5 things the My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime will do better than the original (& 5 ways it won't be as good)

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime takes the approach of depicting the world of heroes and villains through the vigilante protagonists, five years before Deku became a hero. The spin-off will share many familiar elements from the original My Hero Academia series but also bring distinct features to differentiate it.

The anime will present heroism from a fresh angle, along with its new set of challenges and dynamics that open new narratives and explorations of the characters.

However, as with every spin-off comes a set of differences in both strength and limitation. Here are the five things My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime will do better than the original, and five ways it won't be as good.

Disclaimer: This list is ranked in no particular order and contains the writer's opinion.

Pop culture references and 4 other things the My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime will do better than the original

1) Relatable main character

Koichi Haimawari as seen in manga (Image via Shueisha)

Koichi Haimawari, the hero of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime, is much more relatable as a character than Deku. While Deku is a "Chosen One," being the heir of One For All, Koichi is just an average teenager, taking matters into his own hands.

He does not boast of great strength, and what he fights against is his tendency to do what is right without either the means or praise. This in turn makes the character more connectible to any viewer who empathizes with determination and flaws as portrayed in this anime. It also reflects on the lives of many aspiring heroes in real life.

2) Better storytelling

Koichi Haimawari and Kazuho Haneyama as seen in manga (Image via Shueisha)

In terms of storytelling, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime is way more mature compared to the original series. While the main series is a lot dependent on school life and major villain arcs, Vigilantes takes things one step deeper regarding heroism and justice outside of the system.

The narrative centers on the gray areas of vigilante work, in which the characters are usually working in the shadows against the will of society. This makes the story much more grounded and reasonable, taking into account the personal motivations of heroes and villains at the same time, making the stakes feel larger and more personal.

3) Pop culture references

A still from My Hero Academia: Vigilantes manga (Image via Shueisha)

Another area that My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime excels compared to the original My Hero Academia is in terms of pop culture references. While much of the former series relies upon Star Wars and superhero tropes, Vigilantes brings out fresh and innovative references from numerous pop culture domains.

For example, villains in the form of characters from the MCU, such as a group of people resembling the Avengers, bring humor and charm to the show. References add another level of enjoyment to the viewers' experience, while at the same time creating a new world of inspirations, without making the story feel repetitive.

4) Broader aspect of Hero Society

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime offers a broader view of the Hero Society that the original story doesn't focus on as much. The spin-off goes beyond the polished, professional heroism seen in the main series and delves into the morally ambiguous and often unsung vigilantes.

This has also brought forward how heroes function outside of the law, reactions by the public toward them, and professional hero complexities, offering deeper understanding in terms of structures of the world society and conflict, presenting glamour in heroism and dark aspects as well as complications involved in the heroic endeavor.

5) Better written female characters

Kazuho Haneyama as seen in manga (Image via Shueisha)

In stronger, more fleshed-out female characters, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime again outshines Kohei Horikoshi's original series. My Hero Academia mainly sidelines its female characters, but female protagonists in Vigilantes like Pop-Step get a stronger role.

Pop-Step is not just some sidekick character but a character with her motives, skills, and personal development. These women are not defined by their relationships with male characters, but they help in the overall story, thereby making Vigilantes a very progressive and more balanced story.

Absence of key characters and 4 other ways My Hero Academia: Vigilantes won't be as good as the original series

1) Absence of school-based dynamics

Class 1-A as seen in anime (Image via Studio Bones)

One of the most interesting parts of My Hero Academia is its school setting, with students bonding and competing while learning the intricacies of being a hero. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime lacks such structure because it focuses on characters and their independent hero work.

Without the bright interactions between classmates or comedic moments of life in school, the spin-off misses the school-based environment which brings charm and relatability. This leaves Vigilantes feeling less alive than the actual series, whose energy is dependent on its young age.

2) No major rivalries

Deku and Bakugo as seen in anime (Image via Studio Bones)

A defining characteristic of the original series is its intense rivalry, especially between Deku and Bakugo, which drives the growth of characters and the raising of stakes. Vigilantes do not have a comparable dynamic because Koichi lacks a real rival to push his growth.

He encounters problems that are situational and not personally rivalrous in nature. The lack of rivalry removes tension and excitement from the story. Since these emotions-driven rivalries will be lacking in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime, it may struggle to compete at the level that the original series produced.

3) Lack of training arcs and tournaments

A still from anime (Image via Studio Bones)

Training arcs and tournaments are high points of the original series that depict growth, teamwork, and exciting battles. Vigilantes, being more grounded, do not have those thrilling moments since they revolve around unofficial hero work.

This also limits the possibility of looking at creative uses of quirks in an extended environment or grueling competition. The lack of such arcs also translates to fewer possibilities for grand character development and outstanding action sequences, making the spin-off feel tamer and not as exciting as the original series.

4) Absence of key characters

Deku, Shoto, Eijiro and Bakugo as seen in anime (Image via Studio Bones)

Iconic characters such as Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki, which are the majority of what made My Hero Academia so lovable, barely appear in Vigilantes. The spin-off introduces interesting new faces but is missing the star power and emotional connections built around these beloved characters.

Fans who have enjoyed the original series for its ensemble cast might find My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime less impressive. This lack of familiar faces serves to make it all the less exciting or emotionally resonant, causing it to feel severed from the My Hero Academia universe.

5) Lack of big-scale action

Deku as seen in anime (Image via Studio Bones)

My Hero Academia is well known for large-scale battles with many heroes and villains, and often comes with a tag of high stakes. Vigilantes, however, are smaller in scale, more localized, and often involve personal struggles.

While this type of storytelling provides something different, it cannot compete with the big action showdowns that define a spectacle and adrenaline-filled epic like this. These moments make My Hero Academia: Vigilantes not as epic, thereby making it less appealing to the fans who like blockbuster-style action as defining the original series.

Final thoughts

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime refreshes the world of heroes while offering a unique storyline, relatable characters like Koichi, and a whole exploration of life as vigilantes. These strength differences set it apart to make it an engaging addition to the My Hero Academia universe.

However, it falls short in aspects such as the lack of school dynamics, rivalries, and iconic characters like Deku and Bakugo, which make the original series so charming.

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Edited by Bharath S