When Izuku Midoriya entered U.A. High, he was tasked to create his hero name and costume. While "Deku" became his fixed hero name, it seemed like the shounen protagonist continued to change his costumes. So, here are Deku's costumes throughout the years, and what they mean.
Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers from the My Hero Academia manga!
Are Hero Costumes Even Necessary?
In every hero story, the hero always has a costume. He or she changes into that costume whenever there is an incident or a moment that they need to help other people.
It differentiates the hero from the citizens as well as the villains. Since heroes cannot show their identities to protect their private lives, a hero costume is a must.
The same goes for the characters in My Hero Academia.
When Izuku Midoriya entered U.A. High School, he and the other students made their own costumes.
They chose designs that match their abilities along with their personalities.
But Why Does Deku’s Costume Change?
Eventually, the costumes start to change depending on the improvement of their skills.
For Deku, it's when he either figures out a new ability or enhances one of his favorite moves.
Sometimes, even the characters’ mental and physical growth impacts the change of costume.
Those who joined Izuku Midoriya’s journey will notice that his costume evolved as his quirk grew. But what do his costumes really mean?
Deku's Costumes Explained
We compiled all five of Deku's costumes. These costumes tell his journey, as they get power-ups as he continues to improve! Learn more about them below.
Costume Alpha
The first costume that Deku had was the Costume Alpha. It had the vibe of a Western comic book hero from the 20th century.
It was a full-body green jumpsuit with knee and elbow pads. Completing the outfit were distinguishable red shoes and a red belt.
The mask he wore contained long ears with a respirator that looked like All Might, giving the impression that Deku wanted to follow in the footsteps of his idol.
Costume Beta
This costume was improved in design, and the features were sturdier than the first costume.
His knee pads extended his thighs, and his respirator was changed to a diamond-shaped metal.
The costume change was needed as Deku started to learn more about his quirk.
Costume Gamma
This costume was made to accommodate the Shoot Style, which is why Costume Gamma had iron soles on its shoes to magnify the power whenever Deku kicked and punched.
He added Air Force Gloves for his finger flicks to make them more concentrated, guaranteeing a powerful blast with each attack.
This costume was far from what Costume Alpha looked like, giving fans an idea that Deku was able to create his own hero identity.
Stealth Suit
This costume appeared in World Heroes’ Mission. This version of Deku’s costume had a better look with a sleeker design thanks to its black and green accents.
His mask was turned into a hood, making it ideal for stealth missions. This could mean that the range of Deku’s skills had widened, improving his overall abilities.
Vigilante Deku (aka Alpha Costume Without Humor)
The last costume, as of writing, is the Vigilante Deku. It has a darker vibe that shows his transition from being a hero to a vigilante.
Compared with the other costumes, this one looks like the Costume Alpha but with an evil vibe.
It also has Gran Torino’s yellow cape, but it was scarred as compared with the one used by Gran Torino himself.
Want the latest on all things anime? Make sure you follow us on Twitter!
READ NEXT: Is Deku a Villain in My Hero Academia?
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!