#Deku with his ‘what would Kacchan do’ essence !!!!!

[chandralia]

oh my god,,??!??

[bi-bi-bi-buckley]

A Short Essay on Names in My Hero Academia and What That Means for Katsuki and Izuku

Introduction

Names have always had an important role in the storytelling of My Hero. Names dictate personality, they tell us the viewer, who the character is. Not in the most point blank way of say, naming a bad guy "Lucifer" to show that this character is evil or complex. But in the sense of what that name means to the character. For example, the personality shift when it's revealed Dabi is Touya Todoroki. People have talked about it. Dabi is quiet and reserved, but Touya is loud and eccentric and wild. With the name revealed, he is free to be who he is. He reverts to who he was back when he was known as Touya, because now the world knows him as Touya, so now he can act like Touya.

Hawks used to be Keigo Takami, but he had his name stripped from him by the HPSC. He's Hawks now, just Hawks. That's all people know him as. And it's not like all heroes hide their identity. It isn't like a DC Comics situation. If that were the case, Aizawa probably would have been called Eraserhead-Sensei by the kids instead of Aizawa-Sensei. So heroes hiding their identity isn't a large part of this hero society. Meaning Hawks did not have to lose his name but it was taken from him to show he was now their puppet, their property. He wasn't his own person anymore but an extension of the HPSC.

Starting with "Kacchan"

I know we're joking about Katsuki telling the greatest villain that his name is Kacchan and it is silly, but just think of it seriously for a moment.

Izuku has become/always has been such an integral part of Katsuki's identity. Katsuki is Katsuki because of Izuku. He is Kacchan because that's what Izuku calls him. And Izuku is part of who he is so he must be Kacchan above all other things. Because Kacchan is tied to Izuku, and Izuku is part of who Katsuki is.

It's so beautiful and while the idea of telling the biggest enemy ever that his name is actually Kacchan is super silly, think about it in the context. It's the second defining battle against the villains. Katsuki had just died not five minutes ago when Izuku arrives. Katsuki just died with Izuku being his last thought, with Izuku's name being the last thing he says. But then Izuku comes and there is hope. And then Katsuki is alive and there is hope again.

Ending with "Deku"

Now, the name Deku is very much complicated especially in relation to what it means to Izuku. For years it was used in the same way some people would use a slur. To harm, to other, to put down. But it was given to him by Katsuki, and so he keeps it. Ochako tells Izuku that she likes it, and for the first time Izuku hears that name used with a positive connotation. And that is a turning point for him, and I believe the start of the change in Katsuki's and Izuku's relationship, or at least, the foreshadow of the change.

From there, Izuku makes Deku his hero name and effectively reclaims it. When people ask his name, he always says his name is Deku before his actual name- Izuku Midoriya. That's something that's always stuck out to me. He is doing what Katsuki did during the battle. He is calling himself by the name Katsuki gave him. Just like Katsuki telling Shigaraki/All for One his name is Kacchan. It's the same reason, same meaning. Just Izuku did it first.

Because with Izuku and Katsuki, the other is so integral to who they are as a person. Izuku is Deku because Katsuki said so, and Katsuki is Kacchan because Izuku said so. You can not have one without the other. You can not understand one without knowing or understanding the other. You need one, to know the other.

Conclusion

What Horikoshi has done with names and their meanings in the overall narrative of My Hero is beautiful. In My Hero, names are the very essence of who a character sees themself as. It is such a profound way to write your characters and I love it so much.

[dynyamight]

#116 bkdk please 🥰

send me a writting ask

116. “I’m right here.”

Nightmares. Midoriya feels embarrassed to even admit he still has them.

Ochako had told him that was perfectly normal. “Heroes aren’t high and almighty, Deku. We struggle, cry, and experience loss. Why wouldn’t we have nightmares, either?”

“I have nightmares too, Midoriya-san.” Iida had confessed to him, “But, they don’t make us weak. They fuel us to stay strong and brave.”

Todoroki felt the most convincing to Midoriya. “I have them. Almost every other night.”

“Oh.” Midoriya barely voiced, feeling a little intrusive. He adjusted his phone in his hand, trying to dispel the stiff air he felt in the call.

“Yeah.” On Todoroki’s end, Midoriya heard a bit of shuffling. “If you feel like you’re the only person in the world who deals with the worst of them, you’re not. I’m there with you.”

“Do you know anything to make them disappear?”

“If I did, don’t you think I would have stopped having them?”

“Sorry. You’re completely right.” Midoriya sighed, long and defeated. “I just hate bothering people with these calls.”

“There’s nothing wrong with calling me.” Todoroki offered softly. “I get it. It also helps me to talk it out with someone, too.”

Midoriya hummed, left feeling disappointed in his gut. He knows Todoroki, as well as the rest of his closest friends, are willing to deal with his phone calls. But, he wants them to stop. The nightmares.

They always leave him in a cold sweat, gasping for air. No matter how strong he got, no matter how many villains he took down, or how much the public adornes him with glory and applause, the nightmares break him.

They belittle him. They mock him. They dare him with the deaths of his loved ones. They taunt him with deaths of his own. They curse him with images of not saving enough, or saving no one at all.

All for One. He continues to haunt him, the moment he closes his eyes and falls in a slumber. And, it leaves Midoriya frustratingly holding back tears, wanting him to leave his essence.

And, tonight was another one of those nights. Padding down barefoot, Midoriya walks out of his bedroom and into the living space. There’s a damp towel around his neck, soaking the sweat he built up from his recent nightmare.

In his hands, his cell phone was held tight.

He doesn’t want to call Todoroki, or Ochako, or Iida. He doesn’t want to stress out his mother any more than she needs to. All Might deserves a peaceful night of his own, free from Midoriya’s rambles. And, Midoriya simply didn’t feel comfortable enough to talk with anyone else.

Except, maybe there was one. Midoriya groans, slumping down on his couch.

He looks down at the phone in his hands, its screen glowing. There was a contact name blaring at him back, beckoning him to press the call button.

Midoriya hates the way his exhausted mind easily talks to him into pressing it. He hates the way he puts the phone to his ear, as if he hopes the call is picked up. He hates the way his heart beats frantically in his chest, wanting to hear that familiar voice.

Midoriya hopes his call is ignored.

“Who the fuck is this?”

His voice gets caught in his throat. Midoriya feels the burning of embarrassment suddenly engulf him, like a wildfire.

Bakugou never looks at the contact name, before answering any calls, Midoriya knows. And, he knows that if he were to say anything, Bakugou would know it’s him.

But, he can’t even breathe right now. He immediately regrets everything. Bakugou could be working, patrolling. Bakugou could have been sleeping. Bakugou could have been enjoying time by himself. Or with others.

God, he could be with people right now, and Midoriya’s wanting to talk about his nightmares. How embarrassing. How weak of him.

“Hello?” Bakugou’s voice echoes. “Hello?”

Midoriya chokes, tears falling down his cheeks. “S-Sorry.”

He hangs up.

And, just as fast as he ends the call, his phone is ringing.

It’s almost laughable. If it wasn’t for the brittle heart he had currently, Midoriya would have been smiling at the way Bakugou was urgently calling back. But, instead, he felt terrible, making Bakugou stressed.

Tentatively, Midoriya answers the call, quickly wiping his tears. “K-Kacchan—”

“Where are you? Now.” Bakugou’s concern booms.

Midoriya shakes his head. “I’m home. Safe.”

“You hurt?”

“N-No. I’m okay.”

There’s a moment of silence on Bakugou’s end. “..The fuck you crying about?” He suddenly asks, bluntly.

“It’s—” Midoriya groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It’s nothing.”

“Hell, it’s nothing.” Bakugou scoffs, “You fucking called me during my shift.”

Of course he did. “You should go back, then.”

“Nah, I got it covered. ‘Sides, it ain’t eventful, tonight.”

“You need to go back to work, Kacchan. It’s important.” Midoriya chastises.

“Yeah, well, so are you.”

That prickles some tears. Sniffing, Midoriya furiously rubs his eyes, frantically trying to keep them dry. The stuffiness in his nose returns, making his voice sound muffled. “I had a nightmare. That’s all.”

“You used to have shitty nightmares, when we were younger.”

“I never outgrew them.” Midoriya admits, quietly.

“Hm.” There’s a bit of wind resounding in Bakugou’s end. “Did they get worse?”

“..They have.”

“Why haven’t you told me.”

Shrugging against the phone, Midoriya curls himself into a ball. “I thought you wouldn’t want to hear about them. They are a bit bothersome, even for me.”

“I wouldn’t—” Bakugou ceases, sighing. “Then, tell me. What was it about? This one.”

Reimagining his nightmares was always hard. Midoriya remembers the faces of the people in his dreams, and the sensations he feels afterwards. But, he cannot seem to recall the story of them, the events in order.

But, for this particular nightmare, there wasn’t any bizarre plotline to understand.

“You.” Midoriya confesses. “You were in it. And, All for One had taken you, in his hands. And, right when I was so close to reaching you, he— you were gone.”

“Lame.”

Sputtering, Midoriya is utterly baffled. “That’s—!”

“What the hell, Deku. You should have known that I ain’t dying anytime soon.” Bakugou huffs irritated, “Especially not from that damn old man. People would call for elder abuse, from how I could beat his ass.”

He shouldn’t laugh, but Midoriya can’t help it. He smiles, staring up at his ceiling. “I knew you would say something like that.”

“Is that why you called?” Bakugou inqueries, “So, you could hear me say that.”

“..Yeah.” Midoriya nods. He brings a hand to his curls, running them through. “I needed to hear you say that.”

“You planning to go back to sleep?”

“You’ve never asked these many questions before, Kacchan.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

Midoriya exhales a defeated breath, laying his head back on the couch. “No. I wasn’t.”

“You fucking should.” Bakugou tsk’s. Midoriya can imagine him shaking his head in disapproval.

“If I do, the nightmares will come back.” He states weakly, and his shoulders tighten. “I-I can’t. I don’t want to see you fall again.”

“..Stay on the line.”

Midoriya doesn’t know what to expect, as he stayed waiting. A couple seconds became a few minutes, and then those minutes became at least fifteen minutes of no response.

He’s about to hang up, thinking Bakugou had to go back to combat, until he hears loud rummaging.

“You there?” Bakugou voices.

He nods. But then, Midoriya remembers that Bakugou can’t see him. “Y-Yeah. I am.” He hurriedly states.

“Good.”

There’s a lot more movement and noise sounding off on Bakugou’s end; clinking of metal, heavy footsteps, car horns, beeping of sorts.

“I put you on my bluetooth.” Bakugou mentions it easily.

“N-No! Don’t do that, Kacchan!” Midoriya frantically insists, sitting up fully in his seat.

“I need to do my fucking job, idiot.”

“Then, hang up!”

“Yeah, but you need me.”

Midoriya stills. Despite his pleas to leave, his heart soars achingly, appreciating Bakugou’s efforts towards him. It causes a surge of tears, threatening to fall. “I-I don’t want to bother you.”

“You’re exhausting, Deku.” Bakugou groans, “If you were, I would have hung up by now.”

“What are you even planning for us to do, then?”

“Fucking easy.” Bakugou huffs confidently, “Keep your phone to your ears.”

“Keep my phone?”

“So, when you fall asleep, you can still continue hearing me alive.” Bakugou states, “Hear me talk, walk, breathe. Maybe, in your shit dreams, I’ll be alive there, too.”

Midoriya smiles, his vision blurring. “I wish you were here.” He confesses.

“I’m right here.” Bakugou firmly states, his voice resounding deep in Midoriya’s fragile, weakened core. “Just don’t fucking hang up, and I’ll be here.”

And, Midoriya doesn’t. He listens quietly to Bakugou flying around his city, the booming of his explosives reaching his call. And, he hears all the conversations Bakugou has with people; his sidekicks, the bypassing citizens, his fellow fans.

Midoriya overhears Bakugou mentioning to someone that yes, he was on a call, and no, it wasn’t their business who. “It’s someone I would fucking fight for. There. Happy now?” Bakugou relents, finally.

Midoriya wants to laugh, but instead, he feels his body light and sleepy. Resting flat on the couch, he brings a pillow to his chest, and allows himself to close his eyes.

The last thing he hears from Bakugou is a small, short whisper. “Let me fight those nightmares, Deku.”

His dreams consist of Bakugou beating up All for One with ease.

[pikahlua]

Katsuki Bakugou’s True Feelings: The Power of Friendship...as it beats your ass into the ground

It’s aaaaaaall coming together.

Back in the prophetic month of December, I wrote this little post about where I thought One For All’s progression was going. I spent literal hours making this hideous graphic just to help your eyes distinguish among 20 damn characters, because that’s how many Horikoshi decided to reel into this. Ugh. Anyways.

In this post, I described my slowly-forming theory about how Deku’s tendency to imitate his classmates to the point where One For All straight-up copies the quirks of some of his peers is a meta technique. I wanted to use that trend to make a prediction.

In essence, I theorized that OFA would come to resemble the entirety of Class 1-A, and that the hero Deku can coordinate his classmates as a team due to his proficiency with OFA whether or not he has OFA in the end.

It could use some updating now.

But the points I made about the little "narrative highlights” Deku has with each of his classmates? Well, I guess I wasn’t too far off (/lol jk...unless??).

When y’all asked me for my chapter 320 predictions, I was operating on the assumption that there are still a few more story arcs incoming. As such, I didn’t want to get my hopes up about Katsuki’s role, because I didn’t sense Deku vs Kacchan, Part 3 incoming.

I forgot Horikoshi likes to play his tropes straight sometimes, though.

Anyways, who wants to know what Katsuki’s gonna say to Izuku by the end of this arc?

Hero society and the bystander effect

Tomura Shigaraki’s major disillusionment with society stems from his experience with the bystander effect (look it up); people don’t act when they see someone in trouble because they assume a hero will take care of it. Society has become over-saturated with heroes, and those who don’t become heroes don’t feel compelled to behave as a hero might. They assume someone else will take care of the problem, and so they do nothing, leading to a mass of people just standing on watching as horrible things happen.

The story gives us the standard aspects of heroism, the pillars of rescue and victory that make up the symbol of peace and justice that is All Might.

But the story never says there are only two pillars.

The third pillar: Inspiration

Hero society is rotting. People are complacent and apathetic. What gets people to act?

Inspiration.

All Might inspired people. Izuku was inspired to save people with a smile. Katsuki was inspired to keep fighting no matter how bad things look. Shouto was inspired to embrace his identity to become whom he wants to become.

And it created a chain reaction.

Izuku inspired All Might to risk his life against the sludge villain and rescue both Izuku and Katsuki. Izuku inspired Shouto to embrace his fire quirk and begin the process of reconciling with his past. Izuku inspired Kirishima to become a hero who protects others and live a life of no regrets. I could go on with other characters, but the list of inspiring heroes is very long for this series.

Just cap it off with how Aizawa describes Izuku’s and Katsuki’s effect on the class’ morale, how their presence raises the bar, how their passion spreads to the entire class.

Maybe I’m starting to glean what Horikoshi’s solution is to the hero society problem.

Individual versus Group

My Hero Academia is inspired by comics and manga alike. It deals with the duality of story elements, morals, philosophies, and other societal values of both eastern and western origin in a way I haven’t seen before in shounen manga.

Whereas most western stories--particularly comic books--deal with themes of individuality and identity while often centering around outcasts and loners, most shounen manga stories focus on community and the power of friendship. It often feels like Horikoshi’s trying to tackle both, and I am never sure if he means them to be compatible or at odds with each other.

Now we have chapter 320.

Apparently there are a lot of people who don’t like where this is going. I don’t really care what those people think. I’m reading the story for my own enjoyment. But if you’d like my perspective on this...

Too much of anything is a bad thing, but that doesn’t make the thing itself bad.

We humans, as social creatures, feel guilt commonly because we want to be good, because we care about morality and self-improvement. Say what you will about why that is, but having the capacity to feel guilt means you care.

Peer pressure and manipulation are scary and can be terrible, but they work because they’re playing on the natural human desire to belong. We survive better when we work together, when we cooperate. That’s what it means to be a social creature.

Cooperation takes compromise.

Sharing your feelings isn’t guilt-tripping. Expressing love for someone isn’t manipulation. There’s a balance, sure. There are people who will take advantage of these things to do bad. But that’s not what’s going on here with Deku vs. Class A.

I think it’s pretty obvious. I think I know what Katsuki’s going to say to Izuku at the end of all of this.

Izuku Midoriya: “Don’t worry about me”

A recurring theme over the course of the series has been Izuku striving to improve, to get stronger, to become someone who doesn't worry his mother, someone who doesn’t worry All Might, someone who doesn’t worry his own friends.

He doesn’t want to worry people. He doesn’t want anyone to worry about him.

But people worry whether or not you're strong. That's not a bad thing; it means they care about you.

For the whole series, our dear unreliable narrator Izuku Midoriya makes it sound like "becoming someone no one has to worry about" is a good thing.

And he's wrong, as chapter 320 is beginning to explain to us.

Everyone is now trying to convince Izuku they do care about him, they do worry about him, and that's okay. That’s why Danger Sense won’t activate. (If you need further proof to answer the above question, go watch Shinomori dodge Banjou in the background of chapter 304.)

“All Might” vs. “Self-Victory”

So, you wanna know where this is going with Katsuki Bakugou, you big adorable stans?

Victory and rescue: Both are necessary for a hero to carry out justice.

Why would the narrative punish Izuku for admiring All Might and reward him for admiring Katsuki Bakugou? All Might is a solitary symbol. What Izuku has become in his current iteration of “Deku” is just that. He is focused solely on strength, on “all might” and nothing else. But his admiration of Katsuki Bakugou inspires him to not want to be like Katsuki but surpass him.

And in many ways, Izuku and Katsuki are the same person.

They’ve been learning from each other their entire lives. As Izuku has come to be more like Katsuki in strength, Katsuki has learned what he needs to know about rescue, and he now has to remind Izuku of all that. The roles are switched now; Katsuki wants to save Izuku.

You wanna know what Katsuki has to tell Izuku?

Izuku, who doesn’t want others to worry about him because he doesn’t worry about himself either?

Izuku, who cares about others?

Don’t care about me if you don’t care about yourself.

Care about both.

Care about everyone and yourself, too.

[eutxrpe]

painting a picture

—there is no color combination that could ever paint a picture like you. izuku (with the help of his students) still tries to capture your essence on a canvas though.—

pairing: elementary schoolteacher!izuku x gender neutral!reader word count: 2.1k words warnings: fluff, izuku being a simp for you, a bit of second-hand embarrassment the art in the banner belongs to @/hanabiy_chan on twitter!

song inspiration: picture perfect (freestyle) - jhene aiko

a/n: this is both dedicated to and caused by @whipped-cream-writings​. you know what happened for this to be a thing. thank you for being you and inspiring this.

if there was ever a time to be embarrassed about something that deku’s students have said to him, it would be now.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

“mr. deku? are you dating someone?” izuku’s head snaps up to see hina, one of his most extroverted students. many other students come over to his desk, intrigued by the question that hina had asked. their little heads surround the table, and eyes peer at him over the height of his desk. 

“yea, are you?”

“tell us! tell us!” tiny voices chant in unison before izuku shushes them all gently. he internally reminds himself that they are innocent six-year olds that were not trying to purposefully embarrass him before answering.

“y-yes, i am dating someone,” the class erupts into cheers before quieting down again. they don’t disperse and head back to their tables like izuku had hoped, because hina looks at him with bright, brown eyes and continues the conversation.

“what are they like? do you love them? do youuuu?” her hair bounces as she drawls out the last syllable of her statement.

“hina, isn’t it time to go back to your seat?” deku asked, cheeks flushing a deep pink at the questioning. shaking her head, she only giggles.

“it’s free time, isn’t it?” she pouts. “also you didn’t answer my question. i...i could always make you, though!” and izuku watches as the brown of her eyes turns a deep black to the point the iris matches her pupils. one of the oldest in her class, hina had already manifested her quirk: the ability to make anyone do what they she wants when they make eye contact with her but only when her eyes were fully black.

“hina.” he makes his tone more strict, catching her attention and making her gaze drift down to the floor. “no quirk usage in the classroom, okay? it’s not fair to your other classmates who don’t have theirs yet.”

“yea, i know it’s a power imbalance or somethin’… but please? tell me?” and when izuku sees her eyes again, they’re back to the umber they usually are and hold only truth in them. he sighs. 

“after this, you’ll go back to your seat?” with an enthusiastic nod, deku catches his lip in between his thumb and pointer finger, trying to figure out how to describe you: the love of his life.

“they’re… amazing. i don’t know any words that could describe the way that i love them. but they’re that feeling when you have your favorite drink for the first time in forever! or-”

“you’re gonna ramble, mr. deku.” hina’s straight-forwardness could be taken as rudeness eventually... he’d have to take her over to bakugo’s or todoroki’s class one day to see what she does in other people. “i know that if i were in love, i’d show them what i couldn’t tell them!”

hina’s reply sparks an idea for a long-term project for his students… and for the both of you. izuku stands up, clapping his hands to get their attention. brushing his hair away from his face, the students see the glee in his emerald eyes and know that it’ll be an interesting project.

“what do you guys think of doing some painting over the next few weeks?”

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

“izu, you’re home!” at the sound of his footsteps, izuku sees you turn around and smile at him and his heart flutters. you’re wearing one of his oversized sweaters and mismatched socks that soften the noise of your feet padding down the hallway to kiss him.

“hi, angel.”

your hands cup his freckled cheeks, and he hopes that you don’t feel the amount of heat that crosses them. from your laugh, he knows that the opposite is true. your expression suddenly changes from content to focused, and midoriya feels your thumb rub away some pink paint.

“paint?” you step back and arch your eyebrow at him, walking away to the kitchen to wash your hands. taking off his blazer and folding it over his arms, izuku follows you, the baritone of his voice floating over to you across the island that separates the two of you. 

“i started a new art project with them,” izuku explains while he plays with his fingers, a habit he’s never really gotten over since his high school days. “their assignment is to supposed to paint something, someone —anything really— that brings them happiness. and then they asked me to do it with them.”

“and you just couldn’t say no?” after drying your hands, you turn around to face him, eyebrow arched and mouth curved into an amused smile. he feels heat race across his cheeks as he nods bashfully. “then i assume you’re painting all might.”

“well… you’ll see.”

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

“you’re so forgetful when it comes to your health, you know that?” your unforgettable voice can be heard from across the room to deku, holding the lunch that you reminded him to take three times in total. the students, including one excitable hina, turn their heads up at the noise and gasp.

“mr. deku, is this (y/n)?” after shy confirmation from him, the class cheers and deku raises both of his hands to turn the shouts to hushed whispers.

“p-please go back to what you were doing! you guys wouldn’t want to wake up kacchan, would you?” the bunny that sat on the counter was taking a short nap, his expression relaxed which was the opposite of his hostile behavior. at the mention of the angry bunny, the students went back to work, dipping their fingers in the paint as they continued to talk about you. you shyly smiled and rolled your eyes at the excitement that your arrival caused.

“do you want me to go over to you? or…” your sentence causes deku to blush and stand up quickly, striding over to where you were at the door.

“no, it’s fine… i know that it was hard to take this time out of your schedule. thank you, sweetheart.” he murmurs, trying not to take the children’s attention off of their project. izuku takes the lunch from your hands, giving you a smile and squeezing your hand softly.

“of course! i’ll see you at home later?” he enthusiastically nods, and you kiss as a farewell, lips slotting against each other lovingly. it seemed like you were about to deepen it, but hina’s voice causes you two to part.

“ewwwww!” 

and deku has never felt so embarrassed about showing his love for you. heat streams across his cheeks and down his neck while you laugh innocently. slinging your arms around his neck to pull him into a hug, you whisper your goodbyes into his ear, knowing that he would be mumbling about this into your lap at home tonight. in a sort of apology, izuku presses kisses into your neck. (knowing that his back was to hina, of course.) and like the angel you are, you giggle lightly at the sensation, and midoriya knows he’s been forgiven, even if there was nothing to forgive.

afterwards, you turn away, and midoriya sighs at the sound of your shoes against the hallway flooring. clutching the bento you brought him in his hands, he walks back to his desk and back to what he was trying to encapture in his painting. that was until he heard what hina mumbles —or tried to mumble— in the relatively quiet room.

“so that’s what love looks like…”

for once, deku lets out a sigh of relief at work. it was peaceful, and seeing all of the proud smiles on his (they were his at this point; he cared for them that deeply) children’s faces made him proud as well.

all was calm, and so before kacchan woke up from his nap, deku clapped his hands together and stood up, attracting the students’ attention.

“guys… i’m going to need your help with this plan i have, okay?”

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

you had been surprised when izuku called you while he was at work one day. he was almost religious with the amount of dedication and attention into his students and put his phone on silent everyday. so when he asked you to come to his classroom, you were shocked but quickly rushed over.

your heart skipped a beat with every step you took forward to the door, mind conjuring the worst scenarios every time you thought of izuku’s nervous, high-pitched tone.

“just c-come over as soon as possible please, angel!” you loved this man, but sometimes you just didn’t know what was in his mind. 

and with bated breath, you opened the door to his classroom and gasped.

the room formerly had circular tables on top of an area rug with all might memorabilia on the walls and children running havoc around it. 

but this room had fairy lights around it, giving it this safe haven aura, and there was a pathway to the other side of the room by separating the tables. someone squeezed your hand, so you tore yourself away from the look of the new room and made your eyes look downward. by the excited look in her eyes and proud smirk on her face, you assumed that this was hina, the same girl who had squealed in disgust during your kiss with izuku. 

“follow me, (y/n)!” and although it was a very small distance, you took her smaller hand within yours and let her lead you to the other side of the room where you saw izuku, who was beside an easel. before walking away to another room, hina narrowed her eyes at your boyfriend, telling him to “man up and do it or i’ll do it for you!”

“what’s happening, izuku? is something wrong?” you let him take your hands and he immediately told you everything was okay.

“i just… n-needed to tell you something before i lost the courage to do so. you know that project i told you about earlier?” you nod, trying not to say anything as you saw him fight for the right words. “well… for someone who brings me happiness, i chose you.”

izuku walks behind you to envelop you within his arms from behind, hiding his face in your neck. you tear the paper hiding his work from you away and gasp at what you see.

“i’m not a very good painter! the sketch was much better…” and you know that he wasn’t being modest.

your features were there, but blobs of paint were astray in different places. your eyes were too far apart and your hair was just a touch different than it usually is. but you let yourself fall into the colors that he chose.

the background was pink and you remember that one morning, izuku had told you that you reminded him of the color of a carefree love: baby pink.

you were wearing the same outfit that you were on your first date, and you can’t help but tear up slightly at the amount of detail that he put into this painting.

“izuku… it’s bad but good at the same time, you dork. i love it. i love y-” you turn around to find him on one knee and his own eyes watering. “-ou.”

“i- um, bare with me, here.” you run your hands through his soft locks of hair and sniffle, and he just knows that you’re always going to listen to him. 

“i could never put into words just how much you mean to me. which is probably why i put off this for so long. hah, i- you’re perfect, angel. perfect for me. i’ve always been in love with you even before we started to date… and just seeing you take care of me because i’m so forgetful when it comes to my health and always being there for me in the mornings has made me fall for you again and again everyday. i call these kids my world, but you’re my universe, my love. a picture so perfect that i tried and failed to encompass you.”

you sniffle again, and he presses soft kisses to the top of your hand, trying to compose himself to ask the damn question once and for all. he looks up and into your eyes, and finally… he’s determined to make you his.

“it would make me the happiest man in the world if you could marry me, (y/n).” he lets go of your hand to crack open the velvet ring box to reveal the prettiest ring you’ve ever seen. although you sometimes don’t know what goes through izuku’s head, it’s like he was in yours picking out this beautiful moonstone. 

you get down on the ground too, resting your forehead against his as you whisper out a yes.

“yes… yes, i’ll marry you, ‘zuku. any day, any time, because it’s you. i love you.” you kiss his lips over and over again, making him giggle and pull you even closer on this kindergarten class floor.

and you’re not sure if the moment is ruined or made better by bakugo opening the door to his class and letting hina & the other students loudly rush into the room.

fin.

[burnedbyshoto]

I had this idea for some beautiful izuku angst:

so we all know heroes rising, right? of how bakugou got ofa and subsequently lost his memories due to the incomplete transfer or whatever. I have a thought based on that concept.

ofa is a stockpiling quirk, right? we see that it can stockpile quirks for sure, but as a quirk it also keeps in the previous users and their memories, their personalities. I personally headcanon that the reason why bakugou can not remember that he held ofa is because ofa stole his memories. the moments before it happened and the moments during it were taken, absorbed by ofa because that’s all it could take.

so :) if you aren’t quite yet following my thought process, imagine what would happen if midoriya izuku used up the last remaining bits of ofa in his final battle with afo & shiggy... per my headcanon, with ofa being gone from his body, and his memories, experience, his identity stockpiled and saved within ofa, he forgets.

in this... storyline, I guess, deku doesnt find afo & shiggy again until he’s in his 20’s. he has so many friends, mentors, became best friends with bakugou even, and fell in love with you. a high school sweetheart of sorts.

but in order to begin the journey of becoming the greatest hero in the world, he has to end afo & shiggy. it’s just that no one predicted that with the intensity of how ofa was used, and a battle within the vestige that the previous ofa users disappear within the quirk and with the final remnants of ofa, deku succeeds in defeating them at the price of his quirk.

he falls unconscious, so fucking hurt, injured, shaken from the fight as the world cheers for this victory. he’s taken to the hospital, as are many others, and the world waits for him to wake up. and when he wakes up, truly wakes up, in a room filled with faces he can’t name except for inko and bakugou, everyone feels like they’ve been stabbed.

“m-mom?” deku gasps, wincing from his injuries. “what happened, whys kacchan here?” his green eyes look so young, so lost, so confused — and finally they land on you. “who are you?”

there’s nothing wrong with his brain, the doctors confirm, and theres a realization that izuku believed that today was the day in middle school where they were going to be selecting high schools for registration. it isn’t quite said, but you and bakugou already know... ofa stockpiled his memories and burned it away with it.

so now with the war ended, and the world looking for a leader in a man who can’t even remember meeting his idol all might, can’t remember why he’s hurt, can’t remember he was the hero deku, why he’s suddenly 23, and why he can’t explain to the press why he’s suddenly quirkless.

you have to watch deku re navigate himself in this world, refigure himself out. you can’t hope he regains his memories because it’s literally impossible, and it’s a struggle to get him to fall back in love with you because he has so much going on. how do you begin to explain that you were set to elope a week ago? how do you tell a man who can never be who he was who he was? how do you get him to fall back in love with you?

how?

and so you watch and you wait. he’s still the man you love and yet he’s not, and you struggle to accept that. but the thing is, can you accept the same old yet new izuku? can he accept you?

fate versus free will... what a bitch for rearing it’s ugly head so late in the game.

—

—

—

I would like to clarify that you might be like: omg but all might didnt forget!!!!¡¡ so I would like to explain my logic although it’s not good logic lol

all might only remembers his memories and past because he still resided within ofa. his spirit/essence is in it whereas bakugous was ripped out and cast away — like his memories. all might is currently dead in this storyline so like ofa doesn’t even exist within him anymore, keeping izuku from ever remembering anything from when he was 14 till his current age 23. he’s missing 9 super important years in his life and will never get it back & I think this is a type of slowburn angst that can be beautiful because the options of what can happen are endless.

like how would bakugou, todoroki, eri, kouta, uraraka, iida behave towards this knowledge? would eri try to rewind deku to when he had his quirk? what happens if even if she does it, he no longer possess it?

todoroki who literally was able to be who he is right now because of deku? how involved would he be? how hurt would he be?

I feel like uraraka and iida and kouta will be there 100% but they don’t have that emotional weight behind them that bkg, shouto, and eri have but feel free to disagree!!

but bakugou... AUGH!!!! imagine spending a near 8+ years atoning, apologizing, becoming your childhood friend prized rival, friend, and like... he’s currently going above and beyond for an atonement & future apology deku doesnt except or even demand of him because deku never wanted one. the angstttttttt.

[sarahjtv]

BNHA Chapter 321 Spoiler Analysis: Teamwork Makes The Dream Work

Good god almighty it’s been 2 weeks already!  A lot of MHA stuff was released today: the Shonen Jump Cover, the 7th Anniversary cover page, Volume 31 Cover, and of course, Chapter 321!  My hand’s getting better, but I’m liking these shorter analysis's so let’s go:

First we got the Volume 31 Cover and it’s really good!  It’s basically All Might passing down the power of OFA to Deku.  You can see their various clothes in the mist like their UA uniforms, their Hero costumes, and even Deku’s middle school uniform (which took me a while to see).  It’s a really beautiful Volume cover, but god it’s weird to see All Might not smile in his buff form.  Like it’s so odd.  

Next is the Shonen Jump cover page featuring Deku in his Stealth Suit with Rody Soul and his bird, Pino, looking from the sidelines.  Deku looks so freaking badass in this suit!  I really hope he wears it for a while in the film.  I’m gonna guess he’s gonna wear it at the film’s climax, but we don’t know yet.  Hell, we barely know what WHM’s about AND THE MOVIE COMES OUT NEXT WEEK!  God, I want to see this movie why can't I live in Japan and speak Japanese 😭

The last color page we get is this awesome double page spread of all the 1-A kids + Aizawa building this massive All Might Mecha!  They’re all wearing green suits, goggles, and various pieces of tech on them.  Really, it’s just a super cool spread that looks like it’s colored the same way as the 5th anniversary one was.  I think you need to see it yourself to know what everyone’s doing because there’s a lot going on.

Now onto the chapter!  Endeavor has made it to the scene, but he’s still trusting the kids to bring Deku back as he should.  They can definitely handle themselves.  I do feel bad for Kirishima though.  He wants to say things to Deku (as everyone does), but his Quirk can’t do much to stop Deku so long as Deku’s fighting long range and in the air.  I’d like to see my rock son in action again.

So, SHOTO’S FREAKING PISSED!!!  I don’t think I’ve seen him this mad at Izuku since the Sports Fest.  He’s being logical here by thinking how AFO could be planning to target UA now since Deku isn’t there to protect it and that Deku should have a choice to come back to UA and fight along his friends.  Shoto REALLY wants Deku to come to his senses.  Probably more than most of the class.  This is what happens when your best friend goes rouge and doesn’t think the rest of you are strong enough to catch up to him.  I was honestly hoping Shoto’s and Deku’s conversation would go further than this, but this is still really good.  Maybe we’ll get more later 👀

A lot of this chapter is mainly the rest of 1-A teaming up to catch Deku with all their Quirks.  Even Mineta is out here spitting facts for once.  Like, ok Grape boy go off. 

Then the kids pull off this insane plan that’s kind of hard to explain, but I’ll do my best:

Shoto created a more refined ice ramp like what he did back in the All Might VS. AFO fight except it actually looks like a ramp this time and covers a good block of the city.

There are some rails put down to ready the kids for launch and I bet Momo created that b/c who else?

Shoto stands behind Bakugo who is preparing to get launched in the air with this 0.1% Solubility Acidman created my Mina.  I honestly thought this Acidman was created to help the kids slide easier on Shoto’s ice at first, but I finally understood what it actually was after going through the leaks a few more times.  

The more physically stronger kids push Shoto and Bakugo to slide on the ice and Shoto blasts both of them on through the ramp using his Flashfreeze Heatwave like a speeding rocket!

Shoto pushes Bakugo up in the air with the propulsion of his Super Move and Bakugo goes flying.  Ochako uses her Zero Gravity on the Acidman for reasons we’ll see later.  Also, Shoto sounds insulted by Deku’s “Won’t be able to keep up” when CLEARLY THEY CAN!

Bakugo uses his new explosions to use Explosive Speed Turbo Cluster to increase his speed to what looks like mach speed levels!  Seriously, this dude is like a sonic jet at this point and his new explosions look sooooo cool!

Finally, it’s revealed that Iida was covered in Mina’s Acidman and Bakugo uses his Explosions + Ochako’s Zero Gravity to FREAKING LAUNCH IIDA TOWARDS DEKU BECAUSE HE’S THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN WITHSTAND THIS SPEED!!!

Iida manages to catch up with Deku and grabs his hand I WAS A FOOL FOR THINKING IT WOULD BE BAKUGO OF COURSE IIDA MAKES SENSE HE WAS ONE OF DEKU’S FIRST REAL FRIENDS😭💙💚

I told you guys that plan was insane!  But it did work!  They grabbed Deku!  Now all they need to do is bring him back.  

Throughout this team-up, there are some interesting things that happen here:

Ochako establishes how all of them want to fight alongside Deku.  They don’t want to push him away or need to be protected by Deku.  They just want to be by his side again.  

Shoto looks extra pissed and determined in one panel to the point where his left eye is set aflame.  That rarely happens outside of him being in battle unless Shoto’s feeling some strong sense of emotion like he did when Endeavor fought High-End.  I guess this counts as him battling, but you get my point.  

Bakugo calls Iida “Class Prez” instead of something like “Glasses” for once!  Maybe he’s slowly gaining more respect for the rest of his friends.  Not 100% close to real names yet, but he’s getting there.

Bakugo thinks how there are things he needs to say to Deku!  He’s letting Iida do his part first, but looks like that conversation is going to happen soon.  Man, I’m REALLY hoping we get Deku Vs. Kacchan soon!  Bakugo needs to apologize to Deku or at least have a good heart-to-heart with him, but we know how these two work.  Their going to fight their feeling out and it’s going to be amazing.  I can feel a Part 3 in my bones.  Please, Horikoshi!

Now we hear the rest of what the 2nd OFA Holder said a few chapters ago.  It was addressing Bakugo, but more like Class A as a whole.  The thing that can bolster Deku are the people who share the same will and the people who run beside him at the same pace.  Isn’t that 1-A for ya?

So, Iida finally grabs Deku’s hand (hey, IidaDekus, how ya feeling?), his glasses are broken and his suit is breaking from the power of the speed he was going at, and he says the words that Deku said to back in the Stain Arc: “Giving help when it’s not asked for is the essence of being a hero”.  AND BOTH DEKU AND IIDA ARE CRYING IN THE AIR WHILE ALL THIS IS HAPPENING MY HEART I’M SOBBING 😭

Really, this whole thing is a big callback to the Stain Arc and how Deku let Kirishima grab Bakugo’s hand back at the Kamino Rescue because Kirishima was the only one who could do it.  Now it’s Iida’s turn to grab Deku’s hand who, btw, even refers to Deku as a “lost child” 😭💔.  AND THE CHAPTER IS EVEN CALLED “FROM CLASS A TO OFA” WHY HORIKOSHI WHY???

Honestly fantastic chapter all around!  We’ve seem to have reached the climax of Deku Vs. Class 1-A, so now comes the resolution.  The SFX on the last panel of Deku says “Fall” so maybe he’s run out of fuel and his finally passing out from exhaustion.  But, I don’t know guys...  Deku Vs. Kacchan still NEEDS to happen.  I don’t know about now, but definitely soon.  Also we still don’t know what the 2nd Holder’s Quirk is yet.  I want to say that they’re going to finally bring Deku home next chapter, but I’m not certain.  So, we’ll just have to wait and see.

ME THIS ENTIRE FREAKING ARC AND PROBABLY TILL THE END OF THE SERIES:

[amoosewritesfanfic]

[Part 1]

[Part 2a]

[Part 2b]

[+18]

[Bakugou Katsuki X Female Reader]

[Mafia Bakugou X Stripper Reader]

[All art and characters belong to original creators.]

[All characters are aged up]

[Warnings: rough sex, alcohol, violence, mentions of blood,]

─

─

It had been two weeks since that infamous gangster Bakugou Katsuki had taken you in as his little plaything.

You weren’t working as a girl at the club anymore… you had become his personal thing to use as he please…

But,

It wasn’t what you were expecting at all, he spoilt you almost all the time, buying you new clothes and things that you wanted no matter what it was, he had taken a liking to you.

“Look at you princess~” he mumbled as he stood behind you putting that silver locket around your neck, looking at yourself in the mirror you felt like a completely different person.

The dress that you had on was one you always dreamed of wearing, it was a red dress which ended mid thigh, it hugged your frame awfully well too.

Your hair was done up into a pony tail and your make up, well it didn’t look like you were wearing any make up. Your lips were a soft shade of pink and your cheeks were dusted with a light tinted of red.

Katsuki was dressed in a black buttoned up shirt, with black slacks and a black pair of dress shoes.

“What a pretty girl…” he mumbled against your neck once the necklace was in place.

“Thank you.” You said giving the blonde a bright smile.

“Its a pleasure princess, now are you ready to go out on our little date?” He asked you, arms wrapping around your frame.

“Yes of course, where are we going?” As you spoke you turned around, you arms wrapping around his neck, but your expression didn’t match your tone.

By now you learnt what going on dates meant, he always had business and if you were there it distracted the men he had business with, making them say yes to whatever it was Katsuki offered as long as they got to play a little with you…

You hated it… you hated that he was using your body… no you hated that he wasn’t the one biting and fucking you senseless, the men that used you couldn’t compare to him.

Not one bit.

You had never actually been on a date that didn’t involve him making deals or taking care of someone who pissed him off.

You didn’t complain… because if you did he would get violent and go off for a few days and come back as if he hadn’t left.

But for some reason you did not mind it. It didn’t matter that he stormed out and came back acting is if you two didn’t fight.

He never raised his hand to you… only while you had sex, but then it was pleasurable.

“Princess it’s just one quick stop before our date.” He said as he cupped your cheek, his thumb trailing along your cheek bone.

Your gaze shifted to those crimson hues you fell in love with.

“Will it take long?” You asked with a pout, he gave a soft chuckle as his thumb ran along your bottom lip now, out of habit which you built up for the past two weeks, your lips parted slightly for his thumb.

“It’ll be quick.” He responded.

“Just something that needs to be taken care of tonight.” He said thumb sliding into your mouth, gently caressing your tongue.

“Will you suck daddy off while he drives?” He then asked and you gave a nod, rubbing your tongue against his thumb causing him to smirk.

“That’s a good princess~ let’s go~” he said pulling away taking your hand in his as he pulled you along after grabbing his keys, wallet, gun and your purse for you.

─

The drive felt short, especially since he had you leaning over the middle console sucking him off, you had perfected your technique, knowing where to touch him to send him over the edge.

Your head bopping up and down, one of his hands holding your pony tail as if it was a leash and the other on a steering wheel as he focused on the road.

A groan escaped his lips as he pushed your head all the way down forcing you to take his entire length before he had emptied his load down your throat.

“Fuck baby girl… you suck me so fucking good~” he cooed seemingly still on cloud nine.

You made sure not to waste a single drop of the salty essence before you sat back up in your seat looking over at him as he zipped up his pants before handing you a tissue to wipe your mouth off.

You wiped off your mouth and dug in your purse retrieving your lipstick but before you could grab it he handed you a new tube.

It was bright red to match the dress.

“I got you this, try it.” He said.

“Thank you daddy!” You said happily taking the lipstick tube and applying it to your lips.

You made sure that it was spread out evenly before looking over at Katsuki as he parked the car looking back over at you.

A grin plastering his lips.

“Theres my princess~ you look so good with it on~” he hummed cupping your cheek and stroking your cheek bone which had you hum and lean into his touch.

“I could suck you off again after this~ I think you’d like to have a few lipstick marks on your cock daddy~” you said giving his palm a soft kiss leaving a lipstick mark.

“Fuck baby girl I just might, your face is always so pretty when you choke on my cock I can’t say no to you~” he said.

“C'mon let’s get this meeting over and done with.” He said giving your breast a firm squeeze before climbing out of the car.

You followed suit walking around the car to meet him where he waited.

His hand pulled you in close and rested on your ass giving it a few squeezes before he pulled you into the building.

You weren’t too focused on your surroundings when you got there but you noticed that you were in a storage facility.

It was odd… he had never brought you to a place like this before.

Usually it was at the back of a restaurant or a different club… never somewhere as secluded as this.

“Stay close.” He said and you gave him a nod as you entered a room, Kirishima stood with his arms crossed over his chest as he looked at a man with curly green hair and another with mismatched hues and hair, this male had a scar on his left eye.

A burn mark? Perhaps.

You’ve never seen these two men in your life and you sure as hell never seen two man as attractive as Bakugou.

As for Kirishima you’ve seen him come to Katsuki’s apartment to have a few drinks, along with the other two, Denki and Hanta.

You were grateful to see a familiar face though.

Kirishima was always really sweet towards you and he never got violent in front of you, compared to when Katsuki did, but he would chase you out before he would get to the good stuff.

“Glad to see you two bastards made it.” Katsuki spoke.

“Don’t talk like that now Katsuki.” The heterochromic male spoke in a smooth tone, his hands in his pockets.

“We wouldn’t miss out Kacchan, theres no reason to.” The curly green haired male said.

The closer you examined the two the more you noticed the small scars scattered along their hands or on any exposed parts of their bodies.

The green haired man had freckles peppering his skin and a calm expression, he was built rather nicely but he gave a nerdy vibe to him. He had one or two viable tattoos on his neck.

Dressed in a somewhat formal casual suit which consisted of a green shirt, which had a few buttons undone and a pair of black slacks accompanied by red sneakers, which you found… odd but it suited the look weirdly enough.

The one with heterochromic hues and hair had a similar attire to his partner, but he had a red dress shirt with a black vest and a knife holster instead of a gun… how odd.

His shoes were normal black dress shoes.

“And who’s the pretty lady?” The green haired male asked.

“None of your fucking business ya damn nerd, you touch her and I’ll chop your fucking hands off.” Katsuki growled sending shivers up your spine.

You just stood by quietly, not wanting to cause a scene for yourself.

“Just asking, theres no reason to become tense Kacchan. You’re always like that~” the green haired male said with a smug smirk on his lips.

“Shut it Deku.” Katsuki spoke.

You finally could identify the green haired male.

“Are you sure? She’s rather cute I wouldn’t mind paying you to have a few rounds with her~” the heterochromic male spoke,

“Look here icy hot, you’re just beggin’ for me to kill ya ain’t ya?!” Katsuki raised his voice and got closer to the male, but Kirishima pulled him back.

Like he always did, defusing the situation fast.

“C'mon Katsu, don’t do that we need to talk to them about.. ya know.” Kirishima spoke, his voice was nervous but it made you feel at ease.

“Tch..” Katsuki scoffed and stepped back closer to you now, a protective arm wrapping around your waist.

It made you thrilled to know that he was protective over you…

But clearly it only happened when it benefited him.

“Shoto, about the proposition we spoke about over the phone, did you think about it?”

“I did, I think it be interesting what with Shigaraki taking over from his mentor. If we need to keep the peace we’ll have to call a truce between us, don’t you agree Katsuki…” Shoto spoke.

“Don’t talk to me like we’re equals ya half and half bastard… but yeah I guess we have to. Our little feud needs to stop if we wanna take down that creepy bastard.” Katsuki said, his voice sounded slightly deeper than usual it gave you goosebumps.

“That’s the spirit Kacchan. Besides it’s best to knock down Shigaraki now since everything will be in chaos. It’s never a smooth transition when you take over for a former boss.” Deku said clapping his hands together.

But just as he clapped his hands together Sero had walked into the room, dragging along someone behind him who seemed to be struggling.

“We told you that we don’t want any disruptions flat face.” Katsuki said glaring at the male.

“Uh.. well ya see boss this idiot here was sneaking around and he said he had some information about something you needed.” Sero said as he pulled the male forward.

The man looked like some low ranking lackey you’d see in a movie.

A crude grin on his face, tattoos covering his arms and long shaggy hair.

His dark hues glancing over your frame once before shifting to Katsuki.

“Oh, Bakugou Katsuki, I haven’t seen ya ‘round these parts since you took over the south.” The male spoke as if he was familiar with Katsuki.

“You dumb fuckin’ idiot.” Katsuki had pulled away from you and grabbed the males collar and struck him right across the jaw with his fist.

“You think that you can just act like you know me? You got another thing comin’ you bastard.” He growled, his grip tightening on his collar.

None of the other men in the room had made a move to stop Katsuki either.

You stood by too, you didn’t want to get in the way of Katsuki when he’s pissed off at someone.

Your gaze remained on the tattoo man watching him laugh as Katsuki his him square in the jaw and once on the nose.

“You still punch the best ya’ know that Katsuki!” The man laughed.

“What is it you want?” Deku asked, before Katsuki could land another hit on the male.

“Just to relay some information from Shigaraki.” As he spoke you noticed every one in the room tense up, panic spread across their faces, but they all quickly recollected themselves.

“What do you mean?! Huh!?” Katsuki screamed.

“He said that you shouldn’t count on taking him down while he’s transitioning into power, it’s already been done~ whoever’s was telling you this information was lying to you the entire time.” The man talked as if he was in charge here, as if Katsuki didn’t have an iron grip on his shirt.

The room was silent, as if everyone was thinking about what to say, but Katsuki had other plans for the man.

“Well I guess we’ll just have to kill you to send a message huh?” He growled lowly, landing a few blows to his jaw. His red hues filled with rage.

You stood by, gripping your arm watching him beat the shit out of the male, blood splattering on the floor.

“Kacchan wait… we can use him.” Deku said, but again no one made a move to stop Katsuki from beating the man to death, but Katsuki stopped his bloodied fist a few inches from the mans face.

“Haha! I’m not doin shit! But if ya let me go I’ll promise to tell Shigaraki about that dame over there~ I’m sure he wouldn’t mi-…”

Everything happened too fast for your liking, you heard Deku tell Katsuki to stop but all you heard was bone breaking, a skull was smashed against the hard concrete floor and blood pooled around the floor.

“Katsuki! We could have kept him alive to pry information out of him!” Deku said.

“We’ll get that information you damn nerd! Don’t fucking stress out about it.”

As Katsuki spoke he let go of the now probably dead men and went over to you, your body felt hot…

Seeing him like this, blood covering his knuckles and that wild expression on his face sent shivers up your spine, your heart felt like it was beating faster as he stepped closer.

“C'mon. We’re done here, let’s go home.” Katsuki said walking straight past you, he didn’t even check if you’re okay, or grab your hand…

He was extremely pissed off.

And you knew that.

You quickly bowed towards the men who said farewell, but Shoto managed to say a little something extra.

“I was being serious about that, talk to him about you spending a night with me doll face~” he sounded smug, but you didn’t think much of it.

When you got outside Katsuki had grabbed your hand and dragged you to the car.

Without a single word you both got in the car and started making your way back to his apartment.

Silence was unbearable.

“Uhm… Katsuki.” You spoke.

“What?” He snapped, he sounded pissed off.

“Are you okay?” Your voice was quiet.

“No I’m not. I’m pissed off. That damn rat…” he paused.

“Just keep quiet I’m trying to think.” He snapped.

You sunk back in your seat and looked out the window.

He was too pissed off for you to have a normal conversation.

─

[Part 1]

[Part 2a]

[Part 2b]

[mysterylover123]

BNHA Rewatch Episode 24: “Fight On, Iida”

mysterylover123

So now that last episode’s drama is out of the way, let’s proceed with this nice, normal transition ep that in no way ends with a brutal near-murder.

give your old man a hug

First time around, of course, you just want to punch Endeavor in the face in this scene. Current mood: He’s so happy for Shoto! He’s still an ass but hey, still better BNHA dad than Birdman (chisaki). 

Still satisfying to see Shoto to tell him to eff off though. And lo and behold, BNHA decides “Talk no Jutsu is unrealistic”. Always subverting the ol’ tropes, HeroAca is. 

AHHH DEKU! (when did his leg get messed up?!)

Power of friendship don’t fail us now. Or Mentorship. Do something to comfort him All Might!

“Giving help that’s not asked for is the essence of being a hero”  Oh man Deku mentions that line in the next arc! I thought it was just some platitude of AM’s but he actually said it to him here, how’d I forget that? Anyway, Thank you All Might!

Deku’s perma-injuries. Good god. (Is it wrong that I kinda love how distinctive this makes his hands?)

This bit is a real low point for poor Deku. There are two definitive points in the series where he doubts his own worthiness to hold OFA, this is the first. It always marks a true moment of crisis for the poor kid. And All Might says just the right thing here. “I was quirkless too”. (Oh man, now I’m thinking about that scene, in the S4 trailer...I’m not ready for October).

Back to the fights!

Looks like Iida learned from Hatsume not to take it easy on girls. 

Tokoyami beating Mina so quickly feels a little forced, though. She’s so slick against Aoyama, but loses to darkness? 

Now Bakugou vs Kirishima. So officially every single major character Bakugou is shipped with he’s fought at least once.

Bakugou fights Kiri and Tokoyami differently from how he fights Uraraka and Todoroki. These two he basically just blasts through, perfectly aware of their weaknesses and confident he’s going to win. Why? Simple. They’ve got nothing to do with Deku, so Bakugou isn’t paranoid that they’ll secretly have a scheme to beat him (though Kiri does like Deku and Tokoyami was on his team...he’s everywhere, Kacchan. The conspiracy goes deep). 

Crap here it comes. The Ingenium theme is pulsing through my mind now. It can’t be stopped. 

Now we move onto Iida vs Todoroki. Which I actually really like. It’s one of my favorite fights of the tournament, brief thought it is. It’s such an interesting match up of powers and characters, and the fact that it actually creates some suspense over who will win is impressive. 

Iida actually lands a hit on Todoroki, the second fighter to do so in this arc after Deku. He mentioned he watched Deku’s fight, so he learned from him. I really like the animation on Iida’s ‘standing long jump’ too, (which Uraraka names, because she’s his SO) and Iida’s strategizing (without hearing Shoto’s thoughts) keeps us with him.

 Iida comes up with a good enough strategy that you think, for just a moment, that maybe Todoroki can be beaten. Of course, Shoto isn’t stupid either, so he manages to get the upper hand. But still...bravo, Iida. Also, I noticed that Iida and Uraraka’s final matches are kind of similar: Both are up against an OP opponent, both came up with smart strategies by observing Deku’s moves against them, both have an all-or-nothing KO in mind, and both get beaten because they underestimated their opponent’s strength. 

And now, dear viewers, a clear signal that you are not watching a PG-rated Shonen series. Good lord this scene is so dark and kinda brutal. Hori didn’t pull no punches here. (the next two seasons are going to be so graphic OMG).

Now Bakugou vs Tokoyami! This one’s all right, it’s cool to watch but I still feel like Tokoyami could’ve put up more of a fight or at least tried something. Maybe I’m just annoyed on Momo and Mina’s behalf. 

I do love how this fight showcases Bakugou’s cleverness tho. 

Really going all out on making him look Thoroughly Bonkers. Guess someone saw all of Todoroki and Midoriya’s efforts last episode and wanted to reassert his position as #1 MurderFace maker.

Interestingly, Kirishima is disdainful of Bakugo’s decision to exploit Tokoyami’s weakness to light. “Bakugo’s the kind of guy who would exploit that”. (What else would he do, Kiri? Not try to win?) 

Iida gets the worst kind of phone call. Incoming feels. Next arc. Incoming Stain. I am not ready.

So that’s episode 24. It’s got a lot of good stuff, lots of emotional moments; it’s certainly a transition episode, but one of the better ones. Lots of awesome fights packed into a single ep and an emotionally devastating bit to wrap us off. All good.

BKDK CORNER:

Someone’s annoyed he won’t be fighting Deku in the Sports Festival! (I asked makeste to do a meta on this panel in the manga, and if you want to read it, it’s here:  https://makeste.tumblr.com/post/184075378838/could-you-do-a-meta-about-bakugos-expression-in ) 

BEST GIRL OF THE EP: No new best girls this ep. S2 Best girls so far: Uraraka Mom, Mei Hatsume, Itsuka Kendo, Ibara Shiozaki, Kinoko Komori, Yui Kodai, Reiko Yanagi, Setsuna Tokage, Pony Tsunotori, Rei Todoroki)

RANKER: Top 5 Craziest-faced BNHA characters

5. Himiko Toga

4. Shoto Todoroki

3. Izuku Midoriya

2. Katsuki Bakugou

1. Tomura Shigaraki (natch)

[conciteque]

Kiribaku month - Day 3: Reincarnation

Wordcount: 884 words

For @kiribakumonth2019

I can't find the "read more" line on mobile but I'll change as soon as I'm back on computer.

I hope you like it!

Day 3: Reincarnation

Somewhere in Denki's extensive collection of human books, there was a story about reincarnation. Eijirou hadn't read it himself, but Denki loved to tell his friends all about the things he learned.

The reincarnation story had started a whole debate about soul with Mina, his pink vice-leader, who ended up complaining about it making her circuits melt. Eijirou had mostly remained silent, wondering if something like this was possible for androids. If he died, would something remain? In a way, weren't the multiple bodies of YuUEi units a form of reincarnation? Could the lost memories be restored somehow, like for the souls in Denki's book?

Eijirou had stopped thinking about it as soon as the debate was over, and the thoughts had remained burried deep in his memory chip, up until now.

Kacchan didn't remember him.

Eijirou had been warned beforehand, of course. He didn't know the details, but Kacchan and Deku, the two YuUEi androids they'd been working with for a year, had somehow ended up with a huge memory loss. Eijirou hadn't seen them in months, and the news of their return had still made him happy. He'd missed them both, especially the cranky Battle unit.

Maybe deep down, he refused to believe that he'd been forgotten.

What an idiot he was...

It had taken months for Eijirou and the other Resistance members to earn Kacchan's respect, but he'd somehow become their favorite, despite his still abrasive personality that earned him the title of Blasty, and his insistence that "emotions are prohibited".

For Eijirou, though, he'd become something more.

There was a debate about androids' ability to love, but Eijirou had always believed that it didn't matter. Maybe the love he felt for his friends was different from human love, but he cared about them all the same. Maybe the extra something he felt for Kacchan wasn't the same as human romance, but he still loved the Battle unit.

It had taken him so long to feel this affection, and even longer to be loved in return. Every time Eijirou thought he'd made a step forward, Kacchan took two steps back. And Eijirou couldn't exactly flirt in front of his friends, or in front of Deku. The former would tease him forever, and Kacchan never truly let his guard down in front of his partner.

Still, Eijirou had done it. He's done it, dammit! The Battle unit had finally let Eijirou call him Kacchan. He'd finally admitted that he cared, too. He'd even agreed to try human things, like kissing, or hand holding, or sneaking out of the camp, just the two of them, to ride wild mooses in the plains. Those few hours outside, their mad races between buildings, outrunning machines and their responsibilities alike, were Eijirou's most treasured memories. They had been worth all the teasing they had to endure when they came back, and despite how much Kacchan had complained, Eijirou knew that it was the same for him.

And now, all these memories were gone. The Kacchan that remembered them was gone. "Corrupted," the Commander had said in his tired voice. Nothing they could do to save them.

What could Eijirou say? YuUEi already had all the data they needed on what Kacchan had done during that time. Eijirou couldn't ask them to try harder, couldn't tell them "Please, I need him to remember me! I want him to remember our time together! I don't know if I can make him fall in love with me again!". Emotions were prohibited for YuUEi soldiers, after all.

The Kacchan that stepped into the camp was the same as the one from all those months ago. Just as rude and commanding. Eijirou hadn't realized until then how much the Battle unit had changed since their first meeting. Only Deku was familiar despite his lack of memories, sweet and friendly as always.

It pained Eijirou so much, having to argue to get anything from an angry B20, dealing with his prickly personality and attempts at intimidation, being called "Shitty Hair" again…

He knew how to deal with all that, but he didn't know if he'd manage to steer their relationship back to what it once was.

"That was some old school Blasty right there…" Denki commented once the YuUEi units were gone.

"He really doesn't remember anything, huh…" Eijirou said. "I didn't want to believe it, but he's really… gone."

Mina put a hand on his shoulder.

"Ei, I'm so sorry…" she started. "But I'm sure we can make him open up again! It'll be even faster than last time, with everything we know about him and all!"

Her attempt at cheering him up was rewarded with a sad smile.

The Kacchan he used to know might be gone, but in essence, he was still the same android Eijirou had fallen in love with, right? Wasn't it the same as a soul?

This Kacchan didn't remember him, but he was still back in Eijirou's life. If it didn't count as reincarnation, Eijirou didn't know what did. So he wouldn't give up, no matter how painful it was going to be. Corrupted memories or not, he'd bring back his Kacchan.

[makeste]

“...and I bullied him.”

hello, hello, good afternoon or evening or whatever time it is. so by now we’ve all had some time to bask in those “Kacchan admitted he cares about Deku” feels (well, technically they were “All Might pointed out that Kacchan was worried about Deku and Kacchan didn’t deny it” feels, BUT THOSE MIGHT AS WELL BE THE SAME FEELS, YOU KNOW). and it’s been lovely. I’ve been having a time. it’s been nice.

but now I would like to talk a bit more about a part of this chapter which I think was even more important.

for me, this was the line of the chapter. this one panel may honestly be the biggest piece of Kacchan character development since all the way back in chapter 120. “I ended up bullying him.” okay but guys?? can we just talk?? about how absolutely extraordinary this one sentence is.

it’s self-aware.

introspection? from a kid who’s had to be dragged kicking and screaming to every character development milestone he’s ever experienced in his life? and on an emotional level that actually goes deeper, and doesn’t just stop at the surface-level anger that’s so often his instinctive reaction to everything? who are you and what have you done with Bakugou Katsuki lol.

but seriously, the level of self-analysis here almost stunned me, guys. not only does he demonstrate a very impressive level of insight into Deku (something I especially love because it mirrors the many analyses Deku has made of him, and shows that the understanding between them is actually mutual), but he also shows an unprecedented degree of insight into himself. like, historically speaking, Bakugou and Feelings have not always exactly been on the same page, you know? so for him to suddenly get so thoughtful now, and sincerely try to analyze these feelings which up until now he’s always ignored and avoided dealing with... that is such a huge step. also, bonus points: he recognizes it as a problem within himself, and doesn’t try to pin the blame on Deku in any way. he recognizes that he’s the one who reacted badly to Deku’s behavior. to be able to examine your own feelings like that and arrive at a conclusion that acknowledges that you’re not the good guy in this, that you’re the one who made the mistake -- that takes a level of accountability that not everyone possesses.

it’s self-prompted.

okay this one is a big deal honestly. no one put a gun to Katsuki’s head here and forced him to confess this. all All Might said was “you’re worried about him too” and that somehow prompted a level of emotional honesty that Katsuki has never before shown. now, based on the fact that the successors’ notebook is still fresh in Katsuki’s mind, and that All Might mentioned earlier that Aizawa couldn’t help because he was “busy at the moment”, this conversation likely took place shortly after the kids returned from their New Year’s break. meaning that this was basically right after the Endeavor internship arc, when thoughts about seeking atonement were still fresh on Katsuki’s mind. so this isn’t entirely out of the blue; it shows that Katsuki did, in fact, learn exactly what All Might was hoping he would learn from Endeavor.

but it’s one thing for this to be on his mind, and another thing entirely for him to actually confess it out loud. and I absolutely will give him full credit for that. he admits, without anyone forcing him to, that he bullied Deku. there’s no incentive for him to do this whatsoever. Deku isn’t there to hear it. he’s not admitting it for the purposes of seeking forgiveness. he’s simply just being honest, and owning up to what he did because he realizes it was wrong. and that takes a lot of inner strength, to do that. to not shy away from it and keep pretending like it never happened. this is a huge first step for him.

it’s a confession that leaves him emotionally vulnerable.

this is another big one. it’s not always evident because he makes a big effort to downplay it, but Katsuki looks up to All Might every bit as much as Deku does. he seeks his approval, he wants All Might to be proud of him, even though he very often puts on a big show of not caring about it at all. it means a lot to him. a lot.

and Katsuki knows how much All Might cares about Deku. and sure, All Might is already perfectly aware that Katsuki and Deku aren’t exactly on the best of terms, and he’s always been understanding about it; always gently compassionate and attempting to smooth things out between them without being judgmental.

but All Might also doesn’t know everything about the two of them. and even with Kacchan and Deku’s relationship never exactly being on the most rock solid of terms at U.A., there’s still a vast difference between the way they interact there, and the way that they interacted back in middle school. when Katsuki was not only hostile, but occasionally downright cruel. and when Deku was still quirkless, and very much not on equal footing with Kacchan in terms of power, and yet Kacchan bullied him anyway.

what Katsuki is confessing here puts him at risk of rejection from one of the people whose opinion of him matters the most. he’s opening himself up to the possibility that All Might might not, for once, react with his trademark understanding. he’s admitting to All Might, I did something unherolike, and I hurt someone you care about, and I didn’t have a good reason for doing it. All Might, in the moment immediately following this statement, has an incredible amount of power over Katsuki. he has the ability to withdraw his support, to condemn him, to pull away and decide that Katsuki is not someone worthy of becoming a hero after all. he has all the power in the world over Katsuki in this one moment; a rejection from him would be a blow he’d never recover from.

and Katsuki, knowing this, tells him anyway. willingly opens himself up to that possibility of being hurt, of being rejected and shunned by the person who inspired his dream. because the alternative is being dishonest with him. this is, in short, a decision made because he believes All Might deserves to know this, and deserves to hear the truth from him. he wants his approval so badly, but he can’t live with the knowledge that he’s “tricked” him into giving it. so he tells him the truth, ready to face whatever consequences might arise from that. and I think that might be one of the bravest things he’s ever done.

it’s not attempting to shirk responsibility.

this, right here, is why Katsuki is my favorite character. because even though he’s flawed, even though he’s made a lot of mistakes, when he realizes that and is confronted by it, he never tries to hide from them. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: to me, the essence of Katsuki is that he is someone who is always trying to be better. he wants to be a good hero; he wants to be a good person. when people point out to him that he’s done something wrong, he listens. it doesn’t always sink in right away, sure, and sometimes he gets stubborn and it can be hard to hammer that truth in. but once he gets it, he always makes the change. he never tries to make excuses. he owns up to his shit and does his best to course correct.

with this acknowledgement here, that he bullied Deku, there’s no attempt on his part to say that it was Deku’s fault, that Deku shouldn’t have done this or that. he doesn’t blame his parents or his teachers or try to act like he didn’t know any better. he makes no attempt whatsoever to justify it. it’s just simple, honest truth. back then, I ignored my own weakness, so I ended up bullying him. it’s a plea of guilt. no attempt to mitigate it or downplay it. the verb he uses, “ijimeta”, doesn’t water it down.

“to ill-treat; to torment; to be cruel to.” there’s no attempt here to paint this in a flattering light at all. which is good. because in order for him to really atone for it, to really go the distance in his redemption arc which we’re all rooting for him to do, the most important step is for him to take responsibility. he can’t learn from it if he’s trying to hide from it or make excuses for what he did wrong. he has to fully acknowledge his mistakes. and that’s exactly what this is.

it shows remorse.

that’s right y’all. they sent my boy out to do an internship with Endeavor over the holidays, and he came back having learned the true meaning of Christmas. his heart really did grow three sizes. honey badger does care.

there is genuine, sincere remorse for his actions here. he’s sorry for what he did. he regrets what he did. there’s real contrition there. it’s not forced or insincere. again, nobody made him say this! nobody pressured him, nobody led him on. these are his own feelings. I bullied Deku. I shouldn’t have done that to him. I want to atone for it.

I know some people in fandom don’t think this is enough. the same thing happened with Endeavor as well. people aren’t always satisfied with restorative justice; they want retribution. they want punishment for his actions. and that’s a natural feeling; it stems back to that instinct of wanting everything to be fair, which I mentioned in another meta not too long ago.

but the thing is, retributive, punitive justice doesn’t actually help anyone. it doesn’t restore what was lost. Katsuki being punished doesn’t do anything to undo what was done to Deku. it doesn’t do anything to heal the harm that was dealt. it doesn’t do anything to make things better for either of them moving forward.

but do you know what does? restorative justice. making amends. which is exactly what this is building up to now.

it shows an understanding that remorse is not enough, and that in order to move forward he has to take action to be a better person.

Katsuki understands that simply being sorry for what he did is not enough. I suspect that’s one reason why he hasn’t attempted to apologize to Deku yet; because he recognizes that after years of tormenting him for stupid and self-centered reasons, a simple apology might seem meaningless at best and self-serving at worst. it puts pressure on Deku to make a decision to either accept or not accept it. Katsuki saw the Todoroki siblings struggling with a similar conflict not too long ago. and he knows better than anyone else how selfless Deku can be. “deep down, he doesn’t take himself into account, y’know?” and so if Katsuki simply apologizes, Deku might end up offering forgiveness that he doesn’t actually deserve, just because Deku is that kind of person who puts others above himself.

and so rather, what Katsuki has opted to do for now is to put all his efforts into helping Deku. he knows Deku is in a considerable amount of danger. he knows how much Deku has on his plate with the SIXQUIRKS and trying to handle all of that. and he knows there are other potential dangers looming which they don’t even know about yet. he’s been alert and anxious about this -- you saw how quickly his mind leaped to worst-case scenarios about the past OFA users; how he was sure that All Might was hiding something from them, and how agitated and apprehensive he got thinking about what that might be.

“I’m worried for him. you are, too,” All Might said. and Katsuki didn’t deny it. didn’t even try. he is worried about Deku. he’s worried about what he has to face. he’s worried about him getting in over his head and something happening to him. and so the way that he has chosen to try and atone is to help him. with his training, with his quirks; whatever he can do. if he needs to push him he’ll push him. whatever he can do to help make him stronger. and if he needs to protect him, he’ll do that too.

atonement is not the same thing as forgiveness. atonement is about trying to make up for what you did, to try and correct your mistakes however you can. it doesn’t mean you’re pardoned from them. all it means is that you’ve acknowledged them, and are doing your best -- doing whatever you can -- to repair the harm done, and to be a better person going forward. and sometimes there is no way to ever completely make up for it. sometimes you can’t undo the harm, because you can’t go back and change the past. the only thing you can change is the now, and the future.

and so Katsuki is trying to atone. he’s trying to be the friend Deku deserves now, since he wasn’t before. he’s trying his best to make things right, and it all starts with this one sentence. that acknowledgement of what he did, of what can’t be changed. acknowledgement of the mistake, so that he can learn from it, so that it never happens again.

so yeah. BnHA Redemption Arcs strike again. Horikoshi you smooth son of a bitch.

[heroes-never-discourse]

Hello and wellcome to the (not so) comprehensive analysis of Izuku “Deku” Midoriya and his “it’s ~complicated~” relationship status re: Katsuki Bakugou.

Before I begin, keep in mind that:

a) I’ll mostly focus on things I believe people overlook or get wrong about the subject instead of the overall development of Izuku’s character or his relationship with Katsuki (though obviously I don’t claim to be The Only Correct Fan and I hope I don’t offend anybody);

b) despite shipping BakuDeku, I’ll leave my shipping goggles at the door, this analysis is about their dynamics stripped of any romantic subtext (which I doubt Horikoshi intended anyway lmao);

c) this will be all over the place, I’m not ready for this, help.

****************************

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s look at how the fandom, antis and shippers alike, view Izuku himself. To summarize, most fans see him as a kind-hearted, selfless, empathetic, forgiving, generally too-pure-for-this-world kid whose goal is to save people with a smile and whose only notable character flaws are his self-confidence issues and resulting self-destructiveness and recklessness. They’re not exactly wrong.

Enter Katsuki. Kacchan. The person Izuku admires and seems to care about despite him being, frankly, a complete jackass, both in general and to Izuku specifically. How does that add up with the things listed above? Why would someone like Izuku feel that way about someone like Katsuki? The fandom’s answer seems to be: Izuku’s inherent goodness, nostalgia for the friendship they used to have or just straight-up Stockholm Syndrome. Or a combination.

Here, I believe the fandom is wrong. Maybe not entirely, but for the most part.

The thing is, Izuku does not admire Katsuki because he’s somehow blind to the kind of person Katsuki is. He’s well aware that Katsuki is an asshole and a bully. He does not deny it and, as far as I remember, he never attempts to defend or justify Katsuki’s behaviour, not to himself or to others. He also generally doesn’t go out of his way to interact with him (not anymore, anyway, Katsuki pushed him away successfully, it seems).

In fact, he’s one of the only characters who consistently stands up to him and seriously calls him out on his bullshit (the other 1-A kids see him as more of a tryhard edgelord that’s not to be taken seriously, to be avoided at worst, but then again, he was never that nasty to them).

Can we stop it with the “poor innocent Izuku doesn’t know he’s being abused and defends and protects his abuser” fanfic trope now? No? Okay then.

Okay, so Izuku knows Katsuki is a piece of work. So why does he still admire and care for him? Well, while nostalgia and heroics are part of it, there is one thing that drives Izuku throughout his childhood and beyond and pushes him to chase after Katsuki - desperation.

At four years old, Izuku was told he was Quirkless. He was told by everyone around him, including his mother, that his dream of becoming a hero is impossible. He couldn’t accept that (who could?), he was still in awe of All Might, the symbol of peace. He wanted to be just like him. But he knew he couldn’t, not with his heart alone. Even if he wasn’t completely powerless, All Might was an insurmountable wall to every other hero and he was so far ahead, so far away and beyond reach it seemed pointless to even try, let alone go beyond. And so Izuku likely felt hopeless and lost.

Enter Katsuki, again, the kid who turned on Izuku with no explanation. Also the kid who had a strong Quirk and seemingly boundless confidence, who had grand ambitions and the will to see them through to the end. The boy who wanted to win, at all costs, against anyone… Including All Might. (When he sees a wall, he laughs.) Yet Katsuki is also the kid capable of falling in a river and getting hurt. He was not far away. He was just in front.

In other words, Izuku saw Katsuki as both an example of a person chasing Izuku’s impossible dream and, more importantly, a tangible goal. Katsuki wasn’t exactly wrong when he said Izuku was chasing him because he wanted to surprass him, he was just wrong about Izuku looking down on him or trying to bring him down. Katsuki had everything Izuku wanted, he envied him but was also in awe of him, but he did not put him on a pedestal, he used him as both inspiration and a measuring stick.

And as long as Katsuki was in front of him, Izuku had something to work towards. A reason not to give up.

(Sidenote, this is honestly the greatest unintentional “fuck you” to Katsuki on Izuku’s part ever. XD “Oh, what’s that, Kacchan? Wanna push me down? Just makes me get up and chase you harder!” Okay that sounded wrong.)

This is the reason why Izuku did not run from All Might during their End Of Term Exam. He didn’t think he could possibly stand a chance, but he didn’t run because Katsuki didn’t. This is the reason he punched Katsuki, not for punching him earlier or because he refused to cooperate or because of their past, but because it looked like Katsuki would give up on the one thing that Izuku always admired about him, the one thing that kept Izuku going all these years until that fateful meeting with Toshinori.

This is the reason why Izuku is so beside himself at the mere thought of Kacchan being taken away from him. And I use that wording deliberately, this is not just Izuku’s hero complex or him being concerned for a classmate/frenemy. Even martyrs are not above selfishness. He tells Mr Compress to “give Kacchan back,” but the word he uses in Japanese is strange, which is why Compress mocks him by saying Katsuki doesn’t belong to anyone. Hard to explain, but it’s like the difference between saying “you kidnapped Kacchan, give him back” and “you stole Kacchan, give him back.” Give me back my lifelong goal.

And that is, in essence, what Kacchan is to Izuku. As for why Izuku would be willing to forgive him (I mean, aside from the fact that he’d likely forgive Shigaraki despite everything lol, if he chose to abandon villainy), well, the person he chased after looked back at him, chased after him, walked side by side with him and promised that things would be different now, that there will be no more pushing down and that he’ll keep going and Izuku better not stumble or stop, you hear?

See you at the top.

~B (Wheeeew, how do people keep up this tone?? So many words??? Anyway voila, I’m going to sleep. P.S. check the fake email name. ;))

also adsghdjskghs:

is that a harambe reference in 2019 b-non you absolute madman

[confinedmadness]

[Translation] Deku (Yamashita Daiki) x Kacchan (Okamoto Nobuhiko) Special Interview

This is a rough translation of the interview with voice actors Yamashita Daiki (Midoriya Izuku) and Okamoto Nobuhiko (Bakugou Katsuki) regarding the Deku-Kacchan fight in the third season. Original Japanese from the Boku no Hero Academia anime’s official website.

—————————-

★ Thank you for your hard work! How was the recording for you?

Okamoto Nobuhiko (Nobu below) [1] From the very moment I entered the studio, I felt that the atmosphere was different. It was only us in the first row of the seats so we were able to naturally create that atmosphere of being somewhere with just the two of us. The “Let’s do this!!!” feeling was more than usual.

Yamashita Daiki (Daiki below) [2] I felt the same way! The “Nobuhiko-san and I are doing this today!” feeling was very strong.

★ Since Episode 7 of the first season, Episode 61[3] is the first time Deku and Bakugou will be having a serious 1-on-1 fight. How was it compared to the last time?

Daiki At that time Deku could only use his full power and he has grown since. Even if I’m playing the same character, the level of preparedness is very different. Also, this time Kacchan’s the one who’s in a state of being backed to a corner…

Nobu That’s true. Also, during the test they were fighting more with just these strong feelings of “I’ll win!” They weren’t really talking with each other.

Daiki Right, right. They were synchronized.[4] And then…

Nobu The sound director told us “You two aren’t aiming for something like the All Might and One-For-All fight, right?” And honestly, that’s exactly what I thought

Daiki I thought during the recording it would be a fight between equals and a clash of their wills, but it was different. We were both wrong.

Nobu I was given direction that Bakugou is using Deku so he can answer his own questions. Up until now, Kacchan has always just yelled at people. I thought this time, too, he’d fight Deku thinking he has the answers, but that wasn’t the case. I had to voice a vulnerable Kacchan that has not been seen until now. This was very difficult. Even during fight, his screams are different from up until now. I also want to just yell loudly but the feelings in the fight this time is not like that. But if I also just simply suppress my voice, it won’t sound like Kacchan anymore. I voiced him hoping I could show something, even just his inner feelings.

★ And it was also the first time Deku saw that kind of Bakugou.

Daiki That’s right. I’ve voiced Deku in the anime for 60 episodes now and he’s had several confrontations with Kacchan but he’s never talked to him with such a calm voice before. He’s never seen Kacchan not show his gums (lol). For me, it was so painful I almost couldn’t watch. At first, Deku wanted the conversation to end quickly, and the fight started from there. As it progressed, it somehow turned into passionate feelings of not wanting to lose. I was directed to voice him with feelings of “I have to do something about him (Bakugou)!”

★ Like, to save Bakugou from his own feelings or something?

Daiki Yes. It’s the feeling of “I have to do something!”. There’s no helping it if Kacchan thinks that kind of meddling is annoying. I was able to reaffirm that Deku’s foundation is really his belief that the essence of a hero is saving people even when they don’t want to (meddling). However, this episode was really a “Kacchan Episode”.

★ “Kacchan Episode”?

Daiki Kacchan’s suffering and his conflicted feelings have come to light. At this moment, I think Deku is doing pretty well. He’s right on track: he was told “You’re Next!” by All Might, he found a new fighting style, and got his provisional license. And Kacchan sees that.

Nobu He knows that even if he fights Deku with his anger it won’t change anything. But he doesn’t know what else to do. He’s fighting with himself about it but no answers come. And in the midst of finding “something”, Deku is the only target he can think of to fight. I think it’s really painful to keep on having to ask “why??” It was really difficult while voicing him.

★ And the cause of the questions and the fight is All Might.

Nobu All Might is the number 1 person Kacchan admires. So there’s also the question of “why?” All Might passed on his quirk to Deku and not to him. “Why not me?” Since entering UA, he most wanted to be acknowledged by All Might but there’s always Deku first. In this fight as well, though I’m not allowed to say how it ends, whether he wins or loses, that question of “Why not me?” probably won’t disappear. At the end of the fight, Kacchan says something unexpected, and from that line you can see that the child-like feeling of “I want to be acknowledged, too!” is really there.

Daiki In this recording, I thought that Kacchan is a very real young boy, after all. With his conviction of winning, I realized that up until now he has always been giving it his all. I’ve come to understand the person called Kacchan.

★ After the fight, is there any change in Deku and Bakugou?

Daiki The original story of the episode to be aired shows that this intense fight between the two of them will end. But even if you say it’s a fight, it’s really a drama dealing with their feelings. After that battle of emotions, the feeling of not wanting to lose to Kacchan is even clearer to Deku, and I think that this is something important towards his goal of becoming the best hero like All Might.

Nobu When I read the manga, I thought Kacchan was finally free from a burden. But once I actually tried voicing it, I realized I’m not satisfied yet (lol). However, he has always had that desire to surpass All Might, and also Deku, to become number 1. Now it’s even stronger.

★ Lastly, please give a message to the fans and viewers.

Daiki Even I, when I read the manga, thought this was going to be an intense episode. I think when it becomes an anime, whether it’s the greatness of the manga, or Deku and Kacchan’s feelings, or the conflict and fight, everything will be freshly and impressively depicted. Please do enjoy their fight!

Nobu There were also sad, painful scenes in “Bakugou Katsuki: Origin”[5], but this time you will see an even more anguished, suffering Kacchan. Of course, look forward to the great battle scenes, but I would also be happy if you would look at their troubles and see how they go beyond, “Plus Ultra”!

★ Thank you very much.

—————————-

Please notify me for corrections!

[1] In the original Japanese, the shortened form was just his last name “Okamoto” [2] In the original Japanese, the shortened form was just his last name “Yamashita” [3] Overall Episode 61 is Season 3 Episode 23 [4] I really don’t get this. Maybe he actually meant he and Nobu were thinking the same thing?! [5] “Bakugou Katsuki: Original” is Overall Episode 37 or Season 2 Episode 24

Do NOT use this translation as reference for anything important. This is a rush translation and has not been proofread. 

Other translations:

Ootsuka Akio (All For One) Special Interview Yamashita Daiki (Midoriya Izuku) Special Interview Vol. 2 Kaji Yuuki (Todoroki Shoto) Special Interview Suwabe Junichi (Aizawa Shota) Special Interview Okamoto Nobuhiko (Bakugou Katsuki) Special Interview Vol. 2

[the-nysh]

Ah I’m not the anon who asked that but do you think Deku just sits back and wonder how to imitate someone? That’s kinda harsh ;w;

Ah no, let me rephrase. Those moments where Deku thought such lines as ‘what would Kacchan do?’ were early on when he was still inexperienced and didn’t know what to do during a villain attack, so he used his best frame of reference on ‘winning’ to change the tide of the situation (imitating Kacchan’s behaviors.) Uraraka similarly did the same when she was stuck in a situation she didn’t know what to do in either, so she thought ‘what would Deku do?’ as her best frame of inspiration too. It’s in those types of situations, where they’re stumped and confused, maybe a bit panicking and fumbling cause they’re still too ‘green’ at being heroes, that the line comes up.

So mentally I can’t see Kacchan taking on a similar mindset (wracking his brain thinking about how someone else would solve the situation if he was in their shoes) since he’s already quite battle experienced, you know what I mean? But it’s also true when Deku thinks too much, he tends to hesitate and get locked up, rather than (re)acting on seamless instinct (which is what Kacchan naturally does), but that’s a noted problem Deku’s working on to improve during battle. It’s also true that Deku still imitates All Might (adapting his movesets even) a bit too much, when Kacchan’s out here still pushing Deku to make the power of OfA his own (as Deku’s own style once he confidently and safely masters it).

For more food for thought on the matter, you might also check out the ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of tragedy’ theory. Because in essence, fully imitating someone else (like in Uraraka’s case) often leads to failure. So ideally, in the future for Deku’s case, for him to succeed as a hero he can’t become another All Might 2.0 (out of imitation); he would need to learn how to healthily take himself into account (finally), and come into his own. Fortunately, this is something Deku’s actively working on, so I have no worries he’ll get there someday. :’)        

[teavious]

i’d do it all again

fandom: boku no hero academia

pairing: midoriya izuku & everyone

summary: midoriya izuku: origins. (also on AO3)

commission for @heeeky !!! thank you so, so much! 

It starts like this: Midoriya Izuku, aged 3. Coming back home from grocery shopping, noticing an opulent figure on the screens at the store next to the second right turn, his hold over his mother’s hand tightening when he takes in the blue and the red, the strong arms carrying civilians like they’re made of feathers. He’s glued to the glass in a second, happy sounds of admiration escaping his mouth, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears of overwhelm. His mother approaches him, a hand softly patting the top of his head, reading the name of the hero that enraptured him so. They take a detour, Izuku now rather clutching at his chest a figurine and a poster- of All Might.

It starts like this: Midoriya Izuku, aged 4. In his class, everyone wants to be a hero when they grow up; imagining oneself in a costume and able of anything is an easy task for fragile minds. And yet, few say it like they mean it, like their words will actually be remembered years to come. Bakugou Katsuki is the only one that sticks out from the crowd: maybe because he’s loud, maybe because he speaks those words like a man getting ready for battle. A young Midoriya gets the same gut feeling of immense potential and immediately follows the steps of a bold and self-assured boy, in simple admiration.

It ends like this: Midoriya Izuku, on the chair that he once jumped on in excitement, watching the video that changed his life for the hundredth time and crying his heart out. His own mother, on her knees in front of him, breaking down because of the smile he hoped would save her of this pain. They both cry, together, each with their own failure.

The story doesn’t end like this: a Quirkless boy giving up in front of relentless bullying, putting aside his childhood dream just because of a setback decided by fate and his own body, trusting the voice of those around him than the one telling him not to give up.

It goes on like this: one lonesome figure and the same notebook x 13; one lonesome figure and a villain; one lonesome figure and a hero.

***

The deeper the darkness, the more dazzling the light shines.

***

You know that moment when you meet someone you’ve admired, someone whose image you’ve relied on to get you through life – and your whole body turns to liquid, your tongue forgets to work? Midoriya Izuku would like to say that’s how his own fateful encounter went. No realities hardened, no dreams shattered by the figure who’ve made them possible in the first place. You know that when things are at their worst, they can only get better?

Maybe Midoriya Izuku didn’t have the stuff that heroes are made of; but he is hero enough to put others to shame.

When he leaps to defend; he leaps towards his destiny: trembling in fear, panicked beyond measure and ready to face whatever it is thrown his way.

***

If Midoriya is to be honest, he loved Kacchan. He loved that back when nothing was differentiating them, he was brave and bold in ways he’d never be – kind in a violent way that kept him strong and fierce. Maybe that’s why he followed so willingly: Kacchan was the closest thing to the hero he ever dreamt to be, to the hero whose strength could overcome all obstacles. It made sense, back then: Katsuki Bakugou has been the strongest person he ever encountered, and every meeting left him enraptured and aching and empty and less.

In time, he learns differently. It comes with having no Quirk, with being taunted for having no Quirk, with being in a whole class of weirdly skilled kids. It comes with All Might, the inspiration he can give, the power he gives, the smile ever returning on his face. A hero is made for sacrifice; and who else would be more fitting than the oh so scared boy, pushing through crowds to jump in front of dangers for others, even useless as he had been?

He had been pleased with his position: overcame and defeated, nursing a slight hope at greater things simply because he was left to, because no one actually told him that he can’t do it and given him necessary proof. Objectively speaking, his raw force would never reach that of his childhood friend. It took him a decade to sit next to Kacchan from equal grounds; and only from now on do they actually grow into the roles of rivals, pushing each other constantly one more step forward – and when Deku this time says they’re friends, the term doesn’t seem so foreign, so outrageous anymore.

If Midoriya is to be honest, the only real recognition of his new powers, of his new role, of his dream that he ever needed was that of his oldest friend. The support, afterwards; the knowledge ingrained in so many other heroes that whatever he’s doing (because even he is not so sure) is good – is overwhelming.

***

Heart, skill, body, wisdom and knowledge.

***

He’d like to tell his mom – let her know that her son is trying his best, on his way to fulfilling a dream thought futile for so long. He wants to tell her: it would have meant the world if you would have told me otherwise, but now I know it was your own way of protecting me later on. The world is cruel, mom. The world is vile. The world is evil. But I will fight it all. Please be proud of me.

***

When he runs on the beach, his chest heaving in pain, his throat aching; when he soaks t-shirts in a matter of minutes after he started; when he eats servings after servings, ending up coming home still hungry; when he barely lifts objects that he should have no deal trying to lift – he’s not sure if he does it for All Might or for himself.

When he swallows a hair, when he goes through a hellish examination where he ends up making the same heroics he’s been noticed for in the first place, when he wears the costume his mother sewed – he knows the answer.

***

There's nothing more fragile than a heart that's swelled to bursting.

***

“I’ll support you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t worry,” is what his mother told him, after the first time she saw him using his powers in the reckless way of someone who just learnt to walk wants to start running.

Nowadays, it’s easier to put her nerves at ease, though he suspects that from time to time she uses up a tissue box even when he’s safe at school, simply because he’s all grown up. He thinks worrying became natural to the people in his life, mainly because of his own fault. But it’s nice to know that he has a support net of persons that are ready to cheer him on, his own mother with her tears and sometimes overbearing carefulness at the head of the crowd.

In time, the circle just gets larger – and having people wishing him the best, even as strangers, just because they appreciated his performance, his heart and guts bleeding on a cold floor, will probably never not make him blush.

***

When All Might smiles, things fall into place: one knows for certain that peace is to be restored, justice to be brought, evil to be defeated. In that smile, in that laugh of his lies the essence of a hero.

But when All Might came to save his (but don’t tell others) favourite class, he was not smiling. He once told Izuku that he smiles to hide the fear, but in that moment, all those golden eggs, bright minds and youthful souls that he learnt in such a small time to care so much about were in danger, and that fear have kept his lips frozen in a most menacing smirk. Later, there would be other things to blame: the pain, the knowledge that power stays only for a while, and the wounds his juniors had suffered through in his absence. They’ve all been devastating: continuously tearing apart at the broad figure, and the smile has been absent until the very bitter end.

Midoriya Izuku still doesn’t know what to make of his hero, of his teacher. In his heart, he wants to make All Might proud, bring honour to the image that he has to represent, as the one with power such as the symbol of peace. But even deeper, behind the desperate need to please someone who’s shown him light when he thought he was engulfed in darkness, is the equally annoying nagging to be better, to surpass the one he once looked up to. Such is the destiny of young pupils.

A hero… goes beyond.

***

1-A is a class that holds potential for greatness: best of what the youth can offer mixed with best of the Quirks. It’s been hard not to feel like a poser sitting next to these people who’ve been honing their skill since they found out about it; sit still and act like he knows what the hell he’s doing while breaking the bones in his body, each at a time, as need asks of him. It is unfair towards his classmates, all who have been welcoming and accepting (as rule of thumb, Bakugou is excluded from all group mentions), who actually look at him and consider him a possible threat to their own luxurious future. A possible companion for years to come, a friend to rely on when things get back. Sometimes, he can’t take it: how blessed he feels simply by having his feelings reciprocated by those around him.

When it comes to Uraraka Ochako, he keeps finding more and more amazing sides to her. He feels like he can’t really do anything for her, cannot reciprocate the kindness she has shown him over and over again, the support she has given him even in the worst of times. He’s not worthy of being looked up at, he’s nothing that special when compared to this girl who’d rather collapse than admit defeat. Everyone learns what their heart yearns for in different ways, and it is always a moment of immense magnitude. When Midoriya realizes he wants this: a family away from home, Uraraka is the first he reaches out for.

Iida Tenya is the next one; gesture as natural as saving him a seat or waiting after him whenever he gets hurt is for the class president. The passion in these people, the intricate pattern of events that brought them in the hero class, with a clear road ahead of them… fuels his own. Growing alongside Iida feels like an honour, especially after knowing exactly the kind of feelings that lie in his heart.

Others follow, naturally. Asui, the one who kept asking of him to call her by her first name and kept her tongue as honest even in the direst situations, and as such being the saving grace of the class several times. Takoyami, whose approval is soft but firm, whose Quirk is the coolest Midoriya had seen, whose trust in his ideas make him blind with happiness.

***

The phrase “worthy opponent” can also mean “friend”. When it comes to Todoroki Shoto, he’s the worthiest of them all. He looks at a young and desperate Midoriya Izuku and thinks: this is what a real hero is, a person that puts his own feelings aside and tries his damn hardest for others, even if those are the enemy. Even with both ice and fire aimed at his body, Midoriya finds a way to slice with his words, to awaken a truth that’s been frozen inside his heart for the longest time.

Prompted by such a fierce dreamer, how can he be left behind? How can he not be prompted to action?

***

I have to live up to the hopes of those who supported me.

***

It really ends like this: Midoriya Izuku grows to be the greatest hero of his generation, still. Plus ultra.

[makeste]

Have you seen the take that the official VIZ translator is biased? Because I'm still trying to process that, given with the stuff he's gone through with people sending him leaks and being overall disrespectful to him regarding translating (which is not an easy job)

Caleb’s biggest strength as a translator is also arguably his biggest weakness -- he has an excellent grasp not only of Japanese, but of English as well. meaning he’s very adept at translating Japanese dialogue into smooth-flowing, natural-sounding English. this is a different approach than what some fan translators use, because he doesn’t always go with the literal direct translation, e.g. “here’s exactly what this person said, word-for-word.” rather, his approach, which is the one most often used at the professional level, is to approximate what the person said, but in a way that flows naturally in the adapted language. e.g. “here’s how that person would have said this if they had been speaking in English.”

this type of translation has a lot of advantages, the biggest one being that the dialogue often sounds better/crisper/sharper than the somewhat-stilted dialogue often found in more literal translations. another advantage is that if done properly, this type of translation is easier to understand, because rather than trying to to reproduce exact sentences, the translator often strives for more simplicity while still preserving the essence of what the person was saying, and so the resulting dialogue gets the meaning across in a simpler way. one good example that shows how effective this style can be is “Catch-a-Kacchan”, which perfectly captures the playfulness and wordplay involved in the original dialogue by taking the pun that was originally used (see here for an explanation), and translating into something that is unique to the English language, but perfectly captures the spirit of the original. this is the kind of thing that Caleb is very good at, and it’s why he’s a professional.

however, the major flaw inherent to this style of translation is it relies very heavily on the translator’s understanding of what the original author intended to convey. you’re basically taking what they wrote and putting it into your own words. and so if there’s even the slightest difference between what you think Character X was saying, and what the author meant for Character X to say, the resulting translation is going to be off. this means the translator has to be dead-on in their interpretations 100% of the time in order for their translations to be 100% accurate. which basically means that they will never be completely accurate, seeing as that’s impossible.

so this is where the problem really lies, imo. to answer your original question anon, yes I have seen that take, and I do think he’s biased. but not any moreso than anyone else. every single person who reads the manga is biased in some way or other. we think the way that we read and interpret the series is the correct way, and that people who don’t see it that way are wrong. every single person has felt like this at some point or another. we all have our biases; they’re unavoidable, and the best we can do is try to be aware of them and avoid saying “this is objectively the only right way to interpret this” as much as possible.

so the problem isn’t really that Caleb is biased. the problem is that unlike most of us, his biases when left unchecked have a vastly wider reach than just about anyone else’s in the English fandom, because he is the official translator. and unfortunately, Viz’s particular style of translation means that even if Caleb tries his absolute best to be as objective as possible, some of his biases are still inevitably going to seep through anyway, because he’s essentially rewriting dialogue at times, and so his perception of the characters is going to affect that.

I know in recent weeks the discourse on this has mostly been about his translations of certain lines said by Best Jeanist, Dabi, and more recently Deku. but if we go back a bit, I think Bakugou is an even better example of this tbh. Caleb, like many people, wasn’t the biggest fan of him at first (i.e. he thought he was a giant asshole, which to be fair wasn’t exactly wrong), and as a result he was slower to pick up on the hints of his eventual redemption arc. he also didn’t quite grasp the nuances of Bakugou and Deku’s relationship at first. chapter 63 is a good example of this.

compare this to Fallen Angels’ version:

it’s abundantly clear, in the wake of Kacchan vs. Deku 2, that FA got it right here. this is a perfect example of how mastery of the Japanese language can still only get you so far. because Caleb’s understanding of Bakugou and Deku’s relationship was clouded by his biases, he went with words that lined up with his interpretation of them. “disgust” rather than “antipathy”; “inferiority” rather than “pursuit.” and of course, the completely warped Bakugou analysis of “awe, conceit, and rejection” rather than “fear, pride, and denial.” he literally couldn’t conceive of Bakugou fearing Deku in any way, so he went with a totally different word (which to be fair was still one of the possible meanings of the word used, but only rarely as far as I understand). also note the inherent put-down in the use of “conceit” rather than “pride.” and lastly, because he thinks Bakugou hates Deku’s guts, “rejection” rather than “denial.” so yeah. completely dropped the ball on that one lol. thankfully he has improved since then with regards to these two, though.

“wow makeste, you really took an ask about translator discourse and turned it into a post about BakuDeku” I think you mean I took a post about biases and used it to show off my own biases lmao. anyways lol my bad. so yeah, Caleb is biased. however I think it’s unavoidable, and he’s overall an excellent translator in spite of that (and literally anyone else would have the same exact issues, just with a different flavor). I think he does his best to be as accurate as possible, and I also admire that he strives for clarity and accountability by posting translator notes up on his Twitter every week. all in all I’m happy to have him as the translator for BnHA, even if he isn’t always perfect. also, completely unrelated to anything, but y’all should check out the Legend of Zelda town he made in Animal Crossing earlier this year if you’re into Nintendo at all, because dude put some serious work into that shit and it is honestly really cool.