MHA’s Katsuki Bakugo vs Bleach’s Rukia Kuchiki – Who’s the Better Tsundere Shonen Sidekick?
Midoriya from MHA and Ichigo from Bleach both have a tough-talking tsundere teammate that stands by them despite any disagreements they may have.
In most shonen anime, the main character has at least one official sidekick and buddy and sometimes more. These characters aren’t simply a sidekick like Robin in Batman, however; in many respects, they are the shonen hero’s actual equal. The duo may have a competitive relationship that brings out the best in each of them on a personal or professional level.
Both Bleach and My Hero Academia provide their protagonists a feisty tsundere sidekick who has great chemistry and drama with the main character. Izuku Midoriya’s childhood buddy Katsuki Bakugo is now a classmate and adversary at UA, while Rukia Kuchiki, the Soul Reaper, taught Ichigo the fundamentals of Hollow hunting and developed into a crucial ally. These tsundere sidekicks are significant to the plot and one of them in particular is appealing despite having a serious attitude.
Bakugo’s Rise as Midoriya’s Explosive Rival in MHA
Katsuki Bakugo, in contrast to Midoriya, was born with a potent Quirk that enables him to trigger explosions with his nitroglycerin perspiration. This, along with his admiration for All Might, motivated Bakugo to strive for the top and put in a lot of effort to become the next top hero. As a trainee hero, Bakugo is infamous for being aggressive, competitive, and self-centered. He often behaves more like an antihero who uses the wrong tactics to fight for the right cause. Although he plays the sidekick in My Hero Academia, he often rejects the label.
However, Bakugo is powerless against One For All, and he is aware that All Might prefers Midoriya over him. Bakugo eventually accepted his role as the protagonist’s backup after first rejecting it. He joined the latter in battle to assist him fulfil his destiny of defeating Tomura Shigaraki. Having come to terms with the fact that he wasn’t fate’s choice, Bakugo is now a young Endeavor who is still essential to helping the hero. Even at the risk of his own life, he is pleased to be Midoriya’s best friend and worthy adversary despite his reluctance to be in this position.
How Rukia Became Ichigo’s Soul Reaper Friend & A Bridge Between Worlds
Rukia Kuchiki, who grew up in the Soul Society and was born decades before Ichigo was, was not Bakugo’s childhood buddy in Bleach. The two first came into contact during a fatal reverse isekai journey in Karakura Town. While fighting the Hollow Fishbone D., Rukia offered Ichigo her Soul Reaper abilities before transitioning into a gigai body and teaching Ichigo how to hunt Hollows. Rukia evolved during the course of Bleach from a prisoner in the “Soul Society” arc to a reborn Soul Reaper who battled with Ichigo on an equal footing. She developed at the same rate as Ichigo, showing off her brand-new ice-based shikai before finally revealing her bankai, Hakka no Togame.
Despite having just recently met Ichigo, Rukia and him as his tsundere companion and sidekick had a well-knownly romantic on-screen relationship. During her tenure in Karakura, she displayed both lighthearted and whimsical moments, and other times, she reprimanded Ichigo or wept bitterly for Orihime, Yuzu, Karin, and other characters. She also battled her own guilt over Kaien Shiba’s death, initially expressing her regret to Kukaku in a humble manner before battling Aaroniero Arruruerie, who had assumed Kaien’s identity. Byakuya, Rukia’s foster brother, and both of them reconciled, and the two of them became closer.
MHA’s Bakugo Vs. Bleach’s Rukia – Who’s the Better Tsundere Sidekick?
Both Bakugo from MHA and Rukia from Bleach have compelling appeal as tsundere sidekicks and compelling character arcs that bind them tightly to the hero. Rukia had significant losses and suffering before coming to terms with everything, but Bakugo was an annoying and gruff antihero who gradually learnt to accept his place as Midoriya’s sidekick while giving up his goals of being #1. Rukia, though, stands out as the most admirable tsundere supporting figure.
Rukia and Bakugo are similar in many respects, such as their unexpectedly complex personalities and gradual power development, although Rukia and the shonen hero get along even better and have more complex character arcs overall. Rukia endured more difficulties than Bakugo ever did, including her foster brother’s lack of emotional support and her upbringing in poverty on the streets of the Rukongai District. She is particularly endearing since she represents the traditional reverse isekai hero in an anime that often plays with those ideas in inventive ways. Rukia, a person of two worlds with friends in both, achieved significant personal advancements when she reunited with Byakuya, got over her sadness over Kaien’s passing, and more.
She balances her tsundere rage with unreserved generosity for others, making her more compassionate and protective than Bakugo. Bakugo from My Hero Academia, on the other hand, is outright evil with his own tsundere attitude and can be sickeningly harsh and self-absorbed toward others. Aside from using Quirks, he seldom aids other people. Even though Bakugo has now apologised for everything, the harm has already been done. Rukia from Bleach is a far better role model since she is a loving tsundere sidekick that everyone can look up to.
MHA’s Katsuki Bakugo vs Bleach’s Rukia Kuchiki – Who’s the Better Tsundere Shonen Sidekick?
- Reference Sites:
- https://animesee.com/
- https://www.crunchyroll.com/
- https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/
- https://www.cbr.com/
