The world of My Hero Academia is expanding once again, this time with an anime adaptation of the popular spin-off manga, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes. As the premiere date draws closer, excitement is building, and the official website has released character promotional videos for the three main protagonists.
Vigilantes Take Center Stage
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes offers a different perspective on the hero society, focusing on those who operate outside the official channels. These individuals, known as vigilantes, take it upon themselves to protect their communities, often blurring the lines of legality in their pursuit of justice. The anime adaptation promises to delve into their struggles, motivations, and the unique challenges they face.
The three main characters at the heart of this story are:
- Koichi Haimawari/The Crawler: Voiced by Shūichirō Umeda
- Kazuho Haneyama/Pop Step: Voiced by Ikumi Hasegawa
- Iwao Oguro/Knuckleduster: Voiced by Yasuhiro Mamiya
Koichi Haimawari/The Crawler
Koichi Haimawari, also known as The Crawler, is a young man who dreams of being a hero but didn’t quite make the cut for the prestigious hero schools. Despite this, he possesses a strong desire to help others and uses his Quirk, which allows him to slide along surfaces, to perform good deeds in his neighborhood.
His earnest nature and unwavering commitment to protecting others make him a relatable and inspiring character. The promotional video likely showcases his abilities and highlights his determination to make a difference, even without official recognition.
Kazuho Haneyama/Pop Step
Kazuho Haneyama, known as Pop Step, is an aspiring idol with a Quirk that allows her to create small, bouncy platforms. She uses her abilities to perform and entertain, but also to assist in vigilante activities.
Pop Step’s vibrant personality and dedication to her dreams add a unique dynamic to the team. The promotional video likely features her performances and demonstrates how she balances her idol aspirations with her vigilante work.
Iwao Oguro/Knuckleduster
Iwao Oguro, known as Knuckleduster, is a Quirkless vigilante with exceptional combat skills and a strong sense of justice. He takes Koichi under his wing, training him and guiding him on the path of vigilantism.
Knuckleduster’s experience and no-nonsense attitude provide a stark contrast to Koichi’s idealism. His promotional video likely showcases his fighting prowess and reveals his motivations for operating outside the law.
A Prequel Story Unfolding
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is both a spin-off and a prequel to the main series, My Hero Academia. The story takes place five years before Izuku Midoriya inherits One For All, offering a glimpse into the early days of the hero society and exploring the rise of vigilantism.
The series delves into the backstories of familiar characters, such as Shota Aizawa (Eraser Head) and All Might, providing new insights into their pasts and motivations. It also explores the development of the Nomu, shedding light on their origins and the dark secrets surrounding their creation.
Familiar Faces, New Perspectives
The prequel setting allows for the appearance of familiar pro heroes, offering fans a chance to see them in their prime. Characters like All Might, Eraser Head, Present Mic, Midnight, and Ingenium will play a role in the story, voiced by their original My Hero Academia voice actors.
This connection to the main series adds depth and context to the Vigilantes storyline, enriching the overall My Hero Academia universe.
Production Details
The anime adaptation is being produced by Bones Film, the same studio behind the My Hero Academia anime. Kenichi Suzuki (chief director of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) is directing the series, with Yōsuke Kuroda (My Hero Academia) handling series composition.
Takahiko Yoshida (Cells at Work!) is responsible for character designs, and the music is composed by Yuki Hayashi, Shogo Yamashiro, and Yuki Furuhashi.
Premiere Date
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is set to premiere on April 7th in Japan, airing on Tokyo MX and BS NTV channels at 11:00 p.m. JST, and on Yomiuri TV at 25:59 JST (effectively, April 8 at 1:59 a.m. JST).
