My Hero Academia: Vigilantes continues to deliver a compelling blend of slice-of-life moments and hard-hitting action, and episode 11, titled “The Day Of,” is no exception. Released on June 16, 2025, this episode masterfully balances Pop Step’s preparations for her Narufest concert with Knuckleduster’s confrontation with the bee-controlling villain, Hachisuka, revealing a shocking connection between them.
Narufest Preparations: Pop Step Takes Center Stage
The episode dedicates a significant portion to the Narufest event, providing a welcome break from the usual vigilante work. Pop Step, with Koichi acting as her manager, prepares for her performance at the Marukane Department Store. This allows the anime to showcase its creative freedom by prioritizing fun and spectacle.
Girl Power & Idol Antics
Episode 11 shines by focusing on its female characters. Makoto Tsukauchi continues to support Pop Step, mirroring her earlier mentorship of Koichi. The introduction of the twin idols, Yu and Miu from FeatherS, adds another layer to the narrative.
A minor conflict arises when Miu suffers an injury, potentially jeopardizing the group’s performance. This leads to some “high school antics,” as a duo of sisters expresses their dislike for Pop Step, believing themselves to be superior performers. Makoto intervenes, suggesting a competition to resolve the issue. Ultimately, Pop Step demonstrates her selflessness by sacrificing her main spot to ensure everyone can participate, showcasing her growth and maturity.
Heroes in the Audience
The episode also features appearances from familiar faces like Present Mic and Midnight, who are excited to attend the event. Even Eraser Head makes an appearance, albeit reluctantly, humorously wishing for a villain to appear so he has an excuse to leave. This lightheartedness contrasts sharply with the darker events unfolding elsewhere in the episode.
Knuckleduster’s Dark Revelation: A Father’s Anguish
While Pop Step deals with the pressures of performance, Knuckleduster continues his pursuit of the bee-controlling villain, Hachisuka. This storyline takes a dramatic turn when Knuckleduster confronts Hachisuka and reveals her true identity: Tamao Oguro, his daughter.
A Sinister Connection
The revelation that Hachisuka is actually Tamao, possessed or controlled by the bee user, adds a deeply personal dimension to Knuckleduster’s mission. This twist transforms him from a simple vigilante into a troubled father driven by a desperate need to save his daughter. The episode doesn’t shy away from the unsettling nature of this connection, raising questions about how and why Tamao ended up in this situation.
A Clash of Styles
The confrontation between Knuckleduster and Hachisuka highlights a contrast in fighting styles. Knuckleduster, a melee-oriented fighter, faces off against Hachisuka’s unpredictable and manipulative tactics. She attacks him with bomb bees, which explode upon contact. Knuckleduster remains unfazed, pressing forward in his attempt to reach his daughter. This clash leaves viewers eager to see which style will prevail.
The Day Of: Chaos Erupts
As the Marukane event begins, a blackout plunges the city into darkness. This sets the stage for chaos, both at the event and in Knuckleduster’s battle against Hachisuka.
Teruo’s Rampage
Amidst the blackout, Teruo, in his gigantic Electric Eel form, emerges and begins rampaging through the city, attempting to reach the concert venue. Eraser Head attempts to stop him, but his Erasure Quirk proves ineffective against the Instant Villain. He is forced to resort to restraining Teruo with his bandages, buying time until the police can arrive.
Knuckleduster’s Resolve
Knuckleduster confronts Hachisuka, addressing her as Tamao and urging her to come home. He reveals that the real Kuin Hachisuka has taken over his daughter’s body. Despite Hachisuka’s attempts to confuse him and the danger posed by her bomb bees, Knuckleduster remains focused on saving his daughter. He even uses shock gauntlets in an attempt to subdue Hachisuka without causing lasting harm to Tamao’s body.
Overall Impression: Balancing Light and Dark
“My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” Episode 11 successfully balances the lightheartedness of Pop Step’s idol aspirations with the dark and personal conflict of Knuckleduster’s past. The episode uses the slice-of-life elements to create a sense of normalcy that is then shattered by the shocking revelations and intense action.
While some reviews suggest that the episode suffers from unnecessary explanations and a lack of focus on Pop Step’s struggles, the majority agree that the Knuckleduster storyline is the strongest element. The reveal of Hachisuka’s identity and Knuckleduster’s unwavering resolve to save his daughter provide a compelling emotional core to the episode.
Where to Watch
“My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” is available for streaming on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Ani-One Asia Ultra, and Bilibili.
Cast
- Shuichiro Umeda as Koichi Haimawari/The Crawler
- Ikumi Hasegawa as Kazuho Haneyama/Pop Step
- Yasuhiro Mamiya as Knuckleduster
Episode Highlights
- Pop Step’s dedication to her performance and her willingness to sacrifice her own spotlight for the benefit of others.
- The shocking reveal of Hachisuka’s true identity as Knuckleduster’s daughter, Tamao Oguro.
- Knuckleduster’s unwavering resolve to save his daughter, even if it means fighting her.
- The appearance of familiar “My Hero Academia” characters like Present Mic, Midnight, and Eraser Head.
- The post-episode illustration featuring Knuckleduster and Hachisuka, highlighting the intensity of their conflict.
“My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” Episode 11 sets the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the season, leaving viewers eager to see how Knuckleduster will save his daughter and how the events at Narufest will unfold.
