Introduction

If you follow me on social media or know me well, then you’ve probably seen my never-ending love for To Be Hero X. This Donghua (Chinese animation) has wowed me and countless other anime fans with its fresh take on the superhero genre. After 24 episodes, season 1 finally wrapped up and wow—if you could see me right now, I’m clapping even as I write this. To Be Hero X is my anime of the year. If you need more reasons to watch it, stick with me as I review it right here—spoiler free!

Story

To Be Hero X—which doesn’t follow previous To Be Hero installments—throws us into a world where trust reigns supreme. Those who gain trust from people around them earn powers that align with that trust. If others believe your body is impervious to harm, your power will reflect that belief. This system creates countless heroes and villains. Organizations form to gather the most powerful, but things shift when powers evolve and the world’s heroes come under scrutiny.

The story unfolds in a nonlinear format. Divided into arcs that focus on different heroes, the timelines may differ but eventually intertwine. What I loved is how the show challenges the very idea of “hero.” In this world, heroes aren’t always kind—they manipulate with propaganda and lies. Some of the most beloved figures are killers, deceivers, or both. It’s overwhelming at first, but that complexity mirrors our real world, where society often elevates people who don’t deserve the title of hero.

Another strength lies in the characters’ personal narratives. Heroes in To Be Hero X emerge from death, greed, jealousy, or redemption. One hero even rises not for revenge, but for self-redemption. While some characters—like one pink-haired heroine—fall flat, every arc pushes the narrative forward. It’s a bold, layered approach to storytelling.

Animation

The first episode made me say, “Huh?” because it opened with 3D animation before switching to traditional 2D. There’s a story reason for this (no spoilers), and both styles work. Most of the 24 episodes lean heavily on 2D, but both approaches shine when used. The last few episodes showcase the best work from BeDream, LAN Studio, Paper Plan Animation Studio, and PB Animation Co. To Be Hero X is consistently eye candy.

Sound

I watched To Be Hero X in Chinese, English, and Japanese dubs. All had their charms, though most anime fans will likely stick with Japanese. The soundtrack, however, is where the show truly shines. The opening theme, “Inertia” by Hiroyuki Sawano, is godly. The insert songs—also mostly by Sawano—and the ending track “Kontinuum” by SennaRin make the OST one of the best of the year. It’s easily worth buying and replaying endlessly.

Characters

To Be Hero X boasts a large cast, most of which are excellent. Ghostblade, the silent assassin, has depth. X, the standout and my favorite, bends reality with a snap of his fingers. Lin Ling, forced to take up another hero’s mantle, sets the tone for moral complexity. Each character’s backstory ties into how the trust system shapes them, with insecurities often becoming their strengths.

However, not every character hits the mark. Some central heroes come across as bland. Loli, for instance, feels like a cutesy Iron Man—her backstory about being judged for her looks works but isn’t as compelling as arcs like Lucky Cyan or Queen. While every character has a narrative role, a few lack the weight of their peers.

Conclusion

Personally, I scored To Be Hero X as a 10 on my own lists, but as a reviewer I can’t give it a perfect score due to minor flaws. Still, it’s easily one of the best—and my personal favorite—anime of the year. It consistently pushed boundaries and delivered week after week. I was hooked enough to watch new episodes the moment they dropped. Fans of superhero anime will love To Be Hero X, and like me, will be counting down the days until season 2. Thankfully, it’s already confirmed, and I couldn’t be more excited.

—Aaron