Content in this article refers to the Paranormal Liberation War Arc, due to feature in Season 6 of My Hero AcademiaThe shonen Anime, My Hero Academia, depicts a world where superpowers are a commonality, and only the best of the best can earn the title of Hero, after completing rigorous training at the UA High School.
Fortunately for the students, the #1 Hero, All Might, has joined the ranks of educators at this prestige school, paying special attention to a young Izuku Midoriya (aka Deku) along the way. Regrettably, having such a high-profiled savior at the school has invited some unwelcome attention from the League of Villains, who are intent on his destruction.
The Vanguard Action Squad Invasion
In episode 41 of My Hero Academia, Class 1-A and 1-B travels to a remote location in order to participate in displaying some potentially destructive rescue and survival techniques at the UA's Quirk Training Camp. Class A are put to the test to see how they can adjust their quirks to suit different situations with the assistance of the Wild, Wild Pussycats.
Thanks to a mole within the UA High School faculty, the League of Villains took this as the perfect opportunity to attack the youngsters. Overwhelmed and caught off guard, the villains vastly outnumber the professional heroes, and the students are left to practically defend themselves against the Vanguard Action Squad.
Moonfish: B-Rank
This deranged miscreant falls straight out of a horror movie, as an insane psychopath with a murderous streak and cannibalistic tendencies who rightfully earned his nickname, "The Death Row Inmate". His psychosis is emphasized by the straight jacket bodysuit that confines him, his true identity concealed from even his associates. Moonfish's Quirk, Blade Tooth, materializes from his only exposed body part, the mouth, whereby his teeth are transformed into seemingly inexhaustible lengths of razor-sharp appendages.
Capable of taking on multiple enemies solo, and clearly unconcerned with his own safety, Moonfish gives Deku, Bakugo, and the others a run for their money.
Mr. Compress: B-Rank
Atsuhiro Sako descends from a criminal bloodline, with the renowned Peerless Thief, Oji Harima, being his great great grandfather. His Quirk, Compress, is particularly useful for the life of crime because it allows Atsuhiro to warp his intended target, inanimate or living, into a petite orbicular form, without altering its contents (much like a ".zip" file).
With the flair of a magician, Mr. Compress gets a thrill out of entertaining any prospective audience with his criminal antics. He is one of the most humanized villains in the League, as he shows heroic characteristics when it comes to saving his colleagues, who he considers to be family.
Himiko Toga: A-Rank
As one of the most sadistic members of the Vanguard Action Squad, Himiko has a perverted obsession with blood, which entices a deep lust from within her. With a talent for reconnaissance, Himiko uses her metamorphic Qurik to complete the stealthiest missions for the League of Villains. Her ability, Transform, renders her practically invisible, which, when combined with her remarkable agility and elegant combat skills, turns this cutie into a deadly weapon. Clearly unhinged, this blonde beauty often tried to befriend her victims during battle and is instantly infatuated with Deku at first sight.
Dabi : A-Rank
Arguably one of the most threatening enemies within the Vanguard Action Squad, Dabi's bloodline actually stems from the #2 hero, Endeavor. With a childhood shrouded in violence and neglect, it is no wonder that Toya Todoroki turned to the life of crime in order to seek revenge. Unlike his father, Dabi's flames burn blue and prove to be more powerful than the average inferno. These flames, however, nearly got the better of him in his youth, when Toya's body was nearly burned to a crisp after he lost control of his Quirk. Heavily scarred, Dabi only emerged from the resulting coma after three years, full of resentment and ready to become a viperous villain.
Other members of the Vanguard Action Squad include:
- Twice: S-Rank
- Spinner: C-Rank
- Magne: B-Rank
- Muscular: A-Rank
- Mustard: C-Rank
- Nomu (Chainsaw)
Tomura and the Hero Killer
Tomura Shigaraki may not be an official member of the League of Villains but he did play a role in assembling the group. Intent on the destruction of All Might, Tomura gathered a team to do his bidding, assuming that finding allies for his cause would be an easy task. However, upon meeting Chizome Akaguro, the Hero Killer, he realized that all villain's motives might not necessarily align. The Hero Killer, aka Stain, possessed a certain admiration for the #1 hero which disturbed Tomura to no end, causing conflict between the potential partners. Whereas Stain desired a "Revival of Heroics," Tomura was more intent on the uprising of the League of Villains, and therefore the two parted ways. The Vanguard Action Squad prided themselves in honoring the Hero Killer's cause, with Dabi as the honourary leader and Tamura off on his own mission.
Honouring Stain's Mission
The Hero Killer is not a typical villain as he is not set on expanding violence and corruption, but instead takes on the role of an activist (kind of.) Chizome was once much like Deku, inspired by All Might to become the world's next greatest hero, but sadly, after enrolling at the UA High School, he realizes how nefarious the system had become. Fame and fortune had warped the priorities of the League of Heroes, and Chizome wanted nothing more to do with it. As Stain, he hoped to purify the ranks of alleged saviors, to make space for a more legitimate structure focused on protection. Maybe not such a bad guy after all...
It is hard to defend the likes of Himiko and Moonfish for allegedly joining the Vanguard Action Squad for honorable reasons, as their crazed, bloodthirsty antics seem to be the only thing fueling them. It is more likely that the pair would have taken up any opportunity to inflict pain, and with Himiko's preexisting connection to Dabi, tagging along was an easy option. Moonfish appeared to be in the right place at the right time, recruited after escaping from prison, but clearly seems incapable of making logical decisions, especially if the end goal is not concerned with blood, guts, and gore.
My Hero Academia Season 6 is due to air in October 2022.