My Hero Academia Spin-Off Reveals Heroes’ Dark Side Similar to Homelander

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Even though the manga of “My Hero Academia” has ended and the final season of the anime is yet to premiere, the series continues to be relevant. A spin-off show called “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” is currently being broadcasted. As a prequel, it maintains a unique but recognizable atmosphere similar to the original. While it preserves the core elements of heroes and villains, it primarily focuses on individuals who work without official supervision, as suggested by its title. The narrative revolves around an unconventional group: a college student, a high school girl who’s popular as a freelance idol, and an older man with an incredibly powerful punch.

In the context of “My Hero Academia”, this perspective introduces a new perspective on the universe. Given the extensive length of the original series (over 400 chapters), the lack of unregulated characters seems like an oversight that could have significant implications. Since powers are common in this world, it’s reasonable to assume some individuals would operate without supervision or for personal gain. This concept is at the heart of Episode 8 of “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes”, which presents Captain Celebrity, an American hero working in Japan who prioritizes his fame over altruism. He embodies a touch of what made Homelander so unsettling as a supposed “hero”.

[RELATED: My Hero Academia’s Final Season Will Be Incomplete Without Its Real Ending]

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Sheds a Distinct and Realistic Light on Heroes That the Main Story Overlooks

In the original series, a significant flaw lies in the recurring depiction of protagonists as unwaveringly virtuous, seldom veering from their righteous path. Though the central plot tries to question this by introducing Stain and his beliefs, it fails to fully deliver on its promise, as Stain’s antagonistic persona overshadows the intended message, making it difficult to delve into the idea that heroes might be corrupted themselves. On the other hand, Vigilantes boldly exposes the shortcomings of its heroes. For example, Captain Celebrity is portrayed as embroiled in scandals involving questionable behavior towards women and is shown to be selfish, refusing aid unless his PR team is on hand to record it.

It’s evident that C.C., in order to dodge the fallout from his scandals, has found himself in Japan. This action speaks volumes about his self-centered character. In episode 8, we witness more of his flaws as he chooses to overlook nearby crimes when he’s out on a date. Despite being a character that viewers might dislike, Captain Celebrity’s portrayal rings true, given that not every hero acts from pure altruism; some are motivated by personal gain.

However, it seems that the series “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes” may not delve deeply into the dark aspects of heroes and push them to the level of characters like Homelander, as C.C. appears to be heading towards a redemption arc and joining the vigilantes. This could imply a more lenient critique of heroism in the series.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Netflix.

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2025-05-30 20:13