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neonscandal · 2 years

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“That kid of ours is no fan of rain…”

Manga with Me: MHA Pocket Theory Pt 1/2

What the Coming Rain Will Bring to the Shigaraki Showdown

⚠️ Spoiler warning through MHA 362 + Vigilantes 64 (though this covered in the anime to an extent). Will include predictions for upcoming MHA chapters.

Because it can't be a good theme unless you can follow it back to the beginning... 🎶

I've got notes to finish my unsolicited analyses on the 150+ chapters I BINGED in the last week or so but wanted to take a beat to make a prediction for the coming chapters because, if you can't tell by my last dozen+ posts, I'm experiencing emotions.✨ While I don't think MHA 363 will give us the critical insight into the Shiggy showdown we need, I wanted to talk about the link between rain and vulnerability as it relates to Bakugo and Deku and what I think it means for future chapters. I started writing this at 3AM and by 4:30 it got out of hand so expect a part two, here!

Horikoshi intimated previously that Deku's name comes from "Ame ni mo makezu" ("Be Not Defeated by the Rain") by Kenji Miyazawa which, he credited as to why the story featured a lot of rain at the time. This was specifically during Deku's vigilante era having left UA as he wanted to keep his distance from Class 1A and others once AFO!Shigaraki put a grave bullseye on his back during their last showdown. However, in my opinion, this namesake reveal speaks to a larger theme throughout with the poem being an allegory for the entire story. Interested in reading the poem, it's at the bottom of the post and linked as the content source!

Critical points in the story that feature rain in ascending chronological order:

Vigilantes Ch. 64 - Oboro Shirakumo ☁️ is crushed during his work study while Aizawa single handedly defeats a villain.

Forecast: Clear skies turn to bad weather as Aizawa takes on the Big Bad alone. After the takedown and realization that Oboro has died, Yamada remarks that "the rain kinda fits our vibe right now..." as they remain at the site with the rain masking their mourning.

💡 This event had a visceral impact on both Eraser and Mic and it critically and indelibly impacted how Aizawa would go on to teach his hero course students using rational deceptions and expelling those he feels would be a danger in the field.

MHA Ch. 1 - All Might Detroit Smashes the Slime Monster that was holding Bakugo Captive after quirkless!Deku ran into the fray without thinking. Had Deku not made a move, All Might seemingly was resigned to watch the scene unfold in horror as a civilian as he'd exceeded the limits of his muscle form. Deku inspired his action and subsequently, his decision to pass on OFA.

All Might looking back knowing damn well the rain came not from his strength but from Bakugo’s… 👀

Forecast: Clear skies turn to rain with one punch and Deku remarks "no way. The air pressure... that rising air current." The rain does not last but we see that the genuine fear formerly written on Bakugo's face while subject to the Slime Monster's torture has been replaced with anger and frustration before he makes it a point to reestablish dominance with Deku by asserting that he never asked to be saved and not to dare mock him. This event chipped away at the small chasm in the foundation of their strained relationship where Deku had previously reached out a hand to "save" Bakugo despite being weaker and beneath him in Bakugo's opinion. I think there was a bit of an internal reckoning where Bakugo had to reconcile Deku's bravery against his quirklessness but we don't actually have any insight into his actual feelings which seems to correlate with the brevity of the rain and limited insight Deku had at the time.

MHA Ch. 43 - Bakugo bests Todoroki in the sports festival.

Forecast: Even though you typically expect a bit of precipitation when a cool front meets a cold front and Bakugo's emotions are on 10 trying to get the best fight out of Todoroki the way Deku did, there is a distinct lack of rain or even mist. Sorry, Todoroki, looks like neither of your hearts were in it..

MHA Ch. 94 - All Might takes on AFO after the renegades from Class 1A successfully recover Bakugo from the LOV hostage situation in Kamino.

Very deliberate shot of the helicopter broadcasting to Deku And Bakugo but also a sky completely devoid of rain.

Forecast: Despite an even bigger smash and the incredibly heightened emotional states of All Might and Deku, there is a notable lack of rain. The cause of brief rain in the first chapter was a combination All Might's punch meeting the warm front caused by Bakugo's quirk and presumably his emotions. While this is clearly an incredibly tense situation for Deku and All Might, Bakugo's feelings about this event are latent and focused inward. They don't bubble over and manifest until much later.

MHA Ch. 120 - Deku faces off against Bakugo following All Might's retirement.

Forecast: Clear skies despite Bakugo's heightened emotions. While we see an uncharacteristic level of vulnerability from both Deku and Bakugo, it's important to note that most or all of Deku's honest thoughts and feelings about Bakugo are expressed internally and the impetus for Bakugo's explosive emotions while targeted at Deku are actually external manifestations of his own guilt and inferiority.

Modern Vigilante Era - Deku takes his leave of UA and commits to life "on the run" as it were feeling it's the only way to keep those he cares about safe. He works to manifest and hone the remaining OFA quirks while carrying the heavy burden of knowledge that he is the only person strong enough to beating AFO!Shigaraki in his god-like state.

Forecast: Rain throughout while Deku becomes worse for wear, distances himself from everyone including All Might and becomes caked in blood and grime.

Ch. 306, Class 1A receives letters detailing Deku leaving. This occurs in April in universe during clear skies.

Ch. 310, we see that it is now raining fairly consistently as society steadily declines and more people carry animosity toward heroes. We start seeing the physical wear on Deku's costume of his vigilantism and his self-imposed isolation as he's drawn more harshly and begins drawing the concern of the adults tailing him.

Ch. 316 - a brief reprieve of the rain where AFO puts his focus squarely on Deku. The gravity and pressure of this causes Deku to separate himself from All Might in chapter 317 wherein the rain returns.

Forecast (cont): The name Deku, in particular, comes from this line in the poem: "Better dismissed as useless than flattered as a 'Great Man'." I think the critical link during this era is the fact that 1) Deku continues to serve a community that's turned it's back on heroes without much fanfare, 2) worse, Deku's appearance draws out suspicion and fear, even from those he saved, 3) while Deku is breaking down under the weight of this pressure, there is a notable lack of insight into his emotions aside from the need to focus on and unlock OFA despite clearly being under unprecedented duress.

MHA Ch. 319 - Having located Deku in the previous chapter, we're shown a rewind back to days after Deku left UA where Bakugo leads the effort to mobilize Class 1A to drag his ass back home.

Forecast: The opening splash page deliberately features rain even though in some other shots of the exterior it appears to be clear skies. This is where I think the link between the rain and Bakugo's emotions are the most clear. From this starting point, I think it can be assumed that this syncs with chapter 310 from Deku's POV. I think that rain is used to highlight the uncomfortable vulnerability of Bakugo's complex emotions toward Deku. Yes, this means I think the rain was continuous while Deku was out in the wild because Bakugo was turning his emotions and thoughts about Deku in his head continuously. He got that emotionally wrought letter from Deku, sat on it for a few days before gathering everyone in the common room to mobilize them as he angrily ripped it up before them. It looks like he's running on pure fury but clearly, he's able to confront Deku later from a point of concern and genuine regret after careful reflection. It's how he's able to rationally deflect Deku's insistence that he's better off alone and who better to do that than the only one to get a personalized letter from Deku?

MHA Ch. 322 - Having beaten the will to fight out of him, Class 1A gathers as Bakugo, who led the charge to bring him home, publicly atones and reconciles with Deku.

Forecast: What's important to note here is that, at this point, we've had several flashbacks to times where Bakugo and Deku were Kacchan and Izuku, all clear skies up until they get to UA. But during this grand show of emotions, this uncomfortable vulnerability, rain is shown falling on them in real time during each point of their relationship that we've explored building up to Bakugo's apology (as indicated by their elementary, middle, high school and present time selves).

Bakugo probably remembers these periods in their lives differently. But what if this visual, slick with rain, is belying the turmoil and complexity Bakugo felt in those moments that only manifested in anger and violence because he didn't know how else to deal with them?

MHA Ch. 326 - All Might has an unexpected encounter with Stain at the vandalized All Might Statue.

Forecast: Rain continues following Class 1A's success in bringing Deku back into the fold at UA by first besting him in battle and endearing him to detractors gathered at the entrance. During Stain and All Might's exchange, Stain's characteristically poetic speech is used to not only to propel All Might's character further but also to forge the connection between rain and emotion and the poem to the overall story.

All Might, shown crying in the rain, where he can grieve undetected like Eraser and Present Mic when they lost Oboro.

A hero can only claim that title as long as his soul burns fiercely in service of others. However... say a god has fallen, prostrate upon the earth... and his divine soul has turned feeble and mortal...

- Stain to All Might as he reaches an emotional breaking point that’s been building since his retirement.

While directed at All Might, the quote serves a dual purpose to allude to Bakugo's quirk and the parallel between All Might and Bakugo accepting their fragility and vulnerability having been laid bare by it. All Might who kept the facade of his muscle form to put on airs while at odds with his declining vitality and feelings of uselessness. Bakugo having just discarded his own facade after coming to terms with his own weaknesses. Stain also calls upon specific wording from the poem that inspires Deku's name to encourage All Might and evokes those who carry on All Might's will while using decisive language that continues to call upon the flame of OFA and Bakugo’s fire. The lines in question are "Be not defeated by the rain, Nor let the wind prove your better.; Succumb not to the snows of winter. Nor be bested by the heat of summer."

The people must not let that fire die out indeed.

What's interesting to note here is that All Might found Deku's mask discarded by the All Might statue (shedding a mask, I mean come on) having seemingly just missed the fray with Class 1A. The All Might statue was notably not shown during Bakugo's big apology. Likely because their relationship has grown independent of the admiration of their shared idol. Notably, All Might's resolve is bolstered by Stain's words, Stain leaves him with critical data to close the gap between the heroes and AFO just as the rain appears to let up indicating a swift change in emotion and the plot (presumably as Deku is finally safe and sound behind the walls of UA to bring it back to Bakugo and Deku).

MHA Ch. 362 - Bakugo, having held his own against AFO!Shigaraki and proving to be quite the distraction, is ultimately bested and shown to be down for the count.

Forecast: Throughout the fight and under clear skies, we see Bakugo think of or speak to Deku as he tries in earnest to deal some damage to AFO!Shigaraki. This is refreshing insight that shows how, even though he still speaks to Deku the same way (because he declared not much would change), his mindset is way less hostile as he draws on Deku to draw out his best performance. Perhaps this is one of those things that hasn't changed but that we now, as the reader, finally have exposition into. Once he is effectively sidelined, the intense action scenes are contrasted sharply by an innocuous weather update warning of the coming rain where Mitsuki Bakugo is spotlighted as she reflects on how her son doesn't like the rain, a deliberate connection is established. One could surmise it's because of his quirk as he also isn't fond of the winter due to its negative impact on his fire power. It would be extremely on brand for Bakugo to be put off by any threat to his strength but I think it's also due to the uncomfortable and unavoidable vulnerability the rain brings as it pertains to his quirk and, historically, his emotions up until this point.

If you've made it this far, poem is below, let me know what you think!

Be Not Defeated by the Rain Written by Kenji Miyazawa Translated by David Sulz

Be not defeated by the rain, Nor let the wind prove your better. Succumb not to the snows of winter. Nor be bested by the heat of summer.

Be strong in body. Unfettered by desire. Not enticed to anger. Cultivate a quiet joy. Count yourself last in everything. Put others before you. Watch well and listen closely. Hold the learned lessons dear.

A thatch-roof house, in a meadow, nestled in a pine grove's shade.

A handful of rice, some miso, and a few vegetables to suffice for the day.

If, to the East, a child lies sick: Go forth and nurse him to health. If, to the West, an old lady stands exhausted: Go forth, and relieve her of burden. If, to the South, a man lies dying: Go forth with words of courage to dispel his fear. If, to the North, an argument or fight ensues: Go forth and beg them stop such a waste of effort and of spirit.

In times of drought, shed tears of sympathy. In summers cold, walk in concern and empathy.

Stand aloof of the unknowing masses: Better dismissed as useless than flattered as a "Great Man".

This is my goal, the person I strive to become.

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