The Controversial Design of Momo Yaoyorozu's Costume in My Hero Academia

Kohei Horikoshi, the author of My Hero Academia, is widely recognized for his skill as an artist. He has created iconic character designs like All Might, Endeavor, Tomura Shigaraki, Katsuki Bakugo, and Dabi. However, his design for Momo Yaoyorozu's hero costume has sparked controversy and criticism due to its revealing nature, which is seen as an unusual choice for a character of her age, particularly given her personality.

Explaining why Momo Yaoyorozu's costume is so revealing in My Hero Academia

- The controversy surrounding Momo's costume in My Hero Academia has sparked debate within the fandom. While fanservice is common in anime, the sexualization of teenage female characters like Momo has raised concerns and divided opinions.

As a teenager, Yaoyorozu's choice of a revealing hero outfit creates an awkward feeling for those reading or watching the series, especially given her conservative background, personality, and Quirk of creating things. This outfit does not seem to align with her character.

The role of Momo in the series

Despite the fact that most of the objects come out of her arms and back, there is still no justification for her to wear a revealing top or a short skirt. It is evident that the main reason for her costume is purely for fanservice. While the inclusion of sexy characters is acceptable, the fact that she is a teenager and the outfit does not align with her personality makes it an unfit design choice.

Momo crafting a canon (Image via Bones).

One of the recent criticisms of My Hero Academia is the neglect of its supporting cast, leaving characters like Momo underdeveloped. While there are exceptions such as All Might and Endeavor, most characters have not experienced significant growth.

Momo is a prime example of this, beginning as a girl struggling with imposter syndrome and insecurities about her abilities as a hero, but gradually fading into the background of the story. It is noteworthy that she was once a key member of the group that went to Kamino to rescue Katsuki Bakugo from the League of Villains, but later on, she lost much of her significance in the narrative.

These choices by Horikoshi are especially evident in the final arc, with many characters feeling like they did not experience proper development and growth. Momo was supposed to be a leader and a strategist, but had limited opportunities to showcase her skills, which was disappointing.

Final thoughts

In simple terms, the main reason for the costume Momo wears in My Hero Academia is primarily for fanservice, leading to significant criticism from the fan base. This has sparked significant debate about the series, especially considering Momo's status as a teenager.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan of My Hero Academia, I share the concerns and criticisms regarding Momo Yaoyorozu's costume design. The revealing nature of her outfit seems incongruous with her character's personality, background, and Quirk. It feels like an unnecessary choice that prioritizes fanservice over character development and consistency.

Moreover, the lack of significant growth and development for Momo and other supporting characters in the series is disappointing. Momo's potential as a leader and strategist was hinted at but never fully explored, leaving her and many other characters feeling underdeveloped. It would have been more satisfying to see a balance between action-packed sequences and character development, allowing fans to connect more deeply with the entire cast.