Toho Co., Ltd. has officially released a new trailer, key visuals, and crucial details about My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, a highly anticipated spinoff series set before the events of My Hero Academia. The new anime adaptation is based on the manga written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, with original creator Kohei Horikoshi’s influence shaping its narrative.
The series is scheduled to premiere on Monday, April 7, 2025, and will be available for streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll in all regions outside of Asia. Episodes will release weekly, coinciding with the Japanese broadcast.
A Darker Take on Heroism: Exploring the Underground World of Vigilantes
Unlike the main series, which follows the structured path of young heroes training at U.A. High School, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes dives into the grittier reality of unlicensed heroes who operate outside the law. The story takes place five years before the events of My Hero Academia and follows Koichi Haimawari, a seemingly ordinary college student who once dreamed of becoming a hero. His life takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with the mysterious vigilante Knuckleduster and the rebellious street performer Pop☆Step. Together, they take justice into their own hands, filling the gaps left by professional heroes who either ignore or fail to protect the most vulnerable.
This series presents a darker, more morally complex perspective on heroism, tackling themes of justice, corruption, and the consequences of an overly regulated hero system.
Crunchyroll’s Commitment to Expanding the My Hero Academia Franchise
Crunchyroll’s Chief Content Officer Asa Suehira expressed enthusiasm for the spinoff, emphasizing the platform’s dedication to bringing high-quality anime content to global audiences.
“My Hero Academia has captivated fans worldwide for nearly a decade, and now My Hero Academia: Vigilantes offers an exciting new perspective on the world this franchise loves. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with TOHO and bring this highly anticipated spinoff to audiences around the globe.”
Crunchyroll’s exclusive streaming rights ensure that fans worldwide, except in Asia, can experience the series at the same time as Japan, maintaining the anime’s momentum in the global market.
New Trailer Highlights Gritty Action and Emotional Depth
The newly released trailer provides an in-depth look at the underground battles, high-stakes confrontations, and emotional struggles that define My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.
One of the most striking elements of the trailer is the introduction of the opening theme song titled “Kekka Orai”, performed by Kocchi no Kento, a rising artist best known for the viral hit “Hai Yorokonde”. The song’s intense energy and rebellious tone perfectly align with the show’s themes of defiance and self-made heroism.
The trailer also teases Koichi’s unique Quirk, Slip and Glide, which allows him to move effortlessly along surfaces, albeit with limitations. His evolution from a passive bystander to an active protector of the innocent is central to the story.
A Powerhouse Creative Team Bringing Vigilantes to Life
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes boasts a highly accomplished team of animators, writers, and designers.
Key Staff Members
- Director: Kenichi Suzuki (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, Cells at Work!)
- Series Composition and Script: Yosuke Kuroda (My Hero Academia, Trigun)
- Character Design: Takahiko Yoshida (Cells at Work!)
- Art Director: Yukihiro Watanabe (SSSS.Gridman)
- Color Design: Haruko Nobori (The Faraway Paladin)
- Director of Photography: Yingying Zhang (The Case Study of Vanitas)
- 3DCG Director: Mizuki Sasaki (My Hero Academia)
- Editing: Kiyoshi Hirose (Fire Force)
- Music Composition: Yuki Hayashi (My Hero Academia, Haikyu!!), Shogo Yamashiro, and Yuki Furuhashi
- Sound Director: Masafumi Mima (My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan)
The animation is produced by Bones Film, a division of Studio Bones, ensuring high-quality action sequences and emotionally resonant storytelling that align with the franchise’s legacy.
Official Synopsis: A World Where Not All Heroes Are Licensed
“Koichi Haimawari is a dull college student who once dreamed of becoming a hero but has long since given up on that goal. In a world where 80 percent of the population has superhuman powers known as Quirks, becoming a hero is a privilege reserved for the few who are chosen. Everything changes for Koichi when he and the rogue performer Pop☆Step are saved by the vigilante Knuckleduster. Now part of a team of underground heroes, Koichi discovers that true heroism doesn’t always follow the rules.”
My Hero Academia’s Legacy and What Vigilantes Means for the Franchise
The main My Hero Academia series, created by Kohei Horikoshi, has been a global phenomenon, garnering critical and commercial success with its compelling characters, high-intensity battles, and deeply emotional storytelling.
With the eighth and final season of My Hero Academia confirmed for Fall 2025, Vigilantes arrives at the perfect time to expand the franchise’s mythology. By focusing on characters who exist outside the structured hero system, this prequel challenges the very foundation of heroism, justice, and moral responsibility.
Where to Watch and How to Stay Updated
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes will be available for streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll in all territories except Asia, with new episodes dropping every Monday, beginning April 7, 2025.
For those eager to dive into the action, watch the official trailer below:
Stay tuned for more updates as the premiere date approaches.
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