I love Bakugou so much. He’s painted as an antagonist earlier but he’s really just one the opposite side of the same coin as Deku. They’re both growing and learning what it means to truly be a hero but his objectives on the same path are just different.

Deku matures by believing more in himself and abilities whereas Bakugou already does that but has to learn humility compassion and strategy as well as believe in others which Deku already does.

It really becomes the most apparent later in the comic that they both look up to All Might and want to become just like him if not better.

And it’s just so refreshing to see this type of character actually grow instead of just devolving into that “snarky rival character who is always an asshole because plot”  As the manga goes on you can tell Bakugou grows to respect Deku more and more without admitting it flat out but for his taunts and insults to devolve into just silence for this kind of character, that speaks miles.