The Ultimate Power Play: 7 Ways The 'To Be Hero X' Popularity Poll Is Rewriting Anime History

The line between fiction and reality is being obliterated. In the world of anime and donghua, few projects have ever dared to grant their audience true, tangible power over the narrative—until the arrival of To Be Hero X. This groundbreaking Chinese animated series (donghua), set to debut in April 2025, is not just a superhero story; it is a revolutionary social experiment where the fate, power, and even the storyline of its characters are determined by real-world fan popularity polls. The "To Be Hero X Poll" is the engine of this new narrative, a mechanism that has sparked intense debate and unprecedented fan engagement, fundamentally changing how we view character development and plot progression in animated media.

As of today, December 17, 2025, the results of the initial popularity polls have been finalized, setting the stage for a dramatic and unpredictable narrative in the upcoming episodes and the highly anticipated Season 2. This unique production model, a co-production between the Chinese video giant Bilibili and the Japanese powerhouse Aniplex, has established To Be Hero X as one of the most talked-about and innovative entries in the superhero genre, forcing fans to reckon with the real-world consequences of their votes.

The Core Concept: Trust Value and the Hero Ranking System

At the heart of the To Be Hero X universe lies a concept that is both brilliant and terrifying: the Trust Value system. In this world, an individual's superpowers are not inherent—they are a direct, quantifiable reflection of the public's belief and faith in them.

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This "Trust" is measured and displayed on a hero's wrist, acting as a direct power meter. If the populace believes a hero can fly, they will fly; if that trust wavers, the hero's abilities diminish or vanish entirely. This system creates a high-stakes environment where public relations, media perception, and genuine heroism are constantly at war.

The heroes are ranked based on this Trust Value, creating a dynamic and volatile hierarchy. This is where the real-world "Poll" comes into play, serving as a meta-narrative layer that ties the fictional ranking system to the audience's direct sentiment. The series forces the audience to become active participants, not just passive viewers, blurring the lines between the story's internal logic and the external fan base.

The 7 Revolutionary Impacts of the 'To Be Hero X' Popularity Poll

The popularity poll for To Be Hero X, primarily conducted on platforms like Bilibili, is far more than a simple fan event. It is a structural component of the entire project, and its results are guaranteed to have a colossal impact on the future of the series. Here are the seven most significant ways this revolutionary poll is changing the game:

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1. Direct Power Level Adjustment: The most significant impact is that a character's final rank in the poll directly influences their strength level in the subsequent season. A fan-favorite hero will literally become more powerful, while a character who loses the public's "trust" may find their abilities weakened or even nullified.
2. Plot and Storyline Influence: The creators have confirmed that the poll results will affect "future events for the characters" and the overall narrative arc of Season 2. This means fan voting could determine who lives, who dies, or which characters receive major focus.
3. Character Arc Prioritization: High-ranking characters are likely to receive more screen time, dedicated story arcs, and deeper exploration of their backstories, satisfying the fan base that elevated them. Conversely, lower-ranked heroes might be sidelined.
4. Merchandise and Promotional Materials: The poll results serve as a direct market indicator. Top-ranking heroes are guaranteed to be featured prominently in official merchandise, music videos, and promotional campaigns, turning a simple vote into a commercial decision.
5. A Meta-Commentary on Fame: The poll perfectly mirrors the series' central theme—that a hero's power is contingent on public faith. The real-world voting process becomes a powerful meta-commentary on the fleeting nature of fame, celebrity, and public trust in the modern age.
6. Unprecedented Fan Debate and Engagement: The high stakes have fueled intense, passionate debate and campaigning across online communities like Reddit and Bilibili, creating a level of pre-release community engagement rarely seen in the industry. Fans are actively invested in the success of their chosen heroes.
7. Potential for Story Delays: The unique, data-driven production approach means the animation team must wait for the definitive poll results to finalize the script and character designs for Season 2, creating a complex structure that could potentially lead to production delays for the sake of narrative accuracy.

Key Heroes and Entities Affected by the Poll Results

The universe of To Be Hero X is populated by a diverse and powerful roster of characters, each vying for the public's Trust Value and, by extension, the top spot in the popularity poll. The rivalry between these heroes is central to the drama, and their final rankings will dictate their role in the forthcoming narrative.

The Main Contenders: Who Dominated the Trust Rankings?

The initial polls have established a clear hierarchy, with a few characters consistently dominating the votes, often separated by razor-thin margins in their accumulated Trust Value.

• Hero X (X): The enigmatic and titular protagonist. X is a man in a suit whose true power is rumored to be reality manipulation, potentially allowing him to change the very animation style of the show. His lack of affiliation makes him a mysterious and highly popular figure, often leading the polls.
• Lin Ling: A top-tier hero and a consistent fan favorite. She and X are often seen as their own competition, far surpassing other heroes in the rankings.
• Nice: A central character in the initial episodes, his fate and power are intricately linked to the Trust system. He is the 10th-ranked hero, and his character arc is a direct exploration of how public belief shapes a hero's life.
• Lucky Cyan: A hero who often trades places with Nice in the rankings, indicating a strong but volatile fan base. Her performance in the poll is a key indicator of her potential power boost in Season 2.
• Queen: Another high-ranking hero who is a major contender in the popularity contest, showcasing the diverse appeal of the hero roster.

The Extended Roster and Supporting Entities

Beyond the top ranks, numerous other entities contribute to the complex world and are subject to the poll's influence. These characters and groups are essential for building the topical authority and depth of the series.

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• Ahu: A prominent character whose role will be amplified or minimized based on his final poll standing.
• Ghostblade: A hero whose unique abilities and story are at the mercy of the fan vote.
• Loli: A young girl whose cute appearance often hinders her dream of becoming a strong hero, a direct commentary on public perception.
• Luo Tong: A researcher who represents the scientific and organizational side of the hero world.
• Antagonists: Even the villains are indirectly affected, as the poll determines the strength of the heroes they must face.
• Hero Affairs: The organization responsible for managing the heroes and the Trust system.
• Production Giants: The entire project is a massive undertaking by Bilibili and Aniplex, directed by the renowned Li Haolin, a significant entity in the Chinese animation space.

The Future of Interactive Storytelling

The phenomenon of the To Be Hero X Poll signals a major shift in the creative landscape of animation. By integrating the audience's will directly into the narrative structure, the series is pioneering a new form of interactive storytelling. The creators are essentially crowdsourcing the power levels and narrative focus of their characters, making every fan vote a consequential action.

As the series moves toward its full release in April 2025, the community is watching closely to see how the results of the finalized polls—the clear victory for characters like X and Lin Ling—will manifest on screen. Will the low-ranked heroes be written out? Will the top-ranked heroes become so overpowered that the story loses its tension? The answers lie not just in the hands of the animators, but in the collective Trust Value of the global fan base. The power is truly yours.