Bakugo and Endeavor are supporting characters in the My Hero Academia universe. Their fiery dispositions are matched by their quirks, creating parallels between the two that are difficult not to notice after being acquainted with them.
However, there are circumstances surrounding their personalities and origins that distinguish the two as their own entities. By exemplifying what both heroes have in common and the ways in which they are different, we can better understand the nuances behind them as individuals and anticipate how they will shape the future of the story.
10 Similar – Rivals
Endeavor and Bakugo both have rivals in the story which they desperately attempt to surpass. They compete with All Might and Izuku Midoriya respectively in order to prove their strength to their comrades as well as themselves.
Intriguingly, both rivals also share the One For All quirk, using it to greatly enhance their physical prowess. It provides a challenge that the flame mastering heroes toil day and night in order to overcome, with Deku's inherited power growing stronger with time and practice.
9 Different – Rivalry Outcome
Eventually, Bakugo was able to defeat Izuku Midoriya even after he had familiarized himself with One For All. This would be prompted through Kacchan's surmounting insecurity, especially since his power had once greatly eclipsed Deku's own.
Conversely, Endeavor has never defeated All Might in combat, losing himself to a fit of destructive rage after Toshinori had entered retirement. It entailed that no matter how strong the flame hero became, he would forever be denied the fight that proved his supremacy and from reaping the reward for the excruciating training that he put himself through.
8 Similar – Quirks
Another clear similarity between Endeavor and Bakugo is through their quirks. The former's "Hellfire" and the latter's "Explosion" both harness flames to their highest capacity, even allowing each of them to fly. The only deviation in their abilities is through how they unleash their flames. Endeavor shoots fire in columns, whereas Bakugo exerts concentrated explosions.
Because of these parallels, it's intriguing that Endeavor had not considered Bakugo for an apprenticeship. While this was for the man's interest in cultivating his son's potential, Kacchan has more in common with the newly christened number one hero than Todoroki ever will.
7 Different – Interaction With Villains
The interactions both heroes have with the evils that threaten Japan are starkly contrasting. While Endeavor fulfills the role left to him by All Might and was even a symbol of strength before his ascension, Bakugo was most frequently known for how he had been kidnapped.
His first abduction was against the sludge villain at the beginning of the series (a televised event which haunted him throughout his academic career), and his second was through the League of Villains' attack on the Forest Camp. Should the public have heard of the latter, it would have jeopardized the faith placed in U.A High to protect its students.
6 Similar – Character Growth
Both heroes have taken a palpable turn for the better since their respective debuts. When Endeavor was forced to assume his coveted mantle of being number one, he consulted All Might for his wisdom. Similarly, Bakugo realized that what Deku told him about One For All was true after the young hero's power had been proven time and again.
Each instance compelled them to re-evaluate themselves and become humbled. Curiously, Toshinori also played a direct role in their developments, demonstrating that he could still serve Japan without his awesome strength.
5 Different – Goals
When analyzing the qualities of a hero, it's impossible not to consider the goals they have in mind. Though Endeavor once may have been obsessed with his own strength, he would later concentrate his attention toward building up his son since he realized his dreams were out of reach.
Conversely, Bakugo has been solely fixated on his personal development since he was introduced, aspiring to the echelons he had dreamed of since childhood. Unlike Kacchan, Endeavor's overbearing pursuit of his vision for Shoto only pushed his son away.
4 Similar – Public Perception
Aside from the results of their hero careers, Endeavor and Bakugo are regarded in much of the same light. They are (correctly) perceived to be prideful, arrogant warriors whose drive for success places them well above their peers.
The only difference in their quest for acknowledgement is that Kacchan has a greater propensity to become rabid when circumstances do not align in his favor. As a consequence, he was forcibly restrained as he received his reward since he refused to accept his victory over Todoroki.
3 Different – Family Situation
Despite the exaggerated slapstick between Bakugo and his mother, they don't share animosity toward one another, nor is there tension in their family. This was seen through the visit Toshinori and Aizawa paid to their home.
Unfortunately, Endeavor's situation with Shoto is much more intense. His son is often dismissive or abrasive of him for the sins of his past, pushing his mother into permanently marring his face. While the rift between them may eventually heal, it is a quest that the current symbol of peace has yet to completely fulfill.
2 Similar – Fighting Style
In addition to having similar quirks, both flame heroes rely on an aggressive fighting style in order to win their battles in virtually every encounter they participate in. Bakugo is especially reckless, confronting Midoriya in melee combat despite the latter's clear advantage of physical strength on account of One For All's steadily burgeoning power.
Endeavor's tactics are similarly headstrong. During his fight against High-End, he accelerated into the nomu despite having a spear lodged into his legs and shoulders. Both show depressingly little concern for their safety as they labor to incinerate the opposition, proving their commitment to victory at any cost.
1 Different – Narrative Role
While Endeavor is a memorable hero and an outstandingly complex character, he ultimately plays a supporting role to Todoroki (who himself is a secondary hero, albeit one of Class 1-A's more detailed students).
Conversely, Bakugo's role in the story is only outshined by Midoriya, Tomura Shigaraki, and arguably All Might. This grants him a much more robust narrative focus and guarantees that he will experience more development as the story continues to progress. His proximity as Deku's rival guarantees an active future for the hotheaded hero – however it will play out.