Makoto's conception as a character included many varied design drafts during the development of "Street Fighter III", but "loose-fitting karate gi and a determination to fix up her rundown dojo were ideas that existed from the beginning." She is tomboyish, wearing a white dōgi and a yellow hachimaki. The hachimaki is a trademark of Makoto's design, added in "3rd Strike" by the development team to demonstrate her speed and trajectory. They used its fluttering as she charged up her Hayate technique as an example. Because there was nothing in the "Street Fighter IV" engine that allowed them to do that, they had to create this mechanic especially for her. Before the release of "3rd Strike", rumors were circulating among players that Makoto was Ryu's younger sister, due to her similar wardrobe. Makoto's first alternate costume in "Super Street Fighter IV", consisting of a sun hat, denim overalls, and gardening gloves, was the hardest to create out of all the characters' outfits.