The My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime has announced the addition of Toshiyuki Morikawa to its cast! Fans of the My Hero Academia universe are eagerly awaiting the appearance of Captain Celebrity, a top-ranking hero hailing from America, who will be voiced by the talented Morikawa. This exciting news was revealed on the anime’s official website, heightening anticipation for the upcoming episodes.
Who is Toshiyuki Morikawa?
Toshiyuki Morikawa is a highly acclaimed Japanese voice actor, narrator, and singer with a prolific career spanning several decades. Born on January 26, 1967, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Morikawa has lent his voice to numerous iconic characters in anime, video games, and dubbed films. He is also the head of Axlone, a voice acting company he founded in April 2011.
Notable Roles
Morikawa’s extensive portfolio includes:
- Yoshikage Kira in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable
- Sephiroth in the Final Fantasy series and Kingdom Hearts series
- Dante in Devil May Cry
- Kagaya Ubuyashiki in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
- Isshin Kurosaki in Bleach
- Minato Namikaze in Naruto: Shippuden
- Julius Novachrono in Black Clover
- Eneru and Hatchan in One Piece
- Naraku in Inuyasha
- Griffith in the 1997 Berserk series
- Shadow the Hedgehog in the Japanese dub of Sonic the Hedgehog 3
He is also the official Japanese dub-over artist for numerous Hollywood actors, including Tom Cruise, Ewan McGregor, Keanu Reeves and many more.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes – What You Need to Know
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a spin-off and prequel manga series to Kōhei Horikoshi’s popular My Hero Academia. Written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, the manga was serialized in Shueisha’s Jump Giga in August 2016 before moving to Shōnen Jump+ in October 2016. The manga concluded in May 2022, spanning 15 volumes. An anime television series adaptation produced by Bones Film premiered on April 7, 2025.
Storyline
The story of Vigilantes takes place five years before the main My Hero Academia series. It centers around Koichi Haimawari, a college student with an underwhelming Quirk who aspires to be a hero but lacks the qualifications. He ends up joining forces with the vigilante Knuckleduster and the street performer Kazuho Haneyama (Pop Step) to fight crime outside the law. The series explores the moral complexities of heroism and justice in a world where only licensed heroes are legally permitted to use their Quirks to protect society.
Production
The My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime is directed by Kenichi Suzuki, with Yōsuke Kuroda handling series composition. Takahiko Yoshida is in charge of character designs, while Yuki Hayashi, Shogo Yamashiro, and Yuki Furuhashi are composing the music.
Where to Watch
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is currently streaming on Crunchyroll, with new episodes released weekly.
Captain Celebrity’s Debut
Toshiyuki Morikawa will be voicing Captain Celebrity, a top-ranking Pro Hero from America who comes to Japan. His character is set to make his first appearance in the anime’s eighth episode, titled “Major,” which aired on May 26, 2025. Captain Celebrity’s arrival is expected to bring a new dynamic to the series, as his interactions with the existing characters and his approach to heroism will undoubtedly add depth to the narrative.
Cast of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
The anime features a talented cast, including:
- Shūichirō Umeda as Kōichi Haimawari/The Crawler
- Ikumi Hasegawa as Kazuho Haneyama/Pop Step
- Yasuhiro Mamiya as Iwao Oguro/Knuckleduster
- Asami Seto as Makoto Tsukauchi
- Toshiyuki Morikawa as Captain Celebrity
Returning cast members from the original My Hero Academia series include:
- Kenta Miyake as Toshinori Yagi/All Might
- Junichi Suwabe as Shota Aizawa/Eraser Head
- Hiroyuki Yoshino as Hizashi Yamada/Present Mic
- Akeno Watanabe as Nemuri Kayama/Midnight
- Masamichi Kitada as Tensei Iida/Ingenium
Episode Release Schedule
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes premiered on April 7, 2025, and is expected to run for 13 episodes.
Why Vigilantes Matters
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes offers a unique perspective on the hero society depicted in the main series. It delves into the lives of those who operate outside the official hero system, exploring their motivations and the challenges they face. The series raises questions about the nature of justice, the role of heroes, and the consequences of unchecked power.
Final Thoughts
The addition of Toshiyuki Morikawa to the cast of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a significant development that promises to enhance the viewing experience. With his extensive experience and distinctive voice, Morikawa is sure to bring depth and charisma to the character of Captain Celebrity. As the series progresses, fans can look forward to seeing how Captain Celebrity impacts the world of Vigilantes and the broader My Hero Academia universe.
