The story and preview stills for Episode 3 of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, which begins airing on April 21, have been released.
An interview with Ikumi Hasegawa, who voices Pop, is also included.

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 3: “The Bee”

Koichi, now going by “The Crawler” instead of “Nice Guy,” begins his activities as a vigilante. With Pop☆Step and Knuckleduster frequently showing up at his place, his daily life becomes more lively. Amid the new routine, a fan of Pop loses control after using “Trigger,” a dangerous drug. The berserk fan charges at Pop...

Official Comment from Ikumi Hasegawa, Voice of Pop☆Step

—— What aspects of the world of “Vigilante” do you find appealing?
Unlike the main characters of “My Hero Academia,” who attend U.A. High School—a place for the elite—the protagonists of “Vigilante” are just ordinary people with normal perspectives. That makes the story feel closer to viewers. Rather than a pure fantasy, it offers a more grounded experience, which I find captivating.

— What was your impression of Pop, and what makes her appealing?
My perception of Pop evolved while playing her. Initially, I thought she struggled to express her emotions verbally but made them obvious through her actions. So I played her with that in mind. However, after discussing with sound director Masafumi Mima, I was told, “If you express too much, her feelings will be too obvious. She’s not straightforward, so keep it subtle.” That’s when I realized Pop’s charm lies in how her feelings leak through, even when she tries to suppress them.

— Pop is known for her singing scenes. What were the challenges or things you focused on?
Since she’s described in the original manga as “off-key” or “tone-deaf,” I was worried about how badly I should sing. But during recording, I was told not to worry too much about singing poorly. I decided not to sing too well, either. Pop enjoys being an idol and genuinely wants to make people happy. So rather than focusing on vocal technique, I emphasized the emotion of wanting to bring joy to everyone.

— What’s a highlight or something to look out for in Episode 3?
This episode introduces a new character—Kuin Hachisuka. She’s a pivotal figure whose presence marks the beginning of major developments in “Vigilante.” Her appearance brings a sense of impending dread more than excitement. Please look forward to finding out who she is and what role she’ll play in the story.

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