A new chapter in the My Hero Academia universe is about to unfold. The highly anticipated anime adaptation of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes has revealed its main cast and a premiere date of April 7, 2025, in Japan. A new teaser trailer has also been released, giving fans a first look at the upcoming series.
The Vigilante Trio: Cast and Characters
The anime will focus on the adventures of three main characters, each with their own unique motivations and abilities.
- Koichi Haimawari, also known as The Crawler, will be voiced by Shūichirō Umeda. Koichi is a college freshman who dreams of becoming a hero but doesn’t quite have the qualifications. He resorts to vigilante activities after meeting Knuckleduster.
- Kazuho Haneyama, or Pop☆Step, is voiced by Ikumi Hasegawa. Pop☆Step is a self-proclaimed freelance idol who performs guerilla live shows and joins Koichi and Knuckleduster in their vigilante work.
- Oguro Iwao, better known as Knuckleduster, will be voiced by Yasuhiro Mamiya. Knuckleduster is not a qualified hero, but possesses incredible fighting skills. He recognizes Koichi’s potential and involves him in his vigilante activities.
Premiere Date and Where to Watch
The anime is scheduled to premiere on April 7, 2025, on Tokyo MX and BS NTV at 11:00 p.m. JST. It will also air on Yomiuri TV at 25:59 JST (effectively, April 8 at 1:59 a.m. JST). This schedule is for Japanese television, with details about international streaming or airing yet to be released.
Production Team
The My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime is being produced by BONES FILM, a newly established outfit from studio BONES. The production team includes:
- Director: Kenichi Suzuki (Cells at Work!, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
- Series Composition and Scripts: Yōsuke Kuroda (My Hero Academia)
- Character Design: Takahiko Yoshida (Cells at Work!, Yowamushi Pedal)
- Music: Yuki Hayashi, Shōgo Yamashiro, and Yūki Furuhashi (all returning from the main My Hero Academia anime)
- Art Director: Yukihiro Watanabe
- Color Designer: Haruko Nobori
- Director of Photography: Yingying Zhang
- 3DCG Director: Mizuki Sasaki
- Sound Director: Masafumi Mima
- Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose
Story and Setting
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a spin-off and prequel to the main My Hero Academia series, taking place about five years before the main storyline. The story revolves around Koichi Haimawari, who uses his modest Quirk to help others, despite not being a licensed hero. After a chance encounter with local thugs, he teams up with Pop☆Step and Knuckleduster. Together, they navigate the challenges of being heroes outside the official system. The manga, written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, ran from August 2016 to May 2022, comprising 15 volumes.
What to Expect
The teaser trailer offers a glimpse into the unique animation style and the high-energy action that fans can expect from the series. The animation of Koichi’s sliding movement, in particular, has been noted for its blend of goofiness and fittingness to the character. It also hints at a storyline where the vigilantes, though not officially recognized, still play a crucial role in protecting the city. The series will explore themes of heroism, responsibility, and the challenges faced by individuals who operate outside the established order. The series promises to deliver a blend of action, humor, and heartfelt moments, just like the main series.
The anime’s creators aim to delve into the lives of ordinary people who, despite not having the official backing of a hero license, choose to make a difference in their community. This dynamic will allow viewers to see a different perspective on the hero world of My Hero Academia.
