My Hero Academia: Does Bakugo have a designated villain?

Katsuki Bakugo is one of the most popular characters in My Hero Academia. Since the beginning, he has been a strong rival to Izuku Midoriya. He often stands out with his explosive personality and quirk. But as for a sole villain that’s specifically been designed for him to take on by himself, no, Bakugo doesn’t have a one-on-one villain.

Where Midoriya’s story is filled with influence from All For One and Shigaraki, Bakugo’s duels have always been more about proving himself. He’s a character who, throughout My Hero Academia, grows and learns what it truly means to be a hero. Though he has fought many villains, none have been built up as his personal nemesis.

In storytelling, a designated villain is someone who reflects the hero’s flaws or forces them to grow in specific ways. For Midoriya, Shigaraki is the villain. Both are tied to powerful legacies, and both are shaped by their mentors. Around the end of the series, Endeavor and, by extension, Todoroki, have Dabi, a family member.

Bakugo doesn’t have a designated villain like this. Instead, My Hero Academia uses his internal struggles to push his character forward. His anger and pride are what he fights against. He attempts to make amends for how he treated Deku as a child. That approach makes him one of the more distinctive characters in the series.

Bakugo has fought and overcome different rivals

Midoriya is Bakugo’s greatest rival in My Hero Academia. This rivalry drives much of Bakugo’s aim and action throughout the series. He wants to be the best hero and surpass everyone, especially Deku, whom he once saw as weak. Over time, this rivalry becomes more balanced, and Bakugo learns to respect Midoriya. He recognizes the difficulties that Deku had overcome and sees him in a different light.

Because of this strong internal rivalry, Bakugo hasn’t needed a villain that exists solely to challenge him. His personal growth and his desire to change how people see him become the driving forces in his story. In a way, the way he views Midoriya is what causes many of his improvements and triumphs.

He’s faced a ton of villains, but none with an intention to defeat him specifically. In the Hideout Raid arc, he gets kidnapped by the League of Villains, but they don’t want to fight him; they want to recruit him. He helps battle Shigaraki later in the Paranormal Liberation War arc, fighting alongside heroes like Midoriya and Endeavor during the war.

He plays a key role in My Hero Academia, even getting seriously injured while protecting Midoriya. But again, this moment serves the larger plot. It shows his growth and how far he’s come from the selfish boy he used to be. Still, Shigaraki isn’t Bakugo’s personal villain. He’s a threat to everyone.

Will Bakugo Get a Personal Villain in My Hero Academia?

As the story gets closer to the end, Bakugo might have a big fight with a villain who pushes him the most. But with how the story has been so far, it is unlikely. Some fans believe that a showdown between Bakugo and someone like All For One could give him that personal rivalry. But right now in the anime, My Hero Academia hasn’t given him one.

That doesn’t take away from his importance. Bakugo is one of the strongest and most loved characters in My Hero Academia. His fights and actions are always intense and meaningful, even without a named enemy made just for him.

Trending

Conclusion

So, does Bakugo have a designated villain in My Hero Academia? Not exactly. While he’s faced many strong opponents, none of them have been set up as his personal nemesis. His biggest battles have been with himself—learning to control his anger, to respect others, and to become the kind of hero people can depend on. Instead of being defined by a villain, Bakugo is defined by growth. And in a series full of powerful enemies, that makes his story stand out even more.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback