To Be Hero X: Story, Characters, & 2025 Release Guide

To Be Hero X is a high-concept superhero thriller set in a world where public trust is a literal currency. Heroes derive their superhuman abilities from the faith of their fans; if a hero's trust value drops, they lose their powers/ This value is quantified and displayed on their wrists, determining their rank in the hero hierarchy.

The narrative follows Lin Ling, a seemingly ordinary man who is thrust into the identity of the top-ranked hero, Nice, following the legendary hero's mysterious disappearance. As Lin Ling struggles to maintain this facade, he is drawn into the 18th Hero Tournament, where the world's most elite "S-Rank" heroes compete for the title of "X." The show uses an innovative, non-chronological anthology format.

While Lin Ling's journey provides the emotional core, each episode focuses on a different top-ten hero—such as the calculating Queen, the fierce Dragon Boy, or the mysterious Ghostblade—weaving together a grand conspiracy involving the Hero Affairs Commission (HAC).

To Be Hero X has become one of the most talked-about series of 2025 due to its boundary-pushing production and mature themes.

1. Revolutionary Animation

Directed by Li Haolin, the series seamlessly blends hand-drawn 2D animation with high-fidelity 3D and experimental art styles that change based on the hero being featured.

2. The "Sawano" Sound

The soundtrack is composed by legendary musician Hiroyuki Sawano (Attack on Titan, Solo Leveling), providing an epic, cinematic backdrop to the high-stakes battles.

3. Satirical Commentary

The show offers a biting critique of celebrity culture, social media validation, and how corporate interests manipulate public perception to maintain power.

4. Complex Mystery

The non-linear storytelling keeps fans theorizing. As of the 2025 finale, the true identity of Hero X and the fate of the original Nice remain central points of intense community discussion.

If you enjoy the psychological depth, superhero satire, and high-quality production of To Be Hero X, here are some excellent anime like to be hero x:

• Tiger & Bunny: The most direct comparison; features superheroes whose powers and popularity are managed by corporate sponsors in a reality-show setting.

• Link Click (Shiguang Dailiren): Also directed by Li Haolin; a supernatural mystery with incredible pacing, emotional weight, and a unique art style.

• Cyberpunk: Edgerunners: Shares the "high-style" animation and the gritty, psychological toll of living in a world governed by corporate power.

One-Punch Man: For a more comedic but equally spectacular look at the hero ranking system and what happens when a hero's power defies all logic.