To Be Hero X is the kind of anime that will hardly ever leave you bored. Besides the episode endings, which aren't always what they seem, the narrative is surprising. However, the tension present in the heroes' lives seems to be a recurring theme in each chapter. The difficulty isn't about facing dangers and risking their own lives, but rather because, in the world they live in, their powers and actions are based on the trust and will of the audience.
In the last episode, we met Em Riste, a hero who, due to fan demand, always remained standing. Therefore, he faced several uncomfortable situations in his daily life, such as not being able to sleep properly.
Furthermore, there was Xiao Yueqing, whose personal desires were also thwarted by public opinion, which wanted her and Nice to always be together. Therefore, her teleportation device didn't work for locations far from the hero.
To Be Hero X brings Lin Ling into the narrative spotlight
From the first episode, we knew that the real Nice had died, and that Lin Ling had replaced him. The boy gradually became more and more like the hero, as the public's trust was now directed towards him. However, throughout the episodes, it becomes clear that he has doubts about whether or not he is on the right path.
At the beginning of episode 4 , released on April 26th, Nice tries to save Xiao Yueqing, who, it seems, has been kidnapped by Enlightenment. However, fans urge him not to fall for the villain's provocation and wish he wouldn't rescue the girl. Because of this, Nice finds it extremely difficult to leave the tower, but even so, he doesn't give up and uses all his strength to try and save her.
While Nice does everything she can to overcome the fans' control over her body, the company sends the hero Crusher to defeat the Enlightenment. The villain, whose goal is to unmask all heroes, reveals that Crusher was nobody before gaining his powers.
The scene blends the hero's past with the conflict between him and the Enlightenment. Furthermore, the fight movements are fluid and dynamic, and the use of effects makes the moment even more immersive. However, it is the fight between Nice and the villain that truly deserves the spotlight in this episode.
Amidst all the confusion, Nice loses some of the public's trust and reverts to his true appearance. Going against all those who want him to remain in the tower, the hero uses his last vestiges of strength to escape. The moment when Lin Ling manages to leave the place and runs to reach Xiao Yueqing is magnificent.
As the boy walks through the crowd, unnoticed by anyone as the person who, minutes before, resembled Nice, flashbacks of moments spent with Xiao Yueqing complement the scene.
Lin Ling wins over the audience and rises to 10th place in the hero rankings
The fight between Lin Ling and the Enlightenment is simply incredible. The soundtrack, the character's perseverance, and the animation make the experience unforgettable. Furthermore, at certain points in the scene, the anime adopts an aesthetic very similar to that of comic books, with the use of textures and striking lines.
With her persistence and will to save those she loves, Lin Ling wins over the audience and encourages an entire crowd to cheer for her victory. In this way, Ling returns to 10th place in the hero rankings, but now without having to assume another person's identity.
At the end of the episode, it is revealed that Xiao Yueqing was not kidnapped. The Enlightenment had only set a trap for Nice. Knowing that the girl is still on the island, Lin Ling searches for the teleporter she left behind and goes to find her.
The final scene, once again, is surprising, as someone appears on the island and seemingly kills the character. However, in To Be Hero X, nothing is as it seems, and that's one of the work's strengths. Previously, we were misled about Xiao Yueqing's death, and this leaves an open question: was that really the end for the character?
Lin Ling's decision to abandon the identity of Nice, the character's evolution into one of the ten most powerful heroes, the action scenes, and the soundtrack are all reasons that solidify the 4th episode as one of the best so far. Furthermore, they reinforce To Be Hero X as one of the best anime of the season.
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