The concept of legacy is a cornerstone in the world of superheroes. We often see heroes like Wally West, who finds inspiration in Barry Allen, or Miles Morales, who takes up the mantle after Peter Parker. Even in anime, characters like Deku in My Hero Academia inherit powers from All Might, mirroring how his rival Shigaraki gains abilities from All For One. Initially, TO BE HERO X appears to follow this familiar pattern, yet it soon reveals a far more complex and often darker take on inherited power and purpose.
Indeed, almost every central figure in TO BE HERO X is defined by their connection to a parent, mentor, or predecessor. Characters like Lucky Cyan, Little Johnny, Loli, Queen, and Dragon Boy are all shaped by their fathers, uncles, or guardians. Ghostblade himself is a father, as is Little Johnny to his unique alien companion. Lin Ling grapples with the legacy of Nice, who, in turn, was inspired by Smile. Then there’s Yang Cheng, influenced by his ‘uncle’ Rock and the established hero E-Soul he aims to supersede. This exploration of familial bonds echoes director Li Haoling’s previous work on the donghua Link Click, where parental relationships—whether distant, grieving, deceased, or overbearing—were central to its time-traveling, mystery-laden narratives. However, TO BE HERO X introduces a disturbing twist: many of these ‘children’ find themselves exploited by the very guardians who are supposed to protect them.
Consider Lucky Cyan, whose seemingly benevolent father is unmasked as a cult leader manipulating her powers for his own gain. Queen’s father, though caring, is entangled in corrupt activities with DOS. Uncle Rock, a mentor to both Yang Cheng and Dragon Boy, treats them as mere pawns in his scheme to resurrect Zero, an anti-Superman figure. Even relationships that begin with positive intentions are tragically fated. Loli’s supportive father, despite his attempts to shield her from harm, cannot prevent her eventual loss. Little Johnny’s father, a genuinely positive influence, is cruelly murdered by another hero, mirroring the tragic fate of Cyan’s birth parents. Ghostblade presents a complex figure: a ‘bad dad’ and hired assassin responsible for Little Johnny’s father’s death, and someone whose marriage dissolved due to his parental shortcomings. Yet, as his daughter matures, he makes a sincere effort to support her from a distance, struggling with communication due to his sensory issues. Despite his attempts, he ultimately fails to protect her from a debilitating injury, even as he paradoxically saves Little Johnny’s life.
Beyond immediate family, the relationships between heroes in TO BE HERO X are equally complex and often perilous. Lin Ling, upon inheriting the mantle of Nice, quickly learns that his new role is less a privilege and more a crushing burden. Nice, once inspired by the benevolent Smile, inadvertently poisons him with the corrupting essence of Fear. These intertwining narratives frame TO BE HERO X, starkly illustrating that noble intentions alone cannot shield one from the dangers of walking in a predecessor’s shadow; true solace and purpose must be forged independently.
Thematically, TO BE HERO X stands in stark contrast to Link Click, presenting a world where family units are consistently fractured, toxic, or outright destructive. Here, children either tragically lose their parents, bravely overcome their parental figures, or are outright betrayed by them. This profound shift stems from the series’ central concept: Trust Value. While it bestows individuals with incredible superpowers, it simultaneously compels them to conform to external expectations. The ultimate ‘father figure’ of this setting is Zero, a historical hero who ascended to unprecedented power before transforming into the world’s most dangerous villain. His descent into evil began with the murder of a hero who defied him, but the unspoken horror lies in the public’s probable role in his transformation. Heroes, by their very nature, are often shaped by public perception. If the populace labels Zero a monster, he is almost fated to become one, creating a devastating self-fulfilling prophecy.
Zero’s eventual demise at E-Soul’s hands spurred the creation of the Heroes Association and the yearly Heroes Tournament. As revealed by X in the finale, these institutions were established with the noble goal of preventing another figure like Zero from ever emerging. Yet, tragically, the very systems founded in response to Zero’s violence and trauma inevitably perpetuate the same cruelty they were designed to eradicate, highlighting a cyclical legacy of pain.
This exposes the darker side of legacy: the once-inspirational parent or mentor can transform into an inescapable burden. It’s akin to Wally West being nearly destroyed by a villain impersonating a resurrected Barry Allen, or the spider-heroes in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse grappling with the inescapable weight of ‘canon events.’ Even All Might, Deku’s revered idol, carries a complex and troubled past. The crucial lesson, exemplified by Wally West’s journey in Mark Waid’s Flash run, is that while he might yearn to emulate Barry Allen, he must ultimately embrace his own identity. TO BE HERO X takes this concept further, depicting a corrupted world where any character clinging to the idealized image of a predecessor, a ‘Barry Allen’ in their heart, is invariably met with punishment.
So, how do characters like Lin Ling and his allies respond to such a suffocating system? They rebel. Each individual in TO BE HERO X finds their own way to defy societal norms and inherited expectations. E-Soul rises to become a top hero despite starting with a low Trust Value. Ahu, the talking dog, proves his worth beyond mere circus entertainment. Lucky Cyan chooses a path as a pop star over becoming a cult leader, simultaneously forging a powerful bond with Queen. Little Johnny and Ghostblade strive to be truly good fathers, while Loli earns not only her father’s respect but also that of the Hero Commission by surviving the harrowing Ruins Incident.
And Nice? The ending delivers a shocking twist: he isn’t dead after all.
The most profound acts of defiance against the Heroes Association come from Lin Ling and X. Lin Ling bravely abandons the mantle of Nice, transforming into The Commoner—a hero of the people empowered by his very ordinariness. X, conversely, chooses to compete in the Hero’s Tournament not for his fanbase, but out of a fierce determination to forge his own destiny, regardless of the path others envision for him. This, ultimately, is the heart of TO BE HERO X: the courage to reject predefined paths laid out by family and society, to embrace one’s authentic self, come what may. As the poignant theme song ‘JEOPARDY’ beautifully expresses: ‘See the table in the kitchen that you planned my future on/but you knew I was something else/Turned around and the kid had gone.’