My Hero Academia: Vigilantes serves as a captivating spin-off that precedes Izuku Midoriya’s journey as a hero. This narrative delves into the emergence of vigilantes, or unlicensed heroes, bringing to light the more sinister aspects of the hero society. Here, themes of corruption, underground experimentation, and societal neglect intertwine, creating a profound and gritty backdrop.
The series introduces a formidable cadre of villains, each embodying unique threats that range from psychological manipulation and body horror to the embodiment of twisted ideals and shattered dreams. These antagonists leave a lasting imprint on the storyline due to their quirks and the profound effect they have on the lives of others, creating chaos and turmoil. However, it is noteworthy that many of these characters do not appear until later in the manga.
The upcoming entries are focused on the My Hero Academia: Vigilantes manga series. Readers are advised to proceed with caution.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
6. All For One
A Mastermind Operating from the Shadows
- Anime Appearance: Season 1, Episode 1
In contrast to his prominent role in the main series, All For One adopts a less visible role in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, operating from the shadows as the orchestration behind villainous activities. Unlike All Might, who serves as a beacon of hope for heroes and aspiring heroes like Koichi, All For One exerts his influence negatively. He orchestrates chaos through funding illicit experiments, distributing the perilous Trigger drug, and manipulating villains like Number 6 to become test subjects for his nefarious Nomu creations. These calculated maneuvers are part of his overarching strategy aimed at destabilizing society and undermining heroism.
5. Chizome Akaguro
A Vigilante Against Fake Heroes
- Manga Appearance: Chapter 9
Known as Stain in the main series, Chizome Akaguro, or Stendhal in Vigilantes, becomes a self-proclaimed hero targeting corrupt heroes and criminals indiscriminately. He operates under the philosophy that true heroism is rooted in selfless intent, and he believes that anyone lacking this merit should face lethal judgment.
Armed with his quirk, Blood Curdle, which allows him to paralyze enemies by ingesting their blood, he easily dispatches his foes. Chizome collaborates with other villains under the belief that they too are acting as heroes in the fight against the true villains: the so-called heroes of society.
4. Kuin Hachisuka
A Villain Drawn to Malice
- Manga Appearance: Chapter 5
Kuin Hachisuka distinguishes herself from conventional villains due to her manipulative nature and enjoyment of chaos. Her quirk, Queen Bee, grants her the ability to implant drones into individuals, effectively controlling them as mere puppets while they remain conscious of their plight.
This ability transforms the once-adored Pop Step into the terrifying Bee Pop, and Kuin employs her powers to administer the Trigger drug subtly, converting ordinary individuals into villains for her amusement and experiments.
3. Hina
A Deceptively Innocent Dealer of Chaos
- Manga Appearance: Chapter 42
Hina serves as a reminder that appearances can be misleading. Utilizing her innocent visage, she discreetly sells the Trigger drug, capitalizing on her charm to evade suspicion while spreading chaos.
Moreover, her contempt for men leads her to poison them with the drug, transforming them into instant villains. Her new variant of the Trigger drug allows her to spike drinks effortlessly, ensuring that any man who interacts with her best friend, Rin, unwittingly succumbs to villainy.
2. Mario Kugutsu
An Apparent Weakling Morphs into a Monster
- Anime Appearance: Season 1, Episode 1
Mario Kugutsu exemplifies the trope of the unsuspected villain whose unremarkable appearance belies his monstrous potential. He first appears in the show’s initial episode as a trigger dealer, appearing modest and fearful when confronted by Knuckleduster; an elaborate façade to disguise his true identity.
As a trigger dealer, Mario slyly lures vulnerable individuals into acquiring the drug, creating further chaos while maintaining his own anonymity and security.
1. Number 6
A Tragically Twisted Figure
- Manga Appearance: Chapter 26
While All For One is a recurrent antagonist in the broader My Hero Academia narrative, Number 6 takes center stage in this spin-off, revealing the depths of his tragic backstory. Having been subjected to All For One’s relentless experiments, Number 6 is molded into a being of destruction despite his yearning for heroism.
Possessing five quirks harvested from All For One, he mirrors Koichi’s obsession with heroism. However, his distorted understanding of heroism ultimately leads him down a path of villainy and devastation.