30 Days of Anime Challenge – #27 My Favourite Scene in Which a Character Acts like a Complete and Utter Badass

#27 What Is My Favourite Scene in Which a Character Acts like a Complete and Utter Badass?

Deku Saves Kacchan from the Slime Villain – My Hero Academia 1st Season

This may seem like a bizarre choice for my favourite scene in which a character acts like a complete and utter badass. Deku’s probably not the first character who comes to mind when considering all-out badassery. Maybe you think of a character like Guts, capable of taking on armies of one hundred or more soldiers single-handedly, one of JoJo’s many meatheads, or somebody like Sasuke, who’s as cool as a cucumber and always has a snappy clapback tucked away in his long, billowing sleeves. But I’d like to argue that Deku is just as badass (if not even more so) than these characters. And nothing exemplifies that better than the scene when, during My Hero Academia’s first episode, he rescued Kacchan from the Slime Villain. This was the scene that first won me over to the franchise and catapulted Deku straight into my Top 10 Favourite Characters, so it holds a special place in my heart!

When I think “badass” I think, not of somebody who’s innately gifted or talented or of somebody with a holier-than-thou attitude… It stands to reason that somebody who’s born with a plethora of gifts will succeed in most of their endeavours, so somebody like that (as Shania Twain would put it) don’t impress me much… And whilst confidence is appealing, there’s a thin, thin line between confidence and arrogance – and nothing turns me off quicker than arrogance!

When I think “badass” I think of somebody weak, riddled with fear and doubt, and lacking any semblance of exceptional talent or ability… I think of somebody like that facing up to these obstacles and, somehow, whether it’s through grit, courage, or perseverance, overcoming them. I think of somebody like Deku… As Kacchan’s being enveloped by the Slime Villain, Deku’s so terrified that it looks as if he’s about to puke, he makes excuse after excuse not to rescue him, and he tries to pass the buck onto the professional heroes. But then he starts to move. Deku might be doubting and questioning himself even as he runs up to and wrestles with the villain, but he’s still moving. Even as drastically unequipped, both physically and mentally, as he is to face the Slime Villain, he still risks his life to save Kacchan – somebody who had bullied him for as long as he could remember – all because he looked as though he needed the help.

As a result of his heroics Deku inspires all of the surrounding heroes, including the no.1 professional hero, All Might, who had simply been looking on in helpless horror. Saying that, Deku didn’t just inspire the characters watching him, but me too. I too want to be the kind of badass who, in spite of her crippling fears (of which there are many), puts one foot in front of the other and takes action when necessary. Not just to help myself, but to help other people too. I have always felt very strongly about helping other people, but often feel (rightly or wrongly) massively unequipped to do so. But if Deku, weakness and all, can still be somebody’s hero, then maybe, just maybe, I can be too…

As always, thanks for reading! I don’t have too many entries left to write for the 30 Days of Anime Challenge now! I do hope that you’ve enjoyed reading them! After I wrap up this challenge I’m considering a triumphant return to episodic blogging (given that there are so many promising shows this year). Please stay tuned for that!