With an innovative Hero system and a star cast, can To Be Hero X anime become My Hero Academia's successor?

To Be Hero X is an upcoming anime series set to premiere in 2025, recently announced by Bilibili and Aniplex. The story revolves around a world in which people's beliefs create heroes, and public trust determines their status and abilities. To Be Hero X's trailer has created a lot of buzz, especially since it highlights the series' creative hero system and outstanding animation.

The trailer draws attention to the dynamic action sequences and exceptional animation quality, which are among the best in the business. It effectively teases the series’ unique elements and high production values, making it a strong contender to become the next big hit in the hero genre.

With MHA arriving at its climax and One Punch Man season 3 still far off, viewers are searching for a new show to replace the void. With its innovative style and impressive team, To Be Hero X could also soar to new heights if it can balance action, drama, and character development effectively, which begs the question: Can To Be Hero X Anime Become My Hero Academia’s Successor?

Disclaimer: This article reflects the views and opinions of the author and is subjective.

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Can To Be Hero X anime become My Hero Academia's successor?

All Might [left] and Hero X [right] (Image via Sportskeeda)

In To Be Hero X, heroes gain their powers based on the public's beliefs. If people think someone can fly, the system grants them the ability to fly. Each hero's "Trust Value" is shown on their wrist, reflecting public opinion. The Trust Value system emphasizes the role of public opinion and media in shaping a hero's reputation. Moreover, hero rankings are updated annually through a tournament where the top 10 heroes compete for the title of X.

Unlike the inherent superpowers in My Hero Academia, heroes must uphold the public's trust to retain their abilities, which adds a layer of complexity and strategy to this unique approach to superpowers. It's an exciting departure from other superhero genres' more standard systems and powers.

In addition, the cast of To Be Hero X is nothing short of impressive. X is voiced by Mamoru Miyano, known for playing Light Yagami in Death Note. Queen is voiced by Kana Hanazawa, who previously portrayed Kanade "Angel" Tachibana in Angel Beats!.

Ghostblade as seen in the trailer (Image via BeDream, bilibili, and Aniplex)

Other well-known cast members are Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, best known for voicing Kirito in Sword Art Online as Little Johnny, Yuichi Nakamura, best known for his role as Satoru Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen, and Koki Uchiyama, who is best known for voicing Meruem in Hunter x Hunter, as Dragon Boy.

Furthermore, Nobunaga Shimazaki, best known for his role as Haruka Nanase in Free!, plays E-soul; Ayane Sakura, popular for her role as Ochaco Uraraka in My Hero Academia, voices Loli; Inori Minase, well-known for her role as Rem in Re: Zero, plays Lucky Cyan; Koichi Yamadera, famous for his role as Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop, voices Ahu; and Natsuki Hanae, renowned for his role as Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer, voices Nice.

The chemistry between the cast members and their ability to bring their characters to life will be crucial in establishing a deep emotional bond with the audience.

While To Be Hero X offers a fresh take on the hero genre, it will need to consistently deliver excellent storytelling and character development to match the impact of My Hero Academia. The cohesive cast and innovative hero system offer a strong foundation, but the way it is executed will be vital.

My Hero Academia's ability to tackle difficult subjects like morality, power dynamics, and heroism is one of its strong points. Given that it focuses on how the public perceives heroes and how the media shapes their perceptions, To Be Hero X has the potential to explore similar topics.

To keep viewers interested and invested in the narrative, the series will need to strike a balance between action, drama, and character development.

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Conclusion: To be Hero's potential for success

Still from To Be Hero X PV (Image via BeDream, bilibili, Aniplex)

To Be Hero X has several factors working in its favor. It differs from other anime in the genre with its own hero system, which presents an original take on superpowers and heroism. The series has a solid base thanks to its talented cast and seasoned creative team, which guarantees excellent production values and captivating performances.

Ultimately, To Be Hero X's triumph will depend on its capacity to forge an emotional bond with its viewers. The show has to produce memorable characters and captivating plots that appeal to viewers. Through a thoughtful blend of action, drama, and character growth, To Be Hero X can prove to be a worthy successor to My Hero Academia.

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