My Hero Academia’s New Anime Beats Western Cartoons at Their Own Game

by

The franchise “My Hero Academia” has consistently displayed its affection for superheroes openly. Previously, creator Kohei Horikoshi hasn’t hesitated to express his appreciation for Marvel and DC comics. Now, with the long-awaited debut of the spin-off anime series, “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes”, Studio BONES has elevated the portrayal of UA Academy’s world. By adopting a chic design and embracing the manga’s vibrant visuals, this side story is challenging Western animation, particularly in the realm of superheroes.

In contrast to the universe of Deku, Shoto Todoroki, Bakugo, and their peers as depicted in the main “My Hero Academia” series, the storyline of “Vigilantes” presents a distinct narrative. This spin-off, though produced by the same studio, is the brainchild of writer Hideyuki Furuhashi and artist Betten Court, rather than creator Kohei Horikoshi. As a result, “Vigilantes” carves its own path within the “My Hero Academia” universe, delving more deeply into classic superhero themes compared to the central conflict between All For One and One For All.

Boom! Pow! Kersplunk!

In the new UA Academy spin-off, one noticeable visual alteration is the incorporation of animated sound effects when characters throw punches. This recalls the old Batman series with Adam West, where bat-bashing villains were accompanied by explosive sound effects. The initial episode of Vigilantes captures a playful and fanciful atmosphere that some viewers might have felt was lacking in the main My Hero Academia, given the escalating tension of the final battle. It’s worth noting that smaller, more personal stories can still pack an emotional punch just as effectively as grand superhero narratives.

In addition to incorporating animated sound effects, the narrative of Crawler, Pop Step, and Knuckleduster seems more akin to the adventures typically experienced by heroes such as Spider-Man, Batman, or Daredevil. Unlike their frequent encounters with global catastrophes and hordes of supervillains, these three characters’ early tale appears almost modest in contrast, as they confront petty thugs and investigate a drug trafficking network. This is a much more street-level story compared to the norm seen in recent episodes of “My Hero Academia” anime, and it offers a refreshing change as the main narrative nears its climax.

Vigilantes’ Animated Future

At the time this article was penned, a second season for “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” has not been officially announced, but considering the amount of material left in the manga to adapt, it seems likely. Generally speaking, the spin-off series tends to focus on less dramatic, everyday occurrences, even when delving into the backstories of significant characters like All Might, Eraserhead, and Present Mic. This doesn’t mean that the main series’ current storyline is inferior, but it’s refreshing to witness more down-to-earth, ordinary events in this superhero universe.

Fortunately, despite the Vigilantes manga concluding in 2022, it’s set to return later this month with a fresh chapter penned by its original creators. The details of the new installment remain shrouded in mystery, but there is ample room for further exploration. As for spoilers, I’ll try to keep them at bay. The spin-off series wraps up with hints of bright futures for several characters, while also suggesting that some heroes may never fully escape their past or stray from their role. There’s even a possibility that we might witness the long-anticipated encounter between the Vigilantes and Class 1-A, an event that has yet to occur in either story. This is partly due to the spin-off series being set five years before Deku joined UA.

Read More

2025-04-12 19:39