To Be Hero X wastes no time kicking you in the feelings. The very first episode throws you into heavy themes of suicide, identity, and the crushing weight of existence. And then it goes: “But make it funny!” Honestly, I was hella triggered, mate. Some things you just can’t slap a laugh track on. But that’s the gamble this show takes—balancing the absurd with the profound—and, somehow, it pulls it off more often than not.
This is not your standard superhero anime. It’s a mad fusion of Chinese storytelling, anime aesthetics, and Western superhero tropes. A narrative cocktail that hits hard, fizzes with style, and occasionally makes you choke on the bubbles.
The voice cast bring a chaotic but grounded energy. Even when the show leans into parody, the performances never do. Every line has weight, whether it’s a punchline or a gut-punch. That balance—between slapstick and sincerity—is what keeps the characters from being cartoons of themselves. (Well… you know what I mean.) 
This is where To Be Hero X flexes like it just hit the animation gym. At least seven animation styles show up—2D, 3D, sketchy, polished, painted, you name it. Sometimes the shifts are seamless, other times they slap you in the face with a new look mid-battle. It’s dazzling, disorienting, and absolutely deliberate. Think Spider-Verse but less “polished comic book” and more “we’ll use any tool in the box if it looks cool.” Character designs are next level.
The soundtrack? Electric. It ranges from goofy to gut-wrenching, hitting the comedic beats while making the emotional punches land twice as hard. It has one of the best outro soundtracks. Camera work and editing feel experimental, almost chaotic—but that chaos is the point. This isn’t clean-cut anime; it’s an art project gone superhero.
Here’s the deal: To Be Hero X is funny, self-aware, and stylish as hell, but it also has more heart than you’d expect. Every episode sneaks in a redemption arc, a moment of vulnerability, or a quiet beat of reflection—so you’re laughing one second and unexpectedly emotional the next.
That said, the pacing in the middle? Brutal. The story suddenly swerves into side-character backstories—about 7 or 8 episodes’ worth. They’re packed with action and drama, sure, and they’re good as standalone tales, but you’re left wondering: “Cool… but what about the main plot?” It feels like stalling, though the payoff eventually lands.
And oh boy—the finale. All those loose threads? Tied up with a flourish. Hero X himself finally steps into the spotlight, and the explanation of how we got here feels earned. The finale isn’t just a story closer, it’s a flex: Hero X’s powers alone flicker through six or seven animation styles, creating one of the most visually insane anime episodes I’ve ever seen. It sticks the landing, leaves you hyped for more, and then—bam—season two confirmed.
So, do I forgive the meandering middle? Yeah, I do. Because the ending makes it clear: To Be Hero X isn’t just another superhero anime. It’s setting a new bar for animation, storytelling, and character development. Crunchyroll really cooked with this one.
If you like your anime equal parts absurd, heartfelt, and stylish, To Be Hero X will be your new obsession. Just… brace yourself for the mental load at the start, a detour in the middle, and an absolute banger of a finale.
