My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Episode 10 Story and Release Date Update: Knuckleduster’s hidden past and Hachisuka’s true form collide
The story and preview stills for Episode 10 of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, which begins airing on June 9, have been released.
Main visual for My Hero Academia: Vigilantes (© Hideyuki Furuhashi, Betten Court, Kohei Horikoshi/Shueisha, Vigilantes Production Committee)
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 10: “Event Kickoff!”
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes (© Hideyuki Furuhashi, Betten Court, Kohei Horikoshi/Shueisha, Vigilantes Production Committee)
Pop receives an invitation to perform at “Naru-Fes,” a grand reopening event for Marukane Department Store. Though hesitant at first, she's encouraged by Koichi and Knuckleduster to take on the challenge. Meanwhile, Knuckleduster continues his covert investigation into Kuin Hachisuka’s true identity—an effort rooted in a personal secret.
Official Interview with Yasuhiro Mamiya, Voice of Knuckleduster
Yasuhiro Mamiya
On Portraying a Vulnerable Side of Knuckleduster
In Episode 10’s opening, we see Knuckleduster confronting a family matter, a stark contrast to his usual tough demeanor. Yasuhiro Mamiya recalls how difficult it was to portray Knuckleduster gently comforting his physically and emotionally unwell wife. Though he initially delivered the lines with a soft tone, sound director Mr. Miwa advised him otherwise: “If you sound too kind, it’ll feel like she's about to die,” he said with a laugh. This feedback helped Mamiya realize that maintaining a sense of normalcy can be its own form of support.
What Resonates with Knuckleduster’s Character
Mamiya admits he doesn’t dislike Knuckleduster’s approach of solving problems through sheer force—especially given his own interest in martial arts. As a father himself, Mamiya also feels a deep empathy for Knuckleduster’s struggles as a parent, which lends authenticity to his performance.
On the Mysterious Kuin Hachisuka
Among all the female characters in Vigilante, Mamiya says Kuin Hachisuka is his favorite. “She grins as she commits heinous acts—it’s just perfect,” he says. He appreciates her cold, clinical villainy, treating people as mere test subjects, and finds her schoolgirl disguise particularly clever. Mamiya praises Saika Senbongi’s performance as elevating Hachisuka to a new level. Her lethargic, mumbled delivery in the recording booth nailed the character’s vibe so well that it “clicked” with his mental image of her voice from the manga.
Hachisuka’s Emotional Outburst Is Coming
Mamiya teases that an upcoming scene will show a new side of Hachisuka—an emotional outburst that sharply contrasts her usual composure. He encourages fans to look forward to this dramatic shift.
Highlights from Episode 10
Mamiya is also fond of Soga Kugisaki, who now follows Knuckleduster’s orders despite his villainous debut. A touching moment shows Soga’s concern for Koichi and Pop, though he struggles to show it openly. Another favorite scene is when Pop looks up at Koichi and asks, “What do you think?” Mamiya calls out the animation team’s extra effort and Ikumi Hasegawa’s performance in making Pop irresistibly cute—an unmissable moment for fans.
The Animation Team’s Devotion to Pop
Back in Episode 1, Mamiya had already noted the team's dedication to animating Pop, joking that they put 1.3 times more effort into her than any other character. He praises BONES FILM for the love they pour into her scenes.
A Personal Highlight: Facing Eraser Head
Outside of scenes with Hachisuka, Mamiya is especially proud of getting to confront Eraser Head—his favorite character from the My Hero Academia series. Saying lines like “We do the things pro heroes can’t” to such a formidable figure felt audacious, but thrilling.
Looking Ahead: Knuckleduster vs. Hachisuka
As Koichi and Pop work hard toward Naru-Fes, the long-anticipated confrontation between Knuckleduster and Hachisuka finally arrives. Viewers will learn why he’s been tracking her and uncover the truth about their mysterious connection and Knuckleduster’s past. Expect powerful, emotional storytelling as the two collide.
🔗 Full interview available at 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!
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.