Fans of My Hero Academia Vigilantes have been eagerly anticipating an anime adaptation, particularly the chance to see Koichi Haimawari, the series’ hero, rendered by the original creator, Kohei Horikoshi. To commemorate the anime’s release, Horikoshi has granted fans a long-desired treat by unveiling an illustration of Koichi.
Since wrapping up the main series manga, Horikoshi has continued to showcase his artistry with various characters. Most recently, he shared a striking image of Mirko that garnered much attention due to its exceptional lighting qualities. This weekend, marking the premiere of My Hero Academia Vigilantes, Horikoshi appropriately timed the release of art for Vigilantes, presenting a dynamic image of Koichi alongside reminders of the show’s airtime in Japan.
Horikoshi Crafts a Striking Visual of Koichi
Horikoshi Gives the Crawler a Dramatic Edge
Shared on X (formerly Twitter), the illustration features Koichi striking a Spider-Man-inspired pose, emphasizing his fingertips as he moves forward. The detailed artistry and unique lighting elevate the portrayal significantly. While Koichi’s crimefighting outfit, a hoodie inspired by All Might, can sometimes appear humorous, Horikoshi’s rendition captures a more serious and captivating essence. This moment is particularly special for fans, as it marks Horikoshi’s first significant depiction of the Vigilantes protagonist apart from a fleeting cameo in the concluding chapters of My Hero Academia.
But Horikoshi isn’t the only artist celebrating the series premiere. Betten Court, the artist for Vigilantes, also contributed by sharing a fresh sketch featuring Koichi serving coffee to Knuckleduster and Pop Step. In this playful scene, Knuckleduster is already enjoying a beer, while Pop is engaged on her phone, dressed casually and out of her hero costume—an evocative depiction of their time together in Koichi’s apartment, reminiscent of moments from the manga.
Fans Excited to See Horikoshi’s Take on Koichi
Horikoshi Redefines Koichi’s Heroic Image
Although Betten Court has had the opportunity to illustrate many of Horikoshi’s characters throughout the My Hero Academia Vigilantes manga, the inverse is rarely the case. Most crossovers feature characters from My Hero Academia appearing in Vigilantes without reciprocation.
Horikoshi’s prolific output of artwork since the conclusion of the My Hero Academia manga last year suggests that additional Vigilantes art may soon be on the horizon. It’s to be hoped that Horikoshi enjoys creating these new visuals as much as fans will relish viewing them, making it a standout promotional effort for My Hero Academia Vigilantes.