My Hero Academia: Vigilantes - The Misadventures of Unauthorized Heroes

Summary

Vigilantes is a fresh take on My Hero Academia, focusing on an illegal hero’s journey to true heroism.
Koichi must navigate the challenges of vigilantism without a Hero License, facing government and pro hero scrutiny.
The series highlights deeper themes of heroism and society’s failures, with a mix of comedy, action, and compelling characters.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes offers a captivating twist on the acclaimed series My Hero Academia, presenting fresh main characters and familiar faces in a unique blend. At its core, My Hero Academia revolves around the desire to be a hero and the true essence of a justice-seeking hero. But what if we explore these ambitions from an unconventional perspective, that of an outlaw hero?

In this innovative take on a well-known series, our main character Koichi Haimawari doesn’t have a Hero License but still safeguards his community through acts of kindness, such as picking up litter or helping people navigate their way. However, it’s important to note that vigilantism is forbidden by the government, which means that this unofficial hero might find himself in trouble with local law enforcement and nearby professional heroes due to his actions.

An Introduction to the Superhuman Society

The City Needs a Different Kind of Hero

Similar to the main character of My Hero Academia, Koichi Haimawari, shares an ardent affection for heroism and is an avid fan of the renowned Pro Hero All Might. The narrative commences by delving into a world of superhumans, echoing the style of My Hero Academia. Homage is also paid to the first baby born with a unique ability, referred to as the Luminescent Baby, and Koichi Haimawari, our protagonist, serves as the storyteller in this series.

Like MHA, this story revolves around the theme of heroism, set in a society where superheroes are common yet plagued by villains. However, unlike officially recognized pro heroes, there’s a group of heroes who choose to operate independently and without government approval. This raises the age-old debate about what it truly means to be a hero for these vigilantes as they pursue their dream of becoming genuine champions.

Following a brief introduction to our primary characters, we witness chaos as a malevolent antagonist wreaks havoc. But fear not! Our top hero, All Might, promptly intervenes, efficiently overpowering the villain and hauling him off. We’re then introduced to our lead character, Haimawari Koichi, a college student, part-time worker, and die-hard fan of All Might. Rather than getting swept up in the recent conflict, Koichi quickly recovers his calm and dashes off to university, demonstrating that while Koichi aspires for heroism, everyday life swiftly takes precedence. As the story unfolds, there are minor discrepancies compared to the manga, but these differences make the anime run smoothly.

The Three Musketeers

Unluckily for Koichi, he encounters some rough characters who retaliate against him for a minor accident. One of them, Kugisaki Soga, angrily spills his drink and demands that Koichi grovel in apology. This scene introduces us to Koichi’s Quirk, Slide and Glide, which is not particularly powerful but effective for evading due to its slow pace. To activate this Quirk, Koichi must touch a surface with three different points. By utilizing the Quirk to flee from the trio of thugs, Koichi receives some criticism about his ability, which is deemed as slow and somewhat unsettling, being likened to a cockroach due to its sluggish nature.

Following the sunset, we encounter our second character, Pop Step, showcasing her talents on a lamppost to her devoted admirers. Despite her music not being particularly distinctive and her bold makeup concealing her features, she radiates charisma during her act. As he watches her, Koichi voices his thoughts; while he envies her unique Quirk despite the criticism he’s received for his own, he regrets that others look down upon it. He muses aloud about how a jumping ability would complement his situation, as he uses his Quirk in a narrow alleyway and accidentally slips, momentarily contemplating life’s unfairness. This incident mirrors Deku’s feelings of being born without a Quirk. Misfortune strikes when three troublemakers appear at Koichi’s part-time job at the convenience store, forcing him into a physical altercation due to past disrespect, which leaves him bruised and battered.

It’s Time to Play Hero

With His Costume Donned, Koichi Set Back Out Into the Streets

Following a previous assault and allegations that the police didn’t intervene, Koichi hurriedly returns home, dons his unique outfit to maximize his superhuman ability. While unauthorized use of Quirks is prohibited, Pro Heroes must have licenses to combat crime, and Koichi continues to aid troubled citizens. This scenario reveals for the first time how the hero system has let down its citizens, exposing weaknesses within its foundation.

In the course of his brave adventures, Koichi retrieves lost belongings for their rightful owners and guides civilians, occasionally appearing a younger version of Midoriya Izuku’s mother, suggesting that the storyline started way before we knew as “MHA”. Furthermore, he reuses items, keeping the city tidy. As his actions garner praise, Koichi can’t help but be overjoyed by his acts of kindness.

In the narrow passageway, Koichi encounters Pop Step for the first time in an official capacity. During their interaction, we discover that Koichi aspires to be a hero, mirroring All Might’s influence by dressing in attire reminiscent of him and intending to serve society. Later on, they cross paths with the trio of troublemakers once more; however, this time, Pop Step accidentally strikes Kugisaki Soga.

In a swift move, they trap Pop Step, intending to expose her identity publicly. As Koichi feebly intervenes, he wavers, considering it none of his concern. The sight of Pop Step weeping and their derisive comments about his All Might hoodie provoke him. He then launches an unexpected assault, only to be caught himself. Knuckleduster swoops in just in time, subduing the trio. During the rescue of Pop Step and Koichi, he also examines the tongues of the delinquents for any signs of discoloration. The marketing event marks the initial encounter between these three main characters.

What it Takes to Become a Hero

Following the altercation, Koichi makes an attempt to flee, hoping to steer clear of further complications. However, during this period, Knuckleduster endeavors to enlist him, proposing to transform him into a hero. Initially, Koichi refuses, stating his disinterest, but Knuckleduster perceives through his deception, remarking that someone who admires All Might and derives joy from assisting others cannot genuinely be disinterested in becoming a hero. At this point, Koichi stands out distinctly compared to the typical aspiring heroes. Unlike in MHA, where Deku swiftly throws himself into saving others, Koichi requires more encouragement to emerge from his comfort zone.

In the midst of contemplating his heroic destiny, Koichi found himself compelled to act when Pop Step was in peril following Knuckleduster’s speech. This moment showcased his innate heroism. He rejected Knuckleduster’s assistance, viewing him as unstable. Subsequently, they transformed Koichi’s apartment into their headquarters. This scene underscores the internal conflict within Koichi; past hurts and his perception of a weak Quirk dampen his hero aspirations, resulting in a complex and engaging character.

In the near future, three troublemakers will encounter a fresh character who promises a potent substance that’s been spreading throughout the city. This is the illicit drug known as Knuckleduster; it enhances abilities but diminishes rationality. It’s evident that villains are using this drug, as their tongues turn black-stained. This situation reveals a weakness in the hero community: when civilians consume Trigger, they transform into Villains, causing chaos. The authorities react sluggishly, leaving the cleanup to citizen vigilantes. Interestingly, it was revealed in “My Hero Academia” that Trigger is a difficult drug to control because it’s easily accessible to any civilian.

“Powerful Quirks” and “Pro Hero License.” Those things have nothing to do with true justice.

In this scenario, Koichi hesitantly teams up with Knuckleduster, who intends to locate the origin of the Trigger drug by challenging shady characters. Meanwhile, Pop Step steps in, voicing her concerns and admonishing Knuckleduster for his negligence towards her. She also provides crucial tips during their investigation. However, their progress is halted when Knuckleduster aggressively extracts information from a businessman. Koichi and Pop Step’s efforts to intervene result in an unexpected confrontation with the renowned Aizawa Shota, the secret vigilante. This scene highlights just how volatile Knuckleduster can be and his determination to eradicate the Trigger drug. In contrast to our seasoned heroes who project an air of respectability and aspiration, Knuckleduster, with his rough demeanor and cigarette in hand, presents a modern interpretation of heroism—a stark comparison to All Might.

Similar to the show My Hero Academia, this series offers an engaging blend of humorous scenes and thrilling actions, artfully animated with sound effects that enhance its impact, adding layers to each episode. The characters stand out due to their uniqueness compared to typical hero-aspirants, exhibiting complexity and rough edges in their personalities since they operate outside the law, giving them the freedom to act as they wish without needing public approval. With rapid action sequences and a well-defined objective from the start, the series has made an impressive debut, setting itself up effectively.

My Hero Academia is now available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2025-04-08 04:55

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes – The Misadventures of Unauthorized Heroes