My Hero Academia: Meet Koichi Haimawari, The Crawler!

This article reveals plot details from the initial storyline of “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.” Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.

Summary

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes debuts April 7, 2025, with 12 episodes, focusing on new character Koichi Haimawari.
Koichi, a college student dreamt of becoming a Pro Hero, becomes a Vigilante known as “The Crawler.”
Vigilantes use Quirks to fight crime outside the law; MHA: Vigilantes is a canon prequel to My Hero Academia.

In a matter of weeks, we’ll be introduced to an origin story for the beloved characters from “My Hero Academia” titled “My Hero Academia Vigilantes”. This prequel to the popular anime series is set to premiere on April 7, 2025, and will be available for streaming worldwide through Crunchyroll.

It’s been rumored, though not yet confirmed officially, that the first season will consist of 12 episodes. Connected to My Hero Academia, the main character is a new addition named Koichi Haimawari, a vigilante who primarily operates in Naruhata, a district within Tokyo.

Koichi, The “Nice Guy”

Koichi serves as the primary character in “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.” He’s currently attending college and spends his spare time working at a convenience store. His residence is a worn-out penthouse located on the top floor of an old, apparently deserted structure.

As a first-year student at university, he held lofty aspirations for his college experience. However, during a social gathering, he made an awkward advance towards a woman, which he didn’t mean to do, and when she discovered his residence, she labeled him as an unwanted admirer.

As word gets around campus about his luxurious rented penthouse, he finds himself socially ostracized. Implicitly, it seems that people assume he’s wealthy, which, combined with perhaps an uncomfortable encounter, contributes to his exclusion from social circles.

Even though Koichi may not excel in social interactions, he is essentially a kind-hearted individual with aspirations of becoming a Pro Hero, much like Deku. He shares an admiration for All Might and often sports clothing inspired by him. In the past, however, he found himself tardy for UA High School’s entrance exam due to his decision to intervene (or so he believes) in a situation where a boy appeared to be drowning.

Koichi’s special ability is called Slide and Glide, which, despite being considered illegal, he employs to aid those around him. He operates under the alias “Nice Guy,” though he hasn’t yet taken on the role of a Vigilante. Instead, his actions are everyday acts of kindness, such as assisting an elderly woman in crossing the street.

Koichi And The Naruhata Vigilantes

The Crawler Or The Hauler

One day, Koichi unintentionally finds himself in a predicament with some rowdy neighborhood bullies. It’s then that Knuckleduster steps in to rescue him. Knuckleduster subsequently informs Koichi about the concept of Vigilantes, and although Koichi initially resists the idea, they swiftly transform into the Naruhata Vigilance Team. Koichi assumes the role of “The Crawler,” but there’s a recurring jest where people mistake his identity and refer to him as “The Hauler.

The team consists of three individuals: Koichi, Knuckleduster, and Pop Step, with the latter being a local street performer/idol who later joins them. At first, their actions adhere to the “monster-of-the-week” pattern. However, Knuckleduster is on a mission to apprehend criminals who are peddling Trigger, a drug that induces and amplifies Quirks, transforming ordinary citizens into Villains and causing chaos in the town.

In such intricate scenarios where ordinary citizens are unwillingly transformed into Villains, Vigilantes play a crucial role in managing and resolving these crises.

In his role as a vigilante, Koichi honed his abilities through training. Over time, he’ll be able to refine these skills, eventually using his inherent Glide power for flight (though due to past traumas in his childhood, he unknowingly suppressed his true Quirk).

Koichi’s Relationship With Pop Step

Before the narrative unfolds, Koichi unknowingly crossed paths with Pop Step. She was the individual he saved on his way to an entrance exam. Since then, Pop Step has been an admirer of his, discreetly observing him. However, due to her lack of expressive skills, she initially doesn’t disclose this fact and displays a somewhat brusque demeanor towards him.

What Are Vigilantes And Is This Series Canon?

Vigilantes are individuals who employ their special abilities (Quirks) to combat crime beyond the boundaries of the law. Due to strict regulations on the use of Quirks, they can’t be exercised openly unless one is a licensed hero. Consequently, vigilantes can be considered as criminals according to the law, even though they often assist heroes in their work.

Although My Hero Academia: Vigilantes wasn’t penned by Kohei Horikoshi, it remains consistent with the series and serves as an official prequel to My Hero Academia. Notably, Koichi makes a cameo in My Hero Academia during the climactic arc, which underscores his storyline as being part of the main narrative’s continuity.>

My Hero Academia Vigilantes Episode 1 will be released on Crunchyroll on April 7, 2025.

2025-03-13 22:07