Katsuki Bakugo
James Memos, a 20-year-old Santa Fe freshman, cosplayed as “My Hero Academia” character Katsuki Bakugo. He decided to cosplay the angry character because he loves how Bakugo thinks he’s better than everyone else.
“I feel like that arrogant persona is something that I identify with quite a bit,” he said.
It took him a week to make the costume and he used foam from a gym mat to make the grenades, Memos said.
He advises first-time cosplayers to “just do it.”
“It can make you nervous,” he said. “But once you're in costume, it's so much easier to talk to people. Instead of having some sort of cold approach, you could just be like ‘hey what's up Batman,’ and then you're instantly friends.”
Alachua Branch Library
By Juleidi Machuca | Apr. 22The sign for Alachua Branch Library stands on Northwest 140th Street, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.
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By Kaitlyn McCormack | Apr. 21A mural on the front of Alachua County Animal Resources on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.
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By Kaitlyn McCormack | Apr. 21A volunteer walks a dog at Alachua County Animal Resources on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.





