I think the issue is that Bakugo isn't really meant to struggle when it comes to combat skills. It's been said before but he's got a natural instinct when it comes to those things, and we've seen him again and again prove that he's leagues above his peers when it comes down to combat ability. Even if Shoto were to use his flames on him, Bakugo could indefinitely stay in the air with his explosions and the heat would only make him sweat more, allowing for more powerful explosions. Consider Shoto's lack of experience with his flames too and I've little doubt Bakugo would have the match even if Shoto went all out. Then again, he could just do that rapid temperature compression thing to blast Bakugo away...
Still, I get what
NSESN is saying about how unsatisfying and disappointing it is to see the character no longer struggle after Deku vs. Kacchan 2. I understand why that would be disappointing for others, but I guess I'm just looking at it in a more positive (and almost definitely at least slightly biased) way. Since the aforementioned fight, Bakugo has shown up three times: the remedial lessons arc, the cultural festival, and now the joint training exercise arc. I do not see the point in having him struggle in any of those. We saw him show some interpersonal growth in the first, some very subtle one with the second, and now his combat ability with the third. To me, Bakugo struggling in combat would have been uncharacteristic of him. Even against Shoto, he did very well and easily beat him. He could keep up against the League of Villains trying to recapture him during the Kamino incident, and even then he was just playing keep away and barely fighting back. What we needed to see was for him to show growth in terms of teamwork, and stifling that after all this time having his team make mistakes would have been
a little disappointing for me. It would have felt like: Let's progress this character and develop him BUT wait let's also still hold him back and show that he still can't properly work with others.
Yes, it's disappointing that Tokage and her team got shafted as a result, and this match became a totally one-sided massacre, but... it works. It makes sense given the context. Deku and Shoto still struggling with their anxiety and father issues, respectively, are appropriate because that's how those things work. Anxiety does not just go away, and it's very likely that Deku will still be anxious and nervous (but much more confident as a whole) in the future once he's a pro hero. Shoto's issues with his father is something that will take a lot of time to resolve and it's great that Horikoshi is able to tackle this sensitive topic really well. Bakugo has always been a genius in combat and strategy. We were shown that repeatedly during the sports festival, and now having overcome or at least learned his lesson about teamwork and saving others, his instinctual ability to fight and win are, in a way, being spread with the rest of his team. I like to think of it as an extension of how Bakugo and Deku are able to inspire their classmates and spur them into action.
The match could have been done better, that's true. I wish it was at least a chapter longer to at least show 1-B being able to fight back some more while still getting stomped. Similarly, I would have preferred it as well if Sero, Sato, and Jiro were able to do more. Especially the former two.
Truly you tested my love for the character!
It'll be interesting to see how his quirk's growth is balanced across the two quirks. Licenses should be obtained soon right? I lose track of when things happen in relation to others but I feel like they should get their licenses soon since the exam was right after the summer and now the weather is starting to get cold and they're in their winter uniforms.
Actually, I think it's gonna take a while before they can get their licenses? The makeup exam itself will be in April, if I recall correctly, and it's still December. Or November? It'll probably take us two real-world years to get there... Maybe. I hope not.
One day brother! Momo will shine in the sun. Also, holy shit that artist is really good.
Deidara and Kisame were hardcore, best of the Akatsuki
Oh yeah, man, Kisame was awesome. Definitely one of the best for me as well. His final fight with Guy was one of my favorites.
I'm curious what their final exam could be. Maybe a 1v1 against a teacher? Or old reformed villains maybe, that could be cool
Hmm. Gentle, perhaps? Maybe that's how they'll put him to use... which would be nice because it would allow him to contribute in the molding of future heroes-to-be, which sort of lines up with his past goal of wanting to be a hero.
Final Exam??? How about...3 students against...a Pro Hero who graduated UA in the year right before those students entered and then...the Hero has small bells and...the students have to grab a bell to pass the test and advance to 2nd year. But then, crazy twist, there are only two bells!!!
I'm a genius.
Jokes aside, it would be cool if we got to see the previous Big Three (if there were any) in the final exam!
I don't want Deku to win because Shinso was robbed during the Sports Festival and Copy is too cool of a power for Monoma to get chumped after all his talk.
Okay, can somebody explain to me why people say Shinso was robbed? Is it because the vestiges helped Deku out? It's true that he would've won if not for that, but he'd have lost all the matches afterwards for sure.
Still kind of wonder what makes someone worth being "recommended" though. Setsuna has a good quirk (even if its not that powerful from an offense standpoint) but if the speculation on Yui is true, then she's got pretty much a double quirk like Todoroki has, but she's just a regular student.
From what we know, it seems to be based on connection. How you get that connection varies, but it's implied that that is at least partly due to their ability. I'm curious as to the connections that got Honenuki, Inasa, and Tokage recommended... For some reason, I think possibly because of the bug and flashback as a whole, I get the impression that Inasa isn't exactly rich. Possibly from a middle-class family. Maybe a pro hero recognized his abilities and recommended him, or they have a pro hero family friend or something.
