Warning: The article below contains spoilers regarding the initial arc of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.
Overview of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
- The animated adaptation of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is set to premiere on April 7, 2025, adapting the Beginning and Stendhal arcs from the source manga.
- The first arc narrates Koichi’s journey to becoming a vigilante alongside Pop Step and Knuckleduster, as they navigate various obstacles in their path.
- The Naruhata Vigilantes are depicted as they seek to unravel the distribution of a drug transforming ordinary citizens into villains, laying the groundwork for subsequent narratives.
Table of Contents
Chapter Zero: The Outlaw Heroes
Understanding the Concept of a “Vigilante”
The anime is expected to commence with Chapter 0, which originally served as a promotional introduction and was later included in Volume 4 of the manga. In this chapter, All Might and Eraser Head introduce U. A.High School’s Class 1-A to the concept of vigilantes—outlaw heroes who utilize their Quirks outside of the law to assist people in situations where Pro Heroes may not be able to intervene. Despite the illegal nature of their actions, Pro Heroes typically overlook these vigilantes as they act out of selflessness.
Although Chapter 0 may not constitute a full episode, it is likely that the anime will feature it in the opening moments, familiarizing viewers with beloved characters before transitioning into the main storyline.
The Nicest Guy on the Block
Koichi Haimawari always dreamt of becoming a Pro Hero, though he has yet to achieve this ambition. His Quirk, Slide and Glide, allows him to move at a bike’s speed, which may not suit the hero profession. Nevertheless, he possesses the heart of a hero, using his abilities to lend a hand to those in distress—often in inconspicuous ways.
Initially, Koichi is not a vigilante but rather a local helper, performing small tasks like running errands, helping the elderly, and generally being a supportive figure in his community. He even adopts the heroic code name “Nice Guy”and dons an All Might-inspired hood, showcasing his admiration for the No.1 Hero.
However, Koichi’s courage is tested when a group of local thugs targets Pop Step, a renowned street performer. While he wishes to assist, his lack of combat skills puts him in precarious situations until Knuckleduster—a rugged figure with a mysterious past—intervenes, dispatching the thugs and compelling Koichi to consider the vigilante life.
The Naruhata Vigilantes
Knuckleduster plays a pivotal role in encouraging Koichi to embrace his potential as a vigilante. Despite his initial hesitation, Koichi is eventually swept into the world of vigilantism, joined by Pop Step, forming the Naruhata Vigilantes in their Tokyo neighborhood.
This new team comprises:
- Koichi, now alias The Crawler (Slide and Glide Quirk)
- Pop Step (Leap Quirk)
- Knuckleduster (Quirk unknown, seemingly Quirkless)
Together, they forge a dynamic team characterized by their distinct personalities and chemistry. Knuckleduster is often impulsive, Pop Step employs a more strategic approach, while Koichi embodies the earnest desire to do good—despite a haunting failure during his Pro Hero exam when he paused to help someone he thought was in trouble.
The arc concludes with a notable revelation: the “boy”Koichi tried to save was, in fact, Pop Step herself, who has been a secret admirer since that day.
Exploring the Past of Beloved Pro Heroes
One highlight of Vigilantes is the opportunity to witness several My Hero Academia characters in their earlier days before the main series unfolds. Significant characters such as All Might and Eraser Head make appearances, and an additional chapter showcases how Eraser Head transitioned to his role as an educator. Furthermore, Endeavour also features in a supplemental chapter, humorously critiquing All Might.
Additionally, Koichi’s interactions with the aspiring hero Ingenium reveal valuable training insights, helping him refine his gliding abilities and potentially develop innovative techniques using his Quirk.
Setting the Stage for Future Events
Watch the trailer here
This introductory arc primarily serves to develop the main characters and their traits, following a “monster of the week”format. Central to the plot is Knuckleduster’s mission to investigate the distribution of the drug Trigger, which enhances Quirks and is being misused to turn unsuspecting civilians into villains.
As a result, the complexity of dealing with these “transitional villains”poses a significant challenge for Pro Heroes, especially when victims may have been unwittingly subjected to the drug. The arc also introduces Queen Bee, who is set to play a crucial role in future narratives.
The original My Hero Academia anime series is available for streaming on Crunchyroll, which is anticipated to also host the upcoming Vigilantes series.
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