To Be Hero (2016)
A bumbling divorced dad gets flushed into destiny and emerges as Earth's most unlikely superhero in this irreverent Chinese animated series.
To Be Hero - Series Information
- Original Title: 凸变英雄
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Created by: Li Haoling
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy, Action, Adventure
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 17 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 48
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, Mandarin, English
- First Air Date: October 5, 2016 (United States - TV-14), October 5, 2016 (Canada - 14+), October 5, 2016 (Australia - M), October 5, 2016 (Brazil - 14), October 5, 2016 (Mexico - B-15)
- Networks: bilibili
- Alternative Titles: To Be Hero 2 (FR), 突变英雄 (CN), トゥ・ビー・ヒーロー (JP), To Be Heroine (US)
- Production Companies: LAN STUDIO, Emon Animation Company, Haoliners Animation
- Production Countries: China, Japan
To Be Hero - Plot
Our main character, Uncle, is a no-good father with a messy appearance even though he looks nice, and decorates restrooms. He is a divorced, single-dad and lives with his daughter Min, who is good at both studying and sport. One day, Uncle has been sucked into the toilet that he finished using, and becomes a hero to save the Earth! The price is he lost his ikemen appearance and becomes a fat person!! Uncle's battle to protect the Earth and Min has begun…
To Be Hero - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Uncle's absurd heroic journey unfold:
Where to Watch To Be Hero
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To Be Hero - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Li Haoling
Main Cast
- Chen Zhangtaikang
- Shan Xin
- Yang Ning
- Wei Chao
- Liu Xiaoyu
- Chang Wentao
- Jinwen Chen
- Qian Chen
- Shuang Zhao
- Zhang Fuzheng
Writers
- Li Haoling
- Shinichiro Watanabe
To Be Hero - FAQs
What is To Be Hero about?
To Be Hero follows Uncle, a slovenly divorced father who decorates restrooms for a living. After being sucked into a toilet, he is transformed into a chubby superhero and must protect both the Earth and his daughter Min. The series blends absurd comedy with action-packed superhero battles.
Where can you stream To Be Hero?
To Be Hero is available to stream on Crunchyroll and the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, both offering the series as part of their subscription (flatrate) plans. For a full list of viewing options available in your region, check JustWatch.
Who created To Be Hero?
To Be Hero was created by Li Haoling, the founder of Haoliners Animation. The series is notable for its collaboration with legendary anime director Shinichiro Watanabe, who served as a writer, lending the show a distinctive creative edge that bridges Chinese and Japanese animation sensibilities.
What is the role of Shinichiro Watanabe in To Be Hero?
Shinichiro Watanabe, the acclaimed director behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, contributed as a writer on To Be Hero. His involvement was a landmark moment for Chinese animation (donghua), signaling a meaningful creative bridge between the Chinese and Japanese animation industries.
How many seasons does To Be Hero have?
To Be Hero has 3 seasons plus a specials collection. Season 1 is the original To Be Hero (12 episodes), Season 2 is To Be Heroine (12 episodes), and Season 3 is To Be Hero X (24 episodes). There are also 3 special episodes, bringing the total episode count to 48.
Is To Be Hero still ongoing or has it ended?
To Be Hero is currently listed as a Returning Series and remains in production. The most recent season, To Be Hero X, aired in 2025, confirming the franchise is still active. Fans can expect further developments in the story of Uncle and his superhero adventures.
What makes To Be Hero unique among superhero shows?
To Be Hero subverts the typical superhero formula by centering on a middle-aged, overweight, and deeply flawed protagonist. Its humor is irreverent and often absurdist, while its emotional core — a father's love for his daughter — gives the series surprising heart beneath the toilet-humor surface.
What is the content rating for To Be Hero?
To Be Hero is rated TV-14 in the United States, indicating it contains content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series features comedic violence, crude humor, and some mature themes, making it best suited for teenage and adult audiences.
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