The My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime adaptation has quickly become one of 2025’s most-awaited releases. Now that the manga is officially over and the main show is rapidly approaching its conclusion, this My Hero Academia sequel will help fans continue enjoying the incredible universe created by Kohei Horikoshi.

The show will also help greatly expand the lore and give fans a new perspective on the issues that plagued Hero Society before Deku’s time. The complexities of the Vigilantes' story are perfectly exemplified by the main villain, a man known as Number 6. This new antagonist will feel like a breath of fresh air for viewers, thanks to his intriguing backstory, shocking abilities, and his relationship with some of the franchise’s biggest threats.

Number 6 Is One of the Franchise’s Most Complex Villains

His Backstory Is One of the Most Interesting

...I'll make sure you get what's coming to you!

- Number 6

Known to the rest of the world as Rokuro Nomura, Number 6 was once a nameless child kidnapped by All For One and Dr. Garaki. When he was still a toddler, the boy was diagnosed with agnosia, a neurological disorder that prevents people from recognizing themselves or anything around them. As such, Number 6 had no true concept of who he was, making him the perfect blank slate for All For One to mold into his perfect pupil. Rokuro was tricked into iring heroes like O’clock, who would later become Knuckleduster, so he could pretend to be one.

Years later, he debuted as the hero Rock, helping the citizens of Japan during the day while overseeing the nefarious activities of the Villain Factory at night. Since Number 6 had no personality of his own when he was taken by the villains, he was taught both the art of manipulation and how to act, making him a dangerous and almost perfect spy. The villain could adapt himself to any situation, acting exactly like his targets would want him to. Behind his charming and affable façade hid an uncaring and cold individual, willing to sacrifice anything to follow his master’s plan.

However, his extensive work as a hero and the gratitude of the people whom he saved did cause him to develop a sense of right and wrong. At various points in the spin-off manga, Rokuro struggles with his villainous work, wondering if he was indeed supposed to work for the biggest villain in the series. He is one of the few antagonists in the franchise who has the opportunity to see Hero Society from both sides. His unique perspective helps readers better understand the issues that plagued Hero Society.

His Multiple Quirks Make Him a Fearsome Opponent

Number 6 Evokes the Same Fear as Final War Arc Shigaraki

One of the main reasons why Tenko Shimura, one of the characters with the most Quirks in the series. He is best known for using Overclock, the power All For One stole from Knuckleduster in the past.

This extremely powerful ability helps his brain process his surroundings at superhuman speeds, making everything around him move in slow motion. It also gives him a slight boost in speed and agility. Combined with his other powerful Quirks, like the ability to turn certain parts of his body into bombs, regenerate quickly, and produce waves that can destroy the surrounding technology, Number 6 is a step above the average villain. The battles fans will see him take part in will leave them shocked and impressed.

His Story Is Proof of How Horrible All for One Truly Was

Not Even Tomura Suffered This Much

Shigaraki’s backstory is one of the most tragic in the franchise. His entire family died due to All For One giving him an incomplete and unstable Quirk, only to appear as a savior and manipulate him into becoming his apprentice. Yet, when looking carefully, Number 6’s tale is even more horrifying. Rokuro was left behind as a child for a condition he had no control over, ostracized from society and manipulated by villains since childhood. Not even the man who took him saw him as a person, as the Symbol of Evil only saw him as a weapon.

Unlike Shigaraki, whom All For One treated with respect and care, Number 6 was just another pawn in his game, one that would ultimately be discarded once his usefulness ended. Coupled with the fact that Rokuro himself had doubts about continuing his life as a villain, his story becomes a true tragedy. Number 6 never had a chance to discover who he was or live the life he dreamed of, as he was simply manipulated and pushed down a path of self-destruction. All For One’s cruelty in the spin-off is something that is seen less in the main series.

As the release of the spin-off anime approaches, the hype surrounding this amazing story continues to rise. Fans who decide to give the series a watch will find that Number 6 is by far one of the best villains in the series. His role in the show will make My Hero Academia: Vigilantes an outstandingly enjoyable experience that viewers will never forget.