Katsuki Bakugo

The explosive prodigy destined to be the number one hero through sheer will and power.

Katsuki Bakugo (Japanese: 爆豪勝己, Hepburn: Bakugō Katsuki), also known by his nickname Kacchan (used by Izuku Midoriya in the series) and his hero name Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight, is a superhero and one of the main protagonists of the manga series My Hero Academia, created by Kōhei Horikoshi. His Quirk is Explosion, which lets him make explosions from his hands by detonating the nitroglycerin-like substance he sweats. Overuse causes pulsating pain in his arms and shoulders. As a child, he bullied his childhood best friend, the Quirkless Izuku Midoriya, giving him the moniker Deku. After both entered U.A. High School and Katsuki lost to Izuku in training, he began to see him differently. Katsuki is voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto in Japanese and Clifford Chapin in English.

Quick Facts

Series

My Hero Academia

First

My Hero Academia #1, "Izuku Midoriya: Origin", July 7, 2014

Creator

Kōhei Horikoshi

Portrayed by

Ryōta Kobayashi
ja
小林亮太 (タレント)

Also known as

"Kacchan"
"Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight"
"Dynamight"

Occupation

Student at U.A. High School, Superhero

Family

Mitsuki Bakugo (mother), Masaru Bakugo (father)

Nationality

Japanese

Lore & Background

Katsuki Bakugo's journey is marked by intense rivalry and painful growth. After being kidnapped by the League of Villains, All Might lost his Quirk saving him, making Katsuki blame himself for All Might's retirement, though All Might later reassured him it was not his fault. Katsuki becomes one of the only people who knows the true nature of Izuku's Quirk, as Izuku trusts him with this secret and so did All Might. During the war with the Paranormal Liberation Army, Katsuki watches Izuku about to die to Tomura Shigaraki's piercing attack; in a moment of pure urgency, he awakens a new explosive technique that propels him fast enough to push Izuku out of the way and tank the hits himself.

Later, during the Dark Deku Arc, Katsuki gives a big apology speech to Izuku, admitting the reason he had to bully and reject Izuku was because of his jealousy in feeling the Quirkless boy's mindset was more passionate and closer to being a hero than he was. He finishes by saying he is so sorry for everything, and informs Izuku that his path was not ever misguided the moment he gained One for All, which he rightfully deserved.

Reader's Guide

Katsuki begins the series as an intelligent student with aspirations of being the world's greatest hero, but had an arrogant, violent and crude personality. He often bullied Izuku Midoriya during their childhood, giving him the moniker 'Deku' to mock his perceived worthlessness. After Izuku was given One For All, both enter U.A. High School and are enrolled in Class 1-A. Katsuki receives character development, learning the importance of teamwork and co-operation, becoming a leader, accepting help, and how to save others in order to win.

He also begins developing a friendship with classmates Eijiro Kirishima and Denki Kaminari. After failing the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam due to his guilt and aggressive attitude, Katsuki takes Izuku out to Testing Ground Gamma, reveals he has put together how Izuku received his Quirk from All Might, and challenges Izuku to a battle to deal with his guilt. After defeating Izuku, All Might arrives, reassures him, and tells him the origins of All For One.

Katsuki promises Izuku he will surpass him one day, forming a proper rivalry. This rivalry becomes a quick rekindling of their childhood friendship, and they talk more since the fight, although sometimes playfully antagonistic.

Did You Know?

In the first draft of the series, Katsuki was a genius with a nice personality, but Horikoshi scrapped this idea because it was too boring.
Horikoshi originally intended to keep Katsuki with an unempathetic personality, but later decided to give him development into a kinder person as the story went on.
After the anime premiered, Horikoshi began writing the character with Nobuhiko Okamoto's voice in mind.
Katsuki's English voice actor Clifford Chapin often has to end recording sessions early due to his voice getting worn out from all the screaming the character does.
Katsuki was added to the Jump Force video game as a DLC character in August 2019.