To Be Heroine Review: A Surreal Donghua Masterpiece

In a world of predictable storylines and overused tropes, To Be Heroine bursts forth as a bold, imaginative, and deeply emotional piece of Chinese animation. Released in 2018 by Haoliners Animation League and directed by Li Haoling, this spiritual sequel to To Be Hero is not just a follow-up — it’s a complete reinvention of the donghua format. With a fresh protagonist, experimental visuals, and multilayered storytelling, To Be Heroine is a surreal masterpiece that demands attention.

While its predecessor leaned heavily on absurdist comedy and satire, To Be Heroine shifts gears into a more introspective and symbolic realm. It’s a show that tackles identity, mental health, societal expectations, and the nature of reality — all wrapped in a dreamlike, metaphysical fantasy.

Let’s take a deep dive into what makes this donghua such an unforgettable viewing experience.

Plot Overview: A Tale Between Two Worlds

The story follows Futaba, a quiet Japanese high school girl who suddenly finds herself transported into a bizarre parallel world where children wear only underwear and fight using clothing imbued with magical powers. As strange as that sounds, this whimsical world is full of symbolic meaning.

In this surreal realm, Futaba meets a boy named Hikaru who desperately seeks help. She becomes his protector, gaining the ability to summon clothing from her real-world memories to fight enemies and restore balance.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Futaba is grappling with deep emotional trauma and isolation. As the line between the two realities blurs, the series begins to explore themes of mental illness, childhood, innocence, and the desire to escape from reality.

What appears nonsensical on the surface slowly reveals itself to be a metaphor for emotional healing, empowerment, and the rediscovery of self-worth.

Themes: Deep, Dark, and Dreamlike

Unlike conventional anime or donghua, To Be Heroine challenges viewers with its symbolism and nonlinear storytelling. Here are the key themes explored:

Identity and Reality

Futaba’s journey isn’t just physical — it’s psychological. Her inner turmoil manifests in the fantasy world, where each enemy represents a real-life fear or trauma. The show asks: Who are we beneath the roles society assigns us?

Childhood and Innocence

The strange world where kids wear only underwear may seem humorous or absurd, but it’s symbolic of vulnerability and purity. The show mourns the loss of innocence and how society slowly “dresses” us with expectations and burdens.

Depression and Escape

Futaba’s dissociation into a fantasy world parallels real-world dissociative coping mechanisms. It’s a bold portrayal of mental health, without ever explicitly naming it. The fantasy world is both her sanctuary and battlefield.

Art Style: Symbolic, Bold, and Experimental

Visually, To Be Heroine is unlike anything else. The animation style fluctuates between traditional 2D, abstract minimalism, and saturated, dreamlike color palettes. This visual experimentation enhances the storytelling — every stylistic change reflects a shift in tone or perspective.

The contrast between the dull, grayish real world and the vibrant fantasy world underscores the emotional gap Futaba feels between her reality and desires.

Despite the limited budget, the creative team made bold artistic choices that serve the narrative, proving that emotion and meaning can shine brighter than polish.

Characters: Symbolic and Strong

Every character in To Be Heroine carries symbolic weight. Here’s a closer look at some of them:

• Futaba: As the main heroine, she’s timid but intelligent. Her evolution from passive observer to proactive protector is the emotional heart of the series.
• Hikaru: A mysterious boy in the fantasy world who represents Futaba’s protective instincts and perhaps a fragment of her own fractured psyche.
• Antagonists: The various enemies Futaba faces often represent societal expectations or emotional scars, making each battle more than just physical — it’s psychological warfare.

The dialogue is minimalistic at times, allowing music, silence, and visuals to carry the emotional weight. That makes the emotional peaks hit even harder.

Music and Sound Design: Emotion in Every Note

The soundtrack of To Be Heroine deserves special mention. With haunting piano pieces, whimsical fantasy tracks, and emotional orchestration, the music guides viewers through each psychological beat.

In moments of silence or surrealism, the absence of music is just as powerful, emphasizing Futaba’s isolation and disconnection.

The ending theme “Insistence” by Liu Yuning perfectly captures the show’s emotional essence — bittersweet, inspiring, and cathartic.

Cultural Fusion: A Chinese-Japanese Co-Production

Though the story follows a Japanese girl and the series features Japanese voice acting, To Be Heroine was written, directed, and produced in China. This unique cross-cultural approach enriches the storytelling with layers of Asian philosophy, symbolism, and artistic expression.

It also challenges the viewer to break out of genre expectations and embrace a more global perspective on animated storytelling.

Reception and Impact

While To Be Heroine hasn’t received mainstream anime fame, it has gained a dedicated cult following. Fans praise its originality, emotional depth, and bold narrative structure.

Critics have compared it to FLCL and Serial Experiments Lain for its dreamlike style and psychological storytelling. But To Be Heroine remains unique in its ability to balance childlike imagination with mature introspection.

For fans of experimental animation, this is an unmissable gem.

Why You Should Watch To Be Heroine

If you’re tired of formulaic anime and want something bold, emotional, and genuinely thought-provoking, To Be Heroine is the perfect choice. It’s not just entertainment — it’s art.

Who will enjoy this donghua?

• Fans of FLCL, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, or Mob Psycho 100
• Viewers interested in animation as a medium for self-expression
• Anyone seeking emotional catharsis through storytelling

⭐ Final Rating: 9/10
A surreal, symbolic journey that rewards deep thinking and emotional openness.

Where to Watch To Be Heroine

• Bilibili (official Chinese platform with subs)
• YouTube (search Haoliners official uploads)
• Other legal streaming sites depending on your region

Make sure to support the official release to encourage more bold, creative donghua projects in the future!