Something I really enjoy about Bakugou and Urarakas fight is how they both struggle with this idea of being underestimated and their perceive weakness. #kacchako

To Bakugou being underestimated is the same as being viewed as weak. Bakugou as we know has a very harmful perception of heroes and strength that in turn doesn’t allow him to seek help and be vulnerable. He sees others hesitation, or offers of help as them not regarding him as

being strong enough. His view of what is weakness is warped and has become a concept he doesn’t fully understand but is fearful of being regarded as. It’s mere minutes into the match he’s getting mad at the thought of being underestimated or viewed as weak. To him it’s a direct

attack or insult to his strength and abilities as a hero. He’s not used to being “weak” and it’s why he lashes out at any indication that he is anything but strong- it’s why Deku offering him help as a child is such an important scene for his character. It’s the first instance

of Bakugou rejecting help for the sake of upholding his view of strength and heroics.

On the other hand Uraraka is clearly used to being underestimated and/or perceived as being weaker than she actually is. Their classmates responses to the fight is an indicator of how she’s

perceived and how this perception doesn’t align with the level of strength she actually contains.

Uraraka went into this fight knowing Bakugou wouldn’t hold back or underestimate her. Her thanks before she releases her quirk is genuine. In that moment she thinks this is it.

That her plan will work she’ll have an opening and she’ll manage to beat him. This would’ve been a genuine victory for her. I’m sure knowing how she’s viewed by her classmates Uraraka would easily have doubted any win against any other classmate. Her friends think Bakugou is

going too hard on her, and Iida suggests that perhaps he’d hold back because she’s a girl. Knowing that this is the view your peers hold of you- personally I would doubt any potential victories against them.

And this is why Bakugou as an opponent is an important match for Uraraka. Because she knows where she got to in the match is a reflection of her own abilities and strength. It’s not a result of her being underestimated and given an unfair advantage because her opponent is going

easy on her.

Bakugou and Uraraka both struggle with being perceived as weak, though in different ways. It’s through their match Bakugou recognizes that Uraraka holds a similar view as him. Her thanks for not holding back is essentially a thanks for not underestimating her.

It’s in that moment I feel Bakugou truly saw her as an equal opponent. It’s why he’s excited to engage with the fight after he prevents her attack, where comparatively he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about their match going in- because to some extent he did underestimate her.

He was never gonna go easy on her obviously, but he clearly hadn’t recognized the extent of her strength either.

She not only earns his respect but a level of understanding is found between the two- atleast on Bakugous end.

Him saying she’s not frail is not only him acknowledging her strength. It’s more so denying her perceived weakness.

Bakugou is fearful and angered at the thought of others viewing him as weak. But Uraraka is actually viewed as weak by her peers.

I’d argue Bakugou at this point in the story Bakugou has more negative feelings towards the thought of being viewed as weak- compared to being viewed as a villain.

While the crowd booed him for acting like a villain they in turn were declaring they viewed Uraraka as weak.

His disappointment in the match ending sooner than expected is evident. And his reaction is very subdued when compared to other instances of him winning.

I feel like in a sense he related to and almost emphasized with Urararka. Obviously I don’t think it’s that blatant, but I think him having a match against this character who is genuinely viewed as weak by her peers and frequently underestimated even after displaying this great

show of strength is intentional and important in Bakugous acceptance of his weaknesses.

They have a similar view of weakness and while Bakugous recognition of their shared view is more subtle it’s still there, along with Urarakas.

Bakugous perception of what weakness is is integral in understanding his character and development. And I think his fight with Uraraka is often overlooked in regards to Bakugous character. It’s not a major moment of development for him. But it does reveal a lot about him.

Does any of this make sense? Idk I just finished a 3000 word essay and despite my brain being fried this came out and you all have to deal with my rambling.