This article is part of a directory: Spring 2025 Anime Season Guide: Previews, Episode Reviews, & Discussions

Summary

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a prequel that offers a grittier, rawer perspective on the same universe.
The story follows unlicensed heroes operating outside the law, exploring vigilante justice and darker themes.
The timeline places Vigilantes 5–6 years before Deku's journey at U.A., featuring key timeline clues about All Might's health and the smuggling of Trigger.

The events of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes take place in the same universe as My 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 of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes unfolds and where it fits within the overall timeline.

While My Hero Academia centers on Izuku Midoriya and the events that unfold after he becomes All Might’s successor, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes explores a grittier, more grounded side of the world, mostly focusing on Koichi 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 Just Revealed the Funniest Way to Anger Koichi Haimawari

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By Cathlyn Melo

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Is a Prequel to the Original Series

The Story Exists in the Same Universe

It’s no secret that My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is an essential prequel to the original My Hero Academia series. 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 the next generation of heroes at U.A. High School, MHA: Vigilantes offers 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 that Koichi 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

While My Hero Academia features heroes operating within the system, MHA: Vigilantes focuses 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: Vigilantes doesn’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 the established 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

The story of MHA: Vigilantes takes place five to six years before Deku attends U.A.
MHA: Vigilantes drops timeline clues from All Might’s health, Erasurehead’s hero work, and Trigger’s debut.

To this day, the exact placement of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes in 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 of My Hero Academia. In other words, the events of MHA: Vigilantes unfolds just a few years earlier than the original 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 that MHA: Vigilantes takes place before Deku meets All Might and 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 on using 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: Vigilantes serves 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 the My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission movie, 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: Vigilantes is 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.

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