My Hero Academia: Vigilantes - The mysterious hero who fights without a Quirk

In a world where 80% of the population possesses a superpower known as a Quirk in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, there exists a hero doomed to live in the shadows. That character is Knuckleduster — a man with no superpowers, no cape, and no fame, yet he still chooses to fight for justice when no one else will. His character stands out as a gritty, old-school anti-hero whose fists are his justice and whose past is surrounded by tragedy.

Unlike the Pro Heroes fans know and love, Knuckleduster is someone who takes justice into his own hands — in places these licensed heroes cannot reach. In this article, we will cover who he is, what made him become a vigilante, how he remains powerful without a Quirk, and why his mentorship changes the trajectory of another unlikely hero, Koichi Haimawari.

Disclaimer: This article has spoilers from the manga.

Knuckleduster’s real name is Iwao Oguro. He was once a licensed Pro Hero known as O’Clock. His Quirk gave him the ability to move so fast that his opponents couldn’t keep up or have time to build a defense. But one day, he disappeared from the world’s radar.

The truth behind Iwao’s fall from grace is one of the most painful parts of Vigilantes. Iwao lost his Quirk, Overclock, not due to retirement or injury, but because it was stolen by the antagonist, All For One (AFO), who then gave it to Number 6. But instead of fading into obscurity or giving up, Iwao reinvented himself as Knuckleduster.

His character suffers through a deeper tragedy than just losing his powers. One of the most heartbreaking arcs in the series reveals that his daughter, Tamao, had gone missing. As a father, Iwao was devastated — but his search uncovered something worse: she had been experimented on and turned into a pawn by the villainous organization spreading the Trigger drug. This is the main reason he continues to fight.

To stay strong even without a Quirk, he trained extensively in hand-to-hand combat. His training allows him to take down powered enemies using leverage, speed, and pain-compliance techniques. But perhaps his greatest strength is his fearlessness. Knuckleduster would jump into battle without hesitation — and that’s what makes him intimidating to villains.

Why did he mentor Koichi in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes

The story of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is centered more around Koichi Haimawari — an average college student with a small, unimpressive Quirk known as Slide and Glide. But he’s a good person who uses his powers to help people get home safely or clean up his neighborhood. He’s personally content doing his bit for society.

Knuckleduster sees something in him — Koichi is too kind for the harsh world they live in. Even in the middle of his mission to save his daughter, Knuckleduster takes time to become a father figure to Koichi, teaching him not just how to fight, but what it means to take responsibility. Through their missions, Koichi becomes more confident, more strategic, and eventually unlocks new dimensions of his Quirk — transforming from a powerless boy into a legitimate vigilante hero. Without Knuckleduster, there would be no Crawler (Koichi’s hero name).

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In conclusion, Knuckleduster is a character who reminds us that true heroism isn’t about fame or flash. It’s about fighting for what’s right, even when no one is watching. His story in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a powerful testament to resilience. Even after being stripped of everything that once made him special, he didn’t waste time mourning — he rebuilt himself. He may be a side story in the grander universe, but Knuckleduster is no side character. He’s a symbol of justice who punches through the cracks of hero society — and he does it all without a Quirk.

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