When it first began back in 2014, the most popular publications Shōnen Jump magazine has ever released.

Yet, despite how great of a show it has proven to be over the years, there is no denying that its spin-off, Vigilantes, has vastly sured the original. Thanks to a more grounded story, the ability to handle darker themes, and a smaller cast, Koichi’s adventure has succeeded in ways Deku’s could never. Both shows are incredible and iconic, but Vigilantes has many advantages over its predecessor.

My Hero Academia’s Spin-off Handles Its World Much Better

Koichi’s Freedom Is a Major Advantage

The original My Hero Academia manga follows the story of Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without powers in a world where most of the population has acquired them. His quest to become the greatest hero of all time is inspiring, as it reminds viewers about the importance of hard work, cooperation, and humanity’s natural desire to help others. The series also contains many social critiques that help readers better understand the injustices of today’s society. Millions of fans waited excitedly each week to read the new chapters that creator Kohei Horikoshi had in store for them.

Lamentably, My Hero Academia couldn’t fully expand upon the world in hero society, given that several circumstances limited the ability to do so, such as the extensive cast with their individual backstories, Deku’s young age as a rising student, and a child-friendly rating that quartered what topics would be acceptable for audiences. Its spin-off, Vigilantes, was never limited by these types of constraints, giving it the freedom to create a more compelling and mature story. One of its biggest advantages over the original is the fact that its protagonist, Koichi, is not restricted to a specific setting, like Deku with U.A. High. This allows the hero to traverse his world without any issues.

The world of the spin-off benefits from feeling more alive and dynamic, not having to spend most of the time inside a school. The fact that Vigilantes is directed at a more mature audience also helps it deal better with the themes and topics that the original series struggled to handle. The spin-off offers viewers a more realistic vision of what Hero Society is truly like, depicting its many injustices, the pain it caused ordinary people, and the twisted sense of justice its ers represented.

Vigilantes’ Cast Is Far More Manageable

The Small Number of Characters Helps the Story Develop

One of the main reasons why the original My Hero Academia manga struggled was that it had to balance giving its many storylines a satisfying ending. While plot points like Ochako and Toga’s heartbreaking relationship were expertly handled, others, like the inequality suffered by various characters, were never given a proper conclusion. Vigilantes, having a much smaller cast of protagonists, do not have such an issue, as the problems of each character can be given the time and development needed.

Although the spin-off tends to approach subjects that are harder to portray in a Shōnen, the fact that the story does not need to follow a massive cast helps the team behind the series give each arc the attention it deserves. This also means that the cast of Vigilantes is easier for fans to get attached to, seeing as they are all utilized to their fullest. The original series always had an issue with developing its cast. Out of all the of Class 1-A, only a handful were given proper and interesting arcs.

My Hero Academia Is Still a Treasure

Anime Fans Love Horikoshi’s Work Dearly

Even though it might be true that the original My Hero Academia series is not a perfect story, its impact on the anime community cannot be disregarded. Horikoshi’s work is filled with care and ion, creating one of the most engaging stories anime fans have ever enjoyed. Despite some arcs being somewhat uninteresting or rushed, the best arcs in the series caused levels of hype that few series in history have accomplished. The main themes of the manga are also something that should never be ignored.

Fans should live their lives knowing that everyone can be the hero the world needs.

Deku's journey is a reminder that humanity can only progress by working together, helping those who need it, and making sure that the weakest and most vulnerable are always taken care of. It inspires readers to always do their best, facing their fears head-on and going the extra mile to achieve their dreams. Fans should take the lessons Horikoshi included in the series to heart and live their lives knowing that everyone can be the hero the world needs.