The story and preview stills for Episode 5 of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, which begins airing on May 5, 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 5: “Judgment”

Pop☆Step always acts tough and finds it hard to be honest with Koichi. In truth, she’s hiding a past incident—something she’s yet to confess to him. Meanwhile, the villain Iwao Oguro, previously apprehended by Koichi and the others, returns to wreak havoc. Now powered by an even more potent version of “Trigger,” Iwao overwhelms Koichi… until an unexpected figure arrives on the scene.

Official Interview: Shūichirō Umeda (Koichi Haimawari) & Ikumi Hasegawa (Pop☆Step)

Q: In Episode 5, Pop displays a wide range of emotions. What do you find appealing about her character?
Umeda: Among the cast, Pop is the most expressive. Koichi’s expressions change depending on the scene, but he generally has a soft demeanor. Pop’s clearly defined emotions are what make her so charming.
Hasegawa: I think many viewers have wondered why Pop acts so confrontational toward Koichi. In this episode, her backstory comes to light, and I believe it’ll make her much more endearing. There’s something irresistibly cute about a girl who can’t be honest about her feelings!

Q: Ms. Hasegawa, what do you keep in mind when voicing Pop’s interactions with Koichi?
Hasegawa: Although Pop is expressive with her emotions, she suppresses her feelings for Koichi. I focus on that contrast, because her suppressed affection is part of what makes her so appealing.

Q: The series features many unique characters. Who’s your personal favorite?
Hasegawa: I love Kuin Hachisuka. She’s unpredictable and has an eerie, cool Quirk. I’m also a huge fan of Saika Senbongi’s performance—the way she infuses emotion into her acting makes me love the character even more.
Umeda: I totally agree. Kuin brings intensity whenever she shows emotion. As for me, Knuckleduster has really grown on me through voicing Koichi. The story wouldn't have started without him—he was the first to recognize Koichi’s heroic potential. I also admire that he doesn’t have a Quirk. In a society built around superpowers, he chooses to fight on through sheer determination. It’s a different kind of heroism—one with heart and grit.

Q: What was the most “intense” moment for you in Episode 5?
Hasegawa: The scene where Pop runs through the night to confess her feelings to Koichi. It’s not a battle scene, but it carries a different kind of emotional intensity. It was even part of the audition script, so it’s clearly a key moment. I recorded that scene several times, and it means a lot to me. I haven’t seen the final cut yet, so I’m looking forward to it.
Umeda: I think this episode will definitely win more people over to Pop, but it also really elevates Koichi’s appeal. Early on, many viewers might have seen him as a dull protagonist. But during a life-changing moment—his Hero Course entrance exam—he chose saving lives over his own future. He gave up becoming a pro hero to act heroically. That may seem foolish, but I find it incredibly inspiring.

Q: What should viewers pay attention to in Episode 5?
Hasegawa: This episode serves as a kind of answer key for everything Pop’s said and done up until now. Learning why she started tagging along with Koichi will make you love her even more.
Umeda: Through Pop’s backstory, I think viewers will gain a deeper appreciation for Koichi as well. Once you understand what she sees in him, you might just find yourself thinking, “Wow… Koichi is actually pretty cool!”

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!

Global Streaming Details

Premiered on April 7, 2025, in Japan, with international streaming on Crunchyroll.

United States & Canada: Crunchyroll – Mondays, 8:15 AM (PDT) / 11:15 AM (EDT)
India: Crunchyroll – Mondays, 8:45 PM (IST)
Other Regions: Crunchyroll – Mondays

Check the official website for up-to-date release schedules.

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

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Trailer

Source : My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Official