I KEEP saying this buuuuut Bakugo has the best character development and Because of that here are some people I think he’d be (begrudging) friends with:
- Ofc general Bakusquad. Specifically hangs out 1 on 1 with Sero tho
- Tokoyami
- Ochako, surprisingly
- Aizawa
- Mirko if given the chance
- Clearly Midoriya after some work
- That one dude Bryce Papenbrook voices ( Yo Shindo??)
Yes I will elaborate if asked
i would like to add that I asked them if todoroki was on here and they said ‘that one’s obvious’
Okay Elaborating @mossy-moth
For context: I will be referencing things that happen vaguely in the manga in terms of Bakugo’s character development. While the show is catching up, there are still some scenes I’d like to use as a ref that haven’t been animated.
Apologies bc this might get a little lengthy!! I’m very passionate about Bakugo and his relations
Sero: I feel like he spends a Lot of time w/ Kirishima (who is obviously his friend and, TO ME, probably a little crush. But the person hes closest to of all the class for sure. I can elaborate on this as well). Kirishima is friends w/ Mina, Sero, and Denki, AKA the Bakusquad.
I specify 1 on 1 time w/ Sero bc not only Does he tell it like it is w/ Bakugo (as most the squad does), he grew more trusting of him in the Class A v Class B fights in season 5. And he also, in the newest season, is the one to tell him some bad news. Sero feels like a chill, calm character compared to the other squad members and I feel like Bakugo would enjoy that when hes not looking for too much noise
Tokoyami: The school festival arc! Bakugo Loved Tokoyami’s guitar riffs. Bakugo even settling for playing the drums and being Amazing at it is proof he likes bands (I think he likes Rock and Pop Punk personally). I feel like he’d see a kindred soul in Tokoyami music wise (Tokoyami feels like a Pop Punk/Emo Rock fan, and even Goth), and they probably get together to play sometimes just for fun. I feel like music is an outlet for Bakugo’s general aggression and irritation
Ochako: This one might be a shocker! But Bakugo has shown respect for Ochako ever since season 2 during the Sports Festival. He saw her as a worthy opponent and fought her like one. While other people, in fandom and even in the show, degrade him for this, I think its important to recognize as part of his character.
At this time, Kirishima is the Only person Bakugo respects (We see this when he chooses Kiri for his Calvary battle without hesitation). Aizawa during the festival mentions that Bakugo isnt downplaying his fighting skills because he can see how hard Ochako is trying to genuinely beat him and it would be unfair if he didn’t Also give his all. We’re seeing early how his respect for others is formed and what it’s based off of.
Now while I dont think theyre gonna be super duper Close friends, I feel like Ochako is someone Bakugo can go to for a genuine, hard opinion on himself because she’s fought him and she Knows now that she’s worthy of that. I also feel like they go to the gym together to lift weights.
Aizawa: I will Not be going to deep intk the Aizawa trauma bc not everyone is caught up but. He loves his kids. He loves them So Much he is going through terrible lengths to protect them. In regards to Bakugo, he’s been in his corner since the show started. He’s the only one who realizes that Bakugo and Ochako fighting wasn’t a one-sides murder but instead a show of Bakugo’s strengths and respects. Whenever Bakugo is getting dragged through the mud, like furing his kidnapping, he’s quick to correct people on Bakugo’s morals and his capability at being a great hero. Aizawa also exhibits a bit of tough love in a way Bakugo is probably slightly familiar with due to his Mom. Because of that, I feel like Aizawa would be an adult that Bakugo trusts and that he would go to in a time of need.
Mirko: Now hear me out. Back in April of 2020 when Mirko was fully introduced in the manga, I made a thread about how Good of a mentor she could’ve been to Bakugo because theyre so similar. (I truly believe I was the first person to come up with this bc i couldnt find anything similar and I searched Hard. Its why I made my thread in the first place) I’ll like the thread here
The TLDR of it all is that Mirko and Bakugo have a similar sense of what it means to win: Total Annihilation. And even in the manga So Many of Mirko’s facial expression mimic Bakugo’s, as well as many of her text lines. She’s a beast on the battle field and had Bakugo known of her sooner, of a hero who’s made it despite having a similar abrasive and “mean” and seemingly “evil” demeanor, it wouldve changed his psyche for the Better. And while they Do Meet briefly in the manga, Im hoping for future team up (which we probs wont get but its Fine! Im Fine).
Midoriya: We can already see their relationship on the up-and-up in the show, and it continues to do so in the manga. Contrary tk popular belief, Bakugo doesnt Hate Midoriya and vice versa. Theyre finally at the point where they can start being proper rivals and they have years to mend their relationship as children. After Bakugo vs Kacchan pt 2, Bakugo is seen being involved alot in Midoriya’s development and discussion of One For All. He’s not scathingly mean to him anymore, which is great improvement.
However, I feel like, even from the point where theyre at in the manga (if you know you), they still need years of learning to be friends again, and years of therapy (both apart and together) to fully unpack their connection. (This is, admittedly, one of the reasons why I dislike Bakudeku romantically. I think it would absolutely BANG after the therapy and if people stopped mischaracterizing Bakugo and taking away his asshole personality.)
Yo Shindo: AKA the Character Bryce Papenbrook voices from Ms. Joke’s school. Im not gonna lie this was more of a silly option. But Immediately during the Provisional License Arc, before theyre even in uniform, Bakugo refuses to play friendly with Shindo because he “[doesnt] like the look in [his] eyes”. He recognizes that Shindo is putting on an act Immediately. And Bakugo doesn’t like when people are fake because he’s so painfully genuine in everything he does.
Now I see this as like. A silly friendship. They talk on social media, they spar bc Bakugo always likes besting new opponents and updating/testing his own fighting style. They say hi and occasionally get lunch. But they absolutely Trash each other in the press. They dont really like each other, no. Its more of a mutual respect and a way tl link to other schools.
I think its healthy for Bakugo to have relations (in and out of UA) bc for so long he’s only had lackeys. He quite literally doesnt understand what friendship entails (seen in the fake interviews in Season 5). I think him having a Healthy support system is good for his development, which we are seeing in real time is true.
Honorable Mentions bc I felt like they were Obvious:
Todoroki
Kirishima and Denki (again the rest of the squad but these two have a lot of screentime with him)
Best Jeanist
