My Hero Academia is a new-gen anime that is set in a fictional world where about 80% of the population has developed superpowers called quirks. One of the defining aspects of the show is the intense rivalry between the protagonist, Deku (Izuku Midoriya), and Kacchan (Katsuki Bakugo) to become the number hero who will save society from the villains that plague it.

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Midoriya, originally quirkless, was given an opportunity to compete with other aspiring heroes, while Bakugo was always incredibly talented with a strong quirk. Competing intensely against each other are two aspiring heroes who strive to get stronger and outclass the other. In the My Hero Academia series, Midoriya and Bakugo have often compared themselves to each other; however, there are moments when Bakugo has undoubtedly proved stronger.

5 Bakugo And Midoriya vs. All Might

Characters facing off

During the first term final exam, Bakugo and Midoriya face their teacher, All Might, in a mock battle. Students must either defeat their teacher or make it through a gate unscathed. In contrast to Midoriya, who is preoccupied with escaping the situation, Bakugo displays his strength, dedication, and combat prowess throughout the encounter. Since Midoriya intends to flee and Bakugo wants to defeat All Might, the two seem to need help to work together. Midoriya and Bakugo (reluctantly) take a step back for the time being.

Bakugo suggests using his stun grenade on All Might and then fleeing as a strategy to defeat him, and the two of them consider the possibility. After realizing that their strategy against the fearsome hero would fail, Bakugo devises a scheme in which he distracts All Might while Midoriya escapes through the gate. Even for a non-disabled hero, occupying All Might, the Symbol of Peace, is no easy task. Bakugo pulls it off in the nick of time, setting the stage for success.

4 The Sports Festival

Bakugo and All Might

Students of all ages and majors are encouraged to showcase their skills at the annual U.A. Sports Festival. Class 1-A students competed in a battle tournament at the yearly sports festival. Bakugo and Midoriya were both competitors in the tournament, and they engaged in a number of fierce encounters. Bakugo triumphed in the end and took the title of champion. In his final match, Bakugo squared off against Todoroki, the son of the flame hero, Endeavor.

In a fierce battle, Bakugo prevailed over the user of the half-cold, half-hot quirk. Midoriya had previously faced Todoroki and lost to him. Some viewers may have felt Todoroki did not give it his all as he did against Midoriya, but Bajugo's victory proved he was more powerful than Midoriya, who was hurt by using his quirk.

3 Joining U.A.

Bakugo Throwing Midoriya

Bakugo’s strengths do not lie only with his quirk and combat ability. His mental fortitude is also a cut above others. When he first started at U.A., Bakugo showed more emotional maturity than Midoriya did. His emotions were under control, unlike those of Midoroya, who was often mocked for being a blubbering baby despite his authoritative demeanor and exaggerated sense of pride, as well as his frequent use of harsh, insulting language.

Even though Bakugo's ego took a hit when he saw Midoriya's rapid development compared to his own, he immediately got over it. He refocused on his goals, surprising even All Might with his commitment to come out on top. That level of emotional control is not something Midoriya would have been able to match in this situation, but Bakugo did it with ease.

2 Bakugo And Midoriya’s Second Fight

Bakugo and Midoriya fighting

Bakugo's feelings were all over the place after he flunked his provisional license exam, mainly because his long-suffering rival Midoriya had aced it. Bakugo challenges Midoriya to a fight in Ground Beta, a training facility in U.A., because he is jealous that All recognized Midoriya Might sufficiently for him to pass down his skills to him. Midoriya and Bakugo decide to take the challenge and battle it out. Midoriya's unconscious One For All limit increases from 5% to 8% as the fight wears on. Bakugo is momentarily taken aback by the sudden acceleration, but this doesn't prevent him from coming out on top and defeating his rival.

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Bakugo's overwhelming victory over Midoriya is a testament to the superiority of his fighting skills. He informs Midoriya back at the hostel that he (Bakugo) was unable to respond quickly enough when he increased his speed but that Midoriya's attack preparation movements were too large and thus predictable. Bakugo was stronger than Midoriya, though he indicated that Midoriya could eventually surpass him.

1 During The Joint Training Battle

Bakugo In Action During the Joint Training Battle

Students from both U.A. Classes 1-A and 1-B engage in a combat training exercise consisting of five separate team matches on Ground Gamma (a training area). With Bakugo as their offensive focal point, Bakugo's team easily defeated their rivals. Bakugo had practically sealed the victory with his lightning reflexes, savvy in fighting, and supportive comrades.

Midoriya, on the other hand, was all set to mimic Bakugo's performance until, during a team match, he lost control of his quirk and put everyone at risk. Midoriya still had a lot to learn about his quirk before he could engage others in a fight and compare it with his competitor, Bakugo, as evidenced by his quirk acting up due to the vestiges within All For One. The mastery Bakugo displayed over his quirk gave him a decisive advantage over his competitor.

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