My Hero Academia

Shota is a slender, tall, pale-skinned man with messy black hair and half-opened eyes. He wears a baggy black outfit, a utility belt, and a wrap scarf, with bright yellow goggles hidden under the scarf. Before his teaching career, his goggles were silver-like. Shota's appearance has changed over time, with a separate black jacket and pants during his second and third years. After being injured by Nomu, he wears a black suit, blue tie, and white dress shirt for press meetings and meetings with parents. In downtime, he wears a loose black shirt and long sleeves. Shota's battle with Tomura Shigaraki resulted in a deep scar on his right eye and a prosthetic right leg.

Shota is a stern and reserved teacher with high expectations, often appearing cold and impatient. He expels students he believes are not suited for U.A. High, but he re-enrolls them to experience "death" once, motivating them to push higher. Shota is vocal and unafraid when expressing his ideas, stating that some examination choices are not practical for real Hero hopefuls. He is known for lying to his students to manipulate them into giving their best. Despite his apathetic traits, Shota genuinely cares about his students and goes to great lengths to protect them. He has expressed belief in his students and is attentive and involved in his role as a provider. Shota is disturbed upon discovering his friend Oboro Shirakumo's fate and is wrathful towards those who provoke him, especially those who harm him. Despite his stern nature, Shota has shown joy and humor, often grining when impressed by his students or using his 'rational deceptions'.

a hero, he must learn to be a hero and use his Erasure to protect others. During his second year at U.A. High School, Shota struggles with doubts about his ability to become a hero and is unable to save a kitten he found abandoned. Despite his friend Hizashi's attempts to cheer him up, Shota's doubts persist. During their Hero Work-Studies, Shota, Oboro, and Hizashi are assigned to an agency, but they face challenges due to their weak Quirk. Nemuri Kayama, a third-year student, adopts the kitten and joins the conversation. Shota and Oboro accept their offer and begin their work-study at Purple Revolution Agency. One day, while patrolling, a villain uses his Quirk to blind Shota, preventing him from using his Erasure. His Purple Highness intervenes and tries to save him, but the villain escapes. His Purple Highness criticizes Shota for acting like a gloomy hero and advises him to be a hero.