My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Episode 3, titled “Bee,” marks a significant turning point in the series. Released on April 21, 2025, this episode introduces a central antagonist and sets the stage for a more intense and engaging storyline. The episode skillfully balances humor, action, and character development, deepening the overall narrative and leaving viewers eager for what’s to come.
A Day in the Life of a Vigilante
The episode opens by contrasting Koichi’s expectations of college life with his current reality. Instead of the popular, carefree existence he imagined, he finds himself juggling a job he dislikes with his vigilante activities. Koichi reflects on his life, acknowledging that he is neither a hero nor makes a living, so he has to attend college and work to make ends meet. However, his apartment has become an unofficial headquarters for Knuckleduster and Pop☆Step.
Meanwhile, Pop☆Step shines during her performance, connecting with a large and enthusiastic crowd. Ironically, two middle schoolers who were causing trouble in previous episodes have now become full-fledged members of her fan club, which highlights Pop’s growing influence and popularity.
The Eel Villain
However, amidst the positive atmosphere, a fan injects himself with Trigger to get closer to Pop. The fan transforms into a slimy, eel-like creature and begins wreaking havoc, chasing after Pop. Koichi and Knuckleduster swiftly intervene, but they struggle against the villain’s slippery form.
Knuckleduster cleverly utilizes the resources at hand, spotting an udon shop nearby and formulating a plan. Pop lures the villain into an alley, limiting his movements. As the villain tries to hug and kiss Pop, flour suddenly rains down, covering him and Pop. Koichi and Knuckleduster use the flour to neutralize the villain’s slime, allowing them to apprehend him.
Police Investigation
In the aftermath, the police force discusses the increasing distribution of Trigger and its potential connection to a larger scheme. They speculate that it might be a political move or an attempt to sow chaos in the city, as drugs are expensive.
The Queen Bee Emerges
While Koichi and Pop investigate, they plan to meet with Teruo, the fan who attacked them earlier, hoping to gain more leads on the Trigger distribution. On their way, they encounter a red-haired girl named Kuin, who claims to be a big fan of Pop and takes a selfie with her.
It is later revealed that Kuin is the mastermind behind the Trigger distribution, a second-year high school student and part-time villain. Her Quirk, “Queen Bee,” allows her to control bees that inject Trigger into people, causing their Quirks to spiral out of control. She unleashes a swarm of bees throughout the city, turning ordinary citizens into instant villains.
Chaos in Naruhata
The sudden outbreak of instant villains causes widespread panic and chaos. Top pro heroes, including All Might, Endeavor, Aizawa, Ingenium, Midnight, and others, quickly mobilize to neutralize the threats. During the chaos, Teruo gets separated from his friend.
Knuckleduster notices a suspicious bee and follows it, eventually capturing it. When he crushes the bee, it causes Kuin to bleed from her patched eye, revealing the connection between her and the bees. Despite her anger, Kuin maintains her composure and pretends to befriend Teruo, leading him away while showing him a photo of herself with Pop.
Key Takeaways and Analysis
- Introduction of Kuin Hachisuka: Episode 3 marks the true beginning of the main storyline with the introduction of Kuin Hachisuka, a central antagonist with the “Queen Bee” Quirk. Her unassuming entrance makes her later reveal even more impactful.
- Thematic contrast: The episode effectively contrasts the everyday lives of the vigilantes with the escalating threat of Trigger and the emergence of new villains.
- Hero Society: The episode showcases a familiar world from a different perspective, allowing the series to highlight the different challenges that vigilantes face, versus Pro Heroes.
- Character Growth: Koichi comes to terms with his life, recognizing the value of his friendships with Knuckleduster and Pop☆Step.
- Animation and Production: The animation is fluid and dynamic, with comic-book-inspired visuals adding stylistic flair. The action scenes are well-choreographed, and the overall production quality is impressive.
- Setting the Tone: The episode successfully sets the tone for future conflicts, establishing the groundwork for upcoming villain plots.
Differences from the Manga
While the anime generally follows the manga, there are some differences in the adaptation of Episode 3:
- In the manga, Soga continues to tail Teruo, but in the anime, Sukawuchi no longer tails Teruo like he does in the manga, he receives a call about the instant villain outbreak.
- The anime omits some scenes from the manga, such as Koichi deciding to leave a spare key for Pop and Pop thinking he has ulterior motives with her, and a flashback where Koichi got his house for only $45,000 yen a month in early April.
Final Thoughts
“My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” Episode 3 is a standout installment that effectively balances humor, action, and character development. The introduction of Kuin Hachisuka as a central antagonist adds a much-needed dose of intensity to the series. With strong direction, fluid animation, and stellar voice acting, the episode delivers an engaging experience that lays a solid foundation for future developments. The episode has a community score of 4.3.
