The upcoming TV anime adaptation of Sentenced to be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004 (Yūsha-kei ni Shosu: Chōbatsu Yūsha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku) has revealed its second main trailer and introduced two new voice cast members. The announcements were made during a stage event at the Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2025 on September 19, 2025. The dark fantasy series, produced by Studio Kai, is slated to premiere in January 2026 with an extended, hour-long first episode.
Second Main Trailer Showcases Intense Action and Worldbuilding
The newly released second main trailer offers a deeper dive into the anime’s gritty world, highlighting its dark fantasy elements and the challenging battles faced by its “heroes.” The video showcases the animation quality from Studio Kai and provides further glimpses of the protagonist, Xylo Forbartz, and the perilous environment where heroism is a form of punishment.
New Voices Join the Cast as Dragon Knight and Companion Dragon
Joining the already announced cast are two prominent voice actors bringing key characters to life:
- Shoya Chiba will voice Jayce Partiract, a Dragon Knight. Jayce commands dragons as the aerial force of his unit and is proficient in spearmanship. Known for his ability to communicate with dragons and his unique constitution, he shows more interest in dragons than humans.
- Yoko Hikasa takes on the role of Neely, a female dragon with vivid blue scales who fights alongside Jayce on the battlefield.
Chiba expressed his enthusiasm for playing Jayce, noting the character’s rough yet crisp tone and his dedication to embodying Jayce’s background in every line. He also shared his anticipation for viewers to experience the vivid storytelling of the anime, hoping for Neely’s portrayal to be noble, beautiful, and adorable.
Premiere Details and Production Team
Initially scheduled for October 2025, the Sentenced to be a Hero anime was delayed to January 2026 to allow for further quality improvements. The series’ premiere will be a special 60-minute episode, promising an immersive introduction to its unique premise. Crunchyroll is set to stream the series worldwide.
The anime is being produced by Studio Kai, known for its work on titles like Kamen Rider W: Fuuto PI. Hiroyuki Takashima (episode director for Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation) is directing the series, with Yoshitake Nakakōji serving as assistant director and creature designer. Kenta Ihara (known for Tsukimichi -Moonlit Fantasy- and Ishura) is handling the series composition and scripts, while Takeshi Noda is designing the characters. The music is being composed by Shunsuke Takizawa.
Previously Announced Cast Members
The newly announced actors join a talented main cast, including:
- Yōhei Azakami as Xylo Forbartz
- Mayu Iizuka as Teoritta
- Shizuka Ishigami as Patausche Kivia
- Shun Horie as Dotta Luzulas
- Shunichi Toki as Venetim Leopool
Additional cast members previously announced in July 2025 include Yoji Ueda as Norgalle Senridge, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Tatsuya, and Jun Fukushima as Tsav.
The Dark Premise of “Heroism as Punishment”
Sentenced to be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004 adapts Rocket Shokai’s dark fantasy light novel series. The story is set in a cruel world where “heroism” is not an honor but a severe punishment reserved for the worst criminals. Those sentenced to this fate are forced to fight endlessly on the front lines against deadly contagions that transform creatures into monstrous beasts. The ultimate twist is that if a hero dies, they are simply resurrected to continue the never-ending battle, enduring a cycle of brutality.
The narrative follows Xylo Forbartz, a member of Penal Hero Unit 9004 and a convicted goddess killer. His journey takes a pivotal turn when he encounters a new goddess, forging a pact that might hold the key to changing their war-torn world.
Source Material and Publication
The original light novel series, written by Rocket Shokai and illustrated by Mephisto, began serialization as a web novel on the Kakuyomu website in October 2020. ASCII Media Works later began publishing it as a light novel under their Dengeki no Shin Bungei imprint, with seven volumes released as of January 2025. Yen Press is publishing the light novels in English.
A manga adaptation, illustrated by Natsumi Inoue, has been serialized in ASCII Media Works’ Dengeki Comic Regulus web magazine since March 2022, with two collected volumes released as of April 2024.
