Summary
A good manga volume cover will be able to intrigue readers into jumping into the latest series of chapters by providing a glimpse into the story arc, without giving too much away in the process. In the case ofMy Hero Academia: Vigilantes, there are plenty of vibrant and eye-catching covers that provide fans with a dazzling illustration of the key heroes and villains who play an important role in this specific section of the plot.
The originalMy Hero Academiawas already well-known for having plenty of outstanding volume covers, andVigilantescontinues the trend by serving up several illustrations that are packed full of creativity and style. With theMy Hero Academia Vigilantesstory being officially over, along with the anime being fully underway, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the verybest manga coversthat have been released over the course ofVigilantes' publication run.
This list will contain heavy spoilers for theMy Hero Academia: Vigilantesmanga.
8Volume 4
An Intense Staredown Between Vigilante And Villain
A cover doesn’t always need to be too over the top or flashy to stand out, as proven with the iconic front image to Volume 4. The cover centers on two characters,part-time villain Kuinand the dangerous hand-to-hand vigilante Knuckleduster, as they compete in a fiery staring contest while sparks of lighting shoot down against a dark orange backdrop.
Considering that the relationship between these two is a lot deeper than it initially seems, it makes the cover much more impactful when realizing how much tension has built up between the two over the years. Therefore, the cover does its best to emphasize the rocky familial bond between Kuin and Knuckleduster, which plays a very prominent role during the Vs. Queen Bee arc.
7Volume 1
Volume 1 Provides A Bright And Bold Introduction To The Vigilantes
For many fans, the cover to Volume 1 was their very first exposure to the main characters they would be following throughout theVigilantesstory, and it’s fair to say that it makes a pretty big and bombastic first impression. With Knuckleduster hitting a fighter’s pose and Koichi sliding across the floor, it certainly feels quite different from the happy-go-lucky first cover of the main series.
With that being said, though, the heroes who can be seen popping out from the background is still a heartfelt reference to the original first cover, which also contains this eye-catching detail. It would have also been nice to have seen Pop-Step make an appearance on this cover, considering she’s introduced right from the get-go, but this is an otherwise small criticism of the series' brilliant debut cover.
6Volume 10
An Explosive Image Featuring A Fan-Favoite Pro-Hero
Volume 10 covers an incredibly intense section of the story where Pop-Step, after being corrupted by the Queen Bee Quirk, begins going on a villainous rampage, with only Koichi being able to stop her. As a way to showcase just how action-packed and explosive this arc is, the cover is bursting with a bright red theme as Koichi and Pop can be seen shooting out of the page while an explosion rages on behind them.
The cherry on top of this already jaw-dropping cover isthe inclusion of Endeavorin the back, whose eyes are as red as the roaring flames emanating from his body. While this cover could have gone even further with its chaotic aesthetic, it’s still a real feast for the eyes nonetheless and a true stand-out among thebestVigilantesmanga covers.
5Volume 12
This Vibrant Cover Is Bursting Full Of Passion And Positivitiy
After a series of more moody and serious covers, Volume 12 would return to the hopeful and inspirational roots of the series by filling up the front page with nothing but a batch of courageous heroes. Based seven years before the time ofVigilantes, the image shows several popular characters in their youth, includingKnuckleduster, All Might, and even Mirko, who was still going by her “Tiger Bunny” persona, hence the lucha mask.
The blue tint lighting up the cover gives it a very bright and vibrant aesthetic that would look incredible on a display shelf. By showing off these characters in the flashiest way possible, this cover deserves a lot of credit, especially with several beloved Pro-Heroes showing up to make a cameo.
4Volume 14
Koichi Earns His Own Highly-Detailed Portrait For One Of The Final Volume Covers
Considering Midoriya takes center stage onmultiple front covers in the originalMHAseries, it was only a matter of time until Koichi would get his own, and it’s fair to say this is a pretty epic up-close shot of the plucky protagonist. Worn down, weak, and heavily injured, Koichi continues to stand against it all, with the energy surging from his Slide and Glide being summoned from his palm, showing that his inner fire hasn’t gone out just yet.
It’s honestly quite staggering just how detailed this image of Koichi really is, with even his torn All Might hoodie having small rips and tears, helping to give the image a very rough-around-the-edges kind of aesthetic and feeding into the slightly darker tone of the late sections of the story.
3Volume 9
Volume 9’s Cover Uses Some Clever Visual References To Foreshadow Oboro’s Tragic Fate
The most noticeable part of Volume 9’s cover is Aizawa, who is screaming at the top of his lungs while a giant wave of energy flows around him. His longtime friend and supporter Oboro can also be seen smiling from afar. While it’s a stunning image that provides a rare glimpse at Aizawa expressing his underlying emotions, there are also some very small details that foreshadow Oboro’s eventual transformation intothe villain known as Kurogiri.
For example, Oboro’s light blue hair can be seen sprouting upward like a flame, while a shroud of dark energy slowly consumes him from each side, referencing the unorthodox appearance of Kurogiri. It’s a heartfelt illustration that tells readers a lot about Aizawa and Oboro’s relationship without needing to spell it out.
2Volume 2
Stendahl Takes Center Stage On This Dark And Sinister Front Cover
When Stendahl shows up early on in theVigilantesstory, he immediately gives offa very odd and creepy aura, partly because of his appearance but also through his actions, being more than happy to mercilessly cut down anyone who he views as a villain. Stendahl brings his sinister vibe to the front page of Volume 2, where he can be spotted rocking his black and red suit with a handful of vigilantes and villains popping in from below.
The serious look of Knuckleduster contrasted with the devious smile of Stendahl makes for a pretty chilling image overall. Despite only being the second volume in the series, Volume 2 stands out not only for its exciting chapters but also its cover, which sees every relevant character in the arc getting ready for an epic fight.
1Volume 7
The Chaotic Front Cover Of Volume 7 Embodies The High-Stakes Of The Sky Egg Arc
The cover of Volume 7 manages to pack in a ton of important characters into a single page, including not only the immensely powerful Blue Jeanist but also Captain Celebrity, who receives a ton of development in this arc. While Koichi can be seen striking a badass pose while standing upside down, it’s also a subtle reference to his role within the arc and the new ways he has been able to utilize hisSlide and Glide Quirk.
It’s clear that there was a lot of attention paid to the smaller details when creating this cover, such as the parallel of the bottom being more uplifting and joyful, while the top is much more serious, with the egg tower looming over the characters from the background. This is one of those covers that pulls the reader in from the very first glance, which is a testament to just how effective it is as a piece of art.
