Introduction

Obviously, as a nerd/geek/otaku, I love superheroes and know quite a bit about the concept. Batman, Superman, The Flash, Spider-Man, Captain America—the list goes on. These heroes all have unique themes and stories behind them. The anime world isn’t new to superheroes either, with series like My Hero Academia and One Punch Man making big waves, but they’ve never truly changed the superhero genre.

That’s why when the Chinese donghua To Be Hero X (Tu Bian Yingxiong X) arrived, I was eager to see what it could offer. Little did I realize that To Be Hero X wouldn’t just be another superhero animation—it would be something entirely different. Focusing on 10 unique heroes across 24 episodes, To Be Hero X redefines what I thought superheroes could be. In many ways, To Be Hero X is a revitalization of the superhero medium, and here’s why I believe it changes the genre forever.

Heroes of a different breed

Almost every superhero story starts the same way: someone gains powers through an accident or takes matters into their own hands. Even anti-heroes like Spawn or Ghost Rider follow similar origins through supernatural means. But To Be Hero X veers off this traditional path.

In this world, heroes aren’t gifted with powers—they earn them through faith. If enough people believe that a person can leap a hundred feet, they will. For example, Lucky Cyan survived a plane crash, and the public’s belief in her good fortune gave her a unique heroic ability. As a kid, I dreamed of becoming a Power Ranger or Kamen Rider, but sadly, belief alone wasn’t enough in our world. In To Be Hero X, though, people become heroes through their own potential and the faith others place in them. This makes heroism accessible to anyone—not just the “chosen ones.”

Beings of relatability and not absurdity

I’m not claiming that all superhero stories are unrealistic. Some, like Batman, straddle the line between exaggerated fiction and relatable themes. A billionaire driven by trauma, using technology to fight crime—that’s far-fetched but grounded in human emotion.

To Be Hero X takes this relatability even further. The powers may be fantastical, but the characters are deeply human. Take Firm-Man (yes, a silly name), whose strong legs and resilience came from saving a child from a wreck. Everyday heroes like this exist in real life—not for fame, but because it’s the right thing to do.

Even Nice (Lin Ling version), who becomes The Commoner, embodies this theme: anyone can rise from commoner to hero through their actions. The characters in To Be Hero X may have whimsical abilities, but they are scarily relatable, grounded in the qualities we admire in real people.

Lessons to be learned

“With great power comes great responsibility.” We all know this quote from Spider-Man, and it holds true in To Be Hero X as well. Though only nine episodes have aired as of this writing, the series is already rich with life lessons.

Without spoiling too much, one hero, E-Soul (Yang Cheng), faces a heartbreaking moment when jealousy and anger prevent him from saving someone. His hesitation costs a life—a painful reminder of how negative emotions can lead to irreversible consequences.

Similarly, the original Nice demonstrates that taking on too much in life can lead to overwhelming stress and depression. To Be Hero X teaches lessons through action and consequence—not just catchy quotes—showing how human emotions shape our actions, for better or worse.

Conclusion

The point of this article is simple: to show how To Be Hero X is both scary and beautiful in its portrayal of superheroes. This Chinese animation brings a familiar genre into new territory—reality. While Marvel and DC heroes flirt with realism, they are often caricatures of humanity. To Be Hero X, for all its stylish flair, keeps human faith and resilience at its core.

What does it mean to be a hero? Why does public belief empower someone? How can an ordinary person become extraordinary? To Be Hero X explores these questions, proving that the superhero genre still has untapped potential. This is a fictional series, but it is also 100% believable.

I strongly recommend that every superhero fan give To Be Hero X a try. You can watch it dubbed or subbed on Crunchyroll—and discover that the world of superheroes can go further than we ever imagined.

ーAaron