My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, the action packed prequel series that has carved out its own place in the MHA universe, is officially returning with a second season in 2026. The announcement came moments after the broadcast of the season one finale, with Toho releasing a special video that confirmed the continuation of the beloved spin off. Fans who followed the first season closely will be thrilled to see Koichi and the gang back in action soon.
The first season of Vigilantes aired in April 2025 and ran for a total of thirteen episodes. Animated by the experienced team at Bones Film, the series explored the street level world of vigilante heroes who operate outside the official Pro Hero system. It introduced characters who may not be as widely recognized as All Might or Deku, but who have won over fans with their grit, charm, and raw determination. Season one streamed exclusively on Crunchyroll, which has also been confirmed to handle streaming duties for the upcoming second season.
Alongside the announcement, a brand new teaser visual was unveiled, generating fresh excitement. The visual features the core trio of Koichi, Knuckleduster, and Pop Step in dramatic poses, hinting at the intense confrontations and deeper emotional arcs expected in season two. Also seen is the ominous Scarred Man, suggesting a bigger spotlight on the darker undercurrents of the Vigilantes storyline.
Vigilantes tells a parallel tale to the main My Hero Academia series, but it stands out for its grounded storytelling and more personal focus. The show follows Koichi Haimawari, a young man with a relatively simple quirk, who begins operating as an unofficial hero known as The Crawler. Along with his mentor Knuckleduster and the unpredictable Pop Step, he navigates crime ridden corners of the city that often escape the attention of licensed heroes. The show offers a grittier look at heroism in a world dominated by flashy powers and official recognition.
The anime is directed by Kenichi Suzuki, known for helming series like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Cells at Work. The writing is handled by Yosuke Kuroda, a veteran of the main MHA series, ensuring continuity in tone and character development. Music is composed by Yuki Hayashi along with Shogo Yamashiro and Yuuki Furuhashi, adding emotional depth to the storytelling. The art direction by Yukihiro Watanabe and character designs by Takahiko Yoshida have also received praise for their clean execution and strong style.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes was originally written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court. The manga first began in Jump GIGA in 2016 before transitioning to Shonen Jump Plus. Its adaptation into an anime has allowed fans to experience a more raw and street level version of heroism within the same world they already love.
With season two officially on the horizon and Crunchyroll backing the global release once again, Vigilantes continues to expand the My Hero Academia universe in a meaningful way. As fans wait for the next chapter, the teaser visual and announcement video are already igniting discussion and theory building online.
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