You’ve seen Deku cry a river. You’ve watched All Might go Plus Ultra until his hair literally changed shape. But if you haven’t started watching My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, you’re basically looking at a massive, intricate puzzle and ignoring the piece that makes the whole thing actually make sense.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a tragedy.
While the main series is busy with high-school drama and world-ending threats, Vigilantes is down in the dirt. It’s gritty. It’s street-level. It’s about the people who weren't "chosen" but decided to help anyway.
What’s the deal with My Hero Academia: Vigilantes?
Basically, this is a prequel. It takes place about five years before Izuku Midoriya ever stepped foot in U.A. High. The world is different. It’s not as polished. The "Hero System" is still figuring itself out, and the cracks in society are way more visible.
We follow Koichi Haimawari. He’s a college student who wanted to be a hero but just... didn't make the cut. His quirk is "Slide and Glide," which lets him scoot along the ground at the speed of a bicycle. It’s not flashy. It’s not a nuke. It’s just kind of okay.
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Then he meets Knuckleduster.
Knuckleduster is a middle-aged guy who has zero quirks and uses brass knuckles to punch the "Trigger" drug out of people’s systems. He’s basically the Batman of the MHA universe, but way more likely to get a beer with you. Along with an aspiring pop idol named Pop☆Step, they form an illegal hero team in the Naruhata district.
Why you should care about the 2026 anime release
If you’re just getting around to watching My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, you picked a hell of a time to start. Season 2 literally just dropped on January 5, 2026.
The first season, which aired back in early 2025, did a decent job setting the stage. But Season 2 is where the stakes get real. We’re finally seeing the "Osaka Incident Arc" and the deeper origins of the Trigger drug.
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Where to stream it
Currently, Crunchyroll is the exclusive home for the anime. They’re doing the simulcast thing, so you get the episodes the same day they air in Japan. If you’re a dub fan, you’re in luck—the English version (starring Jack Broadbent as Koichi) is releasing right alongside the sub.
It’s not just a spin-off—it’s vital lore
Some people think Vigilantes is just "extra credit." It’s not. If you want to understand the main series, this stuff is mandatory.
- Aizawa’s Backstory: You know that heart-wrenching stuff about Shirakumo and Kurogiri in the main show? That was actually fleshed out here first. Seeing Aizawa, Present Mic, and Midnight as young heroes-in-training hits way differently after you've seen their dynamic in Vigilantes.
- Stain’s Origin: Ever wonder why Hero Killer: Stain is so obsessed with "true heroes"? This series shows his transition from the vigilante "Stendhal" to the villain we know.
- The Trigger Drug: This becomes a major plot point later in the main series, but the investigation into where it came from and how it works is the backbone of the Vigilantes story.
The tone is just... better in some ways? It’s more urban. It feels like a superhero show mixed with a crime procedural. You get to see how the police actually feel about heroes. Hint: They think heroes are kind of annoying and messy.
Is it better than the original?
Look, I love the main series. But Koichi’s growth feels more earned than Deku’s. Deku got the most powerful quirk in the world handed to him on a silver platter (and some hair). Koichi has to figure out how to use a "useless" sliding quirk to survive fights against literal monsters.
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The power progression is slow. It’s logical. He doesn't just get a new ability because he screamed loud enough. He practices. He experiments.
Also, the villains are terrifying because they aren't trying to destroy the world; they’re trying to destroy a neighborhood. It feels personal.
Getting started: Your battle plan
If you’re ready to dive in, don't just jump into the middle.
- Watch Season 1 of the anime (13 episodes). It covers the initial meeting of the trio and the early skirmishes with the Trigger drug.
- Keep an eye out for cameos. You’ll see Tensei Ida (Tenya’s brother) before he was paralyzed, a younger Fat Gum, and even a very brief glimpse of Deku’s mom, Inko, which is a neat little Easter egg.
- Read the manga if you can’t wait. The manga finished in 2022 with 15 volumes. The art by Betten Court is incredible—it has this slightly scratchier, more "street" feel than Horikoshi’s main series art.
Honestly, just give it three episodes. By the time Knuckleduster starts throwing hands with a guy who has a giant chainsaw for an arm, you’ll be hooked.
Next Step: Head over to Crunchyroll and start with Episode 1, "I'm Here." It’s the perfect way to spend a weekend if you're feeling that post-main-series void.