My Hero Academia: Vigilantes – The anime series

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes – The anime series

The world of “My Hero Academia” is expanding with a new anime series: “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” (“Vigilante: Boku no Hero Academia Illegals”), a spin-off that promises to explore a lesser-known side of the universe created by Kōhei Horikoshi. Based on the manga of the same name written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, the anime will debut in spring 2025, enriching the offer for fans of the saga.

The plot: Heroes without a license

“My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” tells the story of characters who operate on the fringes of heroic society, ordinary people who choose to act as vigilantes despite not having an official hero license. The main protagonists include Koichi Haimawari, a young man who uses his quirk to help people in his neighborhood, and Knuckleduster, a determined and mysterious man who fights crime with his bare hands. The anime delves into themes of justice, sacrifice, and the struggles of those who try to do good in a system governed by rigid laws.

When and where to watch it

The series will debut in Japan in spring 2025 and will be broadcast on local TV channels. As for Italy, “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” will be simulcast on Crunchyroll, allowing fans to follow the episodes with Italian subtitles shortly after the Japanese broadcast. This distribution guarantees international fans immediate and high-quality access.

A different point of view

What makes “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” particularly interesting is its unique perspective. Unlike the main series, where the protagonists are students preparing to become professional heroes, this story focuses on individuals on the margins, forced to navigate a world where legality and morality often clash. This approach not only enriches the narrative universe, but also offers a deeper reflection on the nature of heroism.

Visual style and animation

Visually, the teaser trailer released shows an animation that remains faithful to the style of “My Hero Academia”, but with a darker and more realistic touch. The action scenes promise to be intense and well-choreographed, in line with the expectations of fans of the franchise. The character designs reflect their status as unconventional heroes, with a less glamorous and more practical look than the official heroes.

Expectations and criticisms

The announcement of “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” has generated great excitement among fans, but also some doubts. Some fear that the spin-off may not be able to compete with the main series, especially in terms of narrative development and characterization. However, the source material of the manga is considered solid and well-written, which bodes well for the anime adaptation.

Conclusions

“My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” represents a great opportunity to expand the “My Hero Academia” universe, offering a new and intriguing perspective. With a gripping storyline, complex characters, and global distribution guaranteed by Crunchyroll, this series could prove to be a must-watch for all anime fans. We will have to wait until Spring 2025 to dive into this new adventure!

Gianluigi Piludu

Author of articles, illustrator and graphic designer of the website www.cartonionline.com