Is Being a Hero Worth the Cost?

The story To Be Hero X has illustrated the thrilling peaks of becoming a hero, but it also seems that such noble pursuits come with an extremely steep price. So far, the narrative has centered around two main characters who have made significant sacrifices for their accomplishments. As Lucky Cyan prepares to take center stage, viewers are growing concerned about the well-being of her friend, Calamity.

Up until now, Lin Ling and Yang Cheng have both experienced significant losses in their lives, either through death or personality changes that left those closest to them absent. The cliffhanger ending of Episode 9, where everyone at the orphanage transformed into zombies, raises concerns about Calamity’s safety. Contrary to typical Japanese superhero anime themes that glorify heroism, To Be Hero X explores whether the sacrifices required to become a Hero, such as losing loved ones upon stepping into the spotlight, are truly worthwhile.

What Is So Great About Becoming A Hero In To Be Hero X?

Becoming A Hero Validates People’s Dreams In TBHX

In most superhero animated series, being a superhero symbolizes high status. Whether it’s for fame, wealth, or a deep commitment to justice, these individuals take up the cause they believe in. For instance, in the anime To Be Hero X, people choose to become heroes for various motivations. Some aspire to rescue others from peril or influence them positively. Others seek acknowledgement for their kindness to make them feel significant within this world. They achieve this by maintaining a close watch on their Trust ratings, which serve as a measure of their impact and relevance.

In most superhero anime series, nearly all characters aim to embody selfless heroes. They yearn to demonstrate their purpose and significance on Earth, validating their lofty aspirations. By living out their wildest fantasies, they strive to show that their dreams of greatness were not misguided. However, no dream can fully prepare one for the raw challenges of becoming a hero. The series To Be Hero X highlights this reality especially well, as it allows individuals to visually witness the number of people who trust in them at any given instant.

Lin Ling’s Ascension To The Top Is Fraught With Tragedy

Lin Ling Achieves His Dream But Loses The Most Important Person In His Life

Initially, he held heroes in high regard but never envisioned himself joining their ranks, especially stepping into the shoes of the acclaimed Nice. Yet, his most cherished aspiration unexpectedly became a reality as he formed a bond with the teleporting hero, Moon.

Regardless of growing familiarity, the Heroine (Moon) decides to abandon her heroic lifestyle. With assistance from Lin Ling, she orchestrates a staged death and sets off for a place where she can remain unknown. Despite the heartache it causes him, Lin Ling allows her to go because he understands this is her wish. Tragically, her temporary departure results in Lin Ling’s genuine heroism emerging, as well as the deterioration of their relationship.

In my own words as a passionate fan, it seems that the recently christened “God Eye” has apparently snatched Moon and demands me, now known as “Nice,” to retrieve her. Initially, I’m warned to keep my distance from this situation, but my heart refuses to obey. Each passing moment, I lose more of your trust, yet I press on. In this critical juncture, I demonstrate true heroism by confronting God Eye without my powers, driven by love for the woman whom I adore. This valiant act stirs the public’s support, shifting their perception from me being Nice’s replacement to recognizing my authentic self. However, the joy derived from this newfound Hero status is fleeting when I uncover that it was all a façade. Determined, I locate her teleportation device and visit the real Moon, only to witness an attacker shooting her before my very eyes.

In my own words, I’ve chosen to abandon my ordinary existence, shed my old identity, let go of my initial heart’s desire, earned the title of Hero once, then again – all in pursuit of greatness as a top-ranked Hero. I thought that the adoration and acclaim from the public would elevate my life. However, heroism has only seemed to usher in one calamity after another for me.

Yang Cheng Turns His Back On His Friends In The Name Of Revenge

Yang Cheng Becomes A Hero But Has No One Standing By His Side

Unlike Lin Ling, Yang Cheng’s path to heroism is unique but shares some commonalities. Initially, Yang Cheng starts without the support of others, as no one trusts him, which undermines his self-confidence significantly. This lack of faith from others has made it difficult for him to express his feelings towards Xia Qing, his long-time crush. However, things shift when Pomelo, Xia Qing’s brother, encourages him to improve himself and rise above the challenges.

In his role as an E-Soul doppelganger, Yang Cheng starts embodying the essence of a genuine hero. This transformation becomes apparent when he rescues Pomelo from some tough guys. From that moment, an electrifying battle between Yang Cheng and the authentic E-Soul’s fame ensues. It’s an exhilarating phase in Yang Cheng’s life, but his joy is swiftly cut short as a friend of his gets wounded by a man who intends to eliminate Yang Cheng.

Overwhelmed by remorse and thirst for vengeance, Yang Cheng immerses himself in his Hero duties and strives to embody the genuine E-Soul. Regrettably, this pursuit erodes his bond with Xia Qing. His story reaches a point (for now) where Xia Qing stands solitary, mourning the loss of one friend through death and another to revenge, and confronting the true E-Soul.

It appears that Yang Cheng advances in the competition and enters the Hero Tower, but this progression seems to have strained his relationship with Xia Qing. Interestingly, even Pomelo, who initially inspired his transformation, is now detached from him. Yet another seemingly heroic figure finds himself isolated due to the harsh realities and perils of the industry. With Yang Cheng residing in the Hero Tower, one wonders if it brings him joy when he has no companion to share it with?

Lucky Cyan Believes Calamity Gave Up His Life For Her Freedom

A Terrible Fate Is Headed For Calamity

With To Be Hero X now seeing the world through Lucky Cyan’s eyes, fans find themselves concerned about her friend, Calamity (also known as Luo). Despite their shared escape from the cult-like orphanage that exploited Cyan as a deity, Calamity was captured by the Dean and narrowly escaped death after being struck by a speeding semi-truck. Believing him to be deceased, Cyan has merged her Hero’s Journey with Lin Ling’s. However, it appears that Calamity may have survived the crash. Yet, there are further troubling developments surrounding Calamity and the suspicious activities taking place within the orphanage.

At first, Calamity was overjoyed that Cyan was pursuing her dream beyond the oppressive cult. But then, during a performance, the Dean confides something to Calamity, and in the next scene, we see the undead inhabitants of the orphanage. It appears the Dean has been taken over by some malevolent force, but there’s no sign of Calamity. This could be the manifestation of fear, but it’s uncertain if the Dean was responsible, or if Calamity had disappeared. Neither scenario offers good prospects. Like Lin Ling and Moon, and Yang Cheng and Xia Qing, Cyan has lost Calamity on the path to heroism. Although she thinks they are separated by death, a far more chilling possibility is that he has transformed into the Villain once dreaded by past orphanages.

Is Heroism Worth The Cost Of Being A Hero In Any Superhero Anime?

To Be Hero X Shows The Harsh Realities Of Personal Sacrifice

In numerous superhero series, being a hero is presented as a lofty goal, something to aspire towards. However, it appears that the price one pays for this prestige – the loss or suffering of loved ones – might outweigh the admiration of strangers. This leaves fans questioning whether the pursuit of heroism is truly worth such personal sacrifices. In other words, does the potential accolade from others compensate for the loss of someone dear? It seems that in the world of ‘To Be Hero X’, the values and relationships one gives up to achieve their dreams might be more precious than the heroes themselves seem to comprehend.

Many of the “To Be Hero X” heroes have not only suffered the loss of loved ones, but also a sense of self-loss due to their excessive preoccupation with their Trust values. Being at the top comes with a heavy price tag that they often fail to recognize. Unlike others, Lin Ling and Lucky Cyan are keenly aware of the sacrifices they’ve made. Yet, they continue to aspire to be heroes for others, especially when those closest to them require rescue the most.

In general, Japanese superhero anime often focus on the grand, triumphant aspects of heroism while overlooking the personal sacrifices heroes regularly face. However, To Be Hero X emphasizes that being a hero is not always glamorous; it comes with the cost of leaving behind people and things you care about deeply. The challenge lies in acknowledging these losses and determining if your dreams are significant enough to risk straining or even losing cherished relationships.

In the story of To Be Hero X, the interconnectedness of its plotlines remains fragmented, yet as it progresses, the idea of being a hero appears less appealing. The recurring theme in any hero’s journey has always been conflict and potential loss of life. However, what makes To Be Hero X stand out is how the lives of others are put in jeopardy when villains discover their connections to the heroes. If a hero were to live in seclusion and have no ties with others, it would be less risky for them to pursue their dreams. Unfortunately, even a minimal association with someone else exposes the second person to increased danger merely because the first wanted validation from strangers. This risk doesn’t seem justified.

2025-06-02 04:08