DO NOT discuss the source material beyond this episode. If you want to discuss future events or theories, please use separate threads.
DO NOT ask where to watch/download this episode or give links to copyrighted, non-fair use material.
DO NOT troll/bait/harass/abuse other users for liking or disliking the series/characters.
DO read the Anime Discussion Rules and Site & Forum Guidelines.
DO NOT ask where to watch/download this episode or give links to copyrighted, non-fair use material.
DO NOT troll/bait/harass/abuse other users for liking or disliking the series/characters.
DO read the Anime Discussion Rules and Site & Forum Guidelines.
Reply to Paul
I thought the studio name was familiar. They animated several Hololive music videos I've seen but didn't know they actually did anime and to this degree. Wow. This was a really strong first episode. It felt almost nostalgic in a way even though I've never read its LN/manga but rather gave off the feeling when you start a new JRPG or something. Really gave me those vibes.
Hoping the show manages to keep this up.
Hoping the show manages to keep this up.
| @Paul hey didn't expect to see someone else here to understand that feeling too. |
| Headpat the loli. Do it now! What a way to begin the year. Animation is smooth as hell. The first-person shots are what really stood out to me. It's also got me sold on the whole monster apocalypse vibe, and the revenge fantasy as a hook. Characters did not make a good impression. Xylo kind of grew on me, so maybe the other two can get good moments down the road. This seems worth picking up. |
MALoween 2025 Candy:       ///    |
| This will probably turn out to be one of the great animes this season. The animation is very good and the story line has me intrigued. |
| Great first episode, as a fan of the light novel I'm glad it got such a great adaptation, cause the LN is not that well known. |
 |
| Easily contending for the best anime episode of the year. I hope this revenge dark fantasy story not only becomes one of the best anime this season, but also pisses off a lot of viewers because of its edgy content. |
| Great first episode. AOTS incoming |
 |
First episode of Clevatess gave me the same vibes. That was also a great first episode. |
| https://www.honeyfeed.fm/u/34774/novels Why must the products of man trouble me so? |
| I'm guessing the majority of the "Heroes" aren't exactly like bad or evil people like Xylo. They just became "criminals" because of circumstances or a certain situations. There's probably some really evil "Heroes" though. The person who set him up is definitely someone with a high status or position. Great episode its easily one of the best first episode I have seen in a long time. Probably top 5 best first episode in the last 10-15 years. |
Reply to dazedcowcow62
Easily contending for the best anime episode of the year. I hope this revenge dark fantasy story not only becomes one of the best anime this season, but also pisses off a lot of viewers because of its edgy content.
@dazedcowcow62 This is already happening; the (generic fantasy anime) and (loli) factors are causing a lot of hate. lol |
| where's Teoritta's nade-nade XYLO!!! |
| GOD DAMN. The visuals are extremely good and it oozes with Mushoku Tensei vibes, in fact the production looks leagues ahead of the first season of Mushoku Tensei. Cannot wait for the next episode to drop!!! |
Reply to Desmascarado
@karrotStick Yes, I noticed the change in the order of things, and it was great, especially the part where Xylo ignores Teoritta in front of Kivia, and even more incredible the scene where Xylo yells at Kivia to make the contract with Teoritta. Wow, I was moved by the voice actor's performance; it was very good
| @Desmascarado Along with the different perspective shots, really well done. As long as they don't change the story too much. Wow, I was moved by the voice actor's performance; it was very good Some people seem to really hate Dotta's whiny voice. Too bad they are stuck with him for the whole season lol. |
| Wow that was really good, I'm hooked already and this will definitely be a show to look forward to every week going forward this season. |
| People on MAL refuse to actually enjoy watching anime. Your taste in anime isn't a personality trait. Take me back to the days before MAL became infested with Twitter's favorite buzzwords. |
Reply to Desmascarado
@karrotStick I thought Dotta's voice was cute.
And the main highlight was Xylo's voice actor, he did a great job portraying him, it was very good. Now I understand why he stole the role from the voice actor who is now voicing Rynno.
And the main highlight was Xylo's voice actor, he did a great job portraying him, it was very good. Now I understand why he stole the role from the voice actor who is now voicing Rynno.
| @Desmascarado lmao what I didn't know the studio did that. They are like two complete opposite personalities. |
Reply to Desmascarado
@dazedcowcow62 This is already happening; the (generic fantasy anime) and (loli) factors are causing a lot of hate. lol
| @Desmascarado I mean her design seems very harmless. If they went with the design of the light novel cover that's on MAL I could understand that it would create some controversy. But I'm sure we're gonna see some fan service bathing scene or something, seems almost unavoidable... |
| https://www.honeyfeed.fm/u/34774/novels Why must the products of man trouble me so? |
| Watching this after One Punch Man is really something else isn't it haha |
 |
| What an amazing start! I had high hope after knowing the people behind this show, but I definitely didn't expect this first episode to blow my expectations. Oh and Gilgamesh called and wants his Sacred Treasure back, hehe. |
| Okay this show was a suprise especially with an 1 hour special but i really liked it. Especially the MC Xylo and teoritta, i really enjoyed their dynamics. Dotta too a extent too a little on the goofy aspect. Their voice actors did such a phenomenal job too We get backstory on xylo and how he was framed. Poor guy had to put the previous goddess senerva out of her suffering and to save her from being corrupted, someone he was apparently really close to as well giving him ptsd with teoritta. classic corrupted authorities setting him up cleverly and sentencing him into being a "Hero". The holy knights are just plain puppet, most of them i guess, i do have little hopes on the lady captain. Anyways this is going to be quite the revenge story. Fight sequence, the animation, sound design and the art style were just amazing. Xylos unlimited blade work powers are quite the sight to behold and xeoritta constantly buffing him with the pact is also enjoyable to watch. Yea i was blown away and got me hooked onto it at the same time. This is definitely in my must watch for this season and hopefully they keep it consistent. Also Xylo needs to pat Teoritta >:( she deserves it.  |
Kipo0007Jan 3, 11:52 AM
| I enjoy these condenmed narratives like Game of thrones jigokuraku or clevatess but i hate the antagonists being made into cartoon villains, also what happened to show but don't tell? this really would have been better if we had been left wondering what his crime was, the flashbacks alone would have been enough to easily figure out he killed his previous goddess. I just can't help but feel like these stories are made for kids |
| studio KAI kinda cooked with the first episode and even an 40+ min episode as well, so hats off to them. Hopefully they will keep this consistency throughout the whole season. I normally have my doubts when i see "Studio KAI" but yeah pretty good first episode. I'd give the first one a 7/10 |
  |
| The monsters were ugly, story a bit cliche but it does look promising. we will see what they will bring next. Would have been more fun for Teoritta to choose Dotta though |
| ABSOLUTE CINEMA! I have been looking forward to this one and boy was it worth it calling it now this is gonna be one of if not the best (non-sequel) anime of the season cant wait for the next episode already! Teoritta is so cute give her damn headpats :( |
| Fun Things Are Fun - Yui Hirasawa |
| Wow where did this come from? Was there a hype train I missed somewhere? Anyway great start to the year 2026, honestly thought I was going to get bored but it was actually really good. Head pat lolis are kind of a danger sign but I'll allow it for now. Hopefully it can maintain some level close to this for the rest of the show. (reminded me of Mushouku Tensei) I really need an animation palate cleanse after having to endure OPM season 3. |
| I didn't know and I wasn't expecting this 1st episode to be 1 hour long, but I'm not complaining. Having watched it, this 1 hour episode sets up the anime quite well, showcasing really well the characters, what this anime is going to be like and ended with the premise that is going to be important for the plot. The anime really needed this 1 hour to set all of this, so I'm glad they went for it, since having a normal 24 minute episode wouldn't make it justice. Xyro, a holy knight that was set up by someone, which lead to his army being wiped out, and his goddess Senerva to spend all her power, being at risk to be corrupted by the Demon Lord, which made Xyro kill her. Then the kingdom used this to punish him with the worst punishment known: make him a hero. This way he has to continue fighting for the Kingdom, and if he ends up killed, they'll just revive him. An endless torture that not even death can stop. This setting is really interesting, especially the way they deconstruct the "hero" ideal, where it's usually a good thing. It also kind of reminds me of Tate no Yuusha. This episode was fantastic in terms of animation, it was almost like watching a movie, and it made me hyped up for future battles. The direction and soundtrack are amazing as well. All the scenes looked really good and this episode was just beautiful to watch honestly. It also did a good job presenting the main characters so far (Xyro, Dotta and Teoritta). I'm curious to know more about the setting of this anime, including what exactly a Goddess is, and what are the political forces behind all od this (because that commander knew nothing, just sent her soldiers to their death, and when Xyro saved them, she was like "omg, you're a hero, you are worthless", like, do you understand that you are only able to talk because he saved you?). I knew this anime had a lot of hype around it, but I wasn't expecting this kind of delivery. We are surely starting this Winter Season 2026 really well. A great way to start this new year, in terms of anime. Really curious for next week's episode! I hope this quality can continue throughout the season! |
| Honestly, Studio KAI kind of exposes how low the bar has gotten. Sentenced to Be a Hero looks sharp, moves well, and actually stays on-model, which is somehow rare now. The action flows instead of stuttering, and even normal scenes don’t feel cheap or half-finished. When you compare it to how rough some big-name shows look week to week, it’s hard not to appreciate that KAI clearly gave a damn. |
| This first episode was amazing. Good fights and story. I like this type of dark fantasy shows, reminds me of my favorite show Berserk. If anyone wants to read some dark fantasy mangas, you can read Tower Dungeon, Bugle Call and Centuria. And yeah those Holy Knights are ungrateful suicide idiots lol |
manelist1Jan 3, 1:03 PM
More topics from this board
Poll: » Yuusha-kei ni Shosu: Choubatsu Yuusha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku Episode 8 Discussion ( 1 2 )Stark700 - Yesterday |
83 |
by G_Spark233
»»
47 minutes ago |
|
Poll: » Opening InfluencesLiental - Today |
7 |
by legionofbees
»»
1 hour ago |
|
Poll: » Yuusha-kei ni Shosu: Choubatsu Yuusha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku Episode 7 Discussion ( 1 2 3 )Stark700 - Feb 19 |
123 |
by Megistus_Mona
»»
Today, 1:05 AM |
|
» Ep 8 preview + staffDesmascarado - Feb 24 |
5 |
by Desmascarado
»»
Yesterday, 3:36 AM |
|
» Original soundtrack release confirmed!Desmascarado - Feb 24 |
2 |
by Ragon_Qc
»»
Feb 25, 7:08 AM |