Is Bakugo dead in ‘My Hero Academia?’

My Hero Academia’s Final War is full of memorable moments. While this is a remarkable thing from a storytelling perspective, as fans we can’t help but want to forget some of the more harrowing bits.

The confrontation between Bakugo and Shigaraki is one of the toughest to watch. Granted, it’s incredibly cool to see the teen take on such a formidable enemy during the series’ last arc, but it’s also a majorly stress-inducing fight for those who love the character. The U.A. student underwent a lot of personal growth over the course of the story, establishing himself as one of the most beloved My Hero Academia characters, and one of the best-written. Given this, it’s only natural for fans to despair when they see him in harm’s way.

Does Bakugo die in My Hero Academia?

Bakugo dies in chapter 362 of the manga, adapted on season 7, episode 11 of the anime. After a particularly intense fight against Shigaraki, in which the antagonist mocks him and declares that his corpse will make a lovely present for Deku, Bakugo takes a powerful attack on his chest that causes his heart to burst. As a consequence, he is left lying on the floor covered in blood and with a hole in his chest. The heroes really were onto something with the Coffin in the Sky thing — it’s just that the victim wasn’t who they intended.

In his final moments, Bakugo sees All Might’s vestige, and tells him how he had always wanted him to sign the trading card he had been carrying around since he was a child. This drives home just how desperate the situation is, giving fans the impression that it really is the end of the road for the character.

Does Bakugo come back in My Hero Academia?

Thankfully, Bakugo’s death in My Hero Academia is only temporary. In a world where unique quirks are everywhere to be found, there was no way the series’ author would let this fan-favorite character stay dead, which is why he sent Edgeshot to the rescue. The Pro-Hero uses his Zenith technique to spread himself into thin threads that enter the student’s body, allowing him to stitch Bakugo’s heart and lungs back together from the inside. Unfortunately, this requires Edgeshot to sacrifice his own body in the process.

After Edgeshot finishes his repairs, a small explosion produced by Bakugo’s quirk helps his heart restart, and in chapter 403, he makes his big comeback to the battlefield. Despite the impromptu surgery, the teen’s body remains damaged, making it extremely painful to move. It’s good enough for him to keep fighting, though, and if there’s one thing Bakugo will always do, it’s that.

There have been some very tragic deaths in My Hero Academia, but Bakugo won’t be joining the other side so soon. The young hero still has an entire life ahead.