Where substance fails, style succeeds. TO BE HERO X is the newest addition to the superhero anime lineup. This ambitious anime is a co-production between the Chinese video sharing site Bilibili and the Japanese anime production company Aniplex. The series puts its commentary on the consequences of societal expectations front and center. It does just enough differently to create a unique identity, least of which is the combination of 3D and 2D animation. After three episodes, it’s proven to be a mixed bag in terms of story and character, but I’m interested to see what comes next.
About To Be Hero X
In this world, heroes are born from the people’s “Trust.” One’s public image and consumer confidence are key to maintaining and increasing a hero’s “Trust,” and by extension their powers. Ad agency corporate slave Lin Ling was your typical nobody, until tragic circumstances forced him to masquerade as the popular hero, Nice. The people’s “Trust” in Nice grants Lin Ling the same powers as the original. However, if that “Trust” wavers, he could just as easily lose those powers. As Lin Ling climbs the hero ranks, he’ll encounter all manner of heroes and villains looking to expose him.
Flying High and Staying Grounded
From a story-telling perspective, TO BE HERO X offers a fresh take on superhero society but is so far lacking depth. The premise of this world and the purposefully arbitrary “Trust” power system lends itself to very poignant and effective character stories. In exchange for the powers they receive from their “Trust” values, heroes are forced into rigid idolatry that ignores the humanity within them. It’s a great creative twist that sheds light on the risks of branding and public image.
That said, the execution of these themes is anything but subtle. Wonderfully realized, but not subtle. Once viewers get used to the ideas the story presents, there’s not much else to keep them engaged. The show hasn’t yet introduced a driving motivation or central conflict beyond climbing the hero ranks. However, it may be unfair to make a judgment call after just three episodes. Perhaps the introduction of the top 10 heroes will be enough to support the story going forward.
TO BE HERO X is available to stream from Crunchyroll in sub and dub formats as well.
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