6.9 / 10 (based on 66 reviews)
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Yutaka Aoyama, Takeshi Maeda, Tomokazu Sugita, Kenjirô Tsuda
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1 season, 12 episodes, 25-minute runtime
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Tu Bian Ying Xiong Leaf (2018)
6.5 / 10 (based on 21 reviews)
Second season of To Be Hero. Everyone around Huayu Ye expects her to grow up and become an adult, and she’s lost the ability to keep herself mentally balanced. At the bottom of her heart, her childish self is still there, and still strong. One day she wanders into another dimension, a world where the light has been lost, and darkness rules. The people there exist as babies wearing only their underpants. The clothes they wear can be summoned as powerful fighters called “Spiclo” (Spirit Cloth). In this world, a battle was being fought between light and darkness – However, this battle between light and darkness in another dimension was actually the battle between hope and despair in Huayu Ye’s heart.
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Himouto! Umaruchan (2015)
7.1 / 10 (based on 1639 reviews)
In public, Umaru is the perfect vision of a beautiful and smart high school girl. At home, she morphs into the ultimate slob with the ability to game all night and binge on junk food and cola. Can her big brother, Taihei, change her?
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Main Cast: Aimi Tanaka, Akari Kageyama, Emily Neves, Sara Ornelas
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2 seasons, 38 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
Scissor Seven (2018)
8.4 / 10 (based on 3309 reviews)
Seeking to recover his memories, a scissor-wielding hairdresser, bungling quasi-assassin stumbles into a struggle for power among two feuding factions.
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Main Cast: Jas Patrick, Ronny Chieng, Jake Green, Aleks Le
Creators: Xiaofeng He
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3 seasons, 34 episodes, 13.0-minute runtime
Grand Blue (2018)
7.8 / 10 (based on 3471 reviews)
A college student spends his year at the seaside town of Izu, having fun on the beach with his school friends.
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Main Cast: Yuma Uchida, Ryohei Kimura, Hiroki Yasumoto, Katsuyuki Konishi
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1 season, 12 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
Kono subarashii sekai ni shukufuku o! (2016)
7.8 / 10 (based on 12282 reviews)
It was a happy day for Kazuma – right up to the moment he died. A goddess intervenes and offers him a second chance in a magical land.
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Main Cast: Jun Fukushima, Sora Amamiya, Rie Takahashi, Ai Kayano
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3 seasons, 23 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon (2017)
7.8 / 10 (based on 4675 reviews)
An office worker employs a kindhearted dragon to serve as her maid, and enters a world of comic misadventures.
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
Main Cast: Mutsumi Tamura, Yuuki Kuwahara, Maria Naganawa, Daisuke Ono
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2 seasons, 49 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
Kiru ra kiru: KILL la KILL (2013)
7.9 / 10 (based on 15224 reviews)
A young girl arrives at a school of superhumans to find out the truth behind her father’s murder.
Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Main Cast: Ami Koshimizu, Aya Suzaki, Toshihiko Seki, Shin’ichirô Miki
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1 season, 25 episodes, 25.0-minute runtime
Space Dandy (2014)
8.1 / 10 (based on 4287 reviews)
The cosmic and comic adventures of Space Dandy, a handsome space explorer tasked to tour the universe and discover new alien beings.
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Main Cast: Jun’ichi Suwabe, Uki Satake, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Ian Sinclair
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2 seasons, 26 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
Carole & Tuesday (2019)
7.8 / 10 (based on 2229 reviews)
Two girls, from different backgrounds but sharing a love for music, meet and change history with their united musical talent.
Genre: Animation, Drama, Music, Sci-Fi
Main Cast: Miyuri Shimabukuro, Kana Ichinose, Akio Ôtsuka, Celeina Ann
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1 season, 24 episodes, 22.0-minute runtime
In the vast ocean of animated series, finding a show that genuinely stands out for its uniqueness can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Yet, every once in a while, a series like “To Be Hero” emerges, proving that originality isn’t dead. Released in 2016, this anime takes a wildly different approach to the superhero genre, blending humor, absurdity, and a touch of heart in a way that few others do. Let’s unpack what makes “To Be Hero” a must-watch for fans looking for something out of the ordinary.
The Premise
At first glance, the premise of “To Be Hero” might sound like a typical day in a superhero universe: an average Joe gains superpowers and takes on the responsibility of saving the world. However, the way our protagonist gets his powers is anything but typical. The story kicks off with an unremarkable, lazy, and somewhat perverted single father who gets sucked into a toilet and emerges as a superhero. Yes, you read that right—a toilet. This unconventional method sets the tone for the entire series, signaling to viewers that they’re in for a ride that’s anything but ordinary.
Characters and Humor
The protagonist’s transformation into a superhero doesn’t follow the usual trope of gaining a chiseled physique and a noble demeanor. Instead, he becomes a chubby, ugly hero who’s far from the ideal image of what a superhero should look like. This stark contrast to the norm is one of the series’ many charms. The show doesn’t just play with physical appearances; it delves into the absurd with its character lineup, including a perverted alien and a son who cannot recognize his own father post-transformation.
“To Be Hero” thrives on its humor, which can be described as crude, slapstick, and at times, downright bizarre. The comedy is not for everyone, but for those who appreciate a break from the conventional, it’s a breath of fresh air. The show cleverly uses its absurdity to critique and mock common tropes found in superhero and anime genres, making it a meta-commentary wrapped in toilet humor.
Plot and Pacing
With only 12 episodes, “To Be Hero” manages to tell a complete, albeit frantic, story. The pacing is fast, with each episode packed to the brim with jokes, action, and plot progression. This whirlwind approach keeps viewers on their toes, never quite knowing what to expect next. The narrative weaves between the protagonist’s attempts to save the world and his efforts to connect with his estranged daughter, adding layers to what could have easily been a one-dimensional story.
The series doesn’t shy away from emotional moments, either. Amidst the chaos and comedy, there are genuine attempts to explore the relationship between the protagonist and his daughter. These moments, while brief, offer a nice counterbalance to the otherwise relentless humor, providing the series with a heart that many comedies lack.
Animation and Style
Visually, “To Be Hero” is as unique as its story. The animation style is a mix of the traditional and the surreal, with vibrant colors and exaggerated expressions that perfectly complement the show’s tone. The character designs are distinctive, especially the protagonist’s superhero form, which is as far from the conventional superhero look as one can get.
The action scenes are surprisingly well-done, offering fluid animation that stands up against more serious action anime. These scenes, combined with the series’ unique visual flair, make “To Be Hero” a feast for the eyes, as well as a tickle for the funny bone.
Why It Stands Out
In a genre that’s become saturated with similar stories and themes, “To Be Hero” offers something genuinely different. It’s a series that doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it’s crafted with enough care and skill to make it more than just a collection of toilet jokes. The show is a rare blend of humor, action, and heart, wrapped in a package that’s unapologetically weird.
For viewers tired of the same old superhero narratives, “To Be Hero” provides a refreshing change of pace. It’s a reminder that creativity in storytelling isn’t dead and that sometimes, the most memorable stories are the ones that dare to be different.
Final Thoughts
“To Be Hero” is not a show for everyone. Its humor can be divisive, and its pacing might be too frenetic for those used to more traditional storytelling. However, for those willing to embrace its absurdity, “To Be Hero” offers a unique experience that’s hard to find elsewhere in the anime world.
The series is a testament to the idea that not all heroes wear capes—some, as it turns out, emerge from toilets. It’s a wild, weird, and wonderfully wacky ride that proves sometimes the most extraordinary heroes come in the most unexpected forms.