A thorough review of "TO BE HEROINE"! Is this heroine anime worth watching?

"TO BE HEROINE": A story about a girl caught between another dimension and reality

"TO BE HEROINE" is a TV anime series that was broadcast in 2018, and is a work filled with the unique worldview of Li Hao-ling, who wrote, directed, and wrote the screenplay for the original work. This anime is set in a parallel world and the real world, and depicts the growth and struggle of Futaba, a girl who is losing her mental balance. Below, we will introduce detailed information and the appeal of this work.

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

May 19, 2018 - July 7, 2018
From 21:00

■Broadcasting station

TOKYO MX

■Frequencies

10 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 7

■ Original author and director

Li Haoling

■ Production

Animation Production: Shanghai Emu, LAN STUDIO

■Works

©TO BE HEROINE Production Committee ALL Rights Reserved

■ Story

The protagonist, Futaba, is expected by those around her to become an adult, and she has trouble finding her balance. Deep inside her heart, she still has a strong part of her childhood self. One day, Futaba wanders into another dimension, a world where light has been lost and darkness reigns. The inhabitants exist as children wearing only underwear, and the clothes they wear determine their powers. They can summon their own clothes as "Spikuro," or special abilities, and fight. In this other dimension, Futaba becomes embroiled in a battle to save the world.

■Explanation

"TO BE HEROINE" has attracted attention as the world's first Japanese-Chinese hybrid animation. It is the world's first animation work to attempt a hybrid structure in which Chinese voice actors speak the lines of the characters in the real world (lines are subtitled in Japanese) and Japanese voice actors speak the lines of the characters in the other dimension. Can you keep up with this cutting-edge expression of Chinese animation? Come and experience it for yourself.

■Cast

• Futaba the Flower Shop / Moa Tsukino (another dimension), Meme (real world)
• Isago Hikaru / Attention
• Golden Pants Boy (Hikari-kun) / Kumai Motoko
• Liang Chao (Utsubari Tooru) / Liu Ming Yue
• Child of Another Dimension (Super Old Man) / Minami Omi
• Kang Jin-min (Min-chan) / Yamashin
• Min-chan/Junko Minagawa

■ Main staff

• Original author: Li Haoling
• Director: Li Haoling
• Screenplay by Li Haoling
• Series Composition: Li Haoling
• Storyboard by Li Haoling
• Character design/LAN
• Chief animation director: LAN
• Color design/LAN
• Direction: LAN
• Planning Producer/Tang Yunkang, Kang Jun
• Sound Director: Hisashi Muramatsu
• Director of photography: Shintaro Nakamura
• Art Director: Huang Xueting
• Edited by Fumi Hida and Haoling Li
• Executive Director of Japan Edition/Ken Ando
• Japanese version script by Ken Ando
• Animation Producer/Yoshi
• Production Progression/KoA

■ Main Characters

• Flower Shop Futaba
  17 years old. The heroine of this work. A high school girl attending a high school in the city. She is good at getting along with people and appears mature, but in reality she is a sensitive girl. She was born and raised in an intellectual family and received special education from a young age. Due to a certain incident, she gets lost in another dimension and becomes involved in a battle to save the world.
• Hikaru Isago
  17 years old. High school student. Although he was raised in a happy family, he lost his father when he was 7 and his mother became ill. Despite his refreshing and kind appearance, he is a person with a dark past.
• The boy in golden pants (Hikari-kun)
  A resident of another dimension. 3 years old. A mysterious being, his body is designed to glow spontaneously when stimulated. When he made a wish at a temple, he met the heroine, Futaba. He has a deep connection with Sakou in the real world.
• Liang Chao
  17 years old. Childhood friend of Hikaru and Futaba. Raised in a financially well-off family, he is the most decent of the three. He has had feelings for Futaba since he was a child.
• Child of another dimension (Super old man)
  A resident of another dimension. 3 years old. Although he has a cool appearance and speaks in an adult tone, he is still a child deep inside. His feelings towards Hikaru-kun are a little complicated. He is the incarnation of Liang Chao in the other dimension.
• Kang Jin-min (Min-chan)
  17 years old. A high school girl who attends the same high school in the city as Futaba. As Futaba's best friend, she always supports her. She has a tomboyish personality and a black belt in karate.
• Min-chan A resident of another dimension. 3 years old. He has an impatient personality and looks rough and rude, but he cares very much for his friends. He is actually a kind person. He is the incarnation of Min-chan in the real world.
• Old Man The main character of "TO BE HERO". Min-chan's father. He was originally a handsome man and a talented toilet seat designer. He got caught up in a mysterious incident and became fat. He cares deeply for Min-chan. He is hostile towards men who get close to Min-chan.
• Old Man An old man who went on a diet and returned to his original good looks. For some reason, he has a special affection for his daughter Min-chan's best friend, Futaba-chan.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1: Inhabitants of Another World
• Episode 2: Magic Words
• Episode 3: Faith and Betrayal
• Episode 4: The Vanished World
• Episode 5: The Darkness Attacks
• Episode 6: The Lack of Fighting
• Episode 7: What You Gave Me

■ Theme songs and music

• OP
  ・Ray
  ・Lyrics: Sakiel Kiriya, Konnie Aoki
  ・Composition: Koji Hirachi ・Arrangement: Koji Hirachi ・Singer: PassCode
• ED
  ・Koihana Koibou ・Lyrics by Teruji Yoshizawa ・Music by Teruji Yoshizawa ・Arrangement by Soundbreakers
  ・Song: Re-connect

The appeal and evaluation of "TO BE HEROINE"

"TO BE HEROINE" has attracted many viewers with its unique worldview and innovative attempts. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and evaluation of this work.

1. The fusion of another dimension and the real world

The greatest feature of this work is the story development where another dimension and the real world intersect. The other dimension where the protagonist Futaba gets lost is a world where light has been lost and darkness rules, and the inhabitants exist as small children wearing only underwear. In this other dimension, the clothes worn by the person give them power, and they can summon and fight as people with special abilities called "Spirucrows". This setting gives viewers a fresh surprise and adds depth to the story.

In addition, the story depicts Futaba's growth and conflicts as the inhabitants of the real world and the other dimension influence each other. In particular, her relationship with the boy in golden pants (Hikari-kun) whom she meets in the other dimension is the core of the story and symbolizes Futaba's emotional growth.

2. An attempt at hybrid animation

"TO BE HEROINE" attracted attention as the world's first Japanese-Chinese hybrid animation. The structure of the film, in which Chinese voice actors speak the lines of characters in the real world and Japanese voice actors speak the lines of characters in another dimension, offers viewers a new perspective. This hybrid structure provided an opportunity to experience the most cutting-edge expression of Chinese animation, and attracted the interest of viewers.

This attempt can also be seen as a symbol of intercultural exchange. By understanding both Japanese and Chinese, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the feelings and actions of characters from different cultural backgrounds. This is a very meaningful attempt in today's increasingly globalized society.

3. The appeal of the characters

Each character in this work is unique and charming. In particular, the main character Futaba is portrayed as a girl with a delicate heart, while being good at getting along with people and appearing mature. Her growth and struggles evoke empathy from the audience. In addition, the boy in the golden pants (Hikari-kun), who lives in another dimension, is a mysterious figure, but is also portrayed growing through his relationship with Futaba.

In addition, each character, such as Sha Guang, Liang Chao, and Min Chan, has their own background and worries, which add depth to the story. In particular, Sha Guang's dark past and Liang Chao's feelings for Futaba are elements that draw the hearts of viewers.

4. Story Development

The story of "TO BE HEROINE" unfolds through the intersection of another dimension and the real world. Each episode from episode 1 to episode 7 has a different theme, but they form a consistent story as a whole. In particular, episodes 3, "Faith and Betrayal," and 5, "Invasion of Darkness," depict the characters' conflicts and growth, leaving a strong impression on viewers.

The final episode, "What You Gave Me," depicts Futaba's growth and her bond with the inhabitants of the other dimension, culminating in a moving finale. The development of this story provides viewers with deep emotion and satisfaction.

5. Music and video

The music and visuals of this work also leave a strong impression on the viewers. The opening theme "Ray" with PassCode's powerful voice and rhythm enhances the tension of the story. Meanwhile, the ending theme "Koihana Renbou" with Re-connect's gentle voice symbolizes Futaba's growth and her bond with the inhabitants of the other dimension.

Visually, the unique design of the other dimension and the movements of the characters give viewers a fresh surprise. In particular, the scene where the inhabitants of the other dimension summon the "Spikro" has a very strong visual impact. This fusion of music and visuals further enhances the appeal of the story.

Recommended points of "TO BE HEROINE"

"TO BE HEROINE" is loved by many viewers for its unique worldview and innovative attempts. Below, we will introduce the points that make this work recommended.

1. The fusion of another dimension and the real world

The storyline, where the other dimension and the real world intersect, offers viewers a fresh surprise. In particular, the setting in which the inhabitants of the other dimension exist as small children wearing only underwear and fight by summoning "Spiklos" is visually very impactful. This setting offers viewers a new perspective and adds depth to the story.

2. An attempt at hybrid animation

This work, which has attracted attention as the world's first hybrid Japanese-Chinese animation, can be said to be a symbol of intercultural exchange. The structure in which Chinese voice actors speak the lines of characters in the real world and Japanese voice actors speak the lines of characters in another dimension provides viewers with a new perspective. This attempt is extremely significant in today's increasingly globalized society.

3. The appeal of the characters

Each character in this work is unique and attractive. In particular, the growth and struggles of the main character Futaba resonate with the audience. Futaba's growth is also depicted through her relationship with the boy in golden pants (Hikari-kun), who lives in another dimension. In addition, each character, such as Shako, Liang Chao, and Min-chan, has their own background and worries, which adds depth to the story.

4. Story Development

The story of "TO BE HEROINE" unfolds as the alternate dimension and the real world intersect. Each episode has a different theme, but they form a coherent story as a whole. In particular, the final episode, "What You Gave Me," depicts Futaba's growth and her bond with the inhabitants of the alternate dimension, culminating in a moving finale. The development of this story provides viewers with deep emotion and satisfaction.

5. Music and video

The music and visuals of this work also leave a strong impression on the viewer. The opening theme "Ray" and the ending theme "Koihana Renbou" enhance the tension and emotion of the story. In addition, the unique design of the other-dimensional world and the movements of the characters have a great visual impact. This fusion of music and visuals further enhances the appeal of the story.

Conclusion

"TO BE HEROINE" is a work that attracts many viewers with its unique worldview and innovative attempts. It is full of many charms, such as the fusion of another dimension and the real world, the attempt at hybrid animation, the charm of the characters, the development of the story, and the fusion of music and images. Please experience this work and feel its charm.