Earlier this year, the Crunchyroll Awards announced its winner for Anime of the Year, which later sparked a debate on what is or should’ve been Anime of the Year. Personally (because I know how ‘sensitive’ the anime community likes to get), Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End was my pick for Anime of the Year. But for 2025/26, To Be Hero X has already won.
I waited until all the episodes finished airing so I could binge-watch them in one go, and honestly, it was one of the best things I’ve ever watched. I saw the hype building before its release, and it truly lived up to it. These Chinese animators are on another level with this one.
A World Built on Belief
To Be Hero X is set in a world where “faith” turns people into superheroes. For example, if people believe someone can fly, that person actually gains the ability to fly. But if that belief fades, so do their powers. The trust people place in heroes is collected as data, and those heroes are ranked accordingly — a concept that brilliantly mirrors how social media operates in our world today. It’s such a fresh take on the superhero genre and on how heroism itself can be shaped by public perception.
The first episode got me hooked right away with its 3D animation, giving off the same cinematic vibes as Arcane. It introduces one of the central heroes, Nice, and the twists that unfold later on are seriously well-executed. I also appreciated the clever use of foreshadowing at the end of the episode.
Animation That Tells a Story
What really stood out to me, is how the show blends 2D and 3D animation to visually separate the past and present. It’s a smart storytelling tool that helps us piece together the non-linear timeline. The season is told out of chronological order, divided into eleven narrative arcs, each focusing on a different character’s story. However, it did get a bit slow for me midway, and there were some characters whose stories felt a little rushed or underdeveloped. But the concluding episodes of their arcs overall, still made it worthwhile.
The Tournament and the Rankings
Every two years, the top heroes gather to compete in a tournament where their trust rankings are adjusted. The hero who sits at the top is known as “X.” Here’s where the series gets really interesting: the interactive element that lets viewers vote in Bilibili’s popularity polls, thus influencing the characters’ performances in the next season. This idea of linking audience engagement with story outcomes feels incredibly meta — especially in today’s social media-driven world.
X
Which brings us to episode 24. That season finale? Woah.
All I can say is, I can’t wait to see more of Hero X’s backstory and his powers. Once again, the animation team absolutely nailed it, as every visual moment drives home just how goated this guy is.
A Familiar Creative Genius
Later, I found out that the series was written and directed by Li Haoling, the same creative mind behind another one of my favourite donghua, Link Click. He has such a gift of giving each character a story that feels rich, emotional, and deeply human. If you loved Link Click, you’ll definitely appreciate what he’s done here, and vice-versa.
Ultimately, To Be Hero X isn’t just another superhero story. It’s a reflection of how much faith, belief, and perception shape our world — and how trust and fear are two sides of the same coin.
rhonart 
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