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The events ofMy Hero Academia: Vigilantestake place in the same universe asMy Hero Academia. It features some familiar characters from the original series, such as All Might, Endeavor, Midnight, and Eraserhead. With the appearance of these beloved characters, many viewers wonder how and when the story ofMy Hero Academia: Vigilantesunfolds and where it fits within the overall timeline.
WhileMy Hero Academiacenters on Izuku Midoriya and the events that unfold after he becomes All Might’s successor,My Hero Academia: Vigilantesexplores a grittier, more grounded side of the world, mostly focusing onKoichi Haimawari, an aspiring hero turned vigilante. Koichi is joined by fellow vigilantes such as Knuckleduster, who gives off strong All Might vibes, and Pop Step, a quirky guerrilla idol.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Is a Prequel to the Original Series
The Story Exists in the Same Universe
It’s no secret thatMy Hero Academia: Vigilantesis an essential prequel to the originalMy Hero Academiaseries. It’s not just a spin-off, as the story exists in the same universe and is set in the same quirk-filled society, but is grittier, rawer, and more street-level. Instead of diving into the story of thenext generation of heroes at U.A. High School,MHA: Vigilantesoffers a closer look at life beyond the Hero spotlight, expanding on the same universe fans know.
At the heart of the spin-off series is none other than Koichi Haimawari, a first-year university student who goes by the vigilante name, The Crawler, when doing heroic deeds. The problem is thatKoichi is an unlicensed hero, an illegal hero whose very existence encourages vigilantism by practicing his quirk in public spaces. Along with his fellow vigilantes, Knucleduster and Pop Step, the vigilante trio operates in the shadows and outside the law.
“Saying I want to be a hero was a mistake! I’ll never say it again!"—Koichi Haimawari
The Story Has a Different Perspective
H. Furuhashi, Arata Betsuki, Kohei Horikoshi / Shueisha, Vigilante Production Committee
WhileMy Hero Academiafeatures heroes operating within the system,MHA: Vigilantesfocuses on vigilantes operating independently and having no regard for the law. It also highlights how the world isn’t kind and how the system can fail aspiring and unqualified heroes. It also reminds fans what it means to do the right thing without official recognition, as vigilantes aren’t recognized and are often overlooked as misguided kids by the heroes themselves.
Interestingly,MHA: Vigilantesdoesn’t shy away from grittier issues like substance abuse, vigilante justice, and personal trauma, unlike the original series, which has a hopeful and inspirational approach, despite its darker moments. The spin-off series also provides more backstories to theestablished pro-heroes like Eraserhead, fleshing them out, giving fans a better understanding of their personalities and character developments.
“I’ll change into the suit I carry. I’ll seriously use my quirk and feel totally refreshed!"—Koichi Haimawari
When Does My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Takes Place?
Timeline Clues Explained
To this day, the exact placement ofMy Hero Academia: Vigilantesin the timeline is not exactly revealed, but based on the context clues within the manga, it’s widely assumed that the spin-off series is set roughly five to six years before the events ofMy Hero Academia. In other words, the events ofMHA: Vigilantesunfolds just a few years earlier than theoriginal series by Kohei Horikoshi. This timeline is further supported by a confirmation in the anime’s first episode, either from the narrator or Koichi himself, stating that the events take place several years before Deku’s story begins.
That said, it’s clear thatMHA: Vigilantestakes place beforeDeku meets All Mightand enters U.A. High School. Heroes like Midnight and Eraserhead haven’t yet become teachers and are just working as heroes with on-and-off duties.
In addition, the same quirk-filled society is still at the age of All Might, when almost everyone idolizes him, except some rivals and villains daring to oppose his influence. However, it’s already evident that the number one hero and the symbol of peace is battling the long-term effects of his injuries from the brutal fight with All For One. This is reflected in the time limit onusing One For All, subtly revealing the beginning of his decline.
“I have nothing to do with the law. I’m going at it with everything I can get my hands on."—Koichi Haimawari
Moreover,MHA: Vigilantesserves as a foundation for future plot threads due to the development and early trafficking of the quirk induction drug, Trigger. It is reintroduced and becomes a central threat in theMy Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Missionmovie, in which Izuku, Rody Soul, and the Pro Heroes join hands to stop the activation of the Trigger Bomb created by Humarise, a cult organization led by the villainous Flect Turn.
All in all,My Hero Academia: Vigilantesis not just bonus content or a side story because it provides much more context and lore. With the characters’ backstories, the rise of underground villainous organizations, and the acts of courage that happen outside the law, fans can gain a more profound understanding of how the world functions before Izuku Midoriya and the next generation of heroes rise.
