Adaptation anime from the light novel series Sentenced to Be a Hero finally got a confirmed air date after experiencing delays from the planned release last October. The production staff has just released a major promotional video showing action footage, additional cast members, and the theme song that will accompany the series.
The video provides a visual first look for viewers who are looking forward to the story. dark fantasy about this hero unit of criminals.
Anime Sentenced to Be a Hero Schedule
Based on the information from the promotional video, the anime Sentenced to Be a Hero is scheduled to debut on January 3. The first episode will be a 60-minute special.
After the special airing, the second episode will air on January 15. For future episodes, the anime will air regularly every Thursday.
For viewers using digital platforms, the series will be available on Amazon Prime Video Japan from January 3. Other streaming sites are scheduled to start airing the series on January 6.
The promotional video also played the opening theme song “Kill the Noise” performed by rock band SPYAIR. In addition, the staff also released new location visuals for the “Couveunge Forest” area.
Premise of Punishment and Eternal Fighting
The story in this series brings up the concept where being a hero is a form of punishment for criminals. Those sentenced to this punishment are forced to fight on the front lines against the demon lord's army.
If they die in battle, they will be revived to continue the fight. The focus of the story is on Unit 9004 led by Xylo Forbartz.
She is someone who was punished for killing a goddess. The situation changes when Xylo meets another goddess and forms a new contract that could potentially change the order of their world.
Studio KAI's Seiyuu and Production Staff Lineup
The production of this anime was done by Studio KAI with the involvement of various experienced names in the anime industry.
Here is a list of the core staff involved behind the scenes:
- Director: Hiroyuki Takashima
- Series Composition/Script: Kenta Ihara
- Character Design: Takeshi Noda
- Music: Shunsuke Takizawa
- Assistant Director/Creature Design: Yoshitake Nakakoji
- Worldbuilding: Nobutaka Ike
- Prop Design: Kouta Sugawa
In addition to the production staff, the anime also announced the addition of new names to the voice cast, namely Yuichi Nakamura as Rhyno and Saori Onishi as Frenci Mastibolt.
They join the already announced main cast lineup:
- Yohei Azakami as Xylo Forbartz
- Mayu Iizuka as Teoritta
- Shizuka Ishigami as Patausche Kivia
- Shun Horie as Dotta Luzulas
- Shunichi Toki as Venetim Leopool
- Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Tatsuya
- Yoko Hikasa as Neely
- Jun Fukushima as Tsav
- Shoji Ueda as Noragalle Senridge
- Shoya Chiba as Jayce Partiract
About Sentenced to Be a Hero
This series adapts the light novel with the full title Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004 (Yusha-kei ni Shosu: Chobatsu Yusha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku). This work was written by Rocket Shokai.
The novel was first launched on Kadokawa's Kakuyomu website in October 2020. Kadokawa then published the series in print from September 2021 with illustrations by Mephisto.
To date, seven volumes have been released on the market. The eighth volume is scheduled to be published on January 17, 2026. Yen Press has also licensed the novel for English distribution.
With a unique premise and solid production support, this anime deserves to be on your watch list at the beginning of the year.
