My Hero Academia Vigilantes– Episode 4 challenges Koichi’s illegal hero path

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a prequel spin-off to the hit anime My Hero Academia. But this time, the spotlight isn’t on Deku or Bakugo it’s on Koichi, a college student with a small mobility quirk who uses it to save lives.
In a world where using a quirk without a hero license is illegal, Koichi becomes a vigilante, someone doing good while breaking the law. His story asks a powerful question: Can you be a hero if society says you’re not?
Episode 4 of Vigilantes slows down after last week’s intense setup. A drug that dangerously boosts quirks is still spreading across the city, but instead of a big fight, this episode focuses on quiet character moments.
One standout is the return of Tensei Iida, also known as Ingenium, the pro hero and older brother of Tenya Iida from the main series. He hasn’t had much screen time in My Hero Academia, so seeing him here is a treat especially for fans who know his tragic fate.
Tensei joins Koichi during a villain attack and gives advice on using his quirk more effectively. It briefly feels like a big turning point; maybe Tensei will offer Koichi a spot at his hero agency. But instead, he just says Koichi is “right where he belongs.”
That moment could’ve gone deeper. Why can't vigilantes like Koichi join the pro system? Why is saving lives still considered illegal?
Throughout the episode, Koichi continues saving people in public, rarely hiding his identity. In a world with strict hero laws, this feels unrealistic. There’s no real danger of arrest, no chase from the Hero Commission, and no moral pressure.
This could be a major source of tension. Should Koichi stop and wait until he can go legal? Or should he risk everything to help others now?
Episode 4 skips over that conflict, making the “vigilante” label feel more like a title than a real issue.
The most intense scenes in Episode 4 come from Knuckleduster, Koichi’s rough mentor. He’s reckless, possibly traumatized, and always on edge. His brief scenes add tension and mystery to an otherwise quiet episode.
Voice actor Jason Marnocha continues to shine in the English dub, making Knuckleduster sound like a man with nothing to lose. He’s not just a fighter, he's someone broken, maybe even dangerous.
Fans are hoping for a bigger focus on his backstory soon.
Meanwhile, the bee-themed villain reappears. She’s working with a hidden supplier, trying to spread the quirk-enhancing drug more carefully.
Her dialogue feels like something from the League of Villains, but no direct connection has been made yet. And since none of these drug dealers show up in the main timeline, it’s still unclear how this story fits into the bigger My Hero Academia world.
Episode 4 delivers emotional character moments, especially with Ingenium and Knuckleduster. But the story doesn’t push Koichi’s illegal status hard enough. Without real consequences or internal struggle, his “vigilante” role lacks weight.
The show may be building to something bigger but for now, the pacing feels slow, and the tension remains low. Fans of My Hero Academia may enjoy the extra character depth, but they’re still waiting for that big moment.