Don't underestimate Uraraka.
Warning: Full spoilers for the episode below.
All throughout Season 2, My Hero Academia has done an excellent job of delivering a seamless blend of action and character development. "Bakugo vs. Uraraka" is no different, serving up a thrilling battle that provides new insight into Bakugo and establishes Uraraka as a strong character who will fight tooth and nail to achieve her dreams.
Despite what others seem to think, Bakugo isn't an evil, bloodthirsty villain. While he uses extreme words like "die," it's clear that deep down his ruthless, competitive spirit stems entirely from his desire to be number one. This is made perfectly evident in his battle with Uraraka. Instead of writing her off as an easy win, he sees Uraraka as a formidable opponent who shouldn't be underestimated. I really appreciate how Bakugo's attitude in this battle reinforces the fact that Uraraka isn't just some frail girl he should go easy on, despite the booing audience who clearly believes otherwise.
That isn't to say Bakugo isn't someone to be feared, though. He'll do whatever it takes to be number one, even if that means crushing Uraraka to ensure his victory. The weight of that reality was conveyed beautifully in the stunningly animated explosions and rousing music that swelled as Bakugo continued to fend of Uraraka's persistent advances. Uraraka's need to get close enough to touch Bakugo to use her Zero Gravity Quirk made for an intimate fight that felt extremely tense and dangerous, as Bakugo is continuously forced to blast her away to maintain a safe distance.
It's in this fight that we see a new side of Uraraka. She's not just some ditsy girl who has lofty dreams of supporting her family one day. Uraraka is tough and courageous, and while she isn't able to triumph in the battle, she establishes herself as someone who won’t easily be defeated. Her facial expressions do an excellent job of conveying her serious and determined demeanor. One particular close-up shot, with her brow furrowed as she wipes the sweat from her face, was especially memorable. Until now, Uraraka has nearly always appeared soft and adorable, with a big smile plastered across her face, so I'm glad we get a glimpse at her more rough and threatening side.
I also appreciate how this fight showcases the strategic, intelligent side of Uraraka. Without the aid of Deku and his handy notebook, she's able to devise a clever plan that nearly defeats Bakugo. While it's clear she looks up to Deku, Uraraka is fully capable all on her own. Deku's brief encounter with Bakugo after the match does an excellent job of hammering this point home, as Deku shoots down Bakugo's accusation that he provided Uraraka with her clever debris elevating strategy. I especially appreciated when Deku sheds his timid disposition to defend Uraraka, enraging Bakugo by telling him bluntly that he fell right into her trap.
Likewise, I really enjoyed the banter between Mr. Aizawa and Present Mic. After the announcer sides with the booing crowd, Aizawa grabs the mic to defend Bakugo. Reaching the battle tournament is no easy feat, so shaming Bakugo for not going easy on Uraraka is ultimately insulting to both of them. It was particularly powerful when Aizawa called out a dissenting pro from the crowd in order to support his students, explaining that Bakugo is justified in battling hard against Uraraka because she too is very strong.
While the latter half of the episode wasn't filled with nearly as much heart-pounding action—Kirishima and Tetsutetsu's tie breaker was about as exciting as an arm wrestle could be—it served as a dramatic lead-up to the impending showdown between Deku and Todoroki. In addition to the aforementioned chat between Deku and Bakugo, Deku also bumps into Todoroki's dad, Endeavor, on his way into the arena. In this brief exchange, which begins with a hilariously expressive shot of Deku's shocked face, we see just how much My Hero Academia's protagonist has grown over the course of the Sports Festival.
While Endeavor views his son as little more than an object—often referring to him as "that"—Deku challenges the notion that he and Todoroki are mere tools to serve the ambitions of the generation that precedes them. Deku's proclamation: "I am not All Might," which is followed by, "Todoroki isn't you, either" was incredibly powerful. Until now, we've seen Deku strive to be just like All Might, going so far as to design a costume that mirrors the iconic smile and hairstyle of his mentor. In this moment, however, we get a glimpse at Deku's growth as he establishes his own identity and defends the worth and individuality of his fellow classmate.
Deku's encounter with Uraraka was also incredibly impactful. Instead of getting time alone to prepare for his fight against Todoroki, he unexpectedly spends it chatting with Uraraka, and ultimately he's better off for it. Uraraka's strength isn't just on the battlefield but also behind the scenes, as she's able to think of others in the midst of dealing with the disappointment of losing. Despite feeling as though she's let her family down by failing to advance to the next round, Uraraka maintains a smile and provides Deku with the encouragement he needs before going into what will likely be his toughest battle yet. The dynamic between these two is so endearing and I look forward to seeing it evolve as Deku's story continues to unfold.
The Verdict
The final match of the first round of the battle tournament fails to disappoint, as "Bakugo vs. Uraraka" serves up an explosive battle that provides a deeper look into the motivations and capabilities of two of My Hero Academia's incredibly compelling characters. Not only does the fight establish Uraraka as a strong and intelligent competitor, it also shatters the superficial notion that Bakugo is merely a one-dimensional, bloodthirsty bully. We're also treated to a glimpse at Deku beginning to establish his own identity as he stands up to Endeavor. I can't wait to see how Deku's head-to-head battle against Todoroki unfolds in what promises to be an epic start to the second round of the battle tournament.
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