Koichi Missed His Big Chance

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Ep 4 Review

In most comics, superheroes are considered vigilantes. They may help fight the bad guys and clean up crime, but they’re also taking the law into their own hands, which is itself a crime. When it comes to the big names like Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man, the police usually let them do as they wish. Mostly because they’re skilled enough to get the job done better, but also because they know fighting them would be pointless. But what happens in a world where heroes are legal, vigilantes aren’t, and they team up?

How Knuckleduster Got his Groove Back

Ever since the incident with the bees, Knuckleduster has been acting different, and Koichi and Pop have both noticed it. It’s as though he has lost his drive to do vigilante work. As the powerhouse and tank of their team, him losing his drive could be disastrous.

Things ultimately come to a head when the trio battles another Instant Villain who’s stronger than any of them. Yet Knuckleduster, in true Batman fashion, decides to fight the villain head-on. Despite every punch being enough to kill him, Knuckleduster isn’t fazed by it: he’s enjoying the thrill!!

As inspired by Batman as Knuckleduster is, there’s a big difference between the two, and it doesn’t have to do with their skills and resources; it’s their attitude. Batman takes everything seriously and never lets his guard down, or rarely shows any signs he’s enjoying the fight. Knuckleduster, meanwhile, not only enjoys the fight, but is the kind of adrenaline junkie who loves getting close to death. That kind of attitude could end up backfiring on him down the road!

Koichi almost got his big break!

Meanwhile, the show now confirms who Queen Bee is working for and the source of Trigger. It should come as no surprise that it’s none other than the ultimate big bad of the franchise, All for One. Keep in mind, this takes place five years before the events of the main series, so it’s likely before or around the time All for One and All Might’s big fight. Anything that All for One has to do with, though, is bad news. Queen Bee is going to be a problem.

In the second half of the episode, Koichi gets what might be his big break. While out jogging one morning, he winds up befriending Tensei Ida, AKA Tenya Ida’s older brother, AKA the speed hero Ingenium! He’s impressed by Koichi’s Quirk, enough to try and recruit him for his agency after he graduates! It could be Koichi’s chance to finally become a pro hero!

Alas, fate can be cruel sometimes. That same night, as Ingenium and his team are hunting down a bat villain that takes them through Naruhata, the Naruhata Vilgilantes end up intervening. They manage to help catch the speed demon, but it costs Koichi his big chance to be a pro hero. Needless to say, he’s sad about it. Thankfully, Ingenium is actually fine with what Koichi does. According to him, he’s already where he’s needed most.

So, in the end, heroes and vigilantes can work together, no matter what universe it might be. It depends on the mind of hero, but given how most of the heroes in MHA are fairly chill, it works out for them. So far, this show is doing well for me.

I Give “Top Runner” a 4/5

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