"My Hero Academia: Vigilantes" - Episode 6 "Crossing Lines" Preview Images & Synopsis Released! Inoue Go Shares Thoughts on Playing Stendhal

Kyodo News

16-05-2025

By Koji Uchida, Animate Times - 17 hours ago - 19:13 | All
The synopsis and preview scenes from the 6th episode of "My Hero Academia: Vigilantes", titled "Crossing Lines", have been released. Along with this announcement, a new character visual from the Judgement Bringer, Stendhal, who appeared on the previous episode (5th episode) 'Judgement,' has also been released. The voice actor behind this character, Go Inoue, has also shared his thoughts.
Additionally, the official relay interview features a conversation between Shuichiro Umeda (voice of Koichi) and Go Inoue (voice of Stendhal) has also arrived.
"My Hero Academia: Vigilantes" is the official spin-off series of "My Hero Academia" (commonly known as MHA). This TV anime adaptation is currently airing in Japan and available on Crunchyroll for global streaming.
The official YouTube channel has also announced that episode 30 "Climax" from "My Hero Academia" Season 2's "The Hero Killer Stain Arc," will be available for a limited one-week period.
▲The character visual of the Judgement Bringer, Stendhal, the past identity of Stain
Stendhal's Character Visual Revealed!
Stendhal (CV: Go Inoue)
★ The new character "Judgement Bringer" Stendhal, who made a powerful impact in Episode 5 "Judgement," has been unveiled. Interestingly, this character is actually the past version of a familiar face from "My Hero Academia." It's none other than Stain, the infamous "Hero Killer" villain who's hugely popular among fans!
To coincide with Stendhal's appearance, his character visual has been released! The design, predominantly in red and black, features his memorable line: "With a single strike of my blade, I will sever the sin that is you. That is... judgement." This striking visual embodies his character, with "blood" as a key element.
Comment from Go Inoue, The Voices Behind Stendhal and Stain!
■ Comment from Go Inoue
As many of you may have noticed, Stendhal is actually... the future Stain! I was really looking forward to recording this prequel story to "My Hero Academia."
While he maintains his core characteristics - unwavering in his beliefs and slightly gentler in his demeanor towards others - there were some exciting discoveries along the way. Episode 6 will reveal the catalyst for Stendhal's transformation into Stain, so I hope viewers will watch closely until the very end!
Go Inoue Profile
Affiliated with Sigma Seven. Born on April 19th. Originally from Okinawa Prefecture.
Notable roles include:
• Sasaki Kojiro in "YAIBA: Samurai Legend"
• Sky High / Keith Goodman in "TIGER & BUNNY"
• Blue Keeper in "Go! Go! Loser Ranger!'
"My Hero Academia" Episode 30 "Climax" Available on YouTube Channel for a Limited Time!
★ Following the broadcast of Episode 6 on Monday, May 12th, it has been announced that Episode 30 "Climax" - the thrilling conclusion to the "Hero Killer Stain Arc" of "My Hero Academia" Season 2 - will be available for a limited one-week period on the TOHO animation YouTube channel!
Availability Period: Monday, May 12th, 23:30 JST - Monday, May 19th, 23:29 JST
Episode 6: "Crossing Lines"
Synopsis
Stendhal saved Koichi and showed sympathy for his ideals. However, he was revealed to be a man with a twisted belief that led him to kill people he considered evil, calling it "judgment."
Manipulated by Kuin's scheme, Stendhal sets his sights on Soga and his two companions as his next targets. Soga attempts to face him alone to protect his friends, but…
Episode 6 Trailer
Official Interview with Shuichiro Umeda (Koichi) & Go Inoue (Stendhal)
-- Inoue-san, you played Stain in "My Hero Academia." How did you find playing his past self, Stendhal, in "Vigilante"?
Inoue: I knew about "Vigilante," but I hadn't read it when I was cast in "My Hero Academia." I never imagined I'd get to voice Chizome Akaguro, Stain's earlier persona, in an anime adaptation. I was really looking forward to the voice recording, and it turned out to be just as enjoyable as I'd anticipated.
-- What did you focus on or find challenging when performing this role?
Inoue: Initially, I thought I could just perform in the same style as Stain from "My Hero Academia." However, when I read the script, I was surprised by how polite Stendhal was, addressing Koichi as "kimi" and Knuckleduster as "anata." Unlike Stain, who had a very established way of behaving, Stendhal seemed to be in a state where he could still engage in conversation. I consciously toned down the madness that Stain possessed, which was both something I focused on and found challenging.
*Both 'kimi' and 'anata' literally mean 'you,' but 'anata' is generally considered to be more polite than 'kimi.'
-- Episode 6 featured battles between Stendhal and Koichi, as well as Stendhal and Knuckleduster. The visuals were quite impressive. Could you share your thoughts on performing these scenes?
Inoue: It really drove home how strong Stain was, even back when he was Stendhal. His Quirk, "Bloodcurdle," allows him to paralyze his opponents by ingesting their blood. But to get that blood, he first needs to wound them. This means he has to land a hit on his opponent even without using his Quirk. The fact that he can fight effectively even in situations where he can't rely on his Quirk shows how much he's trained himself. This scene really made me appreciate just how formidable he is.
-- How did you find the battle between Stendhal and Knuckleduster, Umeda-san?
Umeda: While I was already aware of Knuckleduster's strength, seeing Stendhal's power and madness firsthand made this fight scene the most intense one in the series so far. The way Knuckleduster won using what could be considered an illegal move felt very true to the spirit of "Vigilante." At the same time, Stendhal, despite being terrifying, had a certain coolness that was hard to ignore. I felt this scene was packed with various appealing elements.
-- After the battle with Knuckleduster, Stendhal transforms into Stain. In portraying this role, were there any aspects you intentionally kept consistent or differentiated between "My Hero Academia" and this work?
Inoue: While I didn't consciously maintain any similarities in my performance, I felt it was crucial to clearly convey the difference in their convictions. Stain had established his belief in "purging fake heroes," but Stendhal hasn't reached that point yet. It's through this fight with Knuckleduster that his beliefs begin to solidify into something more concrete. Although there's a transformation, I felt that both characters share an unwavering dedication to their beliefs.
-- Could you tell us about the highlights and key points to watch for in Episode 6?
Umeda: The battle scene between Knuckleduster and Stendhal really showcases Knuckleduster's strength and gives us a clearer picture of his hero persona. We also get to witness Stendhal's transformation into Stain, which is sure to excite both "My Hero Academia Vigilantes" fans and "My Hero Academia" enthusiasts alike. It's an episode filled with thrilling and suspenseful moments that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Inoue: As Umeda-san mentioned, episode 6 depicts the turning point that leads Stendhal to become Stain. It's a crucial episode that connects to "My Hero Academia," showing why Stain developed his particular beliefs, so I hope you'll watch it.
★ The full interview is available on the official website (http://vigilante-anime.com/)!
About TV Anime "My Hero Academia: Vigilantes"
Synopsis
They couldn't become official heroes... but they still want to save people! A down-to-earth story of growth featuring illegal heroes!
"My Hero Academia," created by Kohei Horikoshi, has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump for 10 years and has gained explosive popularity worldwide.
Now, its official spin-off series "My Hero Academia: Vigilantes" is finally getting an anime adaptation!
Written by Hideyuki Furuhashi and illustrated by Betten Court, this series was serialized in Shonen Jump+ and takes place a few years before the events of "My Hero Academia."
The story is set in a superhuman society where about 80% of the world's population possesses superpowers, known as "Quirks." In this chaotic world, the "chosen" profession of Heroes protects people from accidents, disasters, and Villains who misuse their Quirks.
However, there are also those who weren't "chosen" but still can't help saving people right in front of them. This is the story of those heroes - the Vigilantes.
Cast
Koichi Haimawari: Shuichiro Umeda
Pop☆Step: Ikumi Hasegawa
Knuckleduster: Yasuhiro Mamiya
All Might: Kenta Miyake
Shota Aizawa: Junichi Suwabe
Hizashi Yamada: Hiroyuki Yoshino
Nemuri Kayama:Akeno Watanabe
Tensei Ida: Masamichi Kitada
Kuin Hachisuka: Sayaka Senbongi
Soga Kugisaki:Kōsuke Toriumi
Naomasa Tsukauchi: Tokuyoshi Kawashima
Makoto Tsukauchi: Asami Seto
(C) 古橋秀之・別天荒人・堀越耕平／集英社・ヴィジランテ製作委員会
※Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation