Bakugou Katsuki/Kirishima Eijirou
| Pairing | |
|---|---|
| Pairing: | Kirishima Eijirou/Bakugou Katsuki |
| Alternative name(s): | KiriBaku, BakuShima, PopRocks |
| Gender category: | Slash |
| Fandom: | Boku no Hero Academia |
| Canonical?: | Implied |
| Prevalence: | High |
| Archives: | |
| Other: |  |
| Related articles on Fanlore. | |
Kiribaku, or Kirishima/Bakugou, is a slash ship in the fandom Boku no Hero Academia.
Canon
Kirishima is often shown trying to befriend Bakugou and inviting him to class outings. Kirishima is noted as the first at U.A. to become Bakugou's friend. The two have neighboring dorms on campus. Bakugou inspired Kirishima to create one of his power moves: Unbreakable. Kirishima calls Bakugou "Blasty McSplode" and "Explosion Boy." Bakugou calls Kirishima "Shitty Hair" and "Weird Hair."
Bakugou comes to respect Kirishima and call him by his name. When Bakugou was kidnapped by the League of Villains, Kirishima initiated his rescue. According to Midoriya Izuku, Kirishima is the one Bakugou sees as an equal and the only one who could save him without his pride being hurt.
They have been shown to grow together and parallel to each other. Kirishima's ultimate move, "Red Riot: Unbreakable" was inspired by Bakugou's words to him. In a moment of self doubt, Bakugou comforts Kirishima and tells him to remember what he told Bakugou during the Cavalry Battle at the Sports Festival: that Kirishima will be his unbreakable horse, and that Kirishima should remember that just standing up through anything means he's stupidly strong. Kirishima remembered this moment of Bakugou comforting him during his fight with Rappa in the Shie Hassaikai.
In a similar way, after Bakugou was killed during the battle against Shigaraki and All for One and later on revived, he remembered the moment he comforted Kirishima and thought about the words he told Kirishima, that just standing up means he's stupidly strong. Remembering those words brought a new vitality to him which caused him to finish off AFO.
In the epilogue of the My Hero Academia series, Bakugou is shown driving a brand new car with Kirishima on the passenger seat and Midoriya at the backseat. During their conversation, Midoriya thanks him for the ride, to which Bakugou answers that he only gave him a ride because Kirishima told him to and threatened to harden and scratch the hood of the car. Upon hearing this, Kirishima teases Bakugou and says "But does the great Dynamight give in to any threat?" and teases him further by asking him if he remembers everything Kirishima says.
Bakugou tells Midoriya that if he gives special treatment to everyone, it means no one is really special to him. He said this at a time when he is shown to be giving special treatment to Kirishima, implying that Kirishima is special to him.
In the BNHA Fantasy AU, it was confirmed through a light novel that Kirishima is Bakugou's dragon shown in one of the anime's endings. Kirishima being Bakugou's dragon was a popular speculation among fans long before the light novel was released.
They are usually paired in official merchandises, alongside many heterosexual ships. According to the festival clothing promotional art, it's shown that Bakugou gave Kirishima his jacket as Kirishima wasn't wearing a shirt. On top of this, it's hinted that it was a romantic gesture, as the caption for Bakugou's outfit stated "...Maybe he gave it to a girl passing by who looked cold?" while Kirishima is the one wearing his jacket.
Fandom
Kiribaku is one of the most popular ships in Boku no Hero Academia. According to fandometrics on Tumblr, in 2017 Kiribaku was #3 on the most popular ships list[1], the highest BNHA ship on the list. In 2018, Kiribaku was in 6th place, followed by Tododeku in 8th.[2]. As of June 2019, there are over 8800 works on AO3, and it is the second most tagged BNHA ship.[3]It is the most popular ship for Kirishima.
Bakugou's Japanese voice actor Nobuhiko Okamoto made a comment in the August 2018 volume of CUT Magazine, saying that "Kirishima is the only one for Bakugou." In another interview in Newtype September 2018 with Bakugou's voice actor Nobuhiko Okamoto and Todoroki's voice actor Yuki Kaji, Okamoto says, "Kirishima is such a good guy- he's really a great guy" and Kaji responds "He even brought a suit for him [in the movie], so he must know his measurements" and Okamoto replies with "Thank you for pointing that out for the fans."
The ship gained popularity when it was heavily implied that they were friends in season 3, episode 39, "Game Start" when Kirishima was the one to bring Bakugou to the pool, and the two of them were later shown walking home together as Kirishima tried to comfort Bakugou after the frustrating end.
Oftentimes, the ship is portrayed as Kirishima being the one to make most of the advances in the relationship while Bakugou is often the "tsundere" type and will not properly express his feelings.
Common Tropes & Fanon
| Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples. |
Fanworks
Fanfiction
- Fast Break [1] by GearsAndGauntletsFandom: Boku no Hero AcademiaDate: 2023-08-28–2025-07-28Length: 64,379Medium: Ao3Status: CompleteGenre: Smut, No Quirks
“Gee, what gave it away?” Katsuki asks, tone flat.
“Why?” Kirishima’s eyebrows are pulled together, and his lips are downcast. “Did I do anything wrong? Back before summer break, I thought we were getting along pretty well, and then you just-”
“Shut up!” Katsuki interrupts. Why the fuck would Kirishima even bring that up? How fucking dare he. How fucking dare he even ask?
“Because you're an idiot, that's why. Do I need any more reason?”
“Dude, I'm trying my best here. You don't always have to be an ass, you know.” Kirishima crosses his arms.
OR----- Moving into in-campus housing for the new school year, Bakugou's less than pleased to live next doors to the ill-reputed, lunkheaded, good for nothing jock who can't keep it in his pants.
- Engraved in your Mind [2] archive by HejterFandom: Boku no Hero AcademiaDate: 2018-06-18–2024-10-27Length: 412,430Medium: Ao3Genre: Angst, Slow-Burn, Canon-Divergence
He looked down at the guy who was still on the ground, part of his uniform’s shirt burnt, his wounded face covered by his hands and his hair smoking slightly.
Katsuki glanced at his hands and finally realized something.
or
Kacchan is still a stubborn prick while suffering from face blindness. Also, quirk discrimination is a thing.
alternatively-
- The Weight of Your Hand, Archived version, by kamin, a KiriBaku canon-divergence/rewrite of Bakugou's kidnapping in the Kamino Ward Arc
- Tonight, We're the Sea, Archived version, by idratherhaveyou, a no powers AU kiribaku fic.
- but i've got an angry heart, Archived version, by newamsterdam -- a no-powers, College AU, slow-burn KiriBaku fic.
- quote love unquote, Archived version by newamsterdam - a fake dating modern AU
- White Linen in Red's Embrace, Archived version by Acinonyx1 - a dragon!Kirishima fantasy AU, with bottom!Bakugou
- Behind the Scenes, Archived version by Maplefudge, an actors AU where Kirishima and Bakugou meet on the set of a heist show
- Heartbeat Thunder by Shippeh, a canon-divergent omegaverse series, O!Bakugou and A!Kirishima
Fanart & Fancomics
- Bakugo doesn’t know how actual hand-holding works..., Archived version, by BunBuns
- Twin pops are friendship food..., Archived version, by BunBuns
- I’m entering the fandom at full speed jesus take the wheel, Archived version, by Marcia
Meta
- I'm just starting to get into Kiribaku..., Archived version by newamsterdame, October 2017.
- All the things that kill me about the Bakugo rescue scene…, Archived version, by queenofliz4rds, accessed 8 June 2020.
- On kiribaku becoming canon and their evidence:, Archived version, by kitsu-katsu, accessed December 2020.
Communities & Resources
Rec Lists
- safekiribakurecs on Tumblr
References
- ^ 2017′s Top Ships
- ^ 2018’s Top Ships
- ^ found via Bakugou Katsuki/Kirishima Eijirou works January 2019.