Heroes are hitting the streets in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, and fans won’t have to wait to dive into the action! The anime adaptation of the popular spin-off manga launched on April 7, 2025, with a same-day English dub on Crunchyroll, bringing the world of vigilantes to life for English-speaking audiences immediately.
A Prequel Story in the MHA Universe
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes serves as both a spin-off and a prequel to Kōhei Horikoshi’s beloved My Hero Academia series. Written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, the manga was serialized from August 2016 to May 2022, captivating fans with its unique perspective on the hero society. Now, BONES FILM, a newly established company by the same studio that brought you the main My Hero Academia anime, is animating this exciting side story.
The anime is set five years before the events of the main series, introducing viewers to Koichi Haimawari, a college student with aspirations of becoming a hero. Despite possessing a Quirk, Koichi realizes that he may not have what it takes to become a pro. However, his desire to help others leads him down a different path as he becomes a vigilante, operating outside the bounds of the law.
A New Kind of Hero
Koichi’s life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a street performer named Kazuho Haneyama (also known as Pop Step) and a mysterious, powerful vigilante called Knuckleduster. After being attacked by thugs, Koichi and Kazuho are saved by Knuckleduster, who then recruits them to join his vigilante efforts. Together, this unlikely trio navigates the complexities of fighting crime without the backing or approval of the official hero system.
The series explores a darker side of the My Hero Academia universe, delving into the moral ambiguities and challenges faced by those who choose to operate outside the law to protect their communities. It presents a fresh perspective on the themes of heroism, justice, and the responsibilities that come with wielding power.
English Dub Cast & Crew Revealed
Crunchyroll has announced the English dub cast for the first episode of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, featuring familiar voices from the main anime series. Here’s a breakdown of the cast:
- Koichi Haimawari voiced by Jack Broadbent
- Knuckleduster voiced by Jason Marnocha
- Pop Step voiced by Macy Anne Johnson
- Souga Kugizaki voiced by Joshua Waters
- Izuku “Deku” Midoriya voiced by Justin Briner
- All Might voiced by Christopher R. Sabat
- Present Mic voiced by Dave Trosko
- Shota Aizawa voiced by Christopher Wehkamp
- No. 6 voiced by Aaron Campbell
- Tokage voiced by Kamen Casey
- Tochi voiced by Mike Smith
- Kugutsu voiced by Dakota Farnsworth
The English dub is being directed and produced by Zach Bolton, with Matthew Greenbaum adapting the script. Nathanael Harrison is the ADR mixer, and Tina Son is the ADR engineer.
Production Team
The My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime is being brought to life by a talented team of creators:
- Director: Kenichi Suzuki (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure chief director)
- Series Composition: Yōsuke Kuroda (My Hero Academia)
- Character Designs: Takahiko Yoshida (Cells at Work!)
- Music: Yuki Hayashi, Shogo Yamashiro, and Yuki Furuhashi
- Art Director: Yukihiro Watanabe
- Color Designer: Haruko Nobori
- Director of Photography: Yingying Zhang
- 3DCG Director: Mizuki Sasaki
- Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose
- Sound Director: Masafumi Mima
Theme Songs
The opening theme song for the anime is “Kekka Orai” (All’s Well in the End), performed by Kocchi no Kento, while the ending theme song is “Speed,” performed by yutori.
Where to Watch
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is streaming on Crunchyroll, with new episodes premiering every Monday. The series is available worldwide, excluding Asia.
Episode Release Schedule
Here’s a projected release schedule for new episodes:
- Episode 1 – April 7, 2025
- Episode 2 – April 14, 2025
- Episode 3 – April 21, 2025
- Episode 4 – April 28, 2025
- Episode 5 – May 5, 2025
- Episode 6 – May 12, 2025
- Episode 7 – May 19, 2025
- Episode 8 – May 26, 2025
- Episode 9 – June 2, 2025
- Episode 10 – June 9, 2025
- Episode 11 – June 16, 2025
- Episode 12 – June 23, 2025
- Episode 13 – June 30, 2025
Is Vigilantes Canon?
Yes, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is considered canon to the main My Hero Academia storyline. While the spin-off was not created by Kōhei Horikoshi, the original creator acknowledges and approves of the events that take place within Vigilantes, and they do not contradict the established lore of the main series. This means that fans can enjoy Vigilantes as an integral part of the overall My Hero Academia experience.
Get Ready for a Wild Ride!
With its engaging story, compelling characters, and unique perspective on the world of heroes, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes promises to be a must-watch for fans of the franchise. The same-day English dub release makes it even easier for viewers to jump into the action and experience this exciting new chapter in the My Hero Academia saga. So, get ready to join Koichi, Pop Step, and Knuckleduster as they fight for justice on the streets!
