Deku, also known as Izuku Midoriya, is one of the main characters in the manga and anime series ‘My Hero Academia’. Despite being born without a ‘quirk’ (a superpower), he still fought for his dream and went on to become a hero. It’s no wonder he’s such a well-loved character!
The character is reasonably easy to cosplay, with the final result looking impressive on all genders. Although there are different Deku outfits, we’ll focus on Costume Alpha, as this is the most popular option.
We’ll talk you through how to cosplay Deku, as well as share some inspiration to help you get started.
How to Make Your Deku Costume

01
Bodysuit
The main part of Deku’s outfit is his bodysuit, which is what makes the cosplay so simple to put together. His bodysuit is green with long sleeves and full legs. It has black and white detailing. It isn’t super tight to the skin, although you could choose one that is to show off your sexy side if you prefer.
There are plenty of places you can buy a ready-to-wear Deku bodysuit with all the details included, which makes your life easier. But if you prefer to get crafty, you could make your own interpretation. Buy a green bodysuit and add the details by sewing them on or using fabric paint. There are even patterns online to guide you.
- Deku’s bodysuit is green with black and white detailing.
- Source a ready-made Deku bodysuit or try to make one yourself.

02
Wig
One of the most iconic parts of the character’s appearance is his green hair. He wears it in a spiky style with a fringe that covers most of his forehead and sometimes falls across his eyes.
If you have short hair you could use temporary dye to color it green and style it to match the character’s hair. However, most people opt to get a wig. There are plenty of Deku wigs that are ready-colored and styled to save you any hassle. Although you could buy a green wig and style it yourself if you’re handy with a pair of scissors!
- Source a short green wig ready-styled or style it yourself.
- Alternatively, if you have short hair, style and temporarily dye your hair.

03
Boots
Deku wears red high-top boots with black detail and laces. They’re very distinctive and an important part of the character, allowing him to be ready for action at any time!
Some ready-made costumes come with the boots, but you can easily source your own. Many people opt for high-top sneakers for comfort. You could always spray paint old boots or sneakers red and black to save money.
- Deku wears red and black high-top boots.
- Source some ready-made Deku boots or get creative and make your own.

04
Knee and Elbow Pads
Protection is important in battle, so our character wears black knee pads and elbow pads. They’re quite chunky to stand up to impact and also serve to add another layer to his outfit.
Most Deku costumes come with the pads included, but you could easily source some cheap black knee and elbow pads if you’re putting together your own costume.
- The pads protect our character and are crucial to the costume.
- Source some black elbow and knee pads to complete your outfit.

05
Mask
Deku’s mask is an important part of his story. He has a green mask with ‘ears’ that goes over his head, along with a respirator section that covers his mouth and the lower part of his face. The mask is a nod to Toshinori Yagi (also known as All Might) who trained him.
The character isn’t often actually seen wearing the mask, so a lot of people don’t include it in their cosplay. Others choose to wear it around their neck or carry it with them. If you want to really show your dedication to the character, it’s worth having the mask so you can wear it for photos and specific poses. Your best bet is to buy one ready-made unless you’re very handy with crafts!
- Deku has a mask in honor of All Might.
- Decide whether you want to include the mask and source a ready-made one if so.

06
Fine Details
The small details are optional, but always a great idea to include as they pull the cosplay together. They show you have put the effort in.
Deku is typically seen with a red belt around his waist with two compartments. The belt often comes with Deku costumes, but it’s also fairly easy to make by painting a belt red if needed. If the character’s white gloves don’t come with the bodysuit, these are an easy addition to your cosplay.
Our hero is also known for his symmetrical freckles, which can easily be mimicked with makeup.
- Add the red belt and white gloves if they don’t come with your costume.
- Consider adding makeup to match Deku’s appearance.
Top 10 Deku Cosplays
To help you get some inspiration, let’s take a look at 10 amazing Deku cosplays.

01
Samsara Cohen
Our number one had to be Sammy of sammyscosplay. A woman of many talents, she’s a seamstress, cosplayer, crafter, makeup artist, and skilled editor. We’re impressed!
She made her Deku costume and it’s absolutely stunning! Every single detail is well thought out and the whole look is posed beautifully. We particularly love the hood and long ears as the mask. The background is perfectly chosen for the character and fits in well with the theme.

02
Summerdru
summerdru is a beautiful and talented woman. She stands out in the cosplay world for her attention to detail and passion for her craft. She’s built an impressive following on social media, and we’re not surprised!
She’s chosen a tight-fitting bodysuit for her Deku cosplay. The details like the red belt and pads are printed onto the suit. It gives her cosplay a unique look while still staying true to the character. She’s colored her own hair to match the character’s and even added some well-thought-out makeup.

03
Rolyat
If you’re active in the cosplay world, you must have heard of Rolyat! Both a streamer and a cosplayer, at 28 years old she’s built a large and very loyal following across social media.
She made her Izuku Midoriya bodysuit herself and it looks fantastic! We particularly love that she’s taken a unique approach to the hair - she’s stuck with the color but chosen a longer wig to make the character more feminine.

04
Iwood Cosplay
Not only is Iwood Cosplay skilled at producing their own cosplays - they also help others to learn how to make costumes and props. They even have a shop where they sell cosplay kits and props.
Although they focus more on teaching now, their Deku cosplay is not to be missed! They’ve put an interesting spin on the white gloves and elbow protection, combining them into one to make a more ‘battle-ready’ look.

05
KendelB
With a true talent for portraying characters of all genders, we had to include KendelB in our top 10! She isn’t afraid to interpret the characters she plays to suit her style, but yet she still manages to stay accurate to the original series’.
Her Deku cosplay is no different - she’s chosen to make the character feminine. And what’s more, she’s done it outstandingly well. Right down to the long green wig, colored contacts, and makeup, this cosplay is magnificent.

06
Kainosaurus_
Also known as Kai or Kairon, kainosaurus_ is a non-binary cosplayer with a gift for depicting characters of all genders. Without fail, they produce phenomenal cosplays with great attention to detail in both their costumes and backgrounds.
We’re obsessed with their cosplay of Deku. It’s entirely accurate to the original character, including the looser-fitting bodysuit, the hair, and all the accessories.

07
Vince Galaxy
On his Instagram page rebel__galaxy, Vince produces cosplays that show off the darker side of the characters he chooses. Each picture is staged beautifully to capture the strong, powerful essence of his chosen personas.
Deku is one of Vince’s favorite characters - he has many photos of this cosplay on his social media. He’s gone for the full mask which is rarely seen, so it makes his outfit stand out from the crowd.

08
Andee Lim
Another male cosplayer who isn’t afraid to explore the darker, more serious side of his characters is Andee Lim. Every one of his cosplays is breathtaking to look at, with incredible detail and formidable poses.
Check out his version of Izuku Midoriya to see what we mean. Like Vince, he’s included Deku’s mask and gone for a more rustic appearance as though he’s been in many battles. It’s awe-inspiring to look at!

09
Nocturnal.virus
Perhaps better known as Senakha, this phenomenal cosplayer is brilliant at what she does. It’s no wonder she’s built such a large following on her social media channels - her fans adore her and so do we!
She’s gone for the looser, true-to-character body suit for her Deku cosplay and it works perfectly. We love that she’s included the iconic freckles in her look. She explains that she found some rubble near her home and it was the perfect background for this photo - genius!

10
Lalisa_cos
Lisa of lalisa_cos is an amazingly talented cosplayer. You can see her love for cosplay in every outfit and photo she produces. Honestly, we’re surprised she doesn’t have more followers (she certainly deserves more attention).
Just look at her fantastic Deku cosplay. She’s paid attention to every fine detail and ensured she stays true to our iconic hero. We especially love the way the wig is styled - the texture makes it stand out.
Top Places to Buy Deku Costumes


01
Amazon
Whether you want a ready-made Deku costume or separate elements to complete your cosplay, Amazon is the place to be! This costume comes in a range of sizes from extra small to large. It includes the jumpsuit, belt, gloves, knee pads, and respirator face mask. You’ll just need to add the boots and wig.
If you want to try something a little bit more revealing and put a more lighthearted spin on the character, try this option! It comes with a sleeveless crop top and shorts in the style of the original bodysuit. It includes a cute bunny hood instead of Deku’s mask, which is a playful addition. It also includes leg covers, gloves, and the red belt.
In need of some additions to your costume? Take a look at this mask which mimics Deku’s - plus it’s affordable. These red hiking boots are one of many great options for the footwear. Finally, if you need a wig for your cosplay, Amazon has plenty. This one is perfect for our character and is ready-styled.


02
Walmart
If you’re looking for an affordable, ready-to-wear Deku costume, it might surprise you to hear you can get it from Walmart! Check out this outfit which comes with the jumpsuit, knee and elbow pads, and red belt. You will need to source the rest from elsewhere though. It’s worth noting this costume only comes in a size medium at the moment.
If you need a wider range of sizes, this one has three size options. It comes with the jumpsuit, gloves, and ‘boot covers’. But you’ll need to source the red belt, wig, and protective pads yourself.


03
Etsy
If you have a bit more money to spend on your cosplay, Etsy could be a great website for you. This option is made to order, including a choice of costume elements. It’s pricey, but impressive to look at. It could be worth the investment if you are a professional cosplayer or are going to attend an important event.
This is another made-to-order option, customized to your exact measurements. It’s beautifully crafted by hand and although it costs a fair amount, the seller offers payment plans. It takes a while to make once ordered, so make sure to order well in advance of when you need it if you choose this option!