https://blacknerdproblems.com/heroes-unite-my-hero-academia-vigilantes-episode-1-review/

We know that My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a brand-new animated spinoff series that takes place before the events of the main My Hero Academia anime, based on the original manga created by Kohei Horikoshi.

Debuting Monday, April 7, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes will stream exclusively on Crunchyroll worldwide excluding Asia, with new episodes premiering weekly, same-day as Japan. I remember reading most of the manga and thinking that this series carries a lot of heart and understanding of the original world that we came to love from the original series. In my trailer reaction, I wrote that that fans of MHA would also fall into step with this series as well once it aired.

I mentioned that this series coming to us this Spring feels right. Especially knowing the ending of another Shonen Big Three: the animated adaptation of My Hero Academia has an end in sight. It just feels right knowing that the next chapter of the franchise finally makes it to the animated screen, and this first episode is such fun to watch!

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My Hero Academia, back: Vigilante, style! My Hero Academia Vigilantes opens to the kind-hearted and good natured Koichi Haimawari (stop me if you’ve heard this opener before) who is a college student who works part time. In a world of quirk, villains, and heroes that save the people, he’s always wanted to join those in the light. (Again, stop me if you heard this line before). YET, he’s a quiet guy who is of average build and doesn’t stand out too much–he is someone who aspires to be a hero but has given up on his dream. While impressive quirks–special abilities, even superhuman powers seem to have been handed to everyone else at birth, his is objectively standing in the ‘not cool’ category. Nonetheless, at night, he suits up in a face mask and an All Might hoodie (casual cosplay, I’d say) and does good for the people.

Studio Bones Film was cooking with the gas here: seeing the start of Koichi, Pop☆Step,  and Knuckleduster ‘s adventures in vigilante nighttime activities is visually thrilling to watch on screen. The animation holds up with mundane scenes of Koichi running to be on time to work as well as the action packed ones where his life and pride is on the line. While we know that My Hero Academia Vigilantes is based on the manga of the same name created by Hideyuki Furuhashi, Betten Court, and Kohei Horikoshi–we also know that the later was partially inspired and loves the superhero genre–partially the comic books of the West. So imagine my joy in seeing this animation studio pop off the over the top sound effects in combat and the striking, split panels–between certain sequences–very much maintaining a comic book–OR manga-page animation?! Chief’s Kiss all around!

Look, My Hero Academia Vigilantes is really just fun to watch. This first episode brings us back to the world of MHA–from a different perspective that has high stakes just like the original series. While audiences see All Might this first episode and promised cameos of all other fave (less problematic) Pro-Heroes and teachers–this series and this episode is focusing on these three alternative heroes and glimpses of their foes. I mean once I learned my beloved Eraser Head was even rumored to pop up, I knew that I was game. Anything for you, Shota Aizawa! Gentle reminder that we won’t see Midoriya and friends in action as this series takes place some five years before MHA–Koichi, Pop☆Step, and Knuckleduster are stars in the making and the ones to follow. Koichi’s quirk helps produce lots of hilarious reactions from people, Pop☆Step’s almost gorilla style/pop up (I apologize) concerts are entertaining, and the older, established vigilante known as Knuckleduster is an impressive figure that guides them.

Absolutely random note of interest: while I am a girl’s girl and actually hated Pop☆Step’s outfit, I hated the fan-servicey look and usage of it in the manga. Bleh. I DO love that consideration was thrown about here in the anime adaptation here with her costume being updated a bit. The My Hero Academia franchise itself has LONG drawn out criticism about the objectification of female characters, teen girls and adult women alike, over the years. 

While I don’t have a crystal ball to predict what future episodes will bring, this first episode is a good start in the right direction to making this new chapter in the franchise more thoughtful in its rep of teenage girls and of its female fan-base who love them some Shonen anime. (Fire Force, we’ll talk next, stay in your seat) This feels right to me since Pop☆Step’s character is more of the voice of reason in the trio –Kiochi, the heart, and Knuckleduster…the fists. I desire for audiences to get to know her dreams, her role in the vigilante adventures and NOT be distracted by a gratuitous shot of her hero’ing/idol outfit and dismiss her character altogether.

“My Hero Academia: Vigilantes arrives on the scene, reminding us of why audiences loved the previous series with newer heroes trying to make their mark. In a world of quirks and those trying to exploit and manipulate them, this new series adds to the already colorful and imaginative world of those with dreams of saving others and becoming heroes that that they be proud of. This first episode shows us heroes united in a common goal with all the bells and whistles attached, visually.”

Verdict

For those who love the action, superhero and Shonen fantasy genres, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is one to definitely watch this Anime Spring season. Working to capture the heart of the original series with newer characters who all have something to prove: Koichi, Pop☆Step, and Knuckleduster are our new heroes in training–just with an alternative introduction. 

While functioning as both a prequel and a spin-off, this series can be seen as a boon to the already established fanbase while also being inviting and easy to digest for those newer to the fandom. In a world of quirks and those trying to exploit and manipulate them, this new series adds to the already colorful and highly imaginative world of those with dreams of protecting others and working to achieve dreams forgotten. A must watch this Spring Anime Season!

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Streaming on Crunchyroll

Monday, April 7 @ TIME TBA

– JAPANESE VOICE CAST / CHARACTERS –

Based on the Original Manga Series Created by

Hideyuki Furuhashi

Betten Court

Kōhei Horikoshi

Directed by

Kenichi Suzuki

Series Composition and Script Written by

Yosuke Kuroda

Character Design

Takahiko Yoshida

Art Director

Yukihiro Watanabe

Color Design by 

Haruko Nobori

Director of Photography

Yingying Zhang

3D CG Director

Mizuki Sasaki

Editor

Kiyoshi Hirose

Music Composed by

Yuki Hayashi

Shogo Yamashiro

Yuki Furuhashi

Sound Director

Masafumi Mima

Animation Production by 

Bones Film

– SONGS –

Opening Theme Song

TBA

Ending Theme Song

TBA

– JAPANESE VOICE CAST – 

Shuichiro Umeda as Koichi Haimawari / The Crawler

Ikumi Hasegawa as Pop☆Step

Yasuhiro Mamiya as Knuckleduster

Junichi Suwabe as Eraserhead

Masamichi Kitada as Ingenium

Hiroyuki Yoshino as Present Mic

Akeno Watanabe as Midnight

Kenta Miyake as All Might

Sayaka Senbongi as Kuin Hachisuka

Kosuke Toriumi as Soga Kugisaki

Tokuyoshi Kawashima as Naomasa Tsukauchi

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The post HEROES UNITE: ‘My Hero Academia: Vigilantes’ Episode 1 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.