Shota is a slender and tall, pale-skinned man with messy, shoulder-length black hair that partially hangs in front of his face and half-opened black eyes. He is usually recognized for his worn-out appearance,[5][6] often looking fatigued. His facial hair is almost always in a stubbly, unkempt state (shaved for the press), and his eyes tired, bloodshot, and flat unless he's in combat. During his second and third years of high school at U.A., Shota's hero costume was a separate black jacket and pants, as opposed to his current outfit, which looks more like a unitard. He also sported a pair of finger-less gloves. In his second year, Shota added goggles to his costume, and later in his third year, they resemble more closely the ones he wears today. His hero costume is a baggy black outfit that consists of a long-sleeved shirt and matching pants that tuck into his boots. He also wears a utility belt and his signature wrap scarf at all times. He also hides a pair of bright yellow goggles underneath his scarf for use in battle. Shota is a very stern and reserved man who has lofty expectations of his students. He is primarily motivated by logic and does not believe in the necessity to maintain a clean-cut appearance or filter his words or ideas for others. He often comes off as cold, apathetic, and impatient, exerting very little energy in most situations, preferring to take naps in his sleeping bag instead.