ForMy Hero Academiafans, no character represents heroism better than All Might. Toshinori is not just a symbol of justice and hope, he is what every human should aspire to be. He is kind, righteous, honorable, and beyond all, he was always willing to risk it all for the sake of others, proving himself as a true hero.
While there will never be another icon like All Might,the upcoming anime adaptation of theVigilantesspin-off mangadoes have a character that will elevate the franchise like never before. Koichi’s mentor, Knuckleduster, is more than just the series’ own Batman, he is the living embodiment of the determination and strength that lies inside every human.
Even Without Powers, Knuckleduster Is Here to Save the Day
Iwao Is an Inspiration for Most Fans
Knuckleduster, whose real name is Iwao Oguro, is Koichi’s mentor in theVigilantesmanga spin-off. Although he was once a hero,he lost his Quirk during a fight against All For One. This bulky and fierce warrior decided to become a lawless crime fighter after his daughter went missing. While he might not have any powers of his own, he trained for decades, preparing to be able to fight against some ofthe most powerful and skilled pro heroeslike Aizawa. Unlike All Might, which uses raw strength and flashy attacks, Iwao’s fighting style is far stealthier and decisive.
Knuckleduster would usually stick to the shadows, using the element of surprise and his outstanding fighting skills to defeat his targets as quickly as possible. Due to his lack of Quirk, he would often struggle to fight against strong opponents, even more so when they were under the influence of the strength-enhancing drug Trigger. Still, he would never back down from a fight, always giving it his all, no matter what the result might be. He can be stubborn and reckless, but there is no denying that he has the soul of a true hero.
The Heroic Opposite of All Might
Knuckleduster Is a Darker Version of Toshinori’s Character
Throughout theMy Hero Academiaseries, All Might distinguished himself for being a role model for the next generation of heroes. Despite how brutal his battles could get, like his fight against All For One, beloved for being one of the best in the series, Toshinori would always try to cause as little harm as possible. Despite also being a mentor and a heroic figure,Knuckleduster will shock fans with how vicious he can be. Seeing as he does not have a Quirk, the man relies on quick and effective knockdowns, rarely ever giving his opponents a chance to retaliate.
Unlike All Might, who taught his students to always follow the law and be embodiments of hope, Iwao was far more concerned with being effective. Knuckleduster is the heroic opposite of what Toshinori represented in the main series. He is a serious and brutal warrior, not worried about bringing hope or inspiring heroes. For Iwao, saving people and stopping evil were far more important than becoming popular or beloved among the public. While Toshinori was busy inspiring and teachingwho would become the greatest hero in history, Knuckleduster took care of the underground without expecting any recompense.
Iwao’s Story Will Give Fans a New Perspective
Fans Will Never See Hero Society the Same
Although the relevance of Knuckleduster might never reach that of All Might, there is no doubt that his story will help fans change how they interpret the series. Iwao is a character that goes against the main show’s status quo, being a Quirkless vigilante. His fighting style and determination are proof that having a special power is not a necessity when fighting for what is right, a theme that many fans consider the main series mishandled.
His fights will not have the same impact on the overall story, as most of his battles are against regular criminals. Yet, these events will underlinethe many issues that Hero Society failed to resolvefor decades before Deku and his friends took over. His story will be dark and often uncomfortable to watch. Nevertheless, it will help viewers expand their knowledge of the franchise and see the crude reality most regular citizens of Japan have to deal with.
Knuckleduster has the potential to become one of the most popular and admiredMy Hero Academiacharacters in history. Fans of the original show will not want to miss the adventures of Koichi and his mentor once the spin-off anime is released later in 2025.
