What To Watch After MHA Vigilantes: Full Guide (2026)

Finished My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, and need something to fill the void? You came to the right place. This spin-off's grittier tone, street-level heroics, and older protagonist set it apart from the main story — and finding anime that captures that same energy can be tricky. Whether you connected with Koichi's underdog journey, Knuckleduster's brutal mentor style, or the show's commentary on licensed heroism, we put together this guide to help you find your next watch based on what made Vigilantes special to you.

Key Takeaways

• Tiger & Bunny is the closest match for many fans who loved Vigilantes' take on commercialized heroism and corporate hero critique.
• Darker Than Black and Jujutsu Kaisen deliver the mature, morally gray storytelling that Vigilantes fans crave.
• SHY features an underdog protagonist whose self-doubt mirrors Koichi's early struggles as a young boy finding his path.
• Your next watch depends on what you loved most — street-level action, dark themes, or underdog character arcs.
• MHA: Vigilantes Season 2 premiered on January 5, 2026, on Crunchyroll, with 13 episodes that adapt the highly anticipated Aizawa flashback arc.

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What To Watch After MHA Vigilantes

If you loved the street-level heroics and grounded approach of My Hero Academia Vigilantes, these anime series capture similar vibes while bringing their own unique spin to superhero anime storytelling.

Tiger & Bunny

If you enjoy Vigilantes, Tiger & Bunny is one of the strongest parallels, taking place in a universe where heroes operate under corporate sponsorship and compete for public rankings on the reality show Hero TV. That setup creates the same kind of commentary on commercialized heroism that Vigilantes explores through its examination of licensed vs. unlicensed heroes.

The two heroes — veteran Kotetsu T. Kaburagi (Wild Tiger) and rising star Barnaby Brooks Jr. — are forced to work as a duo despite clashing personalities. Wild Tiger is a washed-up hero whose idealistic views on heroism clash with the corporate reality of their world, much like how Koichi operates outside the system in Vigilantes.

The show is available on streaming services like Netflix and Crunchyroll, with a second season that was released in 2022. The buddy-cop dynamic between the two leads creates both comedy and genuine emotional moments as they learn to trust each other. Many fans consider this one of the best superhero anime available.

One Punch Man

On the surface, One Punch Man looks like the opposite of Vigilantes. Saitama is so overpowered that he defeats every enemy with a single punch, while Koichi spends most of the series struggling against basic thugs. But both shows share something important: they explore what it means to be a hero outside the spotlight.

Saitama isn't motivated by fame or recognition. He became a hero "for fun" and genuinely wants to help people, even when the public dismisses or underestimates him. That pure motivation mirrors Koichi's choice to help others despite not having a hero license.

The Hero Association in One Punch Man also provides sharp commentary on hero rankings and bureaucracy — themes that resonate with anyone frustrated by the rigid hero licensing system in My Hero Academia. The pro heroes in this world face similar institutional pressures.

Mob Psycho 100

Mob Psycho 100, by the same author behind One Punch Man, follows Mob Kageyama—a reserved middle schooler whose extraordinary psychic abilities clash with his desire for an ordinary life. Like Koichi, Mob is unassuming and avoids the spotlight despite having remarkable special abilities.

The series tackles emotional intelligence and personal growth in ways that feel more mature than typical shonen fare. Mob's journey isn't about getting stronger — it's about learning to express his emotions and connect with others. Vigilantes fans who appreciated Koichi's character development will find a lot to love here.

The animation by Studio Bones (the same studio behind My Hero Academia) is absolutely stunning, especially during psychic battles. Studio Bones consistently delivers some of the best action sequences in anime.

Samurai Flamenco

Here's an underrated gem that Vigilantes fans should know about. Samurai Flamenco follows Masayoshi Hazama, a male model who decides to become a hero despite having no powers whatsoever. Sound familiar?

The early episodes play out like a grounded vigilante story. Masayoshi gets beaten up by common criminals, struggles to make a difference, and faces real-world consequences for running around in a costume. It's basically what would happen if a single person tried to become a superhero in our world.

Fair warning: the show takes some wild narrative turns around episode seven that completely shift its genre. Whether you love or hate those twists depends on your taste, but the journey is unlike anything else in anime.

3 Anime Series with Anti-Hero or Vigilante Protagonists

If the morally gray world of Vigilantes appealed to you more than the main Hero Academia series, these darker anime deliver complex characters who operate outside traditional hero frameworks.

Darker Than Black

Darker Than Black is a 2007 sci-fi noir anime that follows Hei, an assassin working for a mysterious organization called the Syndicate. In this world, spatial anomalies called "Gates" have appeared, and people with special abilities called "Contractors" have emerged — but they've lost their emotions in exchange for their powers.

The brilliance of Darker Than Black lies in Hei's character. Unlike other Contractors, he can feel emotions and wrestle with the morality of his actions. He adopts multiple identities — including "Li Shenshun," a friendly Chinese exchange student — to complete missions, much like how Koichi balances his civilian and vigilante lives.

The series aired for 25 episodes plus an OVA and a sequel season. It's darker and more violent than Vigilantes, but fans of Knuckleduster's grittier approach will feel right at home. The characters in this world face genuine consequences for their choices.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen has become the go-to recommendation for My Hero Academia fans, and for good reason. Creator Gege Akutami has openly acknowledged that JJK wouldn't exist without MHA's influence.

The series follows Yuji Itadori, a kind-hearted boy who unwillingly becomes Sukuna’s vessel and joins Jujutsu High to fight supernatural curses threatening humanity. The tone is significantly darker than the main Hero Academia series, with genuine stakes and casualties that give weight to every battle.

What makes JJK feel closer to Vigilantes is its exploration of morally complex characters and the institutional failures of Jujutsu society. The sorcerers operate in the shadows, dealing with threats most people never know about — much as vigilantes in MHA handle crimes that fall through the cracks.

Season 3 is currently airing, making now a perfect time to watch and catch up. We also carry officially licensed Jujutsu Kaisen collectibles for fans looking to build their collection.

Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man pushes the boundaries of what shonen anime can be. Denji, the protagonist, becomes a Devil Hunter after fusing with his chainsaw devil companion Pochita. Unlike typical heroes motivated by justice, Denji wants simple things — food, shelter, and companionship.

The raw, unfiltered nature of Denji's desires makes him one of the most refreshingly honest protagonists in recent anime. He's not fighting for abstract ideals. He's fighting to survive, which connects to Vigilantes' more grounded approach to heroism. The memorable characters throughout the series keep viewers engaged.

The animation by MAPPA is exceptional, and the series doesn't shy away from violence, dark humor, or uncomfortable themes.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Demon Slayer tells the story of Tanjiro Kamado, whose life is shattered when demons kill his family and curse his sister Nezuko with a demonic transformation. He joins the Demon Slayer Corps — an organization that operates without official government sanction — to find a cure for his sister and avenge his family.

The Demon Slayers function as vigilantes within their world, working in secret to protect humanity from threats most people don't even believe exist. That parallel to the underground hero work in Vigilantes makes it a natural fit for fans.

The animation by ufotable is some of the best in the industry, and the emotional core of Tanjiro's bond with Nezuko drives the entire story. Multiple seasons and movies have already aired, so there's plenty of content to keep you busy. Check out our Demon Slayer collection for officially licensed merchandise featuring your favorite demon slayers.

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2 Best Anime with Underdog Protagonists Like Koichi

Koichi Haimawari started Vigilantes with a seemingly ordinary quirk and zero combat experience. If you loved watching him grow into a capable hero, these series feature similar underdog journeys.

SHY

SHY premiered in October 2023 and immediately drew comparisons to My Hero Academia. The series follows Teru Momijiyama, a 14-year-old girl who serves as Japan's representative hero despite suffering from crippling social anxiety.

Unlike the confident heroes of most superhero anime stories, Teru struggles with basic public appearances. Her hero name is literally "Shy" because that's her defining characteristic. When she fails to save someone during an early crisis properly, the public criticism sends her into a deep depression.

That vulnerability and self-doubt mirror Koichi's early struggles in Vigilantes. Both characters become heroes not because they're naturally suited for it, but because they genuinely want to help people despite their limitations.

SHY Season 2 is currently airing as part of the new season lineup, making it a perfect time to start the series on Crunchyroll.

Bungo Stray Dogs

Bungo Stray Dogs centers on Atsushi Nakajima, an 18-year-old orphan who discovers he can transform into a powerful white tiger. After being kicked out of his orphanage, he's recruited by the Armed Detective Agency — a group that handles supernatural crimes too dangerous for regular police.

His crushing self-doubt and traumatic past define Atsushi's arc. He constantly questions whether he deserves to be saved or if he has any value. That internal struggle, combined with his gradual growth into a capable fighter, echoes Koichi's transformation throughout Vigilantes.

The series also features morally complex factions, including the Port Mafia, that blur the lines between heroes and villains. One standout feature is that all characters are named after celebrated Japanese writers, and their powers echo themes from the authors’ works, enriching the setting. Five seasons have aired, giving you plenty of content to explore.

How to Choose Your Next Watch Based on What You Love

Not sure where to start? Here's a quick breakdown based on what drew you to Vigilantes:

For fans who want to dive deeper into classic shonen while waiting for new episodes, our Naruto collection offers plenty of officially licensed merchandise from another beloved underdog story.

The beauty of My Hero Academia Vigilantes is that it appealed to different fans for different reasons. Some loved the grittier tone. Others connected with Koichi's underdog story. And many fans appreciated seeing familiar MHA characters like Eraserhead and All Might in a new context.

If you're still craving more MHA content while exploring these recommendations, our My Hero Academia collection features officially licensed collectibles, including the Heroes Collage Fleece Throw Blanket — perfect for your next binge session. You can also grab the Izuku Midoriya Character Pillow or the Heroes Perks Water Bottle to complete your setup. Fitness fans can grab the All Might Gym Shaker Bottle, and the MHA Characters Car Sunshade keeps your ride cool while showing off your fandom.

Should You Watch MHA and Vigilantes in Chronological Order?

Technically, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes takes place about five years before the events of My Hero Academia, during a period when many characters were still chasing a more peaceful life. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to watch them in chronological order, and most fans recommend against it.

My Hero Academia provides the foundation for understanding the hero society, Quirks, and the major institutions that Vigilantes frequently reference. Starting with Vigilantes means missing the impact of key milestones like the entrance exam arc, sports festival arc, and final exam arc, which establish the rules, stakes, and tone of the world. It also lessens the weight of later developments such as the pro hero arc and shie hassaikai arc, where the system truly starts to crack.

The recommended viewing order is:

1. Watch My Hero Academia first (at least through Academia Season 2)
2. Then watch Vigilantes to see the prequel story
3. Continue with both series as new content releases

Many fans also wonder whether they should watch the Hero Academia movies like Two Heroes, Heroes Rising, and World Heroes Mission before or after certain seasons. The movies work best after their corresponding academia season — Two Heroes after Season 2, Heroes Rising after Season 4, and World Heroes Mission after Season 5. These movies feature pro heroes in standalone adventures that don't significantly affect the main story.

That said, Vigilantes works as a standalone story. If you've already seen the main series and just finished Vigilantes Season 1, Season 2 is now streaming. The final season premiered January 5, 2026, with 13 episodes planned through late March. The highly anticipated Aizawa flashback arc will finally reveal how Eraserhead became the hero we know — and his connection to the Nomu Kurogiri. New episodes drop every Monday on Crunchyroll.

FAQs

What anime is most similar to My Hero Academia Vigilantes?

Tiger & Bunny is the closest match. Both series explore what happens when heroism becomes commercialized and examine the gap between public perception and the reality of hero work. Wild Tiger's idealistic approach to heroism despite corporate pressure mirrors Koichi's dedication to helping people without official recognition, especially in earlier seasons before the tone becomes more high-stakes.

Darker Than Black is another strong pick if you prefer the grittier aspects of Vigilantes. Hei operates in the shadows much like Knuckleduster, and the series explores similar themes of underground justice that later become more prominent as My Hero Academia progresses toward the hero killer arc and final war arc.

Is MHA Vigilantes worth watching before the main series?

We recommend watching at least the first two seasons of My Hero Academia before starting Vigilantes, as this is when Hero Academia takes place chronologically relative to many Vigilantes events. The spin-off frequently references concepts introduced during the forest training camp arc and the meta liberation army arc, and even elements that later echo in the stripe arc.

However, Vigilantes does function as a standalone story. If you're more interested in a mature, street-level superhero anime and don’t want to commit to the longer main series—or sit through every recap episode or Hero Academia OVA, you can still enjoy Vigilantes on its own. You’ll simply miss some of the “aha” moments when familiar faces appear or when Izuku’s early hero notebook habits are mirrored thematically.

Are there any anime about unlicensed or underground heroes?

Several anime explore this concept, particularly as anime shifts toward a new generation of morally complex protagonists:

• Tiger & Bunny features heroes who sometimes operate outside corporate approval
• Samurai Flamenco literally starts with a guy becoming a vigilante with no official sanction
• Darker Than Black follows characters who work entirely outside legal frameworks
• Bungo Stray Dogs centers on a detective agency that handles cases the police can’t touch

The vigilante/underground hero concept remains relatively rare in anime, which is part of what makes MHA: Vigilantes so distinctive within the genre.

What's the difference between Vigilantes Season 1 ending and the manga continuation?

Season 1 of Vigilantes adapted roughly chapters 1–30 of the manga, ending with the Queen Bee arc. The manga continues for 126 chapters across 15 volumes, meaning future seasons have plenty of material to adapt and expand on character arcs that later parallel major developments in the main series.

Season 2 moves into subsequent storylines, including the Underground Masquerade arc and the highly anticipated Aizawa flashback arc. For manga readers, Season 1 ended around Chapter 30—if you want to read ahead, Chapter 31 picks up right where the anime left off, long before the story reaches the scale of the final war arc in the main timeline.

Conclusion

Finding the right anime after MHA: Vigilantes depends on what hooked you in the first place. For corporate hero critique and themes tied to public safety, go with Tiger & Bunny. For darker themes, morally complex characters, and stories that feel closer to an original story than a traditional shōnen arc, try Darker Than Black or Jujutsu Kaisen. For underdog protagonists who grow through struggle—often pushed into intense heroes battle scenarios rather than formal training exercise settings—SHY and Bungo Stray Dogs deliver those emotional arcs.

Fans who enjoyed the Demon Slayer comparison will find similar ideas of heroes operating outside official structures, with one exception: My Hero Academia places much more emphasis on institutional hero systems, especially during the sports festival arc, while Vigilantes focuses on street-level consequences.

And of course, Vigilantes Season 2 is now streaming on Crunchyroll—the perfect excuse to stay in this world a little longer. Whether you're waiting for new episodes or diving into something entirely new, there’s never been a better time to explore what superhero anime has to offer.

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Citations:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Hero_Academia:_Vigilantes
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shy_(manga)