless is wrong, and I think that’s awesome.
After this, he starts giving a reason(a pretty illogical one, in my opinion) as to why he bullied Deku. Bakugou felt that Izuku was somehow miles ahead of him. Next he goes into what he felt, why he felt the need to hurt Izuku. It’s because of something he was feeling. And of course, how could you talk about that with someone? Especially being immature and at that age(around five or so). He didn’t have to talk about it, but hurting someone is never the option(we knew this already).
Next he talks about how he was distant. And OK, that’s good. He should have been distant.
Except he wasnt distant.
I can admit that on normal circumstances Bakugou didn’t go out of his way to speak to Midoriya, but when Deku would speak to/compliment him, insults were thrown. Bakugou should have been distant then. Also, “I grew up distant and always tried to beat you down” are contradictions to eachother, imo. Bakugou, back in middle school, went out of his way to bully deku. That’s not distant. Now back when they were small, yes. I’d say Bakugou was kind of distant. He still made fun of Izuku though, so he probably wasn’t as distant as he thinks he was.
In alot of cases, though, Bakugou succeededin beating Midoriya down(temporarily). Physically anyway(the final exam, and when he impaled Izuku with his headpiece).
(Note: A differing opinion has lead me to think differently about this. Bakugou had become distant in an emotional sense, he and Deku weren’t as close as they were before. No longer besties, if you understand me.)
Next he talks about he could never truly be superior to Deku, how he always lost. But this is(in my opinion), unnecessary. He’s giving all these reasons as to how things didn’t work out for him, and that last part being placed well….last kinda makes it seem like because everything didn’t work out right, he’s sorry. I know this isn’t how its meant, but I feel it could have been worded differently. I can’t help but wonder, though, if Izuku had submitted, if Bakugou had been superior in his own eyes, if he’d succeeded, would he still be sorry?
At least, after this, Bakugou explains that he realizes nothing he said really matters. I like that he can understand this, and I appreciate that he feels Izuku is owed an explanation at least. The one thing I hate about this is that his reasoning for doing what he did is longer than his apology. His apology is one line.
It’s just one. If someone told me that they put me through hell because of an idea they’d placed in their own head that was so incredibly far from the truth(like Bakugou saying that he thought Izuku was looking down on him during their first battle at Ground Beta), I wouldn’t feel any better. As a matter of fact, I’d feel worse about it. There is literally nothing Izuku could have done to prevent the bullying. Even if he wasn’t quirkless, Bakugou back then, might not have been able to fathom the idea of someone being even a little better than him. So he probably still would have bullied Deku. Only this time Izuku might have been able to fight back depending on the quirk he would have been born with.
If someone murdered my mother, and stood in court explaining why, far more than being sorry, I wouldn’t be any happier. Yes, the reason matters, but the amount of time you spend explaining the reason should be virtually nonexistent compared to the time you spend showing remorse and sorrow.
I very much enjoy how he understands that Izuku wanting to leave UA and go it alone wasn’t necessarily wrong. I think Bakugou is correct here. Nice Bakugou, very cool.
I’m also very happy that Izuku apologizes for saying that everyone couldn’t keep up. Very cool, Izuku.
Please don’t get me wrong, though. I’m proud of Bakugou for even bringing this up regardless of how he did it. I think that Bakugou apologizing is a huge step in the proper direction. I cant help but be concerned over how he’ll be different in the future though.
Well, why would I be worried about this? Because he’s shown promise before, but soon after goes back to being pretty rude. Bakugou explained to that child that looking down on others would prevent him from realizing his own weakness “If you keep looking down on everyone, then you won’t notice your own weakness.”(My Hero Academia Episode 80(sub): Relief For License Trainees -16:00). Yet, he continued to look down on others in a sense, even as recently as the Endeavor Training Arc. Bakugou’s arrogance continues, even when he realizes that looking down on others is wrong. He claims that Todoroki could never notice something he didn’t already notice(My Hero Academia Episode 103(sub): One Thing at a Time -7:18). And when he claims that Endeavor, the Number 1 Hero, is ripping off of his style “He’s copying my Explosion” (My Hero Academia Episode 103(sub): One Thing at a Time -6:50).
Truly, I hope Bakugou’s arrogance and negative confidence will subside, and we’ll be able to witness him being blatantly and openly kind to others. I’m not asking Bakugou to change his character, he could become an Inosuke(Demon Slayer) of sorts. He could even become a more obvious Tsundere, with the narrative showing his thoughts and agreeing with him actually caring in a more obvious fashion.
But, that’s just what I think
Once again, feel free to comment your opinion on my criticisms of Bakugou’s apology, or even tell me what you think about it! I love hearing differing opinions.
