The story and preview stills for Episode 6 of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, which begins airing on May 12, 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 6: “The Line”

Stendhal, who saved Koichi and showed sympathy for his ideals, harbors a twisted belief: he murders those he deems evil under the guise of "judgment." Due to Hachisuka’s manipulation, Stendhal sets his sights on his next targets—Soga and his two companions. Determined to protect his friends, Soga prepares to face the threat alone...

Official Interview with Shūichirō Umeda (Voice of Koichi) & Takeshi Inoue (Voice of Stendhal)

— Mr. Inoue, you previously portrayed Stain in My Hero Academia. What was it like to play his earlier self, Stendhal, in Vigilante?
Inoue: I was aware of Vigilante, but I hadn’t read it when I joined My Hero Academia. I never imagined it would be adapted into anime, and that I’d get to play Chizome Akaguro before he became Stain. I was genuinely excited for the recording sessions, and it turned out to be a really fun experience.

— Was there anything you focused on or found difficult in the role?
Inoue: I initially thought I could just act using the same tone as Stain from My Hero Academia, but after reading the script, I was surprised by how polite he was—calling Koichi “kimi” and addressing Knuckleduster with formality. Unlike Stain, who had solidified his beliefs, Stendhal still communicated with others. I had to tone down the madness that defined Stain and that contrast made it more challenging.

— Episode 6 features intense battles: Stendhal vs. Koichi, and Stendhal vs. Knuckleduster. What are your thoughts after performing those scenes?
Inoue: It reminded me just how powerful Stain was, even back in his Stendhal days. His Quirk, "Bloodcurdle," paralyzes opponents by licking their blood. But to activate it, he must first wound them. That means he has to be strong enough to land a hit without relying solely on his Quirk. This made me realize how thoroughly he had trained and how formidable he was even without powers.

— Mr. Umeda, what was your impression of the Stendhal vs. Knuckleduster battle?
Umeda: We already knew Knuckleduster was strong, but this scene emphasized the tension more than any other in the series so far, thanks to Stendhal’s ferocity and madness. Knuckleduster’s victory almost felt like cheating—which made it uniquely Vigilante. Despite Stendhal’s terrifying nature, there’s an undeniable charisma to him that makes him feel… cool. It’s a scene rich in conflicting emotions and allure.

— After fighting Knuckleduster, Stendhal begins transforming into Stain. Did you intentionally adjust your performance to show the difference between Vigilante and My Hero Academia?
Inoue: I didn’t try to maintain continuity in the acting itself, but I was very conscious of the ideological differences. In My Hero Academia, Stain had a clear creed: to purge fake heroes. Stendhal hasn’t fully reached that conviction yet. His battle with Knuckleduster is what solidifies that resolve. While the character evolves, his unwavering commitment to his beliefs remains consistent—and that was something I kept in mind.

— What should viewers look out for in Episode 6?
Umeda: The fight between Knuckleduster and Stendhal really reveals what kind of hero Knuckleduster is. You also get to witness the moment when Stendhal truly becomes Stain. It’s a thrilling episode not just for Vigilante fans, but for My Hero Academia fans too.

Inoue: I agree. Episode 6 shows the turning point where Stendhal becomes Stain. If you’ve ever wondered how he formed his infamous ideals, this is the episode that answers that. It’s a crucial bridge to My Hero Academia, and definitely one worth watching.

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