TO BE HERO X: How Trust Value Reshapes Superheroes and Defies Legacy

TO BE HERO X, the highly anticipated donghua that premiered in 2025, is redefining the superhero genre with its innovative approach to power and societal standing. Set in a world where heroism is not inherited but earned, the series introduces a compelling 'Trust Value' system. This unique metric quantifies public faith in an individual, directly dictating their superhuman abilities and social hierarchy. This dynamic interplay between collective belief and extraordinary power forms the bedrock of the narrative, challenging conventional notions of what it means to be a hero.

At its heart, TO BE HERO X champions the powerful theme of forging one's own destiny, consciously stepping away from established legacies. Rather than inheriting power or status, anyone can ascend to become the enigmatic hero 'X' purely through the accumulation of trust. This philosophy is vividly embodied by the protagonist, Lucky Cyan, whose deliberate choice to pursue a career as a pop star instead of embracing a preordained role as a cult leader marks a significant departure from expected heroic trajectories. Her journey, alongside those of pivotal characters like Queen and Little Johnny, intricately explores the complexities of personal relationships and the constant negotiation between individual aspirations and public perception.

The series further distinguishes itself through an innovative meta-narrative technique, empowering the main character X with the ability to transcend the show's own boundaries. X can manipulate time, space, and even the very art style of the animation, a groundbreaking creative choice that mirrors the narrative's central message: heroism is fluid, adaptable, and unbound by rigid traditions.

Under the visionary direction of Li Haolin, this donghua, which premiered in April 2025, boasts a fascinating collaboration of multiple animation studios. This results in a distinctive alternation of animation styles, a stylistic decision that brilliantly reinforces the show's thematic rejection of fixed legacies in favor of a modern, inclusive definition of heroism shaped by personal agency and collective trust.

TO BE HERO X has garnered significant acclaim for its audacious visual storytelling and profoundly unique conceptual framework, solidifying its position as a standout title among contemporary superhero anime and donghua offerings.