How Does My Hero Academia Volume 22 Change Deku And Bakugo'S Relationship?

Finished volume 22 of My Hero Academia. The fight between Deku and Bakugo feels different—did their dynamic actually shift this arc?
2026-08-04 19:15:14
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15 Answers

LauraReed
LauraReed
Reviewer Assistant
From a writing craft angle, Horikoshi had to solve the 'Bakugo Problem.' Bakugo was incredibly popular but also a bully whose redemption needed to be earned, not glossed over. Volume 22 is the culmination of that redemption arc. It's the moment where Bakugo's actions (fighting to save) and words (the apology) align to provide catharsis for the audience and for Deku.

The relationship changes because the narrative's need for Bakugo's atonement is satisfied. Once that major character arc milestone is hit, the dynamic is free to evolve into its final form: the dual protagonists facing the endgame. It's a pivot point in the story's structure as much as in their friendship.
2026-08-05 00:41:23
24
GrahamPal
GrahamPal
Responder Librarian
I keep coming back to the weather during that final conversation. The storm has passed, literally. The sky is clear. It's such a heavy-handed but effective metaphor. The tumultuous, explosive, cloudy relationship they had has cleared. The air is fresh.

Their dialogue is quiet, raw, and understated compared to their usual screaming. The change is signaled by the environment and the tone as much as the words. They're in the calm after the storm, both literally on the island and emotionally between them. It's a new day. Everything after this feels like it exists in that clearer, calmer emotional climate, even when the action is chaotic.
2026-08-05 01:46:22
9
JossHart
JossHart
Book Scout Veterinarian
It’s funny, my friend who's an anime-only just got to this part and their reaction was priceless. They'd been so used to the shouting and tension that the quiet apology scene completely blindsided them. It's a testament to how well the change is built. It feels earned, not rushed. For manga readers, it was a long-awaited catharsis. For anime watchers, it's a shocking pivot.

That difference in medium pacing highlights the change beautifully. In the weekly/monthly grind, we felt the years of build-up. In the anime's binge-able flow, it feels like a sudden, powerful narrative twist. Either way, the impact on their relationship is the central, unforgettable moment.
2026-08-05 09:41:26
21
AdamJames
AdamJames
Bibliophile Lawyer
The volume plants a seed for future conflict, too. Bakugo now carries the secret of One For All. What happens if that knowledge is ever exploited? If he’s captured or manipulated, that intel is a huge vulnerability for Deku. The trust is absolute, but it’s also a liability.

Furthermore, their shared guilt could fester or manifest in self-destructive ways. What if they disagree on how to atone? The new dynamic isn’t a conflict-ender; it’s a conflict-transformer. The stakes of their disagreements are now astronomically higher because they’re tied to the world’s biggest secret. The peace is precarious, which makes every subsequent interaction brim with unspoken tension. It’s brilliant writing—it solves one narrative problem to create several more interesting ones.
2026-08-07 02:15:48
9
WesBud
WesBud
Honest Reviewer Accountant
I’m fascinated by the role of Midoriya’s mother in this. Think about it: her son’s lifelong tormentor, who she’s seen cause him so much pain, is now intrinsically linked to his dangerous destiny. Does she know about the rooftop? How would she feel about this forced partnership? The series doesn’t explore it, but it’s a fascinating, unsettling layer.

For Deku, forging this bond with Bakugo might feel like a necessity of his hero’s path. For Inko, it might look like her son being forced to rely on his abuser. The change in their relationship isn’t happening in a vacuum, and an outside perspective, especially a maternal one, would likely be far more conflicted and worried than the narrative or the fans are. It adds a dose of necessary realism to the ‘shared trauma brings us together’ trope.
2026-08-07 09:01:19
18
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Related Questions

How do Deku and Bakugo’s relationship change by volume 20?

10 Answers2026-08-04 10:12:06
It’s a relief, narratively. Having your two main characters stuck in a purely antagonistic loop gets exhausting. The change allows the story to explore new territories—how they compete healthily, how they cover each other’s flaws, how they lead together. It opens up the plot instead of constricting it. By volume 20, their matured relationship is a foundation the author can build massive, world-ending stakes upon, because we believe these two will find a way to work it out.

How do Deku and Bakugo’s rivalries change across My Hero Academia 1 20?

9 Answers2026-08-04 17:08:25
Watching it weekly as it aired was a trip. The fandom debates after every episode where Bakugou did something even slightly decent were endless. 'Is he redeemed yet?' 'No, he's still a jerk!' The rivalry evolving in real-time split the community for years.

How does Deku’s relationship with Bakugo change in Hero Academy?

8 Answers2026-07-10 11:06:54
Looking at it through a writing lens, it's a great way to show character growth without internal monologues. We see Bakugo's change through his actions toward Deku: saving him, apologizing, following his lead. We see Deku's growth in how he stands up to Bakugo, argues back, and trusts him with strategies. Their interactions are a progress report.

How does My Hero Academia Vol 22 advance Deku’s character arc?

9 Answers2026-08-04 20:14:46
The world-building around him shifts, and that advances his role. Society is in tatters, and the civilians they save aren't just cheering; they're desperate, angry, scared. Deku has to be a symbol of stability in that chaos, not just a cool hero. You see him trying to reassure people, but it’s strained. The effortless inspiration of All Might is gone; it's hard work now. This matures him by force. He's learning that being the symbol isn't about winning fights—it's about carrying public hope when there is none, a much heavier and more complex duty.

How does My Hero Academia Volume 13 change Bakugo’s arc?

10 Answers2026-08-04 13:51:00
The practical consequence everyone ignores: his public perception. He’s now publicly known as the kid who was kidnapped by the League of Villains. That’s a mark on his record before his career even starts. His arc now has to contend with external reputation, not just internal growth. How does someone branded by a villain attack prove themselves as a reliable hero? It adds an extra hurdle to his goal of being number one. It’s no longer just about power; it’s about overcoming public stigma. This is a subtle change that influences his later need to be visibly, undeniably excellent.

How does Bakugo’s role change in My Hero Academia Volume 15?

14 Answers2026-08-04 18:19:10
Some fans see his kidnapping as a weak plot point, but I disagree. It's essential for humbling him. His role changes from an internal antagonist to a symbol of the class's vulnerability. The fact that the whole hero society mobilizes to save one student—him—forces him to see his own value through others' eyes. He's not a lone wolf; he's part of a system that risks everything for one member. That communal responsibility is a new concept for Bakugo. Volume 15 is where that lesson is brutally administered.

How does Bakugo’s rivalry with Deku evolve in My Hero Academia Book 2?

15 Answers2026-08-04 19:49:24
The visual of One For All's lightning versus Bakugo's explosions is a constant, beautiful contrast. Green, crackling, contained energy versus orange, expanding, chaotic blasts. Their fights are a color theory lesson. Green represents growth, life, and the inherited will. Orange represents danger, warning, and raw, uncontrolled emotion. When they clash, it's more than a fight; it's a thematic argument made visible. The evolution of their rivalry is mirrored in how these visual elements interact—from One For All sputtering and failing to it glowing brighter as Deku gains control, while Bakugo's explosions become more concentrated and violent.

How does 'My Hero Academia' novel define the bond between Deku and Bakugo?

3 Answers2025-04-15 18:20:41
The bond between Deku and Bakugo in 'My Hero Academia' is defined by a mix of rivalry, respect, and shared history. From childhood, Bakugo’s superiority complex clashed with Deku’s admiration, creating a tense dynamic. Bakugo saw Deku as weak, while Deku idolized Bakugo’s strength. This changes when Deku inherits One For All, leveling the playing field. Their relationship evolves from one-sided admiration to mutual competition. Bakugo begins to acknowledge Deku’s growth, though he’d never admit it outright. Their bond is tested in battles, where they push each other to their limits. The novel highlights how their rivalry fuels their growth, transforming it into a partnership built on unspoken respect. For fans of complex friendships, 'Attack on Titan' explores similar themes of rivalry and camaraderie.

How does My Hero Academia Vol 26 advance Deku’s character arc?

13 Answers2026-08-04 23:59:56
Volume 26 is where Deku's idealistic world view gets its first massive, structural crack. The Paranormal Liberation Front war isn't just a battle; it's a systematic dismantling of the "save everyone" hero complex he inherited from All Might. Seeing heroes fall, civilians get hurt despite his efforts, and the sheer scale of villainy forces a brutal cost-benefit analysis onto him. The imagery of him broken and bloody, still trying to reach Shigaraki, is pivotal. He's no longer just aiming to be a symbol of peace like All Might was. The experience grafts a layer of grim, strategic necessity onto his compassion. He starts to understand that winning might require sacrifices he's never been emotionally prepared to make. This volume plants the seed for his later, more isolated and reckless behavior, because he begins to believe the weight is his to bear alone.

How does My Hero Academia Vol 30 change Deku’s character arc?

12 Answers2026-08-04 13:25:45
The most subtle change is in his eyes. Horikoshi draws eyes so expressively. Early Deku had wide, bright, emotional eyes. Dark Deku’s eyes are often shadowed, narrowed, or glaring with a frantic intensity. The softness is completely gone. Even in moments of rest, he looks haunted, like he’s seeing threats no one else can. This visual detail sells the psychological transformation. He’s not present with the people in front of him; he’s trapped in a future only he can see, filled with catastrophe. His character arc is, in part, a journey back to being able to look his friends in the eye again, to see them as allies and not liabilities.
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