Me trying to hash out Izuku’s Sasakia costume to hide his identity while using it. It’s mostly pencil sketches instead of full color (which I plan to do at some point) but I wanted to share this stage in the design bc I was proud of it.
I had a lot of fun coming up with a design, even if it frustrated me a few times. (The cape and sleeves, mostly.) I don’t know why, but I’ve had the idea for a butterfly-themed musketeer for ages and this just seemed like the perfect chance to put it into play. Unique but also fitting for the universe it’s in.
Izuku’s costume is very Mahou Shonen (Magical Boy) compared to the general comicbook superhero vibe that ML leans into. Lots of frills and flowy cloth instead of the usual skin-tight suits. I know I probably could have gone into more details for the design but I like how everything looks rn. I didn’t want it to be too plain or too busy. Too simple and it would take away from the purpose of being a disguise. Too busy and I would be driving myself insane every time I tried to draw it.
Izuku’s mask is rounded instead of the sharp edges that other butterfly users had/have. Both for the shape of Izuku’s magic butterflies (which have the same shape) and to soften how Izuku himself would look. Sharp edges imply danger, while rounder edges give a kinder/gentler feel. (It’s the same logic for why good/innocent characters have big, round eyes while cool/mysterious characters have narrow or sharp eyes.)
His shirt has the fun double-sleeve thing that historical Musketeers wore. I thought they looked neat when I saw them during my design research and would be another spot to slip in butterfly details. Like an actual wing pattern on the inside of the sleeve!
The capelet is the source of Izuku’s wings! Because I just really wanted to give him the ability to fly. Even if I ended up nerfing it later in the actual story to give Izuku more of a challenge. (Still debating that part. If it’s free flight or if it’s gliding with limited flaps to actually get airborne. Haven’t fully committed yet.) They are made of magic, so they only appear when he’s actively trying to fly! That way they can’t be damaged in a fight or to ground him when he’s trying to make an escape.
Then he can also be all bright and glowy when he’s taking off. Bc shiny/aura points.
All the smaller butterflies in the design have wings based on Nooroo’s. Because Izuku and Nooroo are on the same page/working together as Sasakia. So actively including little tributes to the kwami for more than just the theme felt right.
And the glowing purple mask that appears on the Kamiko match Izuku’s mask/butterflies. Rounded wings!
Not as pleased with the one color drawing, but that’s more because I didn’t have art markers that were closer to the colors I wanted for the design. I have a digital picture that’s closer, but it’s not finished yet.
