Forget 'The Boys', This Superhero Anime Title With 8.6 on IMDb Is Your Next Must-Watch

The anime world sees dozens of new projects every season, but only a few manage to surprise with a truly original idea. To Be Hero X, a Chinese-Japanese title, is precisely such a case.

This stylish, socially conscious take on the superhero genre will appeal to anyone looking for spectacular action and narrative depth.

What Is 'To Be Hero X' About?

The story is set in a unique world where superpowers are not innate but rather a direct result of social acceptance.

Each person wears a holographic counter on their wrist that awards points for good deeds and popularity. Once their trust level reaches a certain threshold, they gain power.

Every hero aspires to the prestigious title of Hero X, the pinnacle of the hierarchy, which the best of the best compete for every two years. However, behind the flashy facade of tournaments and ad campaigns lies a strict corporate system.

'To Be Hero X' Is Similar to 'The Boys', but Don't Expect the Same Dark Humor & Violence

A superficial comparison to The Boys is obvious – both projects deconstruct the superhero genre by revealing the dark underbelly of fame and superpowers. However, while The Boys is known for its dark humor and violence, To Be Hero X takes a different approach.

It's a satire of show business and consumer society in which the characters' main problems are the need to conform to a public image, corporate pressure, and existential doubt.

Rather than attempting to shock, the title evokes understanding and empathy for its characters, most of whom maintain their moral compass despite the cynical system.

'To Be Hero X' Visuals Is One of the Strongest Sides of the Title

The visual component is one of the main reasons to watch this title. It is a brilliant mix of high-quality 3D CGI animation and expressive 2D art that flows seamlessly into each other.

However, the real visual highlight is the stylistic experimentation. The creators boldly adapt the animation style to suit a specific scene, using primitive graphics for commercials, pencil drawings for personal dramas, and surreal, nearly psychedelic imagery to depict the Hero X's abilities.

What Did Viewers Think of 'To Be Hero X'?

Reddit user ThrocksBestiary wrote:

“It's well animated and although the 3D at the beginning takes some time to get used to, they use it in really cool ways and are doing some very interesting things narrative wise.”

• On IMDb, To Be Hero X has a score of 8.6/10.

Where to Watch 'To Be Hero X'?

To Be Hero X is available to stream on Crunchyroll.