REVIEW: Chapter 43 (Todoroki vs. Bakugou)

I don't really know how to describe how I felt after reading the latest chapter. It was the chapter I was really looking forward to see since the battle is between Class 1As strongest students.

The first few panels where Todoroki created enormous ice and Bakugou blasted his way out of them was very predictable. As always, Todoroki was calm and Bakugou was very aggressive both in his attacks and the language he use.

Bakugou yelling at Todoroki to fight
with all he's got

Although Bakugou won, I don't feel any bitterness. I felt the win was undeserved even he said so. Another display of his selfishness, when Midoriya wanted Todoroki to use his fire his reason was because everyone was doing their best while Todoroki uses only half of his true power. Bakugou wanted Todoroki to give his all because he wanted the audience to see that he, Bakugou, defeated Todoroki while the latter unleashed his true power. Bakugou wanted a definite win, he wanted the people to not doubt his power, he wanted acknowledgment that he's strongest.

He's convinced he will win.

(See this selfishness is the reason I predict Bakugou will turn villain in the future. If not, he'll be just like Endeavor, masquerading a hero. Bitter and forever in Midoriya's shadow.)

Unfortunately, that did not happen. To his dismay, and mine.

I was anticipating an epic match. I can't even call that fight. What I saw was two people throwing grenades and ice buckets at each other. Todoroki obviously let Bakugou's howitzer attack to hit him. He purposely let himself be swept outside the ring.

Bakugou not expecting the outcome

Bakugou knew what he did that's why he immediately went to Todoroki to confront him. Todoroki was unconscious this time. Bakugou was at his limit, too. But Midnight intervened and put him  to sleep.

Fans won't be able to gloat over their Kacchan's victory with this kind of fight.

Let's wait when Bakugou wake up. He'll curse Todoroki for giving a lousy fight. He'll feel even worse because that's not a well-deserved win. He'll get mad at everyone because they know it's not a worthy victory. Some senior will put him to his proper place.

One thing's for sure, the mangaka feels its too early in the series to establish who's stronger between the two.