This article contains spoilers from My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.
Summary
- The Stendhal Arc in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes introduces a new deadly Vigilante, Stendhal, who cuts down villains lacking conviction.
- Stendhal’s encounter with Instant Villains and Kuin Hachisuka deepens his ideology, leading to his transformation into Stain.
- The interaction between Stendhal, Knuckleduster, and the “Legendary Senpai” Soga questions justice and heroes’ true nature in the series.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a spin-off series to the popular hit show My Hero Academia. The series introduces a new protagonist with dreams and aspirations of becoming a hero; however, he is daunted by a supposedly weak Quirk, resulting in them having to prowl the streets at night as a Vigilante.
The Stendhal Arc begins directly after introducing the “Vigilantes Beginnings Arc,” from Chapters 9 to 11. It will also be the arc to introduce further one of the main antagonists, Kuin Hachisuka, a member of the Villain Factory, for the following arc called the “Vs. Queen Been Arc.” The Stendhal Arc will give more insight into the infamous villain Stain, his ideology, and what separates a Vigilante from an individual seeking to incite violence or push their morals onto others.
Related
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Anime Episode Count Revealed
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is releasing soon. The episode count has been revealed.
Stendhal Is Introduced As A New and Deadly Vigilante
Though Seemingly Friendly to Those Who Are “Just,” Stendhal Cuts All Those Who Lack “Conviction”
|
First Appearance |
Chapter 9 “Judgement” |
|---|---|
|
Chapters |
9 – 11 |
As the arc begins, we follow Koichi and Kazuho as they attempt to apprehend an Instant villain they have captured once before. However, the villain in question had yet to become a repeat offender, which incited Koichi to subdue him before he caused too much harm. Koichi had always had a strong sense of justice, which was required of a hero.
In Chapter 9, Akaguro Chizome is introduced as a new Vigilante called Stendhal, who subdues villains who terrorize the innocents. As Kuin Hachisuka begins laying the framework for the Villain Factory, a previous organization of All For One and Garaki Kyudai, she is tasked with disposing of several of the Instant and Next-Level villains.
The name’s Stendhal. Another meddler, just like you.
Even though he swiftly overpowers the formidable villain, he eventually allows him to flee because a crowd has started to gather, drawing unwanted attention as just a guy who was “interfering” in affairs that weren’t his. Consequently, the new Vigilante made his escape just as the police were approaching. In My Hero Academia, Vigilantes are considered outlaws and cannot use their Quirks to fight crime. However, due to the presence of hazardous areas and the occasional lateness of the Pro Heroes, the Vigilantes feel compelled to act to subdue villains until the police or Pro Heroes can respond.
Related
My Hero Academia: Bakugo’s Role in Season 8, Explained
Last we saw, Bakugo was near death, with Edgeshot saving him. However, Bakugo has a crucial role in Season 8 that only he can accomplish.
Upon arriving at Koichi’s residence, Koichi expresses admiration for Stendhal and his appearance, which notably influenced him, albeit their interaction was brief. At this juncture, Koichi articulates his understanding of possessing a strong sense of justice; with figures such as Stendhal and the “Legendary Senpai,” who had been revealed to be Kugisaki Soga, Koichi’s aspirations for heroism have been revitalized. During this arc, a “strong sense of justice” and one’s “own personal sense of justice” are questioned. This conversation opened the arc to its true purpose, whether the Vigilantes are working towards a greater sense of justice or imposing their views on villains.
As Chapter 9 continues, we see Stendhal once again, having found the Instant Villain that had previously escaped. It was during this second interaction that Stendhal’s ideology came to light, condemning the Instant Villain for wielding his power without conviction, and as he had no conviction, it was automatically assumed that he was the villain. With this, Stendhal swiftly killed the villain, and Kuin Hachisuka witnessed it from afar.
Stendhal Becomes Stain And Strengthens His Ideology
Now, With Resolve and Conviction, Stendhal Continues His Murder Spree With A New Category of Targets
Kuin Hachisuka and Stendhal had already been acquainted, as she was the individual who gave him several targets to dispose of. Kuin had previously given Stendhal several vials of blood that would assist him in exterminating a Yakuza group called the Abegawa Tenchu Kai. As a result of this team-up, Stendhal agreed to dispose of four of the Instant villains.
Related
My Hero Academia: Shoto’s Role in Season 8, Explained
From his fight with his brother to settling this with his father once and for all, what’s in store for Shoto in Season 8 of My Hero Academia?
During this interaction, Stendhal explains that once he removes his mask, he is no longer the “persona of the convictor,” the existence who had surpassed the confines of humanity. Stendhal explains that once the mask is removed, he is no more than an ordinary man who devotes himself to the ideology of heroes and wishes not to mix the two personas. While Stendhal dislikes working with Kuin, he justifies his actions, stating that there is value in vermin who consume their fellow foes. At this point, Stendhal had yet to reach the true meaning of the ideology he would begin to uphold in My Hero Academia.
Shortly after this interaction, Kuin will make contact with Kugisaki Soga, the “Legendary Senpai” who had dreams and aspirations to become a hero, and his two friends, Tochi Moyuru and Tokage Rapt, who had previously become Instant Villains. After Rapt and Moyuru declined to take the Trigger drugs, Soga met Kuin alone in an alleyway. However, he had been lured into her trap as Stendhal had been waiting for him.
With Soga pushed into a corner, having felt he was discriminated against due to his “villainous” Quirk, he quickly transformed into a beast, which seemed to have justified Stendhal’s conviction of killing him, as his “true nature” had been exposed. Soon after Koichi arrives on the scene, and having already been acquainted with the two who supposedly had a “strong sense of justice,” Koichi attempts to break up the fight; however, his hesitation would cause Stendhal to attack and wound Soga.
Related
My Hero Academia: What Happens to Bakugo After Graduation, Explained
Bakugo Katsuki has come a long way from being an obnoxious teenager. How far does he go as a Pro Hero after graduating from U.A High?
As Koichi attempted to escape with Soga on his back, Stendhal quickly used his Quirk, Blood Curdle, to freeze him in his tracks. As he was about to lay the final blow, Knuckleduster arrived to save the day. During their interaction, Knuckleduster’s actions were those of a hero. Stendhal has always idolized heroes, with All Might at the top of the throne. As a result, he believed heroes to be extraordinary beings who deviate and transcend the imaginary line.
- Stendhal idealized heroes to the point of enrolling into a heroic high school to follow his dreams.
- During his time there, he learned how corrupt society was and that most heroes were unjust in their reasoning to become a Pro Hero.
After Knuckleduster proceeded to break Stendhal’s nose with a punch, Stendhal has an epiphany and realizes the true villains are the “false heroes” who put on a mask or disguise to convince themselves they are invincible. Stendhal quickly escapes the scene, thanking Knuckleduster for his guidance and teachings that have enlightened him. Soon after, Kazuho arrives with a first aid kit and patches up Soga, who had been bleeding from his chest.
Wherever I travel, tracks are left behind… guiding bloodstains… that cannot be wiped away…
Upon arriving at the residence of Stendhal, a severely deteriorated dwelling, Stendhal comes to the realization that he lacks the necessary “resolve” and proceeds to sever his nose. Kuin, shortly thereafter, interrupts his monologue, which results in her receiving a swift knife wound to her left eye, obscured by her hair. Following the loss of his nose, Stendhal perceives himself as liberated from a “mask”; hence, he believes he can discard his facade of deception and finally apprehend the truth of the world. Unbeknownst to him, Kuin survives the assault, as the bees intervened. Following the encounter with Knuckleduster, Stendhal becomes infamous as the Hero Killer: Stain within the narrative of My Hero Academia. Subsequently, Kuin continues her endeavors in supplying the Trigger drug in Naruhata.
My Hero Academia is now available to stream on Crunchyroll.