To Be Hero X

Jasmine Gutz

“To Be Hero X” is a Chinese donghua superhero action drama directed by Haoling Li, where heroes gain powers based on public trust. Every two years, the top ten heroes compete in a tournament to become “X,” the most popular hero. The series follows multiple heroes navigating fame, perception, and real threats.

I loved the action scenes and the interconnectedness of everyone’s stories. It was a big risk to introduce so many heroes and give each their own arc. I was invested in the first arc with the supposed main character, but then the focus shifted to others. Still, exploring different heroes added depth to the world’s lore. The pacing was fast but mostly effective, though I wished for more time with some characters.

Maybe I’m a hater, but I didn’t like the 3D animation style used early on and sporadically throughout. The models looked too similar, bland, and lacked emotion. The shift to 2D animation felt much more expressive and impactful. That said, I respect the bold mix of styles, even if it didn’t fully work for me.

What I loved most was the concept that heroes’ powers are shaped by public perception. For example, GhostBlade can’t speak because fans see him as a silent assassin. This “trust value” system makes the series more than just a popularity contest.

The final episode was solid and left me wanting more. Supposedly, there’s a Season 2 coming, and I’m excited to see where it goes; though I hope they leave the 3D models behind.