Sentenced to Be a Hero might be set in unforgiving territory, one that’s constantly beset by slavering demon monsters who seek to consume the warriors that are only there as a form of eternal punishment, but there are signs of light. In the most recent episode (Episode 3), one of these glimpses came in the form of Norgalle, a “hero” that, in another story, might be an archetype embodying a range of cowardly tropes. Instead, true to Sentenced to Be a Hero ’s consistent quality, he’s already managed to become a fan-favorite. Norgalle has delusions of grandeur. Though he’s doomed to wallow in the same hellscape as the other heroes, he believes himself to be a king. And this means he treats everyone around him as loyal subjects. Of course, he has no real power, which means his decrees are often treated with the proper amount of absurdity. But we’ve seen enough of this type in other shows to know how grating it can be. A power-hungry figure that yearns for the throne and speaks to his fellows as if they’re somehow beneath his royal perception (while also shirking combat and responsibility at every opportunity)? That’s, at best, pure comedy material. At worst, it’s villain material. But Norgalle (along with his trusty partner Tatsuya, a berserker who’s been killed and reborn so many times as a hero that he’s lost his mind) is far from a graceless wannabe monarch. Instead, in the third episode, his inner self is truly revealed. While helping Xylo rescue workers from a Demon Blight-infested mine, he finds the men are not only lacking in energy but also in emotional resolve. And who can blame them? The government has essentially abandoned them to die, figuring it’s a waste of time to save them unless the infamous heroes can somehow manage it. Xylo’s attempts to rally them are similarly callous. Norgalle, though, appeals to their spirits. As workers, they are the “lifeblood” of the “kingdom,” and they’ve already risked their lives just by digging in the mines. “Such valiant men have no need to fear,” he tells them. And while it certainly helps that Norgalle is able to imbue their tools and weapons with runes and magic, it’s his words that provide the most encouragement. The world does not belong to the rich and the powerful. They are the brave men who make it turn, and he is proud to fight alongside them. Even Xylo, who’s easily annoyed by everything, is impressed by Norgalle. And when Norgalle makes a critical sacrifice in order to strike the Demon Lord that attacks them, he affirms his dedication to “his” people. He might believe himself to be king, but there is no stubborn hierarchy here. They are worthy of his own flesh. Sentenced to Be a Hero loves these crowd-pleasing character turns. Remember in Episode 1 when Dotta absconds from Xylo’s side before the final battle, only to later show up with a stolen weapon necessary to help take down a massive Demon Lord? Now, Norgalle joins a story that balances its investment in brutality with an inevitable arc toward the satisfying. But just as importantly, it breaks our expectations. The government of Sentenced to Be a Hero is full of rot. So all hail Norgalle, the mad king.
