WMG / Mastermind: Rise of Anarchy

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WARNING: Spoilers are unmarked.

The sequel will revolve around Bakugo becoming the next potential #1 hero in opposition to Mastermind.

In canon, Izuku and Bakugo operate as rivals. Bakugo being an ill-tempered bully who believes he is better than everyone else, Izuku as the weakling who's drive and support leading to him becoming the next Symbol of Peace. All signs point to them becoming their generation's All Might and Endeavor.

Here, is it made plain that Mastermind has become Japan's #1 villain. With All Might dying before he could pass on One For All, the idea of anyone filling his shoes has truly become a free-for-all, especially since the title of #1 has become more of a curse than an honor considering Endeavor dies and Hawks joins Izuku as a villain.

It is likely that Bakugo and Izuku in Mastermind will develop a dynamic similar to All Might and All For One (The Ace vs. The Dreaded). Bakugo will try to use his overwhelming power to take down his former victim, only for Izuku to outsmart him and lead him into one trap after another, rubbing it in Bakugo's face that he was directly responsible in the creation in one of the most intelligent and most dangerous supervillains in the history of Japan, as well as murdering All Might, the only thing the two of them ever agreed on being their admiration for him. After one defeat after another, it will be all of this that will eventually give Bakugo the Heel Realization that will give him the edge and humbling perspective necessary to defeat Mastermind when no other hero could.

It sounds really exciting if I do say so myself.

• Seemingly Jossed for now: Ochako is looking to be primed into becoming the next Symbol of Peace and potential No.1 Hero while Bakugou is spiraling downward into violent vigilantism.
• Completely Jossed. Bakugou has been arrested for murder, escaped, and plans on out doing Izuku by becoming the number one villain.

Shinsou will become a Villain.

• Between the discrimination he has suffered for having a 'villainous' Quirk and the overwhelming success of Villains thanks to Mastermind, someone in Shinsou's position would find turning to Villainy quite tempting.

Theories on who in 1-A will die (Special thanks to Clouds' Discord for helping with this)

• Bakugou: Izuku has plenty of reason to hate him for the years of bullying he was put through at his hands, meaning its likely Izuku will try to kill him (and most likely succeed) once he gets out of Tartarus.
• Kirishima: Given Bakugou is most likely a high-priority target for Izuku and he's Bakugou's Only Friend, Kirishima may end up making a Heroic Sacrifice to save him if he's attacked. Given his Quirk, however, he seems somewhat likely to survive.
• Nedzu: Being both the Principal of U.A. and having intelligence to match Izuku, he is going to be a high priority target. Given Izuku was able to create a plan which let some minor thugs kill Wash whilst he was in police custody, Nedzu is likely to die.

Bakugou will become an anti-villain.

• Bakugou's "It's All About Me" tendencies will make believe himself to be only reason that Izuku became Mastermind, and thus hold himself respomnsible for all of Izuku's crimes, especially the killing of All Might. Bakugou unable to handle that crushing guilt will snap, becoming an anti-villain determined to kill villains before they can do more damage.
  • Half Confirmed: Bakugou does become a violent anti-villain (or dark take of Anti-hero) because of said tendencies... but not because of guilt. He only blames himself for not bullying Izuku enough, and refuses to see both how Izuku isn't still a "quirkless deku" or how his already severe bullying plus society created him.

The Wild Wild Pussycats will join the LOV.

• Part of Mastermind's plan to break out of Tartarus appears to require the help of the Pussycats. With Mandalay wanting revenge on Muscular for killing Kota and Ragdoll's Quirklessness gives her one thing in common with Mastermind, tempting them would be quite easy.
  • Seems likely to be Jossed - the Pussycats are planning to betray the League after Ragdoll gains her Quirk back.
  • Completely Jossed, what with them all being dead.

Tokoyami will join the League of Villains.

• Doylist perspective: Having already been ostracised due to his association with Hawks, his being attacked by Class 1-A over contacting him, in addition to the work Monoma has done trying to turn him to the League's side, is highly likely to end in his defection.
• Watsonian perspective: A major theme in Mastermind: Strategist for Hire is Hero society being responsible for creating its own villains (as seen with Izuku (aka Mastermind), Shouto (aka Freezerburn), Touya (aka Dabi) and Hawks) - Tokoyami's defection would represent a continuation of that particular theme.
  • Confirmed, as Tokoyami joins the League after Class 1-A forces him out.

Monoma will try to reach out towards Aoyama.

• Considering that Aoyama is the canon U.A. traitor, Monoma may see him as a kindred spirit and thus attempt to gain his support. Considering how torn up Aoyama was about his treachery, the chances Monoma will actually succeed are slim.