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My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Ep 8

America and Japan have had a long and complicated history. At one point, they were deadly enemies. Today, they’re formally allies and friends, leading to a great deal of cultural exchange. My Hero Academia is the product of said exchange, as it takes most of its inspiration from American superhero comics. As much as the heroes might be inspired by greats like Batman, Superman, and Spider-man, though, what’s even more interesting is getting to see an American superhero play an important role in the story. The main series has Stars and Stripes, but Vigilantes has someone even more interesting: Captain Celebrity.

And he’s…something.

Say Hello to Captain Celebrity

One day while Koichi and Pop☆Step are trying to stop a speeding biker, Koichi almost gets by Truck-Kun. Instead of getting isekaied, though, he gets saved by a man in a classic cape and spandex. His savior then proceeds to brag about his greatness, autographs Koichi’s official All Might hoodie, and then tells him to quit while he’s ahead before leaving.

This man is Captain Celebrity, a hero visiting from America and a physical embodiment of some of the country’s more negative aspects.  He’s arrogant, flashy, thinks highly of himself, and is enough of a womanizer to make Sanji from One Piece cringe. And while he is skilled at being a hero, able to take down a Kaiju-sized villain, he waited to do so until he could make himself look good. To make matters worse, his takedown caused unnecessary damage to a building, forcing Koichi to step in and save trapped civilians.

Wait, he’s Voiced by GOKU!?!?

In essence, Captain Celebrity feels like a lighter, softer version of Homelander, if Homelander weren’t a murderous psychopath and just an arrogant blowhard. He rubs Koichi the wrong way several times, and even Knuckleduster comments on how much trouble he causes. And much to Koichi’s dismay, the womanizing hero sets his sights on Makoto, who’s joined his support staff as one of his…cheerleaders.

Forget Homelander; Captain Celebrity feels like a blonde version of MCU Tony Stark before he underwent character development! What’s even crazier, though, is that he’s voiced by Sean Schemmel, AKA Goku. GOKU!!!

Captain Celebrity is very much a problem, to the point that he’s facing several lawsuits from women he dated. And he’s facing another lawsuit from his wife, to boot for cheating on her so often! Hilariously, though, it turns out Makoto only agreed to help CC because his wife wanted someone to keep an eye on him. The look on his face when he realizes this is priceless!

Koichi’s Mom is Coming to Visit? Oh nooooo….

Overall, this episode didn’t really do much to move the overarching plot along, but in this case, it didn’t need to. Captain Celebrity might be an arrogant blowhard, but there is no denying he has a flair for showmanship, and seeing him freak out over his wife is hilarious. It looks like the Captain is going to be here to stay, so we’ll probably see him more often. However, there’s a more immediate problem: Koichi’s mother comes to visit him! And in the short amount of time we have to learn about her, we learn she’s going to be a problem. Especially since Koichi lied to her about having a girlfriend.

Oh no.

I Give “Major” a 4.5/5

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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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My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Ep 3 Review

It’s well-known by now amongst My Hero Academia fans that Horikoshi got much of his inspiration for Deku from Spider-Man. Both have a strong sense of justice, are adorkable, and get out through the wringer a lot. The one thing that separates Deku from Spider-Man, though, is that the former doesn’t need to live a double life as a hero. That must be why Koichi, the main hero of Vigilantes, takes after that aspect of Spider-Man. Because he’s doing hero work outside the law, that leads to some…stress.

Like a pair of freeloaders mooching off his house and home without his consent.

Poor Koichi

The episode opens up with a glimpse at Koichi’s life as a university student as the teacher is, ironically, discussing the origins of pro-heroes in vigilantism. In most comics, superheroes do operate outside the law. The only reason most don’t face charges is because they’re so capable that it would be a bad idea. More importantly, the episode shows how Koichi is miserable in his normal life. He has no college friends and works at a part-time job he doesn’t like. Is it any wonder he’s compelled to be a Good Samaritan in his off-time?

Unfortunately, his home life is no better, as Knuckleduster and Pop☆Step have turned it into their personal hangout with no regard for what he wants. Knuckleduster eats his food like a parasite, and Pop☆Step turns it into her dressing room. Much to his dismay, this is something that doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon.

Then again, it’s not like Pop☆Step has it any easier. Besides the episode revealing how much effort she has to put into her look, her latest show gets crashed by an overzealous fan turned Instant Villain. And this one is a giant eel. The resulting experience is nothing short of cringe for Pop☆Step.

Thankfully, Koichi and Knuckleduster are able to save her before it gets out of hand. More importantly, after the eel guy (Teruro) calms down, the two delinquent fans (Ichimo and Namimaru) from the last episode get to know him and realize he was tricked into using Trigger. So, the three of them agree to meet Koichi and Pop☆Step.

Evil Death Bee

Before they do, though, they run into someone who ends up being more important than they realize: Kuin Hachisuka, AKA Queen Bee.

Thankfully, the pro heroes are able to stop things before the vigilantes have to get involved, which leads to a nice cavalcade of cameos from the main series.

The episode ends on a relatively high note, but Knuckleduster seems troubled by the appearance of the bees. It’s likely that he knows something that he’s not telling the others, but that will have to wait another day. This episode wasn’t that big on the action, but it made up for it by building up its characters, so it was a good one to watch. Good thing I’ve got plenty more to watch.

I Give “Bee” a 3.5/5

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