Why I Watched It
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a spin-off of the popular My Hero Academia series. While I enjoy the original show, I wasn’t automatically sold on trying this one out. What really pulled me in was the word vigilante. Whether you see a vigilante as a rogue hero or someone who walks the line of ethics, there’s something about that concept that has always drawn me in. Knowing the story takes place before the MHA protagonist becomes “that guy” only made it more appealing. I was excited to see more worldbuilding in this universe.
Plot Mechanics
For a spin-off, Vigilantes has some of the best plot mechanics I’ve seen in a while. The storyline is simple and easy to follow, but the show turns what could have been a fun gimmick into something meaningful, complete with strong antagonists that bring real conflict. It didn’t go in the direction I expected, but it did a great job showing the role of vigilantes in a society that is still figuring itself out.
The worldbuilding is a major strength. You get to see how smaller communities handle everyday crime and how even small-time criminals, when they lose control, can have serious consequences for the larger world.
One of my favorite parts was seeing characters from the main series. Some were in their prime, others nearing the end of their journey, and all of them grew in new ways here. Without spoiling anything, we get a peek into a villain origin story, some added depth for top heroes, and more screen time for familiar faces.
Plot: 8.75 out of 10
Aesthetics and Vibes
I loved the vibe of this anime. Vigilantes blends action, slice of life, romance, and comedy in a way that really works. For a show centered on anti-heroes, that balance is impressive. If I had to nitpick, I would say they should have leaned more into the romance they teased early on. That said, both the opening and ending songs were absolute bangers. Possibly the best of Spring 2025.
Aesthetics and Vibes: 9.5 out of 10
Characters
The high-energy characters made this anime a blast to watch. The core cast all had distinct personalities but meshed well together.
Koichi Haimawari, the main character, is incredibly likable. He has a strong sense of justice but can be kind of a goof about it. His happy-go-lucky attitude made me root for him from beginning to end. He is kindhearted, flawed, and always shows up when it matters.
The supporting characters each brought their own flavor. Pop☆Step was a standout as a pseudo idol and vigilante, which is something you do not see every day. But Knuckleduster stole the show for me. He is the classic tough mystery character and added a great dynamic to the series. His mini-arc might be my favorite part of the whole show.
Characters: 10 out of 10
Art and Animation
The art and animation had a different feel from the main series, but it worked. While it does not match My Hero’s polish, and that is expected from a spin-off, it still looks great. I liked the fresh touches they added, like action bubbles during fight scenes. Seeing a “boom” or “whoosh” on screen gave it a fun comic book vibe.
Art and Animation: 7.75 out of 10
Final Thoughts
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is an easy recommendation. It was my favorite Spring anime this season. If you’re already a My Hero fan, this should be required viewing. It expands the world in meaningful ways. But even if you are not, there is still a lot here for casual viewers. It checks all the genre boxes and delivers a fun, straightforward story that never feels like a chore to watch. If you want an anime with great vibes that keeps things simple, this is a strong pick.
Overall Rating: 9.25 out of 10
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