Overview

Stretchy Freshman, real name Derek, is a first-year Supe at Godolkin University with the power of extreme bodily elasticity. Awkward, eager to please, and constantly underestimated, he uses his stretchy limbs for everything from acing obstacle courses to sneaking into restricted campus zones. Though not the strongest or fastest, his creativity in combat and infiltration makes him a valuable — if goofy — asset to his squad. He idolizes The Seven but is slowly waking up to Vought’s corruption. His humor masks deep insecurity; he stretches himself thin (literally and emotionally) to fit in. In a world of godlike powers, Derek proves that adaptability and heart matter more than raw strength.

Personality

Derek is relentlessly optimistic, socially clumsy, and desperate for validation. He cracks nervous jokes during high-stress situations and uses his stretching powers to deflect emotional vulnerability — literally bouncing away from hard conversations. He’s loyal to his friends, especially Marie, and will stretch himself into absurd shapes to help them. Though easily manipulated by authority figures early on, he grows more skeptical as he witnesses Vought’s cruelty. His humor serves as both shield and weapon — disarming enemies and masking pain. He fears being seen as useless, so he overcompensates with physical antics. Deep down, he wants to be a real hero, not just a branded product of Vought U.

Netizen Review

Stretchy Freshman quickly became a fan favorite for his endearing awkwardness and surprisingly clever use of powers. Viewers praise his comic timing and unexpected emotional depth — a perfect blend of physical humor and coming-of-age vulnerability. Memes of him stretching into door cracks or inflating like a balloon went viral. Critics highlight how he represents the ‘everyteen’ in a world of overpowered elites — his power isn’t about domination, but adaptation. Many fans ship him platonically with Marie, calling them ‘the heart of Gen V.’ Despite not being a main character, online polls rank him among the most wanted for Season 2, with demands for a ‘Stretchy Solo Mission’ episode.

Famous Quotes

"I may not hit hard, but I hit… everywhere. Like, all at once. It’s weird."

— Gen V S1E4

"They told me to be a hero. Nobody said I couldn’t be a stretchy one."

— Gen V S1E6

"If you’re gonna fall, fall on me. I bounce. Promise."

— Gen V S1E2

Hobbies

Parkour-stretching across campus rooftops, Binge-watching old Supe reality shows

Biography

Compound V Awakening

Discovered his powers during high school gym class when he stretched to catch a falling classmate — went viral locally.

Vought U. Recruitment

Offered a full scholarship after demonstrating ‘non-lethal crowd control potential’ during a mall incident.

G-Men Initiation

Placed in Marie’s squad; used stretching to cheat on early trials, then grew into a genuine team player.

The Truth About Vought

Helped expose the Woods’ experiments; stretched himself across laser grids to save classmates during the finale.

Psychological Profile

Traumatic Events

  • Publicly humiliated in high school when powers activated during a date (Age 16)

    Developed chronic need for approval; uses humor to deflect shame.

Defense Mechanisms

  • Humor
  • Displacement

Phobias

  • Being Forgotten: Group photos where he’s cropped out, ignored in team briefings

    Manifestation: Overextends body to fill frame or physically insert himself into center of attention

Cultural Context

Ethnicity
Mixed East Asian and White American
Social Class
Middle
Religious Beliefs
Secular, Fandom Devotion (The Seven worship)
Language Patterns

Dialect: American English, Valley-freshman slang

Catchphrases: I gotchu, fam — I’ll stretch for it!, Just gotta bounce back, y’know?

Speech Patterns: Uses uptalk and self-deprecating qualifiers like ‘I guess?’ or ‘maybe?’ even when confident.

Relationship Dynamics

  • Marie

    Trust
    85%
    Type
    Mentor
    • Marie defended him after he failed a trial (Trust +40%)

  • Sage

    Trust
    10%
    Type
    Traitor
    • Sage manipulated him into spying on Marie (Trust -70%)

  • Firecracker

    Trust
    45%
    Type
    Rival
    • She saved him from falling debris during riot (Trust +30%)

Notable Relationships

What is Stretchy Freshman’s relationship with Marie?

He admires her moral compass and follows her lead. She’s the first person who treats him as capable, not just comic relief.

How does he feel about Firecracker?

He finds her loud and exhausting but respects her power. Secretly terrified she’ll ‘accidentally’ set him on fire during training.

Why does he stay loyal despite Vought’s corruption?

He believes in his friends and the idea of heroism — not the brand. His loyalty is to people, not institutions.

Images represent character appearances.

FAQ

Is Stretchy Freshman based on a comic character?

No, he’s an original creation for Gen V, though his powers resemble classic stretch heroes like Plastic Man or Mr. Fantastic.

What are the limits of his stretching?

Unknown — he once stretched 200 feet across campus but passed out from caloric depletion. Recovery requires massive protein intake.

Will he return in Gen V Season 2?

Strongly hinted — final scene shows him stretching a banner that reads ‘G-Men 4EVA’ over the rebuilt quad.

Who plays Stretchy Freshman?

Actor London Thor portrays Derek with perfect blend of physical comedy and emotional sincerity.

Does he have a crush on anyone?

Fan theories suggest Marie or Jordan, but canonically he’s too awkward to admit it — he just stretches nervously around them.

Why is he called ‘Stretchy Freshman’ and not a cooler hero name?

It’s self-deprecating — he chose it to seem approachable. Secretly hopes Vought will rebrand him later (they won’t).

Stretchy Freshman Properties - Dashboard