The highly anticipated anime adaptation of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes has confirmed that several voice actors from the original My Hero Academia series will be reprising their roles. This news has excited fans who are eager to see how the prequel series will tie into the main storyline. The anime is set to premiere in Japan on April 7, 2025.
Returning Cast Members
Five voice actors from the original My Hero Academia anime will return to voice their respective characters in Vigilantes. These include:
- Kenta Miyake as Toshinori Yagi/All Might.
- Junichi Suwabe as Shota Aizawa/Eraser Head.
- Hiroyuki Yoshino as Hizashi Yamada/Present Mic.
- Akeno Watanabe as Nemuri Kayama/Midnight.
- Masamichi Kitada as Tensei Iida/Ingenium.
These returning cast members will bring familiar voices and personalities to the prequel series, further connecting it to the established world of My Hero Academia.
New Main Characters and Their Voice Actors
The My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime will also feature new characters. The main trio of vigilantes are:
- Shūichirō Umeda as Kōichi Haimawari/The Crawler. Koichi is a college student who, unable to become an official hero, uses his Quirk to help others as a vigilante.
- Ikumi Hasegawa as Kazuho Haneyama/Pop Step. Kazuho is a self-proclaimed freelance idol who performs guerilla live shows and does vigilante work alongside Koichi and Knuckleduster.
- Yasuhiro Mamiya as Iwao Oguro/Knuckleduster. Knuckleduster is an unlicensed vigilante with hero-level fighting power who recruits Koichi.
These actors will bring the new vigilante team to life, showcasing their unique personalities and struggles.
Anime Production Details
The anime adaptation is being produced by BONES FILM, a new branch of the renowned Studio Bones. The production team includes:
- Director: Kenichi Suzuki (Cells at Work!, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
- Series Composition: Yōsuke Kuroda (My Hero Academia)
- Character Designer: Takahiko Yoshida (Cells at Work!)
- Music: Yuki Hayashi, Shogo Yamashiro and Yuki Furuhashi (My Hero Academia)
- Art Director: Yukihiro Watanabe
- Color Designer: Haruko Nobori
- Director of Photography: Yingying Zhang
- 3DCG Director: Mizuki Sasaki
- Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose
- Sound Director: Masafumi Mima
This talented team ensures that the anime will be of high quality and faithful to the original manga.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes – A Prequel Story
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a spin-off and prequel to the main My Hero Academia series. It’s based on the manga written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court. The story is set five years before the events of the main series, focusing on the lives of vigilantes operating outside of the official hero system.
Plot Overview
The story follows Koichi Haimawari, a college student who uses his Quirk to help people in his spare time, despite not being a licensed hero. After a run-in with thugs, Koichi teams up with the vigilante Knuckleduster and the freelance idol Pop Step. Together, they fight crime and try to make their city a better place.
Thematic Differences
The series explores themes of heroism outside the established system. Unlike the main series, which focuses on students training to become pro heroes, Vigilantes examines the motivations and challenges of those who choose to fight crime without the backing of the government. It delves into the idea of what it means to be a hero, even without official recognition.
Release Date and Where to Watch
The My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime is scheduled to premiere on April 7, 2025, in Japan. It will initially air on Tokyo MX and BS NTV channels at 11:00 p.m. JST, followed by Yomiuri TV at 25:59 JST (effectively, April 8 at 1:59 a.m. JST). International release details are expected to be announced at a later date.
The My Hero Academia Universe
The My Hero Academia franchise is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. The main series began serialization in July 2014 and concluded in August 2024, spanning 42 volumes. The story is set in a world where most of the population has superpowers, known as “Quirks.” It follows the journey of Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without a Quirk who aspires to become the world’s greatest hero.
The Original Manga and Anime
The My Hero Academia manga was adapted into an anime series by Studio Bones. The anime has been praised for its high-quality animation and faithfulness to the manga’s story. The anime’s first season aired in 2016, and the series is set to conclude with its eighth and final season in Fall 2025.
Canon Status of Vigilantes
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is considered canon by series creator Kōhei Horikoshi, meaning the events in the spin-off are part of the official My Hero Academia timeline. The story provides additional depth and context to the world of My Hero Academia, showcasing different facets of its superhero society.
Differences Between the Manga and Anime Adaptations
While the My Hero Academia anime is a mostly faithful adaptation of the manga, there are some minor differences. These can include variations in pacing, scene extensions, and the timing of certain events. However, the core story and major plot points remain consistent between the two mediums. The Vigilantes anime is expected to follow a similar approach, staying true to the source material while adapting it for animation.
The Significance of a Spinoff
The anime adaptation of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is significant for several reasons:
- Expanding the Universe: It provides a broader perspective on the world of My Hero Academia, exploring the lives of individuals outside the hero academy setting.
- Exploring New Themes: The series introduces themes of vigilantism and its ethical implications, offering a contrast to the established hero system.
- Providing Backstory: It offers a look at the world before the rise of Izuku Midoriya, showing the actions of familiar characters in their younger years.
- Engaging Fans: It provides more content for fans of My Hero Academia, keeping the franchise relevant and exciting even as the main series comes to an end.
Conclusion
The confirmation of returning cast members from the main My Hero Academia series in the Vigilantes anime has sparked excitement and anticipation amongst fans. The series promises to deliver a new take on the superhero world with an engaging story, unique characters, and a fresh perspective on heroism. With a talented production team and a confirmed release date, the My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime is poised to be a major hit.
