Bakugo Wins Again [My Hero Academia 293]

Not only does Katsuki Bakugo win Japan’s recent My Hero Academia Popularity Poll, but his official hero name is revealed. And, that’s not all…

It’s safe to say Bakugo’s having a great week for someone impaled by Super Shigaraki several chapters ago. #1 in Shonen Jump’s My Hero poll for the fifth time and we learn his hero name is Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight. It’s a dumb name but I’m guessing everyone will just call him Dynamight so just going by that I like it.

There’s another interesting development for Bakugo this chapter: He’s focused on saving people and not winning. Remember, his thing was “fight to win” while Deku was “fight to save”. Well, when attacking the Near High-Ends, Bakugo remembered how powerful his explosions were when saving Deku several chapters earlier. He’s now realized first hand to strength that can be drawn from an intent to save. Sure, Deku has leveled up but Bakugo is right on his heels. Don’t count the overrated brat out yet. He’s still got a lot more room for growth!

We have confirmation Eri did indeed heal Mirio with her Rewind quirk. Good job, Eri! Have fun getting kidnapped. What? I’m just saying Eri’s too powerful even with having to store up power before using her quirk for big projects. She’s way too temping a target for the Paranormal Liberation Front. Especially, with Doctor Ujiko captured by the heroes. If they want erasure bullets they’re gonna need a lab to replicate a bullet or Eri herself.

And, with all the plot reveals happening whose to say Horikoshi won’t finally reveal the traitor’s identity after she (It’s gotta be Invisible Girl.) does something game changing like kidnapping Eri. The traitor is the best person for the job considering Eri lives at the heavily secured UA Hero School. Plus, Shinso needs to join a hero class and with the traitor gone he can fill that student slot without someone getting knocked down to General Studies.

The League of Villains is captured! Well, Dabi’s still free but he’s hopelessly outnumbered. And, there’s Toga whose…somewhere. I mentioned in a previous review Horikoshi wouldn’t have the League captured before the final arc but is he really going there? Could the Tartarus Arc involve Toga breaking her friends out of the super max prison along with a number of criminals ready to destroy society? Hm… Maybe? It’s possible but Re-Destro, Geten, and Trumpet are still out there. And, if I had to guess, I don’t think Edgeshot, Cementoss, and Yoroi Musha are strong enough to take them all down. But, even if the PLF wins at Gunga Villa I doubt they’re fast enough to arrive where the League is right now. And, then there’s AFO who may figure out a way for the League to escape. I-I just don’t know, y’all. I’m stumped on how Horikoshi will handle this.

Dabi wants Shoto dead. So much so, he’s willing do destroy himself in the process. Pay attention because that’s gonna be a big priority on Dabi’s list going forward. Shoto is everything Endeavor wanted. The fruits of his labor. It’s his dream turned real. Most of all, Shoto is what Toya once wanted to be. Yep, Dabi’s gonna want Icy Hot gone in a big way!

This was a good chapter! A lot more Bakugo focus than I expected but it works. Like I’ve been saying, Horikoshi is maneuvering his characters this arc where they need to be moving forward, and Bakugo is no exception. Still, I can’t believe that punk won another popularity poll. At least Twice and Tsuya are probably in the top 20. Let me check… WHAT? Tsuyu is 21st? And, Twice is…26th?! Oh, that’s it, Japan. Go to your room!