Movies

To Be Hero X: 5 Reasons It’s a Must-See Anime

BBG News

Series titled “Be Hero X” is generating tremendous excitement ahead of its 2025 release, with a series of captivating trailers rolled out since mid-2023. After just two episodes, it’s clear that the show delivers on all the promises made in those previews. This innovative animated series has already struck a chord among anime enthusiasts and critics alike due to its visually striking and distinctive style, an intriguing interpretation of superhero themes, and much more.

Just like the studio behind Link Click, To Be Hero X follows Lin Ling, an ordinary man who assumes the role of the late, beloved superhero Nice. However, embodying this hero is proving to be more challenging than he ever imagined, as he begins to understand that heroism might be a harsher fate than a lifetime in prison. So far, audiences are astounded by this series and it’s projected to surpass expectations with each new installment.

It Took the Efforts of Several Animation Studios to Create To Be Hero X’s Stunning Fusion of 2D & 3D

In the first glance, anime enthusiasts might find To Be Hero X distinctive due to its exceptional animation. This series stands out among the Spring 2025 anime lineup with its striking combination of 2D and 3D animation, boasting a visually appealing artistic style that mirrors Marvel’s hit Spider-Verse films, which embody a comic-book aesthetic fitting for their superhero theme. Similarly, the art style in To Be Hero X could be likened to Netflix’s Arcane, using CGI to produce graphics that resemble captivating illustrations.

It’s well-known that the Chinese donghua animation industry is renowned for the superior quality of its CGI, demonstrated in shows like “Ling Cage,” “The Island of Siliang,” and “Soul Land.” Consequently, it’s not surprising that the animation in “To Be Hero X” pushes the boundaries of what exceptional animation can achieve. Interestingly, this donghua occasionally transitions to a 2D animation style reminiscent of comic books, featuring thicker line-work and the application of screen tones.

In this animated series, the distinctive style is primarily used during To Be Hero X‘s intense emotional sequences and finely tuned action segments, drawing viewers further into a universe centered around superheroes and villains. The animation in To Be Hero X is vivid and highly expressive, using dynamic motion and bold colors to underscore the narrative. It also portrays a futuristic and breathtakingly clean world, embodying the ideal of heroism that hero corporations strive so diligently to maintain. However, this image becomes fragmented when the scenes become darker or more gritty.

The Anime’s Concept of Superheroes and Villains Stems From God-Like Worship

Characters portrayed as superheroes and villains frequently possess unique talents that enable them to perform remarkable actions beyond the capabilities of typical humans. These talents may stem from an inherent trait they were born with, such as the quirks in My Hero Academia, or an unusual occurrence, such as the radioactive spider that transformed Spider-Man. Notably, some heroes are believed to be members of another species endowed with extraordinary powers, like Superman and Thor.

In “To Be Hero X”, the concept of superheroes and villains has roots similar to the Greek pantheon’s structure. The presence of these characters largely depends on public belief. This belief system can be broken down into two primary aspects: trust and fear. Earning trust and admiration from the public encourages someone to become a hero; the more trust they have, the stronger their heroic abilities are.

From my vantage point, it seems that fear serves as a potent source of strength for antagonists. As more people grow apprehensive towards a specific individual, they may unknowingly cultivate capabilities, their thoughts shrouded by fear’s enchanting darkness. Similarly, conviction plays a crucial role in molding both heroes and villains into what they ultimately become. To illustrate, Moon, who had a following captivated by her passion for exploration, discovered the power to teleport due to her devotion to travel.

In essence, Nice was seen as an ideal image by the public, and when Lin Ling took over from the original Nice, he transformed into a neater and more elegant individual compared to his previous self. The reason Lin Ling could step into the hero’s shoes was because the public firmly believed that Lin Ling was indeed the genuine Nice, and this conviction subtly changed his appearance to resemble an almost flawless duplicate.

Moon & Nice’s Struggles Prove That Heroism is Not All Glory & Gains

In the series “To Be Hero X“, the public’s perception significantly shapes a superhero’s existence. Although being a hero offers the allure of fame and wealth associated with the job, heroism often transforms into a trap. This is hinted at during Lin Ling’s transformation into Nice, but it’s further explored through the character of Moon in episode 2. Moon serves as a compelling illustration of the high price one must pay to lead a life as a professional superhero.

Moon and Nice’s three-year portrayed romance, often hailed as an ideal love story by the public, is actually a fabricated illusion. It served primarily as a marketing strategy to increase ratings and add intrigue to their image. Although it benefited Moon and Nice’s popularity, it unintentionally confined Moon within a cage of expectations. As people perceived her as Nice’s one true love, her teleportation abilities became a burden: she could only transport herself to Nice’s location, never anywhere else.

It’s clear now why the character Nice chose to take his own life in the first episode of “To Be Hero X,” considering Moon’s struggle maintaining a heroic image has turned his life into a living hell. Nice found himself confined by the flawless persona he portrayed to the public, unable to break free from the expectations of perfection. The plot thickens as it appears that Nice and Wreck may have shared a romantic relationship, but were depicted as adversaries instead, forcing them to hide their feelings to protect Nice’s image.

Lin Ling is Living a Lie as Nice, But He is Doing it For a Noble Reason

In contrast to Horikoshi’s popular series that revolves around a protagonist’s journey to become the top hero, To Be Hero X explores the idea that most of the glory associated with heroes is contrived. This series suggests that heroism is largely about entertainment rather than genuine acts of nobility. In this world, heroes are more like public figures under constant scrutiny, their status precarious and their legacy easily tarnished if they falter or say something amiss.

In the grim truth of being Hero X, the blissful notion of becoming a superhero transforms into an agonizing nightmare. The show’s ideology distorts love and respect into an iron grasp that captures even those who strive to protect it. Remarkably, Lin Ling endures through all this hardship. At the onset of the series, he proposed a philosophy akin to Spider-Man’s, suggesting that anyone could be a hero. This idea is validated as he swiftly becomes one of the most renowned superheroes in no time at all.

Embarking on the journey as Hero X isn’t just about a regular Joe rising against odds, seeking power and glory – an inspiring yet ubiquitous narrative. Instead, Lin Ling’s tale begins with a fabrication. He didn’t gain hero status through conventional or truthful methods, yet he embodies an honest and compassionate spirit within. His objective isn’t to transform into a legendary superhero. In a world shrouded in deceit, his story is about uncovering and validating the essence of authentic heroism over mere imitation.

To Be Hero X Handles its Story & Themes with Efficiency & Grace

The captivating anime, “To Be Hero X,” draws in fans with its intriguing ideas and stunning visuals, but there’s more to its allure – it carries an aura that suggests it’s part of something grander. Given that it’s actually the third series within the “To Be Hero” anthology, yet stands out as the most successful and meticulously planned installment, this feeling isn’t unexpected. In terms of production value, “To Be Hero X” has the atmosphere of a big-screen film rather than a TV show episode.

The reason it’s so engaging is primarily due to the distinctive animation style and thrilling action scenes in the animated series, but credit also goes to its well-balanced pacing and tone. In the first two episodes of To Be Hero X, the pace is brisk yet never feels too fast or jarring to the story. The initial episode effectively sets up the world for viewers and advances the protagonist to a suitable stage, allowing the series to delve deeper into its plot and characters.

At first glance, the overall mood of Hero X tends towards the playful and action-packed, as one would expect from its genre. Yet, within this fast-paced plot, it subtly introduces deeper, darker themes. The initial event that kickstarted the story, Nice’s suicide, is swiftly handled due to concerns about scandal and cleanliness, but the series doesn’t trivialise it. Instead, it lingers as a haunting presence in the narrative, serving as a central motif around which the story unfolds.

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2025-04-21 01:48

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