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The entire world seems to be busy talking aboutMy Hero Academia: Vigilantes(the newMy Hero Academiaspin-off series), and it’s almost like the debut cannot come any closer. But while the wait feels long, the series has dropped a new batch of character trailers that offer a glimpse into this darker, more street-level take on the world of heroes.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantesintroduces viewers to a new cast of characters—Koichi Haimawari, Pop☆Step, and Knuckleduster—who operate outside the boundaries of the Pro Hero system. With animation produced by BONES FILM and a talented creative team, the series is shaping up to be an exciting addition to theMy Hero Academiasaga.
What Is My Hero Academia: Vigilantes About?
Set a few years before the events ofMy Hero Academia,Vigilantesfollows the life of Koichi Haimawari, an ordinary young man with an extraordinary desire to help others. Lacking the qualificationsto become an official Pro Hero, Koichi takes matters into his own hands, becoming an unlicensed hero (hence the title “Vigilantes”, get it?) known as “The Crawler.” His Quirk, Slide, and Glide, allows him to skate across surfaces with impressive agility—far from a game-changing power like some of the others in the series, but enough to make a difference on the streets of Naruhata.
Koichi’s journey begins when he crosses paths with two other vigilantes: Knuckleduster, a grizzled, Quirk-less mentor with a no-nonsense approach to justice (close enough; welcome back, Batman), and Pop☆Step, an aspiring idol whose acrobatic Quirk allows her to navigate the urban landscape with ease. Together, they form the Naruhata Vigilantes, a scrappy team that takes on petty criminals, drug dealers, and the mysterious Quirk-enhancing drug known as Trigger. Unlike the polished Pro Heroes ofMy Hero Academia, the vigilantes operate in a legal gray area, constantly balancing their desire to protect the innocent with the risk of arrest—or worse.
The character trailers do a phenomenal job of setting the tone for each character and what fans can expect from their stories, but there’s going to be a long wait until fans get to see them in action.
Is My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Canon?
The Connection to the Main Series
One of the biggest questions surroundingMy Hero Academia: Vigilantesis whether it’s considered canon. Although the manga was not written by series creator Kohei Horikoshi, Horikoshi himself has acknowledged it as part of the broaderMy Hero Academiauniverse. In fact,Vigilantesintroduces several key elements that later appear in the main series.
Trigger, the Quirk-enhancing drug that plays a major role in both the main anime and manga, made its debut inVigilantesbefore being referenced in the core storyline. Additionally, Koichi Haimawari has a cameo in the main series finale, further cementing the spin-off’s connection to the larger narrative. Characters like Shota Aizawa (Eraserhead), Ingenium (Tensei Iida), and even All Might make appearances inVigilantes, withpredictions that the series will dive into their early careers.
Meet the Creative Team Behind Vigilantes
The anime adaptation ofMy Hero Academia: Vigilantesis in the capable hands of BONES FILM, the same studio responsible for the mainMy Hero Academiaseries. The creative team includes several key industry veterans:
Release Date and Where to Watch
My Hero Academia: Vigilantesis set to premiere on July 09, 2025, airing on TOKYO MX, BS Nippon TV, and Yomiuri TV. While there is no confirmed international release date yet, it’s likelythat major streaming services like Crunchyrollor Netflix will pick up the series. An English dub has not been announced, but given the popularity ofMy Hero Academia, a dubbed version seems inevitable.
