The story and preview stills for Episode 4 of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, which begins airing on April 28, have been released.

My Hero Academia Vigilantes Introduction

They couldn't become heroes... but they still want to save people!
A grounded coming-of-age story about Illegals—unlicensed heroes trying to make a difference!

Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia, serialized for over ten years in Weekly Shonen Jump, has become a global phenomenon.
Now, the official spinoff series My Hero Academia: Vigilantes – ILLEGALS is finally getting an anime adaptation!

Originally serialized on Shonen Jump+, with a story by Hideyuki Furuhashi and art by Betten Court, Vigilantes takes place a few years before the events of My Hero Academia.

In this world, around 80% of the global population possesses supernatural powers known as “Quirks.”
In such a chaotic superhuman society, a select few are licensed as professional heroes who protect civilians from accidents, disasters, and villains who exploit their powers.
But not everyone chosen to be a hero can ignore someone in need.
This is the story of the unlicensed heroes—Vigilantes—who act outside the law to protect the people in front of them.

Episode 4: “Top Runner”

While training his Quirk “Slide and Glide,” Koichi Haimawari—also known as The Crawler—has a fateful encounter with the “Turbo Hero,” Ingenium. Noticing Koichi’s unique Quirk and potential, Ingenium invites him to join his agency.

Meanwhile, a villainous street racer wreaks havoc in Naruhata, causing a series of dangerous road incidents. As a life-threatening showdown unfolds between Ingenium and the villain, Koichi finds himself drawn into the high-speed clash.

Official Comment from Ikumi Hasegawa, Voice of Pop☆Step

――What similarities do you see between My Hero Academia and Vigilantes, and what makes Vigilantes unique?

Masamichi Kitada: My Hero Academia focuses on professional heroes, while Vigilantes is centered around vigilantes. It’s like comparing Abarenbo Shogun with Hissatsu Shigotonin—they share the same roots, but the perspectives are different. Both stories unfold in a world of Quirks, and both explore how people interact with society, affirm their identity, and find pride. I think Vigilantes emphasizes those emotional elements even more. It will likely resonate with people who feel insecure about their appearance or personality—and that’s what I personally love about it.

Shūichirō Umeda: Unlike Deku in My Hero Academia, Koichi, the protagonist of Vigilantes, once gave up on becoming a pro hero. Seeing the story from his perspective adds a new layer to the MHA universe. While Deku’s relentless pursuit of his dream is moving, Koichi’s viewpoint highlights different truths—like how many of us in the real world come to terms with what we can’t do. Watching Koichi, who lived a regular life, meet Knuckleduster and Pop☆Step and grow into his own justice—that’s what makes this hero story so unique.

――Mr. Kitada, you’ve also voiced characters in My Hero Academia. When did you first discover Vigilantes?

Kitada: I read the original manga over five years ago. I bought the volumes because I really wanted to see Ingenium in action. In My Hero Academia, Ingenium had already been defeated by Stain when he first appeared—so seeing him actually run in Vigilantes was thrilling. I remember how happy I felt.

――Ingenium appears more prominently here as a reliable, admirable hero that Koichi looks up to. What do you find most appealing about his character?

Kitada: One part that wasn’t really shown in My Hero Academia is how Ingenium leads his team—Team IDATEN, made up of sidekicks and support staff. In Episode 4, he even tries to recruit Koichi. He’s someone who’s willing to bring others into his mission with full resolve. He marches toward the justice he believes in and has the strength to inspire and involve others. Playing him in Vigilantes made me feel like he truly is someone destined to be a hero.

Read the full interview on the official site: http://vigilante-anime.com/

Cast

Koichi Haimawari / The Crawler: Shūichirō Umeda
Kazuho Haneyama / Pop☆Step: Ikumi Hasegawa
Iwao Oguro / Knuckleduster: Yasuhiro Mamiya
Shota Aizawa / Eraser Head: Junichi Suwabe
Tenya Ida / Ingenium: Kaito Ishikawa
Soga Kugisaki: Kōsuke Toriumi
Kuin Hachisuka: Saika Senbongi

Staff

Original Work: My Hero Academia: Vigilantes by Hideyuki Furuhashi, Betten Court, and Kōhei Horikoshi (Shueisha Jump Comics)
Director: Kenichi Suzuki
Series Composition & Script: Yōsuke Kuroda
Character Design: Takahiko Yoshida
Art Director: Yukihiro Watanabe
Color Design: Haruko Nobori
Director of Photography: Yingying Zhang
3DCG Director: Mizuki Sasaki
Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose
Music: Yuki Hayashi, Shogo Yamashiro, Yūki Furuhashi
Sound Director: Masafumi Mima
Animation Production: BONES FILM
Opening Theme: "Kekka Orai" by Kocchi no Kento
Ending Theme: "Speed" by yutori

My Hero Academia Vigilantes Story

Koichi Haimawari is a mediocre college student who once dreamed of becoming a hero—but gave up on that path long ago.

His secret hobby? Dressing up like All Might and roaming the streets, pretending to be a hero while helping those in need.
Koichi’s ordinary life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters Pop☆Step, a self-proclaimed idol who performs unauthorized guerrilla concerts, and Knuckleduster, a mysterious masked man calling himself a “cleaner of scum.”

Drawn into their world, Koichi finds himself involved in underground hero activities.
Are they criminals disturbing public order? Or vigilantes fighting for justice?
The story of the Illegals—unlicensed heroes—begins now!

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Opening Theme: "Kekka Orai" by Kocchi no Kento

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Trailer

Source : My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Official