“To Be Hero X” Episode 13, titled “Tough Girl,” delves into the compelling narrative of Loli, the 6th-ranked hero, as she confronts deeply ingrained societal prejudices surrounding appearance and gender in the superhero-driven world. The episode, which premiered on June 29, 2025, initiates the “Loli Arc,” focusing on her struggle to be recognized for her strength and heroic aspirations rather than her “cuteness.”
The Burden of Cuteness
The core of “Tough Girl” revolves around Loli’s journey to defy societal expectations. The episode opens with a flashback to a younger Loli, inspired by the hero Queen, envisioning herself as a formidable crime-fighter. However, her dreams are consistently met with condescension; even her own mother dismisses her heroic ambitions, focusing instead on her adorable appearance. This early experience sets the stage for her ongoing battle against the perception that her “cuteness” hinders her ability to be taken seriously as a hero.
As the narrative shifts to the present, a 16-year-old Loli is shown training intensely, achieving a toned physique and gaining the admiration of others in the gym. However, this admiration quickly dissipates the moment her face and long, pink hair are revealed, with compliments shifting back to superficial remarks about her “cuteness.” This immediate loss of “Trust Value” highlights the unique mechanism of the “To Be Hero X” world, where collective belief directly influences a hero’s powers and even their physical attributes.
Forging an Identity
Driven by her desire to be a respected hero without compromising her authentic self, Loli, a genius engineer and inventor, decides to build a mechanical battle suit. Her reasoning is clear: by concealing her face and traditional feminine appearance, people will be forced to judge her based on her actions and abilities, not her looks. This reflects her refusal to conform to stereotypical expectations, choosing to embrace both her “cute” aesthetic and her ambition to be a powerful hero.
In her first outing in the newly designed suit, Loli confronts a mysterious stalker who is harassing her friend, Wang Nuonuo. Despite her advanced gadgets and suit, Loli’s inexperience in combat becomes evident. The fight sequence showcases her lack of honed fighting skills, and she is ultimately outmatched. During the confrontation, her mask breaks, revealing her face. The immediate shift in the stalker’s reaction, from confrontation to an awkward retreat with a comment about her unexpected “cuteness,” further underscores the societal bias she is fighting against.
Unraveling Connections and Future Implications
Episode 13 not only introduces Loli’s personal struggle but also subtly lays groundwork for future plot developments. Hints are dropped suggesting a deeper connection between Wang Nuonuo and the stalker to Ghostblade, the hero featured in the subsequent arc. Some fan theories propose that Nuonuo might be Ghostblade’s daughter and the stalker is Ghostblade himself, observing her in disguise. This adds a layer of mystery and personal stakes to the overarching narrative, implying that the individual hero arcs are interconnected within the broader world of “To Be Hero X.”
Overall, “To Be Hero X” Episode 13 delivers a compelling and thought-provoking installment, using Loli’s story to critique societal prejudices and explore themes of identity, perception, and the true meaning of heroism.
