Katsuki Bakugo does officially "die" during the final war arc of My Hero Academia, but he doesn't stay dead. In manga chapter 362 (and adapted into the anime series), Bakugo pushes his Quirk past its absolute limits against Tomura Shigaraki (possessed by All For One), causing his heart to rupture from the inside out. Best Jeanist confirms on the battlefield that Bakugo has no pulse and that his internal organs are severely ravaged.
Despite this grim confirmation, creator Kohei Horikoshi brings Bakugo back to life later in the story. His survival relies on a combination of immediate battlefield medical intervention and an awakening of his Quirk that restarts his heart.
The Battle Against Shigaraki and Chapter 362
The conflict leading to Bakugo's cardiac arrest happens during the ultimate showdown at the floating U.A. High fortress. Shigaraki, heavily augmented and controlled or influenced by All For One, targets Bakugo because of his deep connection to Izuku Midoriya and his rapidly accelerating combat power.
Bakugo undergoes a sudden Quirk awakening mid-fight. Sweat pores all over his body begin to secrete nitroglycerin-like components, allowing him to detonate explosions from anywhere on his skin rather than just his palms. This speed and output catch Shigaraki off guard. However, the sheer intensity of the output overwhelms Bakugo's physical body. His heart takes the brunt of the kinetic and thermal feedback, rupturing internally.
When Best Jeanist reaches his body, he finds no pulse, and Edgeshot soon makes a drastic choice to save the young hero's life.
How Edgeshot Sacrificed Himself to Save Bakugo
Edgeshot realizes that conventional medical CPR or equipment won't be enough to fix a shredded heart on a chaotic battlefield. The hero uses his Foldabody Quirk to transform his entire body into a thin, string-like state. He enters Bakugo's chest cavity to act as a living stitches-and-pump hybrid.
Edgeshot essentially weaves his own organic matter inside Bakugo, sacrificing his own normal bodily form and risking his life to manually circulate blood and rebuild the damaged cardiovascular structure. This medical procedure keeps Bakugo in a state of suspended animation between life and death for dozens of chapters, sparking intense debates within the global fandom about whether permanent main-character deaths belong in modern shonen manga.
Bakugo's Comeback and Return to the Fight
The fake-out death debate ends in manga chapter 403, when Bakugo officially returns to active combat. Edgeshot's sacrifice, combined with secondary medical help from professional heroes and the unique properties of Bakugo's own Quirk, allows him to regain consciousness.
His heart restarts, fueled by the residual nitroglycerin reactions and sheer stubborn will. Bakugo re-enters the fray just as All For One is pushing the heroes to their absolute breaking point. His return turns the tide against the villain, allowing him to protect All Might and assist Deku in the final moments of the war.
If you want to read more about the official serialization and author interviews regarding these story arcs, check out the Viz Media My Hero Academia portal or official updates from Shonen Jump.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which chapter does Bakugo die in the manga?
Bakugo's heart stops in chapter 362 after his intense clash with Shigaraki.
Does Bakugo die permanently?
No, he does not stay dead. After spending a lengthy period incapacitated while Edgeshot stitches his heart together from the inside, Bakugo returns to life in chapter 403.
Which episode of the anime covers Bakugo's death?
This dramatic sequence is adapted in Season 7 of the My Hero Academia anime series.
Does Edgeshot die when he saves Bakugo?
Edgeshot pushes his Quirk to a dangerous limit to replace Bakugo's heart tissue, which leaves his fate ambiguous for a time, but he survives the ordeal alongside Bakugo.
