I absolutely love a good dark fantasy anime, so when I saw the trailer for Sentenced to Be a Hero, you better believe I was excited to check it out. This new series from Studio Kai, adapted from the series written by Rocket Shōkai, takes you to a world where heroes are not what they are in other anime and manga.
These are criminals sentenced to serve the kingdom as punishment, where every time they die, they are brought back with a small part of themselves lost with each new resurrection. It is a twisted world where mankind is constantly fighting against demons, and each day could be its last. It is also one of the most visually impressive series I have seen in a long time.
The story of Sentenced to Be a Hero follows Xylo Forbartz, a former holy knight commander who, after killing the goddess he was contracted with when she became corrupted, is sentenced to be a hero and serve out his punishment helping the kingdom. We pick up the story when Xylo and a group of heroes find themselves in possession of a box that seems to have the goddess Teoritta inside.
Clearly, this happens while the human knights in the area are also working to take down a demon lord, with Holy Knight Commander Patausche Kivia trying to fight back the horrific scourge. So clearly, there is no other answer than for Xylo to work with the newly awakened Teoritta to take down the demon lord’s forces and save everyone he can, setting off the events that carry us into Season 1 of this anime.
I touched on it earlier, but Sentenced to Be a Hero is one of the most stunning anime to hit this spring season, with fantastic visuals, amazing design work and breathtaking scenes. The team at Studio Kai has outdone itself with this entry, with each scene oozing style and visual flair that makes it a series that is hard to look away from.
Everyone involved has crafted something that is truly awe-inspiring, with the first extra-long episode looking more akin to a full movie, given the budget on display, than simply the first episode of a series. The studio brings the world to life, with the many enemies, creatures and factions of the world feeling well-realized and helping craft a world that begs to be seen, with each new episode adding to the tapestry these characters live in.
The story is brilliantly relayed, giving just enough to make each new entry a feast for the eyes as well as the mind as you learn more about the many factions, how the heroes we follow came to be part of the ill-fated unit, and what the truth of the demon scourge really is. Even with the first season now finished, I have so many questions about what is really going on, who is really on the side of good, and what place the demons of this world have in shaping the many locales we experience through the 12-episode runtime.
“…the world of Sentenced to Be a Hero manages to keep a cohesive vision that helps make this one of the more unique and well-realized fantasy worlds I have seen on screen in a long while.”
The demon faction is also unique, with the random enemies known as faeries looking more like corrupted real-world animals than true fantasy beasts. That said, Studio Kai manages to flex its creative muscle with the designs of the demon lords, with each offering a unique concept based on its powers and how it controls the world around it.
Each feels completely different, with many feeling so far removed from a standard human form that it can be a bit unnerving at times. Yet, through everything, the world of Sentenced to Be a Hero manages to keep a cohesive vision that helps make this one of the more unique and well-realized fantasy worlds I have seen on screen in a long while.
Sentenced to Be a Hero Season 1 sets the stage perfectly for what is to come down the line, and Studio Kai has done a great job selling the concept of this world as one I want to keep experiencing as it moves on to Season 2. I am in awe that the studio could keep the quality up for all 12 episodes, and I cannot wait to see where this show goes next.
Sentenced to Be a Hero has only just scratched the surface of what is possible with this anime, and with plenty of answers still teased and waiting to be revealed, this is a show fantasy fans need to seek out and experience firsthand. I am not sure where things are going to go in future seasons, but I have to say Sentenced to Be a Hero is a resounding success, and one fans need to give a watch, even to get a sense of how breathtaking it all is.
