How Does My Hero Academia Vol 18 Develop Bakugo And Midoriya?

My Hero Academia volume 18 is infamous for that intense fight scene. Curious about the writing's impact on Kacchan and Deku's dynamic throughout this arc.
2026-08-04 06:42:21
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13 Answers

Kip
Kip
Active Reader Cashier
I think a lot about how this would feel from Bakugo's POV. The guy who aced every physical test, who was always top of the class, gets a big, fat F in being a hero. That has to mess with your head on a fundamental level. His entire identity is built on being the best, and an official authority tells him he's not even qualified. That's the kind of shock that can break a person or force a complete rebuild. Midoriya's POV is different: he's terrified of the new power surging within him. His success is literally threatening to tear him apart. Both are facing existential crises, just from opposite directions.
2026-08-05 00:09:16
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SamMason
SamMason
Detail Spotter Accountant
I've seen some criticism that Bakugo's turnaround starts too suddenly after this, but I disagree. Volume 18 is the crack in the dam. The actual change is a slow leak that happens over many subsequent arcs. Here, we just see the initial fracture. He doesn't become nice or even pleasant. He just becomes quiet, thoughtful in his own aggressive way. Midoriya doesn't become a master of his new power; he becomes deeply worried about it. The development is in the emotional shift, not in a personality transplant. The volume changes their emotional trajectories, setting a new course for future behavior.
2026-08-06 07:14:37
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Cleo
Cleo
Active Reader Nurse
Bakugo's remedial course with Class B is low-key one of the funniest and most insightful parts of his development. Being forced to cooperate, to listen, to be taught—it's torture for him, but it's the exact medicine he needs. We see glimmers of him trying, however grudgingly. Midoriya isn't part of that, so his development continues on a separate track, dealing with the public's growing awareness of him. The volume splits them up to give them room to grow independently. Bakugo needs to be away from Midoriya to fix his own issues without the old rival dynamic poisoning the well. It's a smart narrative choice that prevents their development from being constantly intertwined and competitive.
2026-08-06 10:02:48
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EzraBoone
EzraBoone
Frequent Answerer Data Analyst
From a writing perspective, Horikoshi uses the side characters as mirrors. Look at how their classmates react to them now. There’s less tension, less worry about a fight breaking out. The class has subconsciously registered the shift. Kirishima isn’t playing peacekeeper as much. That external view confirms the internal development. Bakugo is being pulled into the class dynamic through Midoriya’s unwavering inclusion, and Midoriya gains confidence from Bakugo’s reluctant, growing respect. It’s a social development as much as a personal one. They’re finding their places within the group, and their toxic dyad is slowly being integrated into the wider class chemistry.
2026-08-06 21:26:05
1
FinnBell
FinnBell
Reviewer Analyst
I think the development is perfectly paced. We don’t get a sudden, sappy reunion. It’s a slow thaw, with setbacks. Bakugo still yells, Midoriya still gets flustered. But the foundation is different. There’s an unspoken agreement now: the fight between them is postponed until after they’ve dealt with the bigger threats. It’s a truce, not a peace treaty. That feels more realistic for characters with their history. Midoriya grows by learning he can stand on a battlefield as Bakugo’s equal, not his victim. Bakugo grows by learning to temporarily sheath his claws for a tactical advantage. It’s messy, imperfect, and brilliantly in-character.
2026-08-07 11:48:31
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It's a masterclass in using action for character. Their big fight has no fancy quirks; it's just two boys beating the truth out of each other. Every punch is a sentence of dialogue they're too emotionally stunted to say. Bakugo hitting Deku is him screaming 'I feel weak and it's my fault.' Deku hitting back is him saying 'I see your weakness and I'm not scared of you anymore.' The volume develops them by making them physically express what they can't verbalize.

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10 Answers2026-08-04 19:04:10
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11 Answers2026-08-04 10:49:14
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13 Answers2026-08-04 16:14:45
His development is painfully slow, which is why it feels real. Volume 14 isn't where he becomes a good teammate. It's where he starts to understand he needs to be one. The remedial classes are a massive blow to his pride. He's literally separated from the main group because he failed a core aspect of heroism. For someone who defines himself by winning, being labeled a 'failure' in a public test is a unique kind of hell. He doesn't accept it gracefully, but he does accept the re-training. That tiny concession—showing up and participating—is a massive step for him.
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