If there's one show that has made us rethink what it means to be a hero, it's the donghua TO BE HERO X . In this futuristic world, a hero's powers are not innate, accidental, or developed through self-effort, but a reflection of society's expectations. "Trust Value," measured by bracelets, determines whether someone is a hero, an ordinary citizen, or an outcast. But this system doesn't just grant power: it monetizes heroism, turning heroes into puppets of agencies like Mighty Glory, FOMO, and DOS, which orchestrate rivalries and scandals like a bloody reality show. The opposing "Fear Value" corrupts heroes into villains, fueled by public panic like social media hate that poisons the soul. RELATED: TO BE HERO X's Anthology Approach Is a Great Way to “Expand” a Universe This bold animated series introduces us to a twisted society that mirrors our world of influencers and content creators, but with superpowers. Heroes are forced to maintain their personal brand under the yoke of corporations that turn them into consumer products. Narrated in reverse chronological order across 24 episodes, the first season begins with Nice's arc, personified by Lin Ling, and reveals connections between the heroes as it goes. At the center is the mysterious Hero X, the number 1 in the rankings, a title he received as the winner of the 18th Heroic Tournament among the 10 most powerful heroes. So, how do these characters embrace heroism? Let's take a look. NOTE: Spoilers for TO BE HERO X throughout! Idealistic Heroism The first major archetype of heroism that TO BE HERO X presents is that of the idealistic hero — someone who has solid moral values and has become a hero by their own conviction, earning the trust of others in the process. Becoming a hero is Lin Ling's dream. He starts out as a copywriter working for a firm involved with the hero agency that writes scripts for Nice, the "perfect hero." The latter, overwhelmed by his forced role as a tool for revenge, decides to take his own life. After becoming his unlikely successor, Lin Ling faces an identity crisis, living under the mask of an idol he is not. But his dream that "anyone can be a hero" drives him to break free from the system's chains with a public confession, giving up the façade of Nice to become The Commoner. Based on his perseverance and self-belief, this new identity proves that true heroism doesn't need public approval, but rather the courage to be authentic, challenging the "likes" logic that dominates their world. RELATED: Why TO BE HERO X Gets Superheroes Within this idea of pure heroism, where what matters is serving others and believing in yourself, we can also place Loli. At first, she tries to play by the rules of the TO BE HERO X world to gain trust, but her appearance works against her. No matter how clever or capable she is, society underestimates her, weakening her powers and relegating her to a secondary role. Inspired by Queen, Loli refuses to accept prejudice and uses an alien material to build a combat suit, freeing herself from social approval as a requirement to be a heroine. This determination not only turns her into a formidable fighter but, paradoxically, grants her the trust that previously eluded her, showing that authenticity can break the chains of a system that values image over merit. We can also include Queen among the idealists, although her perspective is different. Her dominant personality and self-confidence make her the embodiment of nobility, a majestic figure who inspires others with her intellect and vision for a more just world. Despite wanting to change what she sees as a corrupt system, she is trapped within it by the public's trust that fuels her powers. Her pride, which elevates her like a queen, also blinds her: she works for DOS, an agency that doesn't tell her the whole truth. She’s also manipulated by her own father, who pulls the strings behind the scenes with Micky, the CEO of the agency. Her graduation speech, which motivates Loli to defy the system, reflects her idealism, but her inability to see the betrayal in her surroundings makes her a tragic heroine, caught between her vision and the expectations that chain her. Accidental Heroism A second category of heroism within TO BE HERO X could be defined as accidental heroism — a role forced entirely by social expectations, or one they are pulled into by external circumstances. An extreme example is the case of Lucky Cyan, a survivor of a plane crash where the collective desire of the passengers, including her parents, led to her survival and granted her supernatural luck. This initially turned her into the tool of a cult that formed around her, exploiting her as a messianic idol, similar to an influencer created by a viral video. Motivated by her desire for freedom and her connection with her friend Luo, she breaks free from that role. But, as Spider-Man ’s Uncle Ben would say, with great power comes great responsibility, and the trust placed in her ends up turning her into a heroine trapped in a narrative she didn't choose. A similar case affects Ghostblade. Originally a taciturn man with no interest beyond his job as a butcher, he begins to gain public attention for his appearance. Handsome, quiet, and skilled with knives, society projects onto him the image of a "cool" idol — a media fantasy that transforms him into both a hero and a murderer. Lacking his own goals, he is manipulated by his agency, which exploits his muteness as a sign of stoicism. But even trapped in this role, Ghostblade discovers that he is capable of love; it may be too late to get his ex-wife back, who hides his existence from their daughter, but his paternal love humanizes him, even if he cannot communicate it. He is both a victim of the system and a perpetrator, a reflection of how Trust Value turns personal pain into a spectacle. RELATED: Could You Be a Top Hero in TO BE HERO X? Little Johnny is one of his victims, and another hero forced by circumstance. His father, a former Hero X, decides to leave the industry after his wife's death to give his son a normal life. The encounter with the adorable alien animal Big Johnny makes him special, and after his father's murder, the bond between the two inspires his power to communicate with animals, amplified by Trust Value. Paradoxically, Big Johnny, as an alien being, doesn't depend on public trust, which makes him an unpredictable element. Initially, Little Johnny seeks justice, but his agency exploits their "cuteness," turning them into a commercial duo that distracts from their tragedy. Like child influencers, their good intentions get buried under the spectacle. In Episode 23 of the animated series, we meet Ahu, a dog too smart for his own good who is exploited by a circus. His intelligence makes him loved by children, whose trust grants him transformation powers, making him increasingly impressive. But Ahu hates his work and rebels, showing an internal struggle between his loyal nature and the system's exploitation. A little girl's love leads him to see himself as a hero, and when he is forced to protect her and the community, he does so with courage. His encounter with Hero X, who saves him, suggests a larger role in the future, but for now, his power is tied to public perception — a reminder of how even purity is commodified. Corrupted Heroism Not all heroes are created equal; some lack the determination, integrity, or moral compass to be one. These "heroes" are at the center of TO BE HERO X 's social critique, elevated by their superficial charm. The first example is the late Nice, whose graceful dance moves led him into the world of heroes, but turned him into a corporate product who became dependent on trust and the fear of not being perfect. Armed with Fear Value by his agency to be used as a blunt instrument of revenge, he contributed to corrupting the already deranged Dragon Boy, who in turn, infected Smile, causing his death. The guilt and the pressure of being an idol led him into a spiral that ended in his suicide, a symbol of how the system destroys its brightest stars. RELATED: Anime to Watch if You Like Superman Another hero who started with good intentions and fell into the abyss is E-Soul. Originally an insecure young man with a deep admiration for his predecessor, Yang Cheng was molded by Rock, the perverse leader of Mighty Glory, into a puppet. His insecurity and jealousy led him to hesitate in saving Shang Chao, whose death pushed his father, Shang De, down a dark path. Now completely corrupted, E-Soul is a murderer who pretends to be a hero, an empty shell of the brand he represents, manipulated by an agency that profits from his tragedy. We complete the corrupted heroes with Dragon Boy, the nihilistic and brutal hero who holds the third ranking. He’s also an admirer of Zero, the first great hero who became a villain upon approaching divinity. The son of abusive parents, Dragon Boy’s abilities lie in his immunity to fear, and how he grows stronger with every blow he receives, though his hero status depends on Trust Value due to his rebellious charisma. It's a mystery how the society of T O BE HERO X perceives him as a hero despite his criminal attitude, an open critique of how pedestals are built for toxic personalities. Think of it like influencers who thrive on controversy. It will be interesting to see how Dragon Boy clashes with the more virtuous heroes. Hero X, The Enigma Finally, we arrive at Hero X, the biggest transgressor of the rules in TO BE HERO X . What archetype does he fit? What is the series trying to represent with him? To all intents and purposes, Hero X is what the Hero Affairs Commission and the agencies fear: a god, or the closest thing to it, as Zero once was. By day, he is an ordinary office worker, but with a snap of his fingers, he alters reality, changing even the donghua's art (from 3D to various 2D styles). His powers contradict the logic of Trust Value, since he was an unknown when he ascended to the throne during the 18th Heroic Tournament. His disinterest in fame turns him into a dissident, not an outcast — a threat to the system that suggests a pure heroism guided by his own moral compass. Like Saitama in One-Punch Man , Hero X escapes the boundaries of his world, but his lack of commitment to the hero role makes him an enigma. Is he a savior or simply a man who doesn't need the public's gaze? In TO BE HERO X , heroism is a stage where the spotlights burn more than they illuminate. Idealists like Lin Ling, Loli, and Queen dream of a better world, but only those who break the chains of Trust Value, like Lin Ling with his confession or Loli with her alien armor, find a semblance of freedom. The accidental heroes, like Lucky Cyan or Ahu, are puppets of the public's gaze, but their good morals shine through in their struggle to be more than a spectacle. The corrupted ones, like Dragon Boy or E-Soul, show how Fear Value perverts heroism into a circus of violence and ambition. And then there's Hero X, the dissident who snaps his fingers and rewrites the rules, reminding us that the true hero doesn't live for the applause, but to defy the script. TO BE HERO X doesn't just deconstruct heroism; it throws a challenge at us: in a world obsessed with validation, who will have the courage to be a hero when the cameras turn off?
