I’ve been watching the Winter 2026 anime season, and the second week is wrapping up. The latest episode of the most anticipated fantasy series really delivered, continuing to impress me. It’s interesting to see how shows follow up their premieres – while first episodes build excitement and introduce the world, the second episodes are where things really start to come together, showing where the story is going and fleshing out the details.
Crunchyroll’s new anime, Sentenced to Be a Hero, quickly became a fan favorite this season with its beautiful animation and a surprising plot twist. Because of this, fans were really looking forward to the second episode. It didn’t disappoint! The episode continued to build the mystery around Xylo’s journey for revenge, introducing new characters and highlighting the difficulties of being a hero. With its strong storytelling and expanding world, Sentenced to Be a Hero is quickly becoming one of the best fantasy anime in recent years.
Sentenced to Be a Hero Brings Classic Hero Tropes Into Its Epic Fantasy Adventure
The second episode of Sentenced to Be a Hero slows down the action to develop a compelling story centered on Xylo’s desire for revenge. What makes this episode work so well is how cleverly it introduces elements that support the series’ main idea: those punished by the system are forced to obey, even though the system labels them as criminals. As Xylo and his companions act with genuine heroism, they increasingly prove themselves to be true heroes, surpassing the supposedly righteous Holy Knights who are meant to protect everyone.
The latest episode continues to explore these themes, showcasing them through Xylo and his companions. Despite his odd behavior, Norgalle has acted more like a true hero than the Holy Knights have so far. We also see how Tatsuya’s constant reincarnations have left him deeply troubled, emphasizing the harshness of his fate. The episode adds emotional weight by introducing people transformed into faeries by the Demon Blight. The impact of freeing them, knowing their families are still waiting, is powerfully portrayed, especially through Teoritta’s reactions.
What truly makes Sentenced to Be a Hero stand out is its compelling portrayal of Xylo’s revenge quest unexpectedly leading him towards heroism. A prime example is when he bravely enters the tunnel to save the faeries, determined to protect Teoritta from harm. These scenes powerfully demonstrate that Xylo is fundamentally a good person, even though in this world, heroic acts are seen as criminal. As the story unfolds, Xylo is poised to fight against this unfairness and reshape the definition of a hero, potentially surpassing even the revered Holy Knights. With its rich and intricate fantasy world, Sentenced to Be a Hero has quickly become one of the best fantasy anime in recent years – and possibly the very best.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/anime/list/5-best-anime-twists-of-2025-that-shocked-fans-ranked/embed/#
Read More
- Darkwood Trunk Location in Hytale
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Hytale: Upgrade All Workbenches to Max Level, Materials Guide
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- Daredevil Is Entering a New Era With a Chilling New Villain (And We Have A First Look) (Exclusive)
- We’ll Never Get Another Star Wars Show Like Andor, But Not Because of Dave Filoni
- Katy Perry Shares Holiday Pics With Justin Trudeau & Ex Orlando Bloom
- RHOBH’s Jennifer Tilly Reacts to Sutton Stracke “Snapping” at Her
- So Long, Anthem: EA’s Biggest Flop Says Goodbye
- 7 Announcements We’re Dying to See at Dragon Ball’s Genki Dama Festival This Month
2026-01-17 16:10