BrandWikiReturn

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes (ヴィジランテ -僕のヒーローアカデミア ILLEGALS-) is a Japanese manga series written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court. It is both a spin-off and a prequel to Kōhei Horikoshi's manga series My Hero Academia. It was serialized in Shueisha's Jump Giga in August 2016, but was transferred to Shueisha's online magazine, Shōnen Jump+, in October of the same year, with its chapters additionally collected in 15 volumes. An anime television series adaptation produced by Bones Film aired from April to June 2025. A second season aired from January to March 2026.

Plot

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes takes place five years before the events of the main series.[1] The story follows Koichi Haimawari, a young man who uses his Quirk to help others despite not being a licensed Hero. After he and the street performer Kazuho Haneyama are attacked by a group of thugs, they are saved by the strong vigilante Knuckleduster, who recruits Koichi and Kazuho to become vigilantes themselves.

Media

Manga

Written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes started in Shueisha's Jump Giga magazine on August 20, 2016, and was transferred to Shōnen Jump+ in October of that year.[2][3][4] The series ended on May 28, 2022.[5] Shueisha has collected its chapters into individual volumes. The first volume was released on April 4, 2017, and the 15th and final volume was released on July 4, 2022. A "special arc" one-shot manga was published in Shonen Jump+ on April 15, 2025.[6] The series is licensed for the English-language release in North America by Viz Media.[7]

Volumes

Volumes

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced at the Jump Festa '25 event on December 22, 2024. It is produced by Bones Film and directed by Kenichi Suzuki, with Yōsuke Kuroda writing the scripts, Takahiko Yoshida designing the characters, and Yuki Hayashi, Shogo Yamashiro, and Yuki Furuhashi composing the music. The series aired from April 7 to June 30, 2025, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[38][39][40][41] The opening theme song is "Kekka Orai" (けっかおーらい), performed by Kocchi no Kento, while the ending theme song is "Speed" (スピード), performed by yutori.[42] Crunchyroll is streaming the series.[43] Medialink licensed the series in South, Southeast Asia and Oceania (except Australia and New Zealand) for streaming on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.[44][45]

Following the first season's final episode, a second season was announced and aired January 5 to March 30, 2026.[46][47][48] The opening theme song is "Catch", performed by Surii, while the ending theme song is "Miss You", performed by shytaupe.[48] Crunchyroll is streaming the second season.[49]

Episodes

Season 1 (2025)

Season 2 (2026)

Season 1 (2025)

Season 2 (2026)

Episodes

Season 1 (2025)

Season 2 (2026)

Season 1 (2025)

Season 2 (2026)

Reception

The first volume of the manga sold 18,909 copies on the weekly Oricon's manga chart;[54] volume 2 sold 21,123 copies in September 2017;[55] volume 3 sold 11,468 copies in February 2018;[56] volume 4 sold 15,725 copies in April;[57] volume 5 sold 16,251 copies in September;[58] and volume 6 sold 16,118 copies in February 2019.[59] In North America, the volumes of the manga were ranked on NPD BookScan's monthly top 20 adult graphic novels list since July 2018,[60] while it was among the top 20 manga graphic novels list in September and October 2018.[61]

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes was chosen as one of the "Best Manga" in 2018,[62] while it was listed in the "Underrated but Awesome Manga" category in 2019 at the San Diego Comic-Con Best and Worst Manga panel.[63] Barnes & Noble named the series on their list of "Our Favorite Manga of 2018", stating that it may be more entertaining than the original. The website also wrote: "While some of the characters of the original series drop in from time to time, Vigilantes is really a whole new story set in the world of the original, exploiting a different set of possibilities, and completely enjoyable on its own."[64]

External links

References

  1. Nick Valdez. My Hero Academia Reveals its Most Direct Tie-In to Vigilantes Spin-Off Yet ComicBook.com, December 9, 2019, retrieved August 9, 2023^
  2. Alex Mateo. My Hero Academia Spinoff Manga Vigilante Relaunches on Shonen Jump+ Anime News Network, December 8, 2016, retrieved March 19, 2021^
  3. Karen Ressler. My Hero Academia Gets 'Vigilante' Spinoff Manga Anime News Network, July 19, 2016, retrieved March 19, 2021^
  4. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Weekly Shōnen Jump, November 17, 2015, retrieved March 19, 2021^
  5. Crystalyn Hodgkins. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Spinoff Manga Ends in Next Chapter on May 28 Anime News Network, May 13, 2022, retrieved May 14, 2022^
  6. Joanna Cayanan. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Spinoff Manga Gets New 1-Shot Story Anime News Network, April 13, 2025, retrieved April 14, 2025^
  7. Rafael Antonio Pineda. Viz Media Licenses That Blue Sky Feeling Manga for Summer 2018 Release Anime News Network, November 17, 2017, retrieved March 19, 2021^
  8. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-881093-5 Shueisha, retrieved March 19, 2021^
  9. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 1 Viz Media, retrieved May 5, 2018^
  10. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-881249-6 Shueisha, retrieved May 5, 2018^
  11. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 2 Viz Media, retrieved August 15, 2018^
  12. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-881335-6 Shueisha, retrieved May 5, 2018^
  13. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 3 Viz Media, retrieved November 9, 2018^
  14. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-881428-5 Shueisha, retrieved May 5, 2018^
  15. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 4 Viz Media, retrieved July 22, 2019^
  16. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-881547-3 Shueisha, retrieved November 9, 2018^
  17. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 5 Viz Media, retrieved July 22, 2019^
  18. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-881739-2 Shueisha, retrieved December 22, 2018^
  19. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 6 Viz Media, retrieved July 22, 2019^
  20. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-881839-9 Shueisha, retrieved October 25, 2019^
  21. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 7 Viz Media, retrieved October 26, 2019^
  22. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-882090-3 Shueisha, retrieved November 9, 2019^
  23. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 8 Viz Media, retrieved September 16, 2020^
  24. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-882240-2 集英社 ― SHUEISHA ―, Shueisha, retrieved September 16, 2020^
  25. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 9 Viz Media, retrieved September 16, 2020^
  26. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-882395-9 Shueisha, retrieved October 15, 2020^
  27. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 10 Viz Media, retrieved September 16, 2020^
  28. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-882484-0 Shueisha, retrieved January 2, 2021^
  29. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 11 Viz Media, retrieved August 1, 2021^
  30. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-882610-3 Shueisha, retrieved March 17, 2021^
  31. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 12 Viz Media, retrieved January 3, 2022^
  32. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-882747-6 Shueisha, retrieved October 23, 2021^
  33. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 13 Viz Media, retrieved May 23, 2022^
  34. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-882859-6 Shueisha, retrieved October 23, 2021^
  35. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 14 Viz Media, retrieved January 28, 2023^
  36. https://www.shueisha.co.jp/books/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-883177-0 Shueisha, retrieved July 6, 2022^
  37. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 15 Viz Media, retrieved June 23, 2023^
  38. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/604897 Comic Natalie, Natasha, Inc, December 22, 2024, retrieved December 22, 2024^
  39. Crystalyn Hodgkins. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Spinoff Manga Gets TV Anime in April 2025 Anime News Network, December 21, 2024, retrieved December 22, 2024^
  40. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/608642 Comic Natalie, Natasha, Inc, January 22, 2025, retrieved January 22, 2025^
  41. Joanna Cayanan. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Anime Reveals Main Cast, April 7 Debut in Teaser Trailer Anime News Network, January 22, 2025, retrieved January 22, 2025^
  42. Alex Mateo. Rock Band yutori Perform My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Anime's Ending Theme Song Anime News Network, March 22, 2025, retrieved March 22, 2025^
  43. Rafael Antonio Pineda. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Anime's Trailer Reveals, Previews Opening Song Anime News Network, March 10, 2025, retrieved March 10, 2025^
  44. 🌸 #Medialink April 2025 New Anime Line-Up🌸💥 My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is coming to Ani-One Asia ULTRA! Ani-One Asia, March 26, 2025, retrieved March 26, 2025^
  45. Rafael Antonio Pineda. Ani-One Asia Streams MHA: Vigilantes, Sword of the Demon Hunter, Anne Shirley, The Shiunji Family Children Anime Anime News Network, March 26, 2025, retrieved March 26, 2025^
  46. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/630286 Comic Natalie, Natasha, Inc, June 30, 2025, retrieved June 30, 2025^
  47. Crystalyn Hodgkins. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Anime's 2nd Season Debuts in January 2026 Anime News Network, September 20, 2025, retrieved September 21, 2025^
  48. Crystalyn Hodgkins. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Anime's 2nd Season Reveals January 5 Debut, Theme Songs in Trailer Anime News Network, December 6, 2025, retrieved December 7, 2025^
  49. Anita Tai. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Anime Gets 2nd Season in 2026 Anime News Network, June 30, 2025, retrieved June 30, 2025^
  50. Vijirante -Boku no Hīrō Akademia Irīgarusu- Terebi Anime Kōshiki Saito vigilante-anime.com, retrieved January 2, 2026^
  51. Watch My Hero Academia: Vigilantes - Crunchyroll Crunchyroll, retrieved April 7, 2025^
  52. Vijirante -Boku no Hīrō Akademia Irīgarusu- Terebi Anime Kōshiki Saito vigilante-anime.com, retrieved April 5, 2025^
  53. Vijirante -Boku no Hīrō Akademia Irīgarusu- Terebi Anime Kōshiki Saito vigilante-anime.com, retrieved January 2, 2026^
  54. Karen Ressler. Japanese Comic Ranking, April 3–9 Anime News Network, April 12, 2017, retrieved August 14, 2023^
  55. Karen Ressler. Japanese Comic Ranking, September 4–10 Anime News Network, September 13, 2017, retrieved August 14, 2023^
  56. Karen Ressler. Japanese Comic Ranking, January 29–February 4 Anime News Network, February 7, 2018, retrieved August 14, 2023^
  57. Karen Ressler. Japanese Comic Ranking, April 2–8 Anime News Network, April 11, 2018, retrieved August 14, 2023^
  58. Karen Ressler. Japanese Comic Ranking, September 3–9 Anime News Network, September 12, 2018, retrieved August 14, 2023^
  59. Egan Loo. Japanese Comic Ranking, February 4–10 Anime News Network, February 14, 2019, retrieved August 14, 2023^
  60. BookScan's ranking for each month: Alex Mateo. One-Punch Man Ranks #2 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan July List Anime News Network, August 14, 2018, retrieved August 14, 2023 Karen Ressler. My Hero Academia Takes 9 Spots in Top 20 U.S. Bookscan List for August Anime News Network, September 11, 2018, retrieved August 14, 2023 Jennifer Sherman. My Hero Academia Manga Takes 7 of Top 20 Spots on U.S. Monthly Bookscan October List Anime News Network, November 5, 2018, retrieved August 14, 2023 Jennifer Sherman. My Hero Academia Manga Takes 7 of Top 20 Spots on U.S. Monthly Bookscan November List Anime News Network, December 14, 2018, retrieved August 14, 2023 Rafael Antonio Pineda. Dragon Ball Super Manga Tops U.S. Monthly Bookscan January List Anime News Network, February 21, 2019, retrieved August 14, 2023 Crystalyn Hodgkins. My Hero Academia Takes 9 of Top 20 Spots on U.S. Monthly Bookscan March List Anime News Network, April 15, 2019, retrieved August 14, 2023 Crystalyn Hodgkins. My Hero Academia Manga Franchise Takes 10 of Top 20 Spots on U.S. Monthly Bookscan April List Anime News Network, May 16, 2019, retrieved August 14, 2023 Alex Mateo. Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Manga Ranks #4 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan July List Anime News Network, August 13, 2019, retrieved August 14, 2023 Adriana Hazra. My Hero Academia Ranks at #2 on U.S. Monthly BookScan June List Anime News Network, July 14, 2020, retrieved August 14, 2023 Adriana Hazra. Chainsaw Man Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan July List Anime News Network, August 8, 2021, retrieved August 14, 2023^
  61. BookScan's Manga Graphic Novels ranking list: Karen Ressler. Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Ranks #3 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan September List Anime News Network, October 19, 2018, retrieved August 14, 2023 Jennifer Sherman. My Hero Academia Takes 11 of Top 20 Spots on U.S. Monthly Bookscan October Manga List Anime News Network, November 8, 2018, retrieved August 14, 2023^
  62. Lynzee Loveridge. Best and Worst Manga of 2018 Results - Comic-Con International Anime News Network, July 24, 2018, retrieved January 11, 2021^
  63. Lynzee Loveridge. Best and Worst Manga of 2019 Results - Comic-Con International Anime News Network, July 22, 2019, retrieved March 19, 2021^
  64. Brigid Alverson. Our Favorite Manga of 2018 Barnes & Noble, December 20, 2018, retrieved June 26, 2020^