My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10 review: Bones Films expertly builds tension through Kuin and Knuckleduster’s history

Aired on Monday, June 9, 2025, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10 delivers a gripping and well-crafted installment that skillfully balances rising tension with key plot progression. The episode sheds light on Knuckleduster’s past, revealing his history and enmity with Kuin, thus adding significant depth to his character.

At the same time, Pop receives an invitation for her first live performance, while Knuckleduster finally tracks down Kuin, setting the stage for a major confrontation. With its steady pacing, growing suspense, and solid production values, episode 10 proves to be a standout entry that pushes the narrative forward while keeping viewers thoroughly engaged.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10: A narrative review

Koichi in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10 (Image via Bones Film)

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10 makes for another gripping installment in the prequel series, skillfully balancing narrative depth and rising tension. Under the direction of Kenichi Suzuki and Yōsuke Kuroda’s scripts, the episode deepens character arcs while significantly driving the plot forward.

Titled Event Announcement!, the episode opens with Knuckleduster visiting his hospitalized wife, who wears an eyepatch and is in a catatonic state. A flashback reveals Kuin as the cause of her condition, giving Knuckleduster’s mission added emotional weight. His wife mentions their daughter, Tama, and Knuckleduster reassures her he’s working on reuniting their family.

Meanwhile, as Soga searches for Kuin using her middle school photo, one of Kuin’s friends attacks him using her bees. Soga’s friends Rapt and Moyoru arrive in time to save him. He later reports to Knuckleduster, confirming Kuin’s elusive behavior and hidden identity. It becomes evident that Knuckleduster is using Koichi and Pop as bait to lure Kuin out.

Episode 10 then drops a chilling reveal. Kuin murdered her parents and has been secretly living with their corpses. Now, she decides it’s time to move on. Elsewhere, at Koichi’s apartment, Pop receives an invitation to perform live at a department store rooftop event.

Nervous about accepting, she gets encouragement from both Koichi and Knuckleduster, who tell her to go for it. Koichi brings Makoto, who learned about their vigilante identities during the bus-jacking incident, to help prepare Pop.

She reassures Pop that her secret is safe. Although Pop feels the live event isn’t being taken seriously, Makoto motivates her to prove them wrong by organizing for Captain Celebrity to make an appearance at the event.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10 reveals more about Kuin (Image via Bones Film)

Excited but anxious, Pop prepares for her big moment. However, Kuin, seeing news of the event, is tempted to cause disruption. As she brushes off questions from a friend about another missing girl, Knuckleduster locates her. Episode 10 closes on a tense note as Knuckleduster confirms she’s the target he’s been hunting all along from a distance.

Studio Bones continues with consistent animation and well-crafted storytelling in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10, adding both depth and excitement. The narrative builds effectively on the intrigue from the previous installment, delivering a compelling mix of rising tension, character exploration, and impactful revelations.

It opens with emotional revelations with the personal connection between Kuin and Knuckleduster, as it becomes clear he’s aware of her methods involving bee manipulation.

Makoto in this episode (Image via Bones Film)

The reveal of his hospitalized wife and missing daughter adds emotional weight to his motivations, enriching his backstory. As Knuckleduster finally finds Kuin by the episode’s end, the setup for a likely showdown is in place, raising the hype.

Kuin’s unsettling background, living with her deceased parents, deepens her eerie villain character and reinforces her disturbing presence.

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This contrasts nicely with the lighter subplot of Pop receiving an invitation to perform at a live event, which provides character growth and a temporary breather from the growing darkness.

Yet, even this subplot hints at future conflict, suggesting the performance may become a focal point for upcoming tension.

With a careful balance of emotion, suspense, and continued character depth, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10 stands out as a particularly entertaining entry. It advances the overarching narrative with precision, maintaining intrigue while layering in backstory and psychological nuance.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10: An overall production criticism

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Studio Bones Film once again produces a captivating entry with My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10, continuing the impressive production that offers polished visuals, immersive sound design, and standout voice performances.

The animation remains dramatic and expressive, with dynamic framing and fluid character movement that bring all scenes to life. The signature comic book-inspired visual style continues to shine, giving the show its distinctive flair.

Knuckleduster finds Kuin (Image via Bones Film)

Notably, emotional and suspenseful moments, such as the flashbacks revealing the connection between Kuin and Knuckleduster, Kuin using her friend to attack Soga, and the eerie glimpse into Kuin’s home life, are all expertly animated to capture the intensity and mood of each scene.

The voice cast also excels, delivering flawless performances. Complementing the visuals and performances, the music and sound design by Yuki Hayashi, Shogo Yamashiro, and Yuki Furuhashi enhance the atmosphere further, enhancing the emotional beats and heightening the tension where needed.

In summary, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10 stands out as an impressively executed and stylistically consistent entry.

Final thoughts

Makoto and Pop shake hands (Image via Bones Film)

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes episode 10 sustains the show's momentum while deepening the narrative intrigue surrounding the villain plot further, proving once again why Vigilantes has become such a compelling addition to the My Hero Academia universe.

As the season approaches its end with just two episodes left, viewers can anticipate a surge in tension and action, with the developments in episode 10 setting the stage for heightened confrontations and pivotal moments ahead.

With compelling plot progression, consequential character moments, and steady production quality, episode 9 stands out as a memorable, significant, and entertaining watch.