Deku and Bakugo are the main and secondary protagonists of the My Hero Academia universe, respectively. Each of them embodied their own unique version of heroism, with Midoriya taking after All Might's example and Bakugo more closely resembling the pugnacious and laconic Endeavor as both boys continue to mature.
Despite the latter's aggressive and surly disposition, he has a surprising number of similarities with his childhood rival. Through analyzing what they have in common and the ways they differ, it can be best appreciated how alike the two aspiring heroes actually are.
10 SIMILAR: They Went To The Same School & Had Ordinary Childhoods Before U.A
At the beginning of the story, it was illustrated that Bakugo and Midoriya had similar childhoods. Neither of them experienced the traumatic death of a parent (although the latter's father was noticeably missing), and the worst pain encountered was over Deku's lack of a quirk.
This made them relatively well adjusted by the time they arrived at U.A High and prepared for what rigors awaited. Since each of them had a somewhat stable foundation, they avoided a deviant path such as the one Tomura Shigaraki took.
9 DIFFERENT: Their Reason For Becoming A Pro Hero
One of the greatest similarities between Bakugo and Deku is that they both aspire to become heroes. However, their reasons for doing so could not be more juxtaposed to one another.
Midoriya wants to help people and save everyone (as demonstrated through the Overhaul arc and his rescue of Eri). Conversely, Bakugo desires to be the greatest of the pros and for his strength to be acknowledged by all. Both motivations provide a sound framework for protecting Japan from its gradually increasing roster of threats.
8 SIMILAR: They Both Adore All Might
All Might was the idol of both Bakugo and Deku as they were growing up. He was worshipped by the former for his strength and by the latter for the symbol of peace and hope he provided for others.
This made Toshinori's eventual revelation that he had passed One For All to Deku absolutely devastating for his rival, as it displayed a preference for Midoriya by design. Though it bred resentment in Bakugo for his competitor's accomplishments, All Might would be able to amend their differences and encourage them to work together for the greater good.
7 DIFFERENT: They Have Mixed Success In Fighting Villains
For all of his bluster, Bakugo has been captured by villains more often than any other character in the series. It was first seen through his abduction by the sludge monster at the beginning of the narrative and again after he was the only loss in the forest camp attack.
Conversely, Deku has displayed profound successes in his battle against evildoers. Not only did he directly assist in Stain's downfall, but he also defeated Muscular and successfully overcame Overhaul during the raid on the Chisaki hideout. This evinces that he may face a more promising hero career than his hotheaded counterpart.
6 SIMILAR: They Each Wield Comparable Power
The power levels between Bakugo and Deku are comparable to each other. Each of them demonstrated profound success in the Sports Festival, with Todoroki only losing to Bakugo since he did not invoke his flames (a limitation he wouldn't impose on himself against Midoriya).
However, as Deku continues to master the power of One For All, his strength increasingly overshadows the limited potential of Bakugo's "Explosion" despite how much his rival initially had an advantage.
5 DIFFERENT: Their Fighting Styles Couldn't Be More Polarized
Deku and Bakugo have drastically different fighting styles, a factor that plays into their battles. In spite of his burgeoning strength, the former is a tactical combatant who analyzes his opponents' quirks and abilities before improvising a means of overcoming them.
Conversely, Bakugo is a belligerent and straightforward warrior who relies primarily on aggression to dominate his opponents. However, he also employs intelligence in his duels, as seen through how he noticed that Deku was anticipating him. Because he knew how to adjust to his rival's analysis, Bakugo managed to defeat him on two separate occasions.
4 SIMILAR: They're Both Highly Competitive
Though it may not be evident immediately, Deku is every bit as competitive as Bakugo. This was best observed in the Sports Festival, where he was willing to sabotage both Kacchan and Todoroki in order to propel himself ahead and establish his reputation as a competent hero.
It was also gleaned through his fight against Bakugo at the latter's behest. Not only did he seek to defend himself against his rival, but he also expressed his desire to overcome him in power due to how much he admired him.
3 DIFFERENT: Their Standing With Classmates
In accordance with their unique personalities, Bakugo and Deku are perceived differently by their classmates. The former is resented for his arrogance and frequently mocked for how easy he is to provoke. Moreover, his hubris has created a rivalry between Class 1-A and Class 1-B, especially to the vindictive Neito.
Conversely, few thought anything of Midoriya at the beginning of the narrative. His powerlessness made him an underwhelming student and easily overlooked. However, as his accolades compiled and his power became refined, he gradually earned the respect he desperately craved.
2 SIMILAR: They're Both Astoundingly Courageous
Deku and Bakugo are both among Class 1-A's most courageous students. The former harnessed the volatile power of Eri's quirk and confronted a dangerous criminal kingpin by himself, rapidly destroying and rebuilding his body with One For All simultaneously to enhance himself and stay alive.
The latter would openly defy Shigaraki in a room of powerful villains, detonating an explosion in his face and valiantly opposing his attempts to convert him. For their bravery, the boys face a promising future as professional heroes since they have depicted the resilience to protect others from whatever dangers lie ahead of them.
1 DIFFERENT: The Turnout Of The Hero Licensing Exam
The Hero Licensing Exam was intended to gauge the merit of U.A's students. Working together, most of Class 1-A passed in spite of the target that had been painted on their backs due to the year's events.
However, Bakugo's natural abrasion and unprofessional disposition made him fail the test. As a result, he was forced to attend a remedial course alongside Todoroki in order to obtain his provisional license. Considering Midoriya's model behavior, he was never debilitated through the same flaws that held Bakugo back.