Why Did Bakudeku Comic Gain Popularity Among Fans?

I get why you want to read Bakudeku comics legally — I'm picky about that too, and I love being able to support creators directly. First off, it's important to separate two things: official manga/comic releases of 'My Hero Academia' (which are where canon content lives) and fan-made Bakudeku comics (which are usually doujinshi, webcomics, or illustrated short comics made by fans). For official material from the series, I always point people to the usual legal places like VIZ Media's site/app, 'Shonen Jump', Manga Plus by Shueisha, or ComiXology. Those won't have romantic Bakudeku fanworks, but they're the right choice if you want to read the source material legally and encourage the original creator. For fan comics specifically, the safest legal places are where artists post their work themselves or where creators explicitly upload/authorize translations. The common platforms I check are Pixiv (many Japanese artists post short comics and doujinshi announcements there), Twitter/X and Tumblr (artists often post pages or links), DeviantArt, and sometimes Tapas or Webtoon if a creator chooses those for webcomic hosting. If an artist sells a doujinshi, they might link to a shop page or to their Fanbox/Patreon/Ko-fi where you can buy a digital copy. So search for the artist's handle + 'Bakudeku' and follow their links — if the comic is available, the artist will usually show how they want it shared or sold. A few practical tips I use: check the creator's profile for repost rules and whether translations are allowed; prefer downloads or translations posted by the original artist or by a translator who has permission; and avoid sketchy scan sites and aggregator pages that scrape content without consent. If you spot a scanlation or repost, a quick way to help is to retweet/share the creator's original post or buy their work if it's for sale. I also keep an eye on tags in Japanese (like the characters' names) when searching Pixiv because some doujinshi only get posted under JP tags. Honestly, supporting artists gives me more joy than pirating ever did — I follow a handful of Bakudeku artists, buy their digital copies, and toss them a tip on release day. If you want, tell me whether you prefer English translations or raw Japanese and I can suggest places or search tips for that, too.

Funny thing — when you start digging into fan history it feels like a scavenger hunt with half the items missing. The manga for 'My Hero Academia' began serialization in July 2014, and as soon as people fell in love with the characters, shipping followed fast. That means the timeline for the first Bakugo/Midoriya comics logically starts in late 2014 or sometime in 2015, but pinning a single, definitive “first” is almost impossible because so many early posts were on ephemeral platforms (Tumblr drafts, deleted Pixiv uploads, private Tumblr blogs) or went untagged. I spent an afternoon cross-checking tags and timestamps across Pixiv, DeviantArt, Tumblr, Twitter, and imageboards, and what kept showing up were earliest public comics and short doujinshi popping up around late 2014 through 2015. A lot of Japanese creators posted small gag comics on Pixiv after the manga chapters introduced the two boys’ dynamic; Western fans then mirrored that on Tumblr and DeviantArt. That matches how fandoms usually explode: manga or source material releases, then fanart, then short comics and full doujinshi in the months that follow. If you want to try your own detective work, I recommend sorting Pixiv by oldest uploads for the '爆豪 緑谷' or English equivalents, using Twitter/X advanced search to filter by dates, and checking archives on Wayback Machine for old Tumblr tag pages. Danbooru or Gelbooru can help too, because imageboard uploads often retain their timestamps and sometimes aggregate earliest examples. So: there’s evidence of Bakudeku comics as early as late 2014/early 2015 in public archives, but the absolute first? Unknown and likely lost to deletions and private zines. For me, the hunt is half the fun — finding a tiny, awkward early comic showing how quickly people latched onto their relationship is a delight. If you’re curious, start with Pixiv and Wayback, and be ready to find charming rough sketches rather than polished volumes; that’s where the fandom’s raw energy really shows.

There’s something oddly satisfying about taking a chaotic pile of fan comics and turning it into something that actually helps people — that’s how I got into making reading guides for pairings like bakudeku. First thing I do is pick my scope: am I focusing on short one-shots, long serialized comics, or a mix? Do I include crossovers and translations? I write an intro that says exactly what’s in the list and what’s not, and I always put bold, upfront content warnings for violence, dub-con, age gaps, or anything non-consensual. I also mention 'My Hero Academia' to anchor readers who just need that quick context. When I was building my first guide, I had sticky notes all over my laptop and a half-drunk cup of tea—setting boundaries for the guide saved me from endless backtracking. Next I build the structure so it’s usable at a glance. I create sections like: Quick Starters (soft fluff to ease new readers in), Deep Dives (long, character-heavy arcs), Angst/Trigger-heavy, and Artist Collections. For each entry I add a one-sentence hook, estimated reading time, content tags (fluff, angst, crack, domestic, smut), language, and a source link. I try to recommend a reading order when comics span multiple chapters: either chronological, by emotional intensity (gentle → heavy), or by relationship progression (first meeting → first date → messy breakup → reconciliation). I also include a tiny glossary of fandom shorthand so newcomers don’t get lost in tags like 'PWP' or 'comfort'. When dealing with translations, I note whether a scanlation exists and remind readers to support the original artist whenever possible; if I link to fan translations I credit the translator and check permissions. Finally, I treat the guide like a living thing. I add an 'Updated' date, a short note on how I find comics (search tags, artist rec lists, and community rec threads), and a quick etiquette bullet: credit creators, don’t repost without permission, don’t harass artists for commissions. I invite suggestions at the bottom and keep a small archive of submissions people send me. If you want a first practical step: pick 10 comics you love, write a one-line descriptor for each, slap clear tags on them, and post that list. It turns the overwhelming into something delightful and sharable, plus it’s way more fun to curate with tea and a playlist.

Lately I've been burying myself in comic-style Bakudeku stories on my phone between errands, and I have some favorites that stuck with me — all very different vibes, but each felt like a tiny world I wanted to live in for a while. If you like slow-burn with healing, check out 'After the Fall' (search on Tumblr or Pixiv). It's a post-conflict comic where Bakugo and Midoriya have to learn how to co-exist when their lives slow down. The art is quiet and the pacing is patient: scenes of coffee, awkward apologies, and trauma being handled with care. Content warnings: emotional recovery, panic moments, but handled thoughtfully. Reading it at night under a lamp made the quiet scenes hit harder for me, like listening to someone confess over the hum of a late train. If you want something punchier — action and banter with actual fight choreography rendered in comic panels — try 'Glass and Gauntlets' on AO3/Twitter. This one leans more toward canon-divergent training arcs, where they spar, clash egos, and the romantic tension sneaks in between explosions and critique sessions. It balances humor (Bakugo's rage is still hilarious) with scenes that show Midoriya getting confident in a way that surprised me. Tags to look for: 'modern AU', 'training arc', 'slow-burn to canon'. I loved how the artist uses sound-effect lettering to make panels feel noisy and alive — a small detail that made fights feel visceral. For pure fluff and domestic moments, 'Sparklers' (Pixiv/Tumblr) is my go-to. Short strips, lots of accidental hand-holding, sleepy mornings, and midoriya being an adorably earnest disaster while Bakugo grumbles but actually bakes. It’s the kind of comic I re-read when I want something warm and silly. If you want to explore more, follow these practical steps: search tags like 'Bakudeku comic', 'Bakugou x Midoriya', filter for 'Complete' on AO3, check rec lists on Tumblr and subreddit fancomic threads, and look for artists who post serialized pages on Pixiv or Twitter. Always check warnings and read the first few pages before committing — some stories are very angsty while others are pure comfort. Happy reading — I hope one of these scratches that exact itch you have right now.

I get way too excited talking about this — there’s something addictive about hunting down that perfect original Bakudeku comic with real character dynamics and heart. If you want names of creators who consistently produce thoughtful, original Bakugou x Deku comics, what really matters is where they publish and how the fandom talks about them. Start on Pixiv and search both the Japanese tag '爆豪緑谷' and the romaji 'bakudeku'; Pixiv’s rankings and bookmarks will surface artists who make longer, original comics rather than single illustrations. Twitter/X is the other goldmine: artists often serialize short comics in threads or upload PDF doujinshi previews. Tumblr still hosts older, treasured webcomics that fandoms keep reblogging, and Reddit’s community threads often compile “must-read” lists for ships like this one. From my late-night scrolling habit I’ve noticed a few recurring patterns among the creators I consider top-tier: they write consistent character voices (Deku awkward but earnest, Bakugou rough-around-the-edges but protectively soft), they develop clear arcs across multiple pages, and they pay attention to pacing — using page breaks and paneling to land emotional beats. Creators who run small circles at doujin events or sell on Pixiv Booth/Booth.pm often produce the best original comics because they treat them like mini-zines: thoughtful, printed work with extras. Look for those with active Patreon or Ko-fi pages — the ones who get steady support usually keep up quality and updates. If you want specific examples, I recommend following community-curated lists rather than relying on a single “top” label: check the weekly Pixiv rankings for '爆豪緑谷', browse the #bakudeku and #爆豪緑谷 hashtags on Twitter/X, and peek at Tumblr tag pages and their asks/reblogs. Don’t forget to tip artists when you love their work — buy their doujinshi or commission prints; that’s how these creators keep making long-form comics. Personally, I found my favorite creators through a friend’s bookmarked list and then spent a whole Sunday devouring a serialized comic that felt like a short novel in manga form — it’s the best feeling, discovering a creator who gets the ship and can actually tell a story with it.

For me, creating a Bakudeku comic character design starts with a small, noisy sketch session where I try to trap the energy between those two personalities. I flip through panels of 'My Hero Academia' looking for micro-behaviors: Bakugo's sharp jawline, wild hair silhouette, and explosive posture; Deku's rounded eyes, freckled cheeks, and slightly hunched, earnest stance. I don't copy—I'm mining recognizable cues so readers instantly know who they are even when I put them in new outfits or AUs. Next comes silhouette and gesture work. I make quick thumbnails that exaggerate height differences and posture: Bakugo is compact and coiled, often leaning forward; Deku opens up, shoulders softer. That contrast tells half the story before any dialogue appears. Then I explore face-shape tweaks—tighter eyes, harsher brows for Bakugo; wider, more reflective eyes for Deku. Small details matter: the way Bakugo's mouth curves when he's annoyed vs. when he's barely softening toward Deku, or how Deku's fingers fidget when nervous. I do a handful of expression sheets and a few hand studies because touch scenes live or die on believable hands. Color and costume choices are my next playground. I keep Bakugo's palette in warm, saturated tones—rusty orange, crimson, a punchy yellow accent—while Deku stays in cooler, slightly muted greens and teals. If I'm doing an AU (school uniforms, modern casual, or a fantasy version), I preserve those color relationships so the chemistry reads instantly. Lighting is also a character: hard rim light for Bakugo during confrontations, softer fills for Deku during intimate moments. Layering textures—like the scuffs on Bakugo's gloves or the worn fabric of Deku's hoodie—adds lived-in credibility. Finally, I storyboard a few comic beats, paying careful attention to pacing. I alternate wide panels that show physical distance with tight close-ups that capture the micro-exchange—a thumb brushing a knuckle, an awkward inhale, a diverted glance. Lettering and panel rhythm help control tension: shorter panels quicken the pulse, long silent gutters let a charged moment settle. The last step is community feedback: I share sketches with friends or a small group who know the ship, tweak based on whether the emotion reads, and keep iterating until the design feels both truthful to 'My Hero Academia' and entirely ours. My favorite trick? Pick one tiny trait to exaggerate—an overly expressive eyebrow or a habitual hand tuck—and repeat it like a motif throughout the comic. It makes the relationship feel lived-in, not just drawn.

When I'm digging through artist alley at a con or scrolling through an artist's shop on a slow Saturday morning, the number of ways 'bakudeku' art gets turned into merch always surprises me. Prints and posters are the obvious staples — everything from glossy A4 prints to oversized art posters. I’ve bought a few that live on my wall; one is a thick, matte print that survived a rainy backpack incident because the seller used good cardstock. Artists often pair those prints with small postcards and bookmarks, which are great for cheap, portable pieces of fan art that still feel collectible. Enamel pins, stickers, and keychains are the next tier of things I always seek out. Pins bring that tactile joy when you slap them on a denim jacket or a convention lanyard; I have a tiny 'bakudeku' charm that opens conversations wherever I go. Stickers range from vinyl, weatherproof designs to cute clear stickers you stick on your laptop. Keychains and acrylic charms are everywhere too — gorgeously printed, sometimes double-sided, and often sold bundled with a print or zine. Speaking of zines, independent 'bakudeku' comics and zines are a huge part of the scene: self-published chapbooks, short comic anthologies, and character studies printed in small runs that are often the most creative takes on the pairing. Beyond those, you’ll find apparel like T‑shirts and hoodies (watch for screen printing vs DTG differences), phone cases, tote bags, and even things like washi tape, enamel mugs, and mouse pads. If you want something fancier, some creators produce artbooks or hardcover mini art collections, and there are limited-run calendars and sticker sheets. Where to buy? Artist shops on Pixiv Booth, Etsy, Big Cartel, and artists’ own storefronts are common; Redbubble and Society6 sometimes host fan art prints and home goods, but quality varies. A big tip: always check the artist’s shop link on their profile and read product descriptions — many of these are unofficial fan works, so support the original artist directly if you can and respect their print limits and licensing notes. Also be mindful of shipping and customs if you’re buying internationally; I once paid three different vendors in one haul and learned the hard way about combined shipping policies. If you’re hunting something specific, try searching convention hashtags or the seller’s past event postings — you’ll often find limited merch that never made it online, and those little finds make my collection feel personal and lived-in.

Honestly, if what you mean by print editions is an officially published romantic Bakudeku comic from the creators or publisher, the short reality is: no, there aren’t any sanctioned, canon Bakugo x Midoriya romance comics put out by the official 'My Hero Academia' team. The original manga by Kohei Horikoshi and the licensed spin-offs (like 'My Hero Academia: Vigilantes' and the gag spinoffs) never publish ship-specific romance doujinshi as part of their official catalogue. Official volumes and spin-offs focus on canon storylines and sanctioned side projects, and while those may contain intense interactions between characters, they don’t package romantic Bakudeku stories as an official product. That said, the fandom scene is absolutely thriving with printed Bakudeku doujinshi — which are fan-made, often professionally printed zines. I’ve bought a few at conventions and ordered from Pixiv Booth/Booth.pm; the quality can range from thin photocopied booklets to gorgeous, full-color artbooks printed on thick paper. Japanese doujin circles sell at Comiket, and shops like Toranoana or Melonbooks sometimes carry surplus copies; outside Japan, indie artists sell through Etsy, Big Cartel, or convention Artist Alleys. Those are not “official” in the sense of Shueisha or the manga’s editorial office approving a romantic pairing, but they’re real physical books that many collectors treasure and support the creators of. If you’re hunting for printed Bakudeku, a few practical tips from my own buying sprees: search for the Japanese term '同人誌' plus 'bakudeku' on Booth, Pixiv, and Twitter; check artist profiles for shipping to your country; and always favor buying directly from the artist or reputable stores rather than pirated scans. For collectors who want canon material, look for official fanbooks and artbooks for 'My Hero Academia' — they won’t contain ship-focused romance, but they’re collectible and often have lovely character art and interviews. Ultimately I love both sides: supporting official releases for the creator’s work and supporting indie artists who make the printed Bakudeku stuff I personally enjoy flipping through on rainy afternoons.