My Hero Academia: Which of Dekus Costumes Is the Best?

As a longtime fan of My Hero Academia, I must say that Deku’s costume evolution has been nothing short of impressive. Each new suit reflects his growth and development as a character, and the Air Force Gloves have always been a standout feature. The latest suits, Epsilon and Zeta, are particularly noteworthy for their balance, refined color design, and the abandoning of the mask and hood.

Just as it’s misleading to evaluate a superhero solely based on their physical appearance, it’s equally incorrect to overlook the impact that such aesthetics have in setting them apart from others. The character Izuku Midoriya from My Hero Academia, possesses all the fundamental traits of a hero since the beginning, but his transformation into an visually striking hero has been one of the series’ longest and most rewarding processes.

Over the course of six and a half seasons, I’ve been captivated by Deku’s transformation from a quirkless boy to one of the world’s strongest heroes on screen. Unlike my previous piece, which delved into his growing powers and their role in his character development, this exploration focuses on his visual evolution and its implications.

The First Costume Isn’t the Best, But Why?

My Hero Academia: Which of Dekus Costumes Is the Best?

seldom is the initial design of a hero’s costume impressive; even iconic characters like Spider-Man, who are closely associated with their homemade costumes, often begin adaptations wearing something unimpressive before they earn the more polished version. What sets Deku apart is that his homemade starting suit – a gift from his mother – had an endearing quality about it right off the bat. However, its presentation and quick disposal were issues.

Outfit Alpha: Promising Start, Poor Execution

Personally, I find the costume doesn’t perfectly suit me since it aims to mimic All Might’s iconic hairstyle and grin, symbolizing my aspiration to emulate my hero. In essence, it seems like a phase that I might eventually outgrow. Unfortunately, this could be a pity because while it does echo All Might, it also gives off a strong rabbit vibe, which ironically fits me quite well considering my power and the frequent hopping I do.

Beyond being adorable, Deku retains all his expressiveness. Regrettably, though Deku looks fantastic in large ensembles, his hood and mask are seldom utilized beyond the initial season, which is unfortunate given their limited appearance in later versions. The vibrant mint green color may not appeal to everyone, but it sets a solid base that eventually leads to something impressive. It might not have been perfect, but it was certainly a missed chance and should have received better treatment.

Deku’s Next Costumes Got Serious

My Hero Academia: Which of Dekus Costumes Is the Best?

Costume Beta: A Real Hero’s Attire

In the second half of Season 2, many fans were thrilled to see Deku’s initial costume undergo significant enhancements thanks to the Support Group. Although I had admired the original costume, this updated version was a noticeable improvement. The darker green harmonizes beautifully with the red and white highlights, making it an impressive sight whether in broad daylight or at night. All in all, the new costume exudes a more professional and combat-ready vibe, with Deku choosing to keep his hood and mask around his neck rather than wear them.

Costume Gamma: Deku’s Slimmer, More Agile-Focused Design

In the realm of design, “Balance” is a term frequently used due to its significance in determining where our gaze will fall and how well various colors and highlights are distributed. The Gamma upgrade on Deku’s attire in Season 3 stands out as one of the most brilliant enhancements not just for its aesthetic appeal but for the way it mirrors his character development at that stage. Given that he’s working to alleviate strain on his arms, this costume is specifically designed to draw less attention to them.

By covering his arms with the latest gloves and giving his hands an illusion of being smaller, the design subtly directs the observer’s gaze towards Deku’s torso and then down to his legs. The new “Iron Soles” shoes by Mei Hatsume have elevated Deku’s footwear game significantly, making them a prominent feature in his overall look. This is the most noticeable change in Deku’s appearance that reflects his growing independence from All Might, but there are many other aspects of his design that continue to be improved.

Costume Delta: Bringing Attention Back to the Fists

Gamma could be among the best outfits if not for Delta’s slight edge. Highlighting Deku’s legs was a clever decision, but his signature big gloves are essential to his design. The addition of the Air Force Gloves was well-received because they not only serve a purpose, but also make Deku’s fists appear larger from afar, maintaining the balance in the costume’s proportions and symbolizing his growing mastery over All For One’s powers.

Deku’s Newest Fits Are His Best

Honorable Mention: The Stealth Suit

In the thrilling third movie, “World Heroes’ Mission,” I found myself utterly captivated by Deku’s stealthy suit. The sleek all-black design, punctuated with tasteful green accents, was a visual delight. It’s a real pity that it only graced the opening scene, as it certainly deserved more screen time!

Costume Epsilon: Deku’s Dark Era

For several reasons, Epsilon proves challenging to surpass. Firstly, Deku reclaims his mask and hood in the series after scarcely using them for almost the entire run. Moreover, an intriguing new color – yellow – is integrated, maintaining a role that would otherwise disrupt the balance if not fulfilling the same purpose as Deku’s underutilized mask. Lastly, Gran Torino’s cape functions not only as a traditional cape but also serves as a scarf, creating a more captivating silhouette compared to the mask’s previous impact.

As a gamer immersed in the world of Deku, I’ve noticed the old Air Force Gloves and arm braces have been swapped out for Mid-Gauntlets now. These new additions perfectly complement the red accents on his belt and shoes, making quite an impact with their color scheme. Most of the white has been replaced by a blend of striking colors, giving Deku’s suit a continuous upgrade even in his darkest hours. The frayed edges? They just add that perfect touch of edginess to this powerful hero’s look!

Costume Zeta: My Hero Academia Saved the Best for Last

Among the fantastic additions to Season 7, Deku’s new outfit stood out as one of the most stylish, boasting a harmonious and sophisticated color scheme compared to the others. Lastly, it was great to see the mask and hood discarded for good. Gran Torino’s cape is an integral part of the suit, hinted by the yellow highlights scattered across it. The Air Force Gloves make a return, but this time they are accompanied by Mid-Gauntlets instead of the white arm braces, and even the knee pads have green accents rather than being all black. All in all, it’s a clear work of artistry.

In the popular series “My Hero Academia,” our main character has always been noticeable, yet the artistry behind depicting his development never ceased to evolve. Over time, the improvements were gradual, spanning years, but the suits progressively got better, more harmonious, and increasingly distinct from Deku’s role models, while still retaining their essence. In a series brimming with style, Deku undeniably deserves recognition as one of the most stylish heroes.

2024-09-11 18:03