This article contains spoilers from My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.
Overview of the Stendhal Arc
- The Stendhal Arc introduces a formidable new Vigilante, Stendhal, who ruthlessly eliminates villains devoid of conviction.
- His encounters with Instant Villains, particularly Kuin Hachisuka, serve to refine his ideology, eventually leading to his embodiment of Stain.
- The interactions amongst Stendhal, Knuckleduster, and the “Legendary Senpai”Soga explore deep questions about justice and the essence of heroism within the narrative.
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- Introduction of Stendhal, the New Vigilante
- Stendhal’s Ruthlessness Towards the Conviction-less
- Stendhal’s Transformation into Stain
- Stendhal’s Murder Spree and New Targets
Introduction of Stendhal, the New Vigilante
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes builds upon the world of My Hero Academia, introducing new characters and complex narratives. The protagonist grapples with the challenge of being labeled weak due to a less powerful Quirk, compelling him to take on the role of a nighttime Vigilante.
The arc specifically unfolds after the “Vigilantes Beginnings Arc, ”spanning Chapters 9 to 11, and sets the stage for the main antagonist, Kuin Hachisuka, and introduces the plot elements leading into the “Vs. Queen Been Arc.”This segment delves into the enigmatic villain Stain’s ideology, examining the distinctions between those who operate outside the law for justice and those who resort to violence indiscriminately.
Stendhal’s Ruthlessness Towards the Conviction-less
As the narrative kicks off, we closely follow Koichi and Kazuho as they confront an Instant villain they have previously subdued. Koichi, driven by a robust sense of justice, is determined to prevent this villain from offending again.
In Chapter 9, we are introduced to Akaguro Chizome, known as Stendhal. He emerges as the new Vigilante who deploys his strength against villains terrorizing innocents. Meanwhile, Kuin Hachisuka lays plans for the Villain Factory, an organization connected to All For One and Garaki Kyudai.
Despite his swift defeat of the villain, Stendhal chooses to release him to avoid drawing attention to his actions, demonstrating the precarious balance Vigilantes must maintain in a world where they are considered outlaws.
After a brief moment at Koichi’s home, where Koichi admires Stendhal’s conviction, the narrative delves into the themes of personal justice versus societal justice. The dialog sets the foundation for examining whether Vigilantes are serving a true moral purpose or simply implementing their own beliefs onto others.
As the story progresses, we see Stendhal confront the escaped Instant Villain again, emphasizing his belief that those who wield power without conviction are inherently villains. This leads to a pivotal moment where Stendhal kills the villain, witnessed by Kuin Hachisuka, which solidifies his brutal philosophy.
Stendhal’s Transformation into Stain
Stendhal’s Murder Spree and New Targets
Stendhal has forge an alliance with Kuin, who not only provides him with targets but also vials of blood to assist in dismantling the Yakuza group known as Abegawa Tenchu Kai. During these collaborations, Stendhal grapples with his persona, revealing his internal conflict between being a hero and a mere man devoted to a flawed ideology.
Simultaneously, Kuin is orchestrating a meeting with Kugisaki Soga, the “Legendary Senpai.” Soga, grappling with feelings of discrimination due to his Quirk, finds himself cornered in an encounter with Stendhal.
When Soga’s hidden potential manifests, Stendhal seizes the opportunity to act on his merciless convictions. Just as Koichi attempts to intervene, Stendhal’s ensuing attack severely injures Soga, exemplifying how personal convictions can have dire and unintended consequences.
Stendhal’s idolization of heroes drives him deeper into his delusions about justice, until he faces off with Knuckleduster, whose actions contrast starkly with Stendhal’s. This encounter leaves Stendhal reeling, leading him to question the very nature of heroism itself.
- Stendhal greatly admired heroes and attempted to enter a heroic institution to pursue his ambition.
- His time at the academy opened his eyes to the pervasive corruption among those he had once idolized.
Faced with Knuckleduster’s formidable presence, Stendhal undergoes a profound realization: the true villains are not just external but also those who masquerade as heroes. Following a brutal exchange, he thanks Knuckleduster for illuminating his path, despite being left bloodied.
Later, at his derelict home, Stendhal reaches a fateful decision, severing his own nose in an attempt to rid himself of past facades. This grotesque act symbolizes his rebirth into the vigilant justice he believes he must pursue.
Ultimately, this transformation marks Stendhal’s descent into infamy as the Hero Killer, Stain. Meanwhile, Kuin persists in her malevolent endeavors, continuing to distribute the Trigger drug within Naruhata.
My Hero Academia can be streamed now on Crunchyroll.
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