My Hero Academia’s Best Replacement Returns in 3 Days (& There’s Still Time to Catch Up)

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I watched the finale of My Hero Academia in December, and it felt like a really strong ending to Izuku Midoriya’s journey. But good news for fans – a new anime that I think will fill the void is starting in just three days! Even though My Hero Academia wrapped things up nicely, it left me wanting to see more of Kohei Horikoshi’s world, and I have a feeling Season 8 will do just that. If you haven’t seen it yet, there’s still time to catch up!

Now that My Hero Academia is ending, fans are searching for other anime with similar stories and familiar elements. There are lots of good choices, including well-known series like Naruto and newer hits like One-Punch Man. But one anime stands out as the best replacement, and a new season is starting very soon.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Returns for Season 2 on January 5

I’m a huge fan of My Hero Academia, and when I’m looking for something similar, I always come back to Vigilantes. It’s a spinoff manga (and anime!) that takes place in the same world, but a few years before the main story. It’s really cool because it follows Koichi, a guy whose Quirk – Slide and Glide – isn’t strong enough to make him a traditional Pro Hero like Midoriya. But instead of giving up, he finds his own way to use his powers and make a difference, operating outside the official hero system, which is exactly what the title ‘Vigilantes’ is all about!

The new series premiered in April 2025 and, while it hasn’t quite matched the success of the original, it’s a good addition to the franchise. Season 2 of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes will continue the excitement, launching on January 5th, shortly after the main series ends. It’s expected to be a major anime release in Winter 2026 and is a great option for fans eager for more after finishing the original series.

Vigilantes Is the Perfect Series to Dive Into After My Hero Academia’s Ending

With Season 8 of My Hero Academia finished, Vigilantes is the perfect show to watch next. While it’s set in the same universe, Vigilantes offers a different experience: the main character is a college student instead of a high schooler, the story is grittier and more realistic, and the conflicts are on a smaller scale. Still, it’s a welcome return to the world fans enjoy, featuring some familiar characters. We see Koichi pursuing his own ambitions, though in a way that’s quite different from Midoriya’s journey.

Although it doesn’t quite match the original My Hero Academia, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is probably the closest you’ll find for now. There are lots of good shonen and superhero anime out there, but few capture the same feeling as Horikoshi’s universe. This series, being set in that same world, helps fans feel instantly connected. Plus, with Season 2 arriving soon, there’s still time to start watching and enjoy it with other fans.

At Just 13 Episodes, You Can Binge Vigilantes in One Weekend

Most anime seasons have around 24 to 26 episodes, but the first season of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is shorter with only 13 episodes. Because each episode is less than 25 minutes long, you can easily finish the whole season in a weekend. If you’re looking for something to watch while you wait for season 2, there’s still plenty of time to start this series. It’s definitely worth a watch, especially since My Hero Academia won’t be back with new episodes until a special in May 2026.

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2026-01-03 02:41