Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s Klingon Wearing a Skirt Sparks Fan Backlash at New York Comic Con

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The new Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series from Paramount and Skydance caused a stir at New York Comic Con, though not in a positive way. While the studio showcased impressive displays and previews, a single photo quickly became a major point of discussion among fans: it featured a male Klingon character wearing a skirt, sparking considerable debate.

This design decision has upset many fans of the franchise, which is already trying to balance its classic roots with current social themes. They worry the new Starfleet Academy might focus too much on social issues, like in *Star Trek: Discovery*, instead of the engaging characters and exciting stories that fans have always loved.

A Controversial Reveal

Several people at New York Comic Con have noticed something unusual about a Klingon character named Jay-Den Kraag. He’s depicted wearing what looks like a skirt in artwork and promotional materials for the event. While his name is already a bit different from typical Klingon names, it’s the outfit that’s really causing a stir among fans.

There’s no way a Klingon man would ever wear a skirt. Combined with the overweight female Jem’Hadar and the certainty that this show will just be typical teen drama, I have absolutely no interest in watching it.

— Jon 🔬 (@JonnyMicro) October 14, 2025

People online were quick to notice the similarity to a short-lived idea from *Star Trek: The Next Generation*. Gene Roddenberry, the show’s creator, once briefly asked male crew members to wear skirts along with the female officers as a way to show gender equality in the future. However, the idea was quickly abandoned due to negative reactions from fans and poor test audience feedback.

The Klingon character appears noticeably thin, almost as if they’ve lost weight quickly. However, Klingons wearing skirts isn’t new to Star Trek – the show has actually been consistent with that detail, even if the current writers weren’t aware of the history.

— ZEROCOOL (@ZEROCOOL_RJW) October 12, 2025

After almost forty years, Paramount appears to be trying a similar style again – and, for some, bringing back the same issues.

Echoes of Discovery

For a while now, people familiar with the production have been suggesting that the new *Starfleet Academy* series might feel more like *Star Trek: Discovery* in terms of its style and storytelling, and less like the older *Star Trek* shows.

The *Tachyon Pulse Podcast* reported that someone who’s seen episodes of *Starfleet Academy* didn’t think it was very good. They said the writing felt unnatural, and while the visual effects were impressive, the ships looked odd. The host also criticized the show’s premise, comparing it to a teen drama and worrying that it’s trying too hard to attract a younger audience at the expense of existing *Star Trek* fans.

Publications such as *Polygon* highlighted the impressive scale of *Starfleet Academy* in the show, particularly its expansive and technologically advanced campus sets. Showrunner Alex Kurtzman has called it the largest *Star Trek* set ever constructed.

Rumors from fan websites suggest the first season might cost around $20 million per episode, but Paramount hasn’t officially confirmed the budget. Traditional news sources have mostly stayed silent on the debate surrounding the Klingon costumes, allowing discussions within fan communities to take center stage.

A Lesson from the Past?

For dedicated Star Trek fans, this situation feels like a recurring pattern. Star Trek has always used its stories to explore social issues – it’s a core part of what makes the show special – but when those issues take over the plot, viewers tend to lose interest. The recent drop in ratings and mixed reactions to *Discovery* are still on many people’s minds.

Paramount is now focusing heavily on the show *Starfleet Academy* to attract a younger audience, and many fans are concerned this means the franchise will repeat past errors by prioritizing publicity over strong characters and storytelling.

The Road Ahead

Neither Paramount nor Skydance has addressed the new costume design or explained the meaning of the skirt within Klingon culture. As a result, fans are still debating its purpose. Some hope it’s a traditional outfit or special ceremonial clothing, while others feel it’s an unnecessary addition of current social issues to a franchise that once brought everyone together.

It remains to be seen if the new *Starfleet Academy* series will enrich the Star Trek universe or prioritize social commentary over compelling stories. However, one thing is certain: fans are paying close attention and will quickly voice their opinions if the show doesn’t feel true to the spirit of Star Trek.

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2025-10-14 15:57