Seto Kaiba's coat thoughts?
(gif is from a ygo amino)
I love thinking about character design and how it can reveal things about a character. While not every character's outfits are profound symbolism or anything, I do think there is a lot to be said about Seto Kaiba's coats.
All of his coats, especially the white battle city one remind me of the wings of a dragon (especially for how they flare outward and around so much) and the hip-spikes and generous shoulder padding just sell it for me. I feel like this is intentional but obviously idk what TK's thoughts behind it were lol. But my personal head cannon is that it is an extension of his obsession with BEWD and he is trying to make himself look like a dragon, i.e bigger and more imposing.
I think his coats are his armor. the BEWD is a consistent figure in his life and in a way, his protector, his right-hand man (card? dragon? woman? idek) The BEWD is something Kaiba uses as a vehicle of his power and an extension of himself. And I think that also applies to his manner of dress. Kaiba never wants to feel small, weak, or unguarded ever again.
So he wears a coat bigger than himself that ripples behind him as he walks, how it seems to defy gravity and appear to be carried by wind even when he is standing still, and how it creates distance between other people. It adds to his presence and makes him take up space. He doesn't only want the dragon by his side, he want's to embody it. Everything is like warfare to him. May it be a duel or the tasks of a businessman. BEWD, his pride, and cut-throat methods are his weapons. And his coat is his armor of choice.
(please correct me if I'm wrong) Excluding episodes where he's in a school uniform or something, he is never seen removing/ without his iconic coats in front of anyone but Mokuba. Not only that, But Mokuba is also the only person he shares his clothing with. To me, this reinforces the idea that his coat is his armor. because Mokuba is the only, if not one of the few people he wants to protect. The only person who he is unguarded with, and instead extends his "armor" towards.
Kaiba is all about power, drama and even theatrics at times. Everyone can see that. It is indeed reflected in his style. But I think his clothes reveal a bit more about his self image and overarching ideas.
He is not the only ygo character who treats clothes as a sort of armor to face the outside world. I think Yuugi's leather vest and chains and all his punkish paraphernalia are also a kind of armor for him. That's why I think he wears them less as the series goes on and his style in DSOD is more light, breezy and comfortable looking.
So long story short, I think the white coat is an excellent design choice for him. Maybe I read to much into it, maybe I didn't. I just love this guy and his obnoxious outfits.
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