I don’t speak lightly when I say “To Be Hero X” is absolutely phenomenal. When the first episode dropped in April of this year, fans were hooked by the show’s unique concept and blend of 2D and 3D animation. What kept them around, though, was the fantastic world-building and dynamic cast of characters that rival some of the best animated series to date.
“To Be Hero X” is set in a world where anyone can be a hero by gaining the trust of the people around them. The more people who believe and trust in them, the more powerful they become. Every two years, the top 10 heroes gather for a tournament, competing for the number one spot: the title “X.”
The series takes a unique approach to its storyline. Rather than jumping straight into the tournament, season one is dedicated to getting to know every member of the top 10. Each hero receives a cluster of episodes for viewers to get to know them — their backstory, motivations and special abilities. The order each hero is introduced in does not depend on rank, but on where they fit into the broader narrative. As we learn more about the top 10, we also learn more about their world and the more sinister realities of being a hero.
What stands out about “To Be Hero X” is how compelling its characters are. With few minor exceptions, every top 10 hero is thoroughly fleshed out not only as heroes, but as people. They are multifaceted individuals with their own lives, families and friendships that develop alongside their rise to power. We start the series following the number 10 hero, Nice (Natsuki Hanae, “Demon Slayer”) — or really, a man named Lin Ling who is forced to impersonate Nice after the real Nice commits suicide. Lin Ling’s story is the perfect introduction to the world. Viewers watch as he is thrust into a life he has always dreamed of: fame, fortune and a girl he would risk everything for. But Lin Ling must grapple with the fact that this life is not his own, eventually leading him to forge his own path as a hero. The conclusion to his arc is inspiring at first glance, before a shocking ending that reinforces the darker tone of the show.
The series does a fantastic job of showcasing heroism without glorifying the struggles that the heroes face. There is glamor in the life of a hero, but also immense pressure. In a world where faith is reality, each hero is bound to their fans’ beliefs. The original Nice, believed to be the picture of elegance, struggles with extreme perfectionism to the point of obsession. Ghostblade (Yuichi Nakamura, “Jujutsu Kaisen”), a hero known for his ‘silent but deadly’ tactics, has lost his ability to speak. With their rise to fame and power, heroes are simultaneously stripped of their autonomy, becoming dependent on the trust they derived from public perception. As the series continues, the idea that anyone can become a hero takes on a far more ominous meaning.
These themes are further aided by the expressiveness of the show’s animation. “To Be Hero X” boasts flawless animation in various styles across its first season, and the fight scenes remain among the best I’ve ever watched. The transitions between 2D and 3D animation add to the intensity of the scene without feeling overdone. Even in static moments, the animation remains vibrant and full of heart, perfectly capturing the feel of each scene with its color and camera angles. These choices aren’t just for aesthetics, either: The switches in style have major narrative significance that viewers discover over the course of the season.
The season finale follows the mysterious number one hero, known only by his title as X (Mamoru Miyano, “Death Note”). Having held the title for three consecutive tournaments, surprisingly little is known about his abilities and their origin. In this episode, viewers follow X on the night before the next tournament. The episode — and this season — concludes with the tournament’s start. Though viewers have yet to see who will take the title of X, the show’s commitment to each character’s development makes it well worth the wait.
My personal favorite part of “To Be Hero X” is how it incorporates viewers into the story. There is a live ranking for fans to vote on their favorite hero, earning the show fan support beyond the story itself. According to creator Li Haoling (“Link Click”), this popularity poll will influence the narrative of season two. Currently, X holds the top spot, with Lin Ling in second place. The interactivity has fans on the edge of their seats to see how season two will pan out, and has sparked much online discussion about who should claim the title. If you have yet to watch the series, now is the perfect time — don’t you want the chance to influence this narrative?
Senior Arts Editor Morgan Sieradski can be reached at kmsier@umich.edu.
