My Hero Academia: Vigilantes stands out for its unique narrative structure as both a spinoff and a prequel. It intertwines a storyline independent of Izuku Midoriya’s journey while also chronologically precedes the main series, showcasing events previously unseen, most notably Ingenium’s heroic deeds and Aizawa before he took on the role of teacher.
While it is clear that My Hero Academia: Vigilantes serves as a prequel, the exact timeline relationship to the main series remains somewhat ambiguous. The narrative does not explicitly state the number of years it predates Izuku’s story, leaving fans to speculate. However, key events from the final arc of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes provide clues that help pinpoint its place, unveiling an intriguing connection to the broader timeline of My Hero Academia.
Understanding the Timeline of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
When Does My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Fit in the Timeline?
During the final arc of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, the protagonist Koichi approaches the end of his graduation process. This suggests that the story spans approximately three years within its universe. Notably, it indicates that All Might has already sustained injuries from All For One, and flashbacks portray Mirko as a high school student aged 16-17. Calculating backward from these details, it can be inferred that My Hero Academia: Vigilantes begins around 5-6 years prior to Izuku’s entrance into U.A. High School.
Mirko’s age during the flashback plays a critical role; if she were 15, she would be 22 during the final arc, which contradicts her age during All Might’s battle with All For One. The narrative timeline aligns more accurately if Mirko was 18, although her birthday is in March, meaning she wouldn’t turn 18 until after the flashback arc that occurs in the summer.
This timeline positioning of 5-6 years ahead of Izuku’s entry into U.A. is very plausible. The presence of characters like Aizawa before his teaching days and Endeavor’s earlier negative behavior reinforces this timeline. Additionally, audiences witness a glimpse of Inko, Izuku’s mother, in a brief cameo, showcasing her slimmer physique, indicating Izuku’s young age during this narrative. Overall, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes convincingly establishes its timeline, even without explicit mention, satisfying fans curious about its chronological context.
Why Was The Timeline Not Fully Outlined in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes?
Does My Hero Academia: Vigilantes’ Timeline Pose a Problem?
While it could have been straightforward for My Hero Academia: Vigilantes to clarify its timeline, the narrative’s focus leans more toward its spinoff characteristics rather than a deep connection to the main storyline. Consequently, it may not have been deemed necessary to clarify the timeline explicitly, as it doesn’t significantly impact the overarching plot of the franchise. This perspective is quite reasonable.
The ambiguous timeline adds to the storytelling strength of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes. One of its primary appeals lies in its ability to exist as both an extension of My Hero Academia and a standalone narrative. The lack of a defined timeline enhances its accessibility to viewers unfamiliar with the original series. The impact of this narrative choice may vary among audiences, but ideally, it does not lessen the overall quality of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes releases new episodes every Monday on Crunchyroll.