As My Hero Academia gears up for its highly anticipated eighth season, slated for release in late 2025, the franchise is simultaneously exploring its roots through the prequel series, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes. This intriguing spin-off debuted in 2016, presenting a narrative that occurs several years before the main storyline, centering on three characters striving to make a difference despite not possessing the formidable quirks necessary to become Professional Heroes.
Conceived by Hideyuki Furuhashi, the MHA: Vigilantes manga concluded in 2022 after 15 engaging volumes and garnered a loyal fanbase. Although fans had to wait a while for an anime adaptation, Studio Bones finally brought the show to life as part of the Spring 2025 season.
While predominantly aimed at MHA enthusiasts, Vigilantes offers a storyline that newcomers to the franchise can also appreciate. Although there are some overlaps in characters between the two series, they are introduced in a manner that is easily digestible for those unfamiliar with the original narrative. If you’re intrigued, don’t hesitate to explore this new series.
This article focuses primarily on the anime adaptation, thus avoiding major spoilers from the manga whenever possible. Consequently, details regarding characters that have yet to appear in the anime will be withheld for now.
Note: Spoilers for upcoming episodes of the MHA Vigilantes anime (and the manga) will be enclosed in “Warning”boxes.
MHA Vigilantes: Character Age, Birthday, and Height Statistics
|
Character |
Vigilante Name |
Age |
Birthday |
Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koichi Haimawari | Nice Guy (Episode 1) | 19 | February 22 | 5’77″/ 172 cm |
| Kazuho Haneyama | Pop Step | Probable Age: 13-15 | May 28 | 5’22″/ 158 cm |
| Iwao Oguro | Knuckleduster | 45 | N/A | 6’1″/ 185 cm |
| Soga Kugisaki | N/A | 20 | November 8 | 5’11″/ 182 cm |
| Shota Aizawa | Eraser Head | Mid-20s (Aizawa is 30 at the start of MHA) | November 8 | 6’0″/ 183 cm |
Koichi Haimawari (Nice Guy)
Quirk: Slide and Glide
- Age: 19
- Birthday: February 22
- Height: 5’77″/ 172 cm
- Debut Episode: Season 1, Episode 1, “I’m Here”
- Japanese Voice Actor: Shuichiro Umeda
- English Voice Actor: Jack Broadbent
In MHA Vigilantes, Koichi emerges as the relatable protagonist, a college student who admires All Might and attempts to embody his heroic ideals. However, his Quirk, Slide and Glide, limits him significantly, allowing only modest movement on the ground when he maintains three points of contact—hardly impressive for a budding hero.
Despite his lack of formidable powers, Koichi dons a homemade costume to assist those in need, believing in the power of small acts of kindness. Like his counterpart Deku from MHA, he is unable to ignore anyone in distress and is willing to risk himself to help others.
Initially adopting the moniker “Nice Guy”as his vigilante name, he later rebrands himself as “The Crawler”after joining the Naruhata Vigilantes.
Kazuho Haneyama (Pop Step)
Quirk: Leap
- Age: Mid-Teens
- Birthday: May 28
- Height: 5’22″/ 158 cm
- Debut Episode: Season 1, Episode 1, “I’m Here”
- Japanese Voice Actor: Ikumi Hasegawa
- English Voice Actor: Macy Anne Johnson
Kazuho is a spirited teenager who utilizes her Quirk, Leap, to delight audiences through impromptu idol performances as Pop Step, a persona she adopts against the law within the MHA universe. While her early endeavors may paint her as a criminal, she evolves into a determined vigilante after crossing paths with Koichi.
Even though she lacks combat prowess, Kazuho displays courage from the outset, standing up to Soga and his crew despite the apparent danger, and embarks on investigative efforts alongside Koichi and Knuckleduster to uncover the source of a new drug menace in the area.
Iwao Oguro (Knuckleduster)
Quirk: None
- Age: 45
- Birthday: N/A
- Height: 6’1″/ 185 cm
- Debut Episode: Season 1, Episode 1, “I’m Here”
- Japanese Voice Actor: Yasuhiro Mamiya
- English Voice Actor: Jason Marnocha
Iwao, best known as Knuckleduster, makes a striking entrance, showcasing his robust build and adept combat skills, honed from years of experience in the vigilantism lifestyle. While he occasionally appears brash, his actions are motivated by a strong sense of justice, understanding that Professional Heroes are bound by legal constraints, whereas vigilantes can act more freely.
With his mature years and wisdom, Knuckleduster acts as a mentor to Koichi and Kazuho, playing a critical role in their partnership and helping establish the foundation of their adventures. His journey is enriched by a backstory that reveals he was once a Professional Hero before losing his Quirk.
Soga Kugisaki
Quirk: Spike
- Age: 20
- Birthday: November 8
- Height: 5’11″/ 182 cm
- Debut Episode: Season 1, Episode 1, “I’m Here”
- Japanese Voice Actor: Kosuke Toriumi
- English Voice Actor: Joshua Waters
Soga is presented as the initial antagonist in MHA Vigilantes, but his character is far more nuanced than a mere villain archetype. Exhibiting bullying behavior, he targets those he perceives as weaker, yet he nurtures complex relationships with his associates, Rapt and Moyuru.
His aggression stems from low self-esteem, leading him to believe that others view him as a villain, which only perpetuates his negative behavior. Soga’s character arc promises to delve deeper into his motivations and relationships as the series evolves.
Shota Aizawa (Eraser Head)
Quirk: Erasure
- Age: Mid-20s
- Birthday: November 8
- Height: 6’0″/ 183 cm
- Debut Episode: Season 1, Episode 1, “I’m Here”
- Japanese Voice Actor: Junichi Suwabe
- English Voice Actor: Christopher Wehkamp
Among the numerous characters of MHA featured in Vigilantes, Eraser Head occupies a unique position, serving a more substantial role than most. Although he is not a central character, he contributes to the overarching narrative, linking the two series more firmly. His strong presence as an active Pro Hero in Vigilantes occurs before his pivotal journey at U.A. High School.
The spin-off provides fans with a closer look at Aizawa in his prime, bridging the gap between his earlier years and his evolution in the main series.