Discover the Surprising Changes in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Episode 1!

Summary

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime faithfully adapts manga with minor changes in the storyline.
Significant changes like the introduction of Number 6 and character designs observed in Episode 1.
Pop Step’s costume design and interaction details altered in the anime version compared to the manga.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about diving into “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” – a thrilling spin-off from the smash-hit series, “My Hero Academia.” This new adventure introduces a fresh protagonist whose admiration for All Might and heroics knows no bounds. Yet, with the debut of the show, there are some alterations from the manga that have been subtly tweaked here and there, with a few omissions that blend effortlessly into the narrative, while others undergo more substantial changes.

The show encompasses the initial two comics of Vigilantes, presenting a fresh hero and shedding light on their unique abilities (Quirks) and character traits. But let’s discuss the distinctions between the anime and manga versions, and pinpoint where Episode 1 diverges from the original comic book storyline. Are these variations substantial?

This show adapts the first two comics of Vigilantes, introducing a new lead character while revealing their special powers (Quirks) and personalities. Here’s how the anime differs from the manga, especially Episode 1, and whether these alterations can be seen as major changes.

In other words: The series follows the first two issues of Vigilantes, introducing a new main character and exposing their special talents (Quirks) and individual characteristics. Here’s a look at the discrepancies between the anime and manga versions, particularly Episode 1, to determine if these modifications are significant.

This discussion reveals significant plot points from the first episode of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes titled “I’m Here.” You can watch it on Crunchyroll, or read ahead in the manga where these events unfold.

How Much of Episode 1 Was Changed in the Anime?

Some Small, Others Fairly Significant

Arc	Vigilantes Beginnings
Chapters	1 – 2

A substantial portion of the “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” animated series closely follows the original manga, but there are also changes and additional elements introduced in the anime. Similar to “My Hero Academia”, the anime explores a world with superhumans, thereby confirming that the story takes place within the same universe as MHA. This modification helps set the tone for the spin-off series, introducing its new main characters.

In the anime, a significant battle sequence featuring Koichi, Knuckleduster, and Pop Step versus a major antagonist was originally included but later removed. This scene hinted at a future clash close to the end of the manga, where Koichi confronts either Number 6 or Rokuro Nomura. However, contrary to this battle’s timing in the manga (which occurs in Chapter 26), this villain makes an early appearance in Episode 1 instead.

Number 6 is a significant villain Koichi must face near the end of the manga.
The foreshadowing of the battle at the beginning of Chapter 1 also introduces his character. However, it was swopped to the near end of the episode.

Following this, the storyline in both the anime and manga progresses with All Might dealing with a troublesome villain, but there are subtle variations. In the manga, Koichi spends more time pondering the concept of Heroes, particularly the towering figure above them all. Instead of discussing his lateness for university as in the anime, he mentions being late for work in the manga. This minor alteration offers a deeper understanding of Koichi’s character and backstory. Furthermore, it is in this portion of the manga where Koichi first uses his Slide and Glide Quirk, which leads to a reprimand from a police officer due to the legal restriction on public Quirk usage.

Right after this encounter, Koichi happens upon three tough guys, accidentally running into them since he’s now running late for work. But in the anime, Koichi comes across these guys on his way to college. Since Koichi didn’t use his ability in the last scene, it seems logical that an explanation of his Quirk is given as he flees from the delinquents later on.

Koichi Meets Pop Step

The Start of Their Bantering Friendship

A notable alteration between the anime and its source manga lies in the design of Pop Step’s vigilante costume. In the manga, Pop Step exposes more skin, contrasting with her anime version where she is covered by dark stockings on her legs. This isn’t the first time characters in the anime have undergone censorship; a comparable instance happened with Pro Hero Midnight, whose hero costume was considered too revealing. Given the suggestive and revealing nature of Pop Step’s scenes, this modification seems reasonable. It’s also worth noting that Pop Step is a high school student. Despite being merely a design change, it doesn’t significantly impact the story as it mainly serves to cover her up.

Hey, it’s the cops! The cops’re on their way!!

The anime scene shows Pop Step singling out Koichi during her street show, but it misses out on the conversation they had afterward when Koichi departed. During this discussion, Koichi notices a police car approaching the performance and alerts Pop Step, causing the spectacle to terminate prematurely before she could reach the climax. This exchange in the comic book also contributes to the development of their bond as the narrative unfolds, which explains why Pop Step focused on Koichi initially.

During Koichi’s journey to work, the anime introduced a new scene. Earlier, Koichi expressed frustration over life’s unfairness. In this additional scene, Koichi slips on a puddle in a narrow lane while contemplating how unjust his life has been. It seems this extra scene was included to emphasize Koichi’s feelings towards his Quirk and the challenges he’s faced so far.

Koichi’s Vigilantism Begins

Unbeknownst to Koichi, This is the First Step to Heroism

Stepping out for another round of kindness, I find myself face-to-face with the remarkable Inko Midoriya! In the world of “My Hero Academia”, Inko maintains her familiar appearance from the manga. Yet, there’s a noticeable difference when it comes to the anime version of her – she’s leaner, a subtle yet significant change that underscores the passage of time between the two storylines. As Izuku matures, so does Inko, subtly reflecting our beloved characters’ growth and evolution.

In the guerrilla performance, Koichi warned Pop Step about the approaching police. As shown in the comic book, this led Pop Step to seek out Koichi to thank him personally. However, this interaction was left out of the animated adaptation. It’s also mentioned that Pop Step had witnessed Koichi being attacked near a convenience store, showing how long she had been observing him. As the story unfolds, we learn why Pop Step is looking for Koichi. Despite some dialogue between them being cut, the anime still effectively conveyed Pop Step’s feelings about her idol career.

How Koichi Dealt with the Trio

In the comic book (manga), Koichi initially schemes a surprise move, carefully considering his actions before implementing it. However, in the animated version (anime), this particular scene from the comic is left out, making it seem like Koichi launches an attack that fails. While removing this scene doesn’t alter the main storyline much, it does underscore Koichi’s doubts about his abilities in the original comic.

A scene in the manga that wasn’t included in the anime featured Kugisaki Soga, head of the trio of delinquents, hinting at his sinister intentions towards Pop Step, revealing a dark side to his character. Initially, the three seem like thugs with villainous inclinations, but they become more crucial as the story progresses. It’s possible that these panels were softened because of their significant impact on later events in the series.

I have just the medicine… you need.

After the argument, Koichi and Knuckleduster return to Koichi’s apartment, deviating from the manga where this event took place in Chapter 2. In contrast, the following comic panels show the three gang members plotting their retaliation, as seen in the original storyline. Notably, the anime introduces Character Number 6, taking the place of the drug dealer who initially provided the trio with a new substance called Trigger.

Previously mentioned, Character Number 6 made his debut in Chapter 26 of the comic series, mostly delegating tasks to his subordinates for unsavory duties. This adjustment seems to have been made to introduce Aizawa Shota, or Erasure Head, in Episode 1 of the animated adaptation. Although there have been minor alterations to the rhythm, visuals, and early appearance of two characters, these modifications suggest a more complex narrative at work, but they’re unlikely to significantly impact the overall series, if at all.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is now available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2025-04-14 15:25