Hey there, anime travelers! If you haven't ridden the To Be Hero X bandwagon yet, get on the bus, because Spring 2025's donghua (that's Chinese animation, folks!) is flying high on the rankings like a comic book hero on a sugar high. Debuting on April 6, 2025, on Crunchyroll and Fuji TV, this crazy ride from director Li Haoling (*Link Click*) has got everyone talking with its eye-searing visuals, offbeat characters, and premise that’s new and fresher than just-off-the-press comic books. Whether you're a long-time anime buff or just a curious newb, To Be Hero X is delivering a superhero epic that's half action-packed and half emotional and half all-around crazy. So why's it so great? And what lies ahead for its 24-episode journey? Let's get into the trust-filled world of To Be Hero X and discover!
Why To Be Hero X Is Your New Anime Obsession
1. A Premise that's Superhero Material
Think of a world where superheroes derive their abilities from the amount of people who trust them—like social media fame, but with capes! Trust Value in To Be Hero X is quantified on a wrist device, and the more people believe in you, the stronger you become. Meet Lin Ling, a regular dude who becomes the #10 hero Nice by accident (no spoilers, but get your tissues ready!). This premise is sheer brilliance—it’s like My Hero Academia and The Boys, with a splash of social media influencer. The show probes the question of what it means to be a hero when your abilities hinge on what others think about you, so each episode becomes a ride about high-stakes drama and ethics issues.
2. Animated Fun to Watch
If your eyes could have a playlist, To Be Hero X would be the top act. BeDream, Pb Animation, LAN Studio, and Paper Plane Animation produced this donghua, smoothly combining 2D and 3D animations like a smoothie of the best. The 3D parts of the show have a futuristic, high-end feel to them, à la Arcane or Spider-Verse, while the 2D sequences—such as comic-book panels with thick lines—burst forth in emotional flashbacks or climactic battles. Episode 1’s dual styles got people hyped on X, with someone praising it as “CLEAN ASH” for seamless transitions. Alright, the 3D might stiffen in quieter bits, but when the action begins (such as in Nice rescuing Wolf Girl in episode 3), it feels like watching a blockbuster in the theater.
3. Characters You'll Root For (or Cry Over)
Our reluctant hero, Lin Ling, is the show’s beating heart. Played by Natsuki Hanae (*Dandadan*), he’s a delightful klutz who tries to live up to Nice’s squeaky clean image while navigating near-disasters. His romance with Moon (played by Rongshan Chang), a hero who teleports and has a tragic history, feels like gold—swing-building in episode 2 will have your heart melting. And then there’s X (Mamoru Miyano), the enigmatic #1 hero who has everyone talking about his reality-twisting abilities. Side characters like Firm Man, the hero handicapped by high expectations, bring depth, too, with the shadow side of fame in the spotlight. This isn’t just a cast of caped crusaders—these people suffer and struggle, and the result will have you rooting and sniffling in equal parts.
4. Twists Which Strike Like a Plot Punch
To Be Hero X doesn't hold back. Episode 1, "Nice," begins with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger and left fans screaming on X, while episode 2, "Moon," slams the narrative in the opposite direction with a false-death plot twist that's both sad and clever. The show's rapid-fire plot keeps you in the air—will Lin get away with it? What about the Spotlight Organization? By episode 3, the battle is on at the top of the rankings, but new bad guy Wreck comes to mess it all up. Critics praise the plot twists for being as unexpected as in Oshi No Ko. If you enjoy the suspense of never knowing what's going to happen next, this show is a knockout.
5. A Soundtrack Which Is Music to Your Ears
The music in To Be Hero X serves as a hype man for each scene. The opener, “Inertia” by Hiroyuki Sawano and Rei, is a banger that begins things off on a high note with its epic beats, and the closer, “KONTINUUM,” concludes with a contemplative mood. Episode 3’s Wolf Girl flashback OST is so nostalgic it will give you the heebie-jeebies. The sound effects—punches booming, portals whooshing—make each fight explode off the screen. X fans have been declaring the score a winner, and it’s no shock given Sawano’s previous work (*Attack on Titan*), but it’s the sort of music that will stick in your head long after the credits finish.
6. It’s Got Something to Say
Past the flash of the first episode, To Be Hero X has some major ideas. The Trust Value system serves as a subtle critique of the way we idolize celebrities and the ways in which public pressure distorts the hero into something they’re not. Episode 3’s examination of Firm Man’s affliction—literally, unable to flex because people want him to “stand tall”—is a gut-kicker about perfectionism. The show also glances at anti-capitalist issues, with hero rankings appearing to be some sort of corporate game. It’s not heavy-handed, but it provides lots to mull over, which makes it a crowd-pleaser with fans who want to get some brains along with the action.
How's It Going So Far?
After three episodes in (as of April 20, 2025), and To Be Hero X is absolutely slaying it. It’s topping Crunchyroll rankings, with IMDb awarding it a respectable 7.6/10 and fans on X declaring it “the best anime of the season.” The premiere got viewers in with its jaw-dropping opening, episode 2 intensified the emotional stakes by exploring Moon’s past, and episode 3 locked in Nice’s ascent while introducing Wreck, the rival who has fans on edge. Critics are hailing the program’s scope, with Comics Beat declaring it a “super start” and Gizmodo declaring it a “new standard-bearer” for anime superheroes. The one complaint? Some say the quick tempo and style shifts overwhelm, but most agree it’s a gutsy move that pays off. With 24 episodes in the offing, the program’s got space to expand and it’s already beating heavyweights like My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.
What to Anticipate for the Remainder of the Season
At 21 episodes to go (going until the 14th of September, 2025), To Be Hero X has justbegun. This is what lies in the offing, according to leaks, speculations, and the direction of the show:
Additional Hero Arcs: The anthology format will see us explore various heroes’ tales. Get ready for spotlights on the best of the best such as X, Queen, or even Ahu (the hero the fans have been clamoring for!). Each arc will delve into their trust and fame struggles, with something new each time.
Bad Guy Teasers: Wreck's introduction in episode 3 comes with implications of greater bad guys. The "Fear Value" mechanism in which fear energizes bad guys might deliver a frightening adversary who lives off pandemonium. Fans have been speculating about connections to the Spotlight Organization, the mysterious organization pulling the strings.
Visual Updates: Although episode 3 reined in style changes, critics anticipate the show to continue to innovate visually. Perhaps we'll get to see some more comic-book 2D and experimental scenes, particularly in large-scale battles. Studio BeDream has the funds to get creative
Lin’s Big Test: With each rise in the rankings, Lin’s crisis of identification will become more pronounced. Will he lose himself in the expectations of the public, like Firm Man? Episode 3 perfectionism foreshadowing suggests otherwise, but Lin’s "nice guy" nature might just be his salvation.
Nice and Moon’s Bond: Their relationship is the emotional backbone of the show. Following episode 2’s swing scene, we want to see more of it, but Nice’s and Moon’s portal abilities (now bonded) could be trouble. Can it be love, or will tragedy hit again?
Tournament Time: Every two years, heroes are subjected to a trust-recalculating tournament. With 24 episodes, we’re bound to witness this massive showdown, featuring Nice pitted against X and others. Think in the style of Fate/Stay Night but with influencer-level stakes
Why You Should Jump In Now
To Be Hero X is a breath of fresh air in the world of superheroes. With its 24-episode count, you’re in it for a substantial dose of narrative, not a hasty 12-episode dash like some new anime (*cough* *Chainsaw Man* cough). It’s great for fans of Link Click or Spider-Verse, fusing passion, comedy, and action with a Chinese-Japanese twist that’s revolutionizing the game. New episodes release Sundays on Crunchyroll, so it’s possible to get through the first three and catch the start before episode 4 takes off on April 27, 2025. Whether it’s the visuals, the turns of events, or the underdog charm of Lin, the show has something for everyone.
Final Thoughts: Trust in To Be Hero X
To Be Hero X isn’t just a hero anime – it’s a passion letter to imagination, with visuals that wow, characters that linger, and a plot that’s as rich as it’s entertaining. Three in and it’s already Spring 2025’s top contender, and with 21 to go, the world’s the limit. So pick your snacks, have faith in Nice, and become a member of the fandom that’s electric from Tokyo to Twitter. This donghua’s saving the day, episode by episode. Who’s your hero of the season so far? Share in the comments!