To Be Hero X Episode 18, released on August 2, 2025, in the US and August 3, 2025, in Japan, deepened the ongoing narrative surrounding Little Johnny, Ghostblade, and the enigmatic “Fear” phenomenon. The episode continued to unravel the complex web of heroism, public perception, and underlying conspiracies that define the series’ world.
Plot Developments in Episode 18
Episode 18 primarily revisited past events, particularly those from Ghostblade’s arc (episodes 15 and 16), but from Little Johnny’s perspective. This narrative choice provided new insights into Johnny’s understanding of his father’s death and his relationship with Ghostblade.
Little Johnny’s Journey and His Father’s Death
A central focus of the episode was Little Johnny’s emotional journey as he grapples with the loss of his father, Sheng. Johnny’s primary goal has been to seek answers about his father’s death from Vortex, who was seemingly involved in the plane crash that also affected Lucky Cyan.
The episode reveals that Ghostblade, a highly skilled assassin, was ordered to eliminate Sheng, who was labeled a “whistleblower” by his employer. While Ghostblade believed Sheng leaked sensitive information, the series has not yet provided concrete evidence to confirm these claims, leading some fans to speculate that Sheng might have been framed or innocent. Episode 18 further complicated this by depicting Johnny hallucinating the last moments of his father during an attack by DJ Shindig, leading him to realize Ghostblade’s role in Sheng’s death. This revelation challenges Johnny’s previous perception of Ghostblade as a compassionate figure.
The Role of Fear and Corporate Intrigue
The episode also shed more light on the manipulative forces at play within the hero system. Shand, a character previously known for creating fake villains for heroes to fight, was shown using “Fear” to create supervillains in the warehouse where his son was murdered. This aligns with the broader theme of the series, where public “faith” grants heroes powers, and conversely, “fear” can be weaponized.
It was explicitly revealed that Liu, the head of Spotlight, is in collaboration with Mickey. Their objective appears to be stirring conflict between rival hero organizations, MG and FOMO, while DOS deploys its own heroes to capitalize on the chaos and enhance their public image. This corporate manipulation further highlights the corrupt underbelly of the hero society, where trust and fear are exploited for power and ranking.
Character Dynamics and Emerging Conflicts
The episode emphasizes the contrasting innocence of Little Johnny against the harsh realities of the hero world. His pure nature, which previously led him to misinterpret Ghostblade’s actions, is now confronted with a painful truth. The narrative setup suggests that this revelation will significantly impact Little Johnny’s character arc, potentially stripping away his innocence.
Furthermore, the fight between Big Johnny and Vortex hinted at Big Johnny’s ability to nullify Trust-based powers, suggesting that alien physiology or technology might counteract the established power system. This sets the stage for a major conflict where heroes relying on Trust-based abilities could be at a disadvantage against Fear-based or alien threats.
Broader Context of To Be Hero X
To Be Hero X is the third installment in the To Be Hero anthology franchise, a Chinese original donghua (animation) series. It premiered on Fuji Television and other channels on April 6, 2025, and is a co-production between BeDream, Bilibili, and Aniplex. The series is structured into 11 narrative arcs, told out of chronological order, with characters from one arc appearing in the next. It is expected to have a total of 24 episodes.
The series has garnered attention for its unique premise, where heroes’ powers are directly tied to the public’s “faith” in them, measured as “trust points.” Conversely, heroes lose their powers if public belief wanes. This system creates a satirical and often critical commentary on public image and the commodification of heroism.
Controversies surrounding To Be Hero X include its blend of 2D and 3D CGI animation, which has been a point of contention for some viewers. Additionally, the complex and often morally ambiguous character portrayals, such as Yang Cheng (E-Soul) and Ghostblade, have sparked discussions among fans. The series explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the challenges of being a hero in a world driven by public perception and hidden agendas. Crunchyroll is streaming the anime worldwide, excluding Asia.
