#MHA salt

[theweeklydiscourse]

God forbid you ever criticize the lack of consequences Bakugou experiences in MHA, or suddenly you’ll find dozens of Bakugou stans pouring into your mentions to make a speech about how cruel you are for forcing him to eat cement. They’ll act as though “consequences” inherently involves throwing him into the dungeon or putting him in detention for 100 years and then moan about how him facing consequences would only perpetuate a cycle of abuse/discrimination.

Listen, it’s not really that much of a consequence if the “consequence” in question isn’t directly connected to his current or past bad behaviour. “Oh but his scars!” “When he died that one time!” “His guilt for getting kidnapped” None of those are related to his bullying, and in my opinion, that makes them insufficient as consequences in an arc about changing for the better.

The consequences I would actually like to see could be as simple as: Izuku feels sad/mad because of what he went through, or certain characters reflect on how Bakugou’s past impacts their perception of him. More introspection on the victim’s end is needed, Bakugou doesn’t necessarily need to be pilloried for the arc to be satisfying.

[spop-romanticizes-abuse]

this showed up on my feed and.. two things.

1. bakudeku are NOT childhood friends to enemies to lovers idk what show this person watched. bakugou and izuku were NOT friends at any point. bakugou was izuku's bully and it stayed that way until the present timeline.

they also never become enemies, they were not even rivals, the rivalry was purely imagined by bakugou, while izuku always tried to stay on good terms with him.

do people not know what "enemies" or "rivals" mean anymore? it doesn't work that way if the aggression and animosity is one-sided.

2. same goes for c//a. they were friends, sure, but catra was adora's abuser at the same time. and while they could be called enemies while they were on opposing sides, like bakugou, catra was the one who imagined a betrayal and used it as an excuse to continue hurting adora.

i do agree with the fact that these two ships are similar though. they're both instances of abuse being glorified and the abusers treated like cute little tsundere babies.

[palesweetscherryblossom]

I’m sorry but I find it so damn cartoonish that AFO fr just orchestrated Tomura’s entire damn existence.

I personally found AFO just plucking Tomura off the streets and manipulating his trauma way more horrifying than what we have now.

Since that can happen in real life.

But no because say it with me folks: AFO has to be the driving force behind almost every character in MHA.

Next thing you know, Hori gonna tell us that AFO personally gave birth to everyone in the MHA universe

(Also, TF does he mean that Hana was too damn old? Man was just dragging shit out!)

[mmprviolet]

I dont even really fw dabi like that but it boggles me how he and other villains in mha aren't even allowed to be given nuance but Endeavor is. Not hating or anything I'm just confused

[tae-shimura-is-my-wife]

Ochako wanted to be like Izuku so much that she ended becoming a souless shell who just exists to be a perfect hero exactly like him, poor girl 😔

[dirt-apple-productions]

Can someone…explain Eraserdust? I see so little chemistry there. And Tenko is just a baby. Eraser may as well be his teacher, too. It’s so weird.

[marisandini-chu-blog]

I can't believe I have more to say to this just to give MHA salt but my brain cannot shut up because THIS little arc could have been a waaaaaaaaay better and sympathetic premise for Deku.

Because yeah, there's nothing wrong with wanting to become a the best hero for selfless idealistic reason, but it's not something I personally resonate with – even Naruto has the selfish reason of just wanting love and acceptance.

Because if I have to choose a story of a boy who wants something for his dream, and a boy who wants something for the dream of margianalize people like him. I would have definitely be interested with the latter.

Chosen One stories is great and all, but we could have had Deku finding an avenue in the midst of his studies for quirkless people like him to be able to achieve what was once an impossible dream. One for All shouldn't be the only thing keeping Deku from being a hero. Deku should not have been the only quirkless hero at the end of the story. Quirkless people should have had the option and avenue for jobs that would have been impossible for them beforehand as a sign of support. But even Deku offers reasurance to someone with a quirk, as weak as it was. Quirkless was also mention to be treated with kindness by civilians... and was never mention again to be empowered or anything else. Simply asking society as a whole to have basic fucking decency and kindness to people in need as if it was the most revolutionary thing that Deku's fight had given impact (and maybe it is for a japanese conservative society, but I don't think they're that bad).

Where's the fucking support for the Quirkless, Horikoshi!!! Where are they now? Why should they not have the agency to fight for a better life? Why is their voice not heard or mention?!?!

Look at Nova — THAT'S HOW YOU WRITE AN EMPOWERING MARGIANALIZE PERSON!

Even if we never see any other black-ear child, Nova's narrative make it so his success would be the success of future black ears and his tribe as a whole. It doesn't just impact him, and him alone. That's how impactful a single character could be when done right.

Alright, rant end.

Is it just me? Or is the latest arc of Mairuma is the best damn yet?

Because I've got to say; that's one of the best damn arc in the series which is already a hard bar to cross. Not only did it dive deeper into worldbuilding and explore the political impact of connection with powerful figures (something most shounens VERY rarely ever explore) but Nova has been one of the best highlight of that arc.

Many times, Shounen mangas has cover stories of dreams, goals, wishes based on desire, passion, revenge to move a plot forward. However, I don't think there's ever a one like Nova; a child who see himself in the future black-ears child and was thinking of their future and the path he could carve for them as much as he wants to carve for himself.

Yes, there are stories of a character who sees flaws in a system and tries to correct or make it better. But what makes this arc more unique is the fact Nova was never implied to be mistreated (again, something very different from other shounen. Though it's a strech because the many-ears as a whole has been mistreated). The Chief is shown to love Nova and Nova LOVES his tribe in return. But it is implied that Nova's disability made him be infatilized by the tribe. Thus, alliniating him in the process. They don't hate him for being different, they pity him. And the author manage to make that a tragedy.

Yet, Nova not only see he has worth more than the tribe's says, he saw worth in his race more than the tribe can see. Making him the most inspiring character in the series. Heck, he inspire even Iruma.

Which makes this why this is the best goddamn arc; writing about a goal to incite change for a flawed system or belief, and also to carve a path not just for the general future generation, but also for disabled or margianalized people who will have more choices open in the future.

And I think that's the most compeling reason written in a most beautifully executed arc in the whole damn shounen series I've ever read and I will never get over this.

[moodyvoid]

After pestering him for days, you finally convince Dabi to pierce your tongue.

Beforehand, he’s taunting you the whole time saying “It’s gonna hurt really bad— are you sure you still want to?” getting a kick out of seeing you nervous.

However, once it’s time for the act, he’s surprisingly gentle as he tilts your head to face him just right and he directs you on what to do. His voice is soft, but stern.

“Stop moving.”

You start to realize how intimate this all is once he’s up close to you, lining up the needle. The two of you catch eyes for a moment, “Take a deep breath for me… and breathe out.” as he pushes the needle through, securing the jewelry in place. You blink a few times, not even realizing it’s over.

“Not so bad, huh?” he asks, putting aside all the tools while you look in the mirror.

You go to ask him what he thinks about it, but barely get the question out before he’s kissing you — something he was fighting the urge to do the entire time.

[saltisboring]

First Meetings

[tinyshinysylveon]

what's really interesting is katsuki's dialogue in the end, he says, "腐れ縁だわ.." which is basically-

like they are close but not that close ;; i was considering putting it as a "toxic relationship" but rotten also goes the same way. i really like that he admits to others openly that their relationship was terrible to the point where he tries to change ;;;;

edit: because some understood it differently lol i described 腐れ縁 as "an undesirable but inseparable relationship" as i've mentioned above. i took the literal kanji 腐: rotten/sour since if you do try to describe 腐れ縁 in simpler terms, it'll more than likely lose its deeper meaning ;; if i were to edit it out, i would say "it was a complicated relationship" instead. now IF i had enough space tho, i would prob put "it was an unsavory relationship where i couldn't break it off no matter what."

[danktective-pikachu]

Your analysis of this is gut wrenching and it makes so much sense.

I’m sobbing over here.

“All along it was Izuku chasing after Kacchan, but now it will forever be Bakugo chasing after Izuku, on his heels for the rest of his life, but never close enough to reach him.”

That is a throat punch of a realization right there

My breakdown over 431 and why it's the worst thing to have ever been made canon (yes, it is canon)

Okay...so..

You're telling me..wait wait

So 429 was the official ending...430 was the "curtain's closing"..and 431 is outside of the drama, with the cameras off

But..youre telling me..that 431 is still canon?

Wait I'm seriously confused now HORIKOSHI PLEASE EXPLAIN PROPERLY

Was it the team that drew the goddamn chapter or you 😭😭

Like wtf? After giving Bakugo that redemption arc, after basically making him the second main character, after finally having his and Izuku's friendship fixed...why did you do this to him?

But if it isn't canon, the team still drew it...that must mean Hori still had some connection to it...but why?

Why must they make Bakugo suffer?

Why didn't they make him smile EVEN ONCE?

What is seriously wrong with you 😭

So you're saying you made this "outside of the drama" and with the cameras off to give the characters a happy ending and show their life outside of the cameras and the plot

So why, THE FUCK, would you do the exact opposite and make the fandom's favorite character suffer? What has he DONE TO YOU?

Because you know what fk you 😭 not seriously, but still. Even if it's not explicitly canon, you still very much thought of it and APPROVED of releasing it, so you're totally okay, in fact, you SUPPORT whatever the fuck this was????

Hold on, hold on. Let me summarize 431 in Bakugo's perspective for you.

All their life, Izuku wanted nothing more than to have Bakugo by his side, he only knew how to live with Kacchan there next to him. As a child, Kacchan was the most special person that Izuku ever lay his eyes on. He saw only him, because he shined brighter than anyone else. He was his hero. Until he wasn't anymore. Until he learned to live his life without him. He learned to move on. He doesn't need Kacchan to live his life anymore. He doesn't need him in his life anymore to make him happy. He has found his purpose and accepted that it wasn't the same path as Katsuki's.

Bakugo used to be independent and wanted to stand alone without Deku until Izuku taught him to rely on others, not just himself. So he let him in his heart, wishing with his whole heart that Izuku will be there next to him for the rest of his life. Bakugo was afraid to let someone in, afraid to be vulnerable and let his guard down. But he did, and he trusted Izuku, opened himself up to him and shared his soul with him. Only to be left alone in the dust. He was right to be afraid of opening up, afraid of being left alone. He opened up his heart, but ended up disappointed. He let himself fall, only to put his walls up again. He opened up once, but got disappointed. Never again. He stood there, watching him go, until he disappeared and became part of the crowd. Just like everyone else. He watched as he walked out of his life. Bakugo didn't get his happy ending. He didn't achieve his dream. He didn't get to become the number one hero because he only wanted to do that with Izuku there by his side. But Izuku chose another path, and he's not there to motivate him anymore. Bakugo has lost the reason of his happiness. He isn't the Bakugo who never gives up anymore. He isn't the Kacchan who always wins. He's just the Katsuki that was once special but now is just there, with no real reason to be alive. As he will forever be waiting for someone like Izuku to join by his side, knowing noone will ever be able to replace him, because to him, no one will ever be as special as Izuku.

First it was Bakugo that left little Deku behind. Then it was Izuku that left Kacchan behind without looking back. This is Bakugo's consequence for what he said to Izuku. He'll never be able to be happy with the person that he loves. Izuku is happy, he has learned to move on and live his life as a teacher, helping other people's dreams. He moved past his dream of becoming a hero with Katsuki. Meanwhile Bakugo can only be happy with him in his life. He thought they'd be competing for the rest of their lives, but that dream is already gone, it slipped right out of his hands as he watched him go.

They were never meant to have a happy ending.

Everyone got their happy ending but Katsuki. So I guess I see what your plan was all along Horikoshi...we really did come a full circle huh. The roles switched, and Bakugo will forever regret not taking Izuku's hand when he had the chance. All along it was Izuku chasing after Kacchan, but now it will forever be Bakugo chasing after Izuku, on his heels for the rest of his life, but never close enough to reach him. Life lesson learned I guess. Izuku finally learned how to move on and be his own person, and he finally learned that he has other people in his life too, not just Kacchan. And Katsuki finally learned to let himself be vulnerable and love someone else. He has finally learned that he's not more special than anyone else. Not even in Izuku's eyes.

I still have hopes for the official volume release tomorrow, but..I don't think I'll be able to look at the ending the same way after this. After knowing what happens after. As heart wrenching as it might be, it's realistic. It makes too much sense that they have come a full circle, it makes too much sense that they won't be together forever, that they'll drift apart after some years. It makes too much sense that the other will find other friends, other people that are important to him. And it makes too much sense that the one person who has denied to let himself love someone and open up his heart end up being the one that does but it's too late. Because when he finally let all his walls down, the other has already moved on. It's how life works. People won't wait for you forever, and you can't live your life pushing everyone away and insisting to be alone. Because by the time you do let your walls down, you'll realize you're alone and you took the other person for granted, not realizing you never had forever with them. And now they're gone. And you'll be stuck missing them and thinking about what you two could have been for the rest of your life.

I fking hate you for this Horikoshi, and I don't care, this is my own personal opinion and I'm fking hurt, even if it is the most realistic ending they could have gotten. Is it really too much to ask for then to have a happy ending? Why did that boy have to lose his smile after he has finally gotten it back again? Why do his eyes have to look hollow, like his life has no reason? Why does he have to look like he has lost everything, even though it was never his in the first place?

[palesweetscherryblossom]

I’m so salty about Tomura’s writing, we watched him grow into the symbol of fear, only for that to be snatched away.

LET SHIGARAKI OWN HIS TITLE! LET HIM SHOW OFF HIS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!!

(I’m so done with AFO’s story, I don’t wanna hear about how he was evil from the minute his dad developed sperm)

[v0id-clawz]

Some shippers really make you question if you both watched the same show...

Like hurting the other is not a love language!

[danktective-pikachu]

I am in the conspiracy theory camp that thinks Horikoshi was forced to add these pages by the publishing company.

I want to believe he intentionally made all of this inconsistent with the rest of the manga’s themes and development so that 1. he can be a little snide toward whoever made him create more content to fit whatever version of the story they wanted to push, and 2. we (the readers) will see it wasn’t his plan for this story. Maybe I’m a little too optimistic or even delusional, but I have always believed that this story would have an ambiguous open ending (which we got with 430). And this additional information feels way too direct and pointed in comparison to the way Horikoshi usually writes.

I’ll be the first to say I never believed Bakudeku would be anything close to officially canon, but there is so much subtext that could be read romantically that it can’t be an accident. I don’t think it’s meant to be queerbait, I think it’s supposed to be implied enough in the story’s themes that those of us who want to see it as queer are free to interpret it that way.

Many of MHA’s themes are presented in a way that the reader is supposed to draw their own conclusions using the information provided. Horikoshi doesn’t tend to hold the reader’s hand and explain everything in detail. That’s why these leaks seem so strange to me in how straight to the point they are.

If he meant to explicitly confirm Izuku and Ochako, which I honestly expected to happen in 430, I don't think he would have waited until now to do so. There were so many opportunities to slip in some hints that they were together after the time skip. I think his decision not to hint that they might be dating was very telling of his intention for the final pairing to be left up to interpretation.

End conspiracy theory rant 🤣😭

*slams door back open and comes back into the room*

Ok you know what, no

You know what also doesn't make sense?? People are translating or clarifying the offer katsuki made and saying he was asking Izuku to be a SIDEKICK, and not open/partner at an agency.

But you know what, that doesn't really make sense either!

Bc they're also saying that in the MHA universe, sidekicks do not get hero ranked. And in the case of being katsukis sidekick, Izuku would be working under Katsuki.

So hold up!

You mean to tell me that Katsuki, who wanted to compete with Izuku, and race him to the top, who has long, LONG since gotten over his desire to put Izuku in his place/lord over him/boss him around,

You mean to tell me he wanted Izuku to be his SIDEKICK?

How can they compete like that?

Why would he want Izuku in a position where he couldn't compete on an equal ground? That was what he always wanted and worked for.

I'm just saying it's fucking weird that thats what katsuki asked for, because that's not what Katsuki has been trying to work for.

Isn't Katsuki wanting him to be a sidekick under him kind of defeating the purpose of his development, of the whole 8 hear process he went through to get Izuku back out into the field? Is this not inconsistent?

[oshawottmain]

As a multishipper, I didn't care who Deku ultimately ended up with. I just wanted him to be happy. So I'm glad everything's working out in the end.

Please, let's not fight. As always, if canon doesn't live up to your expectations, fanon is always there, but there's no need to crash out or complain or try to undermine anything just because you don't like or disagree with it. Let's just enjoy our favorite fandom together.

[linkspooky]

Remember when everyone kept saying that it was wrong to call the League of Villains a family because they were all just toxic people making each other worse? The same people that said that the league had to be separated and the villains had to be saved by the hero kids in order to get better?

Now that 2/3 of the villain trio is dead, I wonder how that crow is tasting right about now?