u/TR3X-1NF1N1T3

SONG STYLE

Neon Rain is a slow, dramatic and orquestal style song ironic considering the powers of E-Soul, the song depending on the context can be a triumphant song or a sad song for a sad conclusion, which is what the show does in E-Soul's arc last episode.

TITLE MEANING

Neon means New, so, New Rain, this is a reference to two important events in the arc, Shang Chao's death and Old E-Soul's death, both occur during a rain, both are events that forever transformed Yang Cheng's life, rains are also sometimes related to a sad feeling which mixed with the lyrics may be a reference to Yang Cheng's life.

LYRICAL ANALYSIS

Stay With Me, To Walk the Line

This can be Yang Cheng speaking to his friends after loosing them

You Are Smiling Now, From Neon Skies

Yang Cheng's life at the start of the arc seemed to have gotten better and we can see him smiling happy while talking to Rock right after showing us his tragic backstory.

Life's Not Being Kind to Us, So I Shall Rise

Both Yang Cheng and OG E-Soul had a very difficult life, Yang Cheng had to kill a former hero who used to be just a kid, and it only got worse after Yang Cheng's appearance, Yang Cheng on the other way got his parents killed, was rejected by society for not having trust value and didn't had enough self confidence to ask his crush out, however Yang Cheng managed to overcome part of his problems after obtaining powers, saving Pomelo and finally becoming a real hero.

To Light the Way, For Luckless Eyes

Yang Cheng wants to be a real hero, starting by saving a kid, just like the real E-Soul did with him in the past, the last verse can be a reference to Lucky Cyan considering she's Yang Cheng's favourite idol.

Sirens Call, a Distant Crime

This line reminds me of the scene where Shang Chao helps Yang Cheng to boost his trust value by stopping some criminals.

The Scene is Lit, by Neon Signs, Flashing You're Out of Time, Here comes the Rain

A foreshadowing for Shang Chao's death, not only it was raining in that moment but Yang Cheng also because of his doubts let Shang Chao get killed, so it was out of time for both of them, it can also be a reference to the E-Soul's Duel because compared to Shang Chao's death, the battlefield had some lights and more illumination (also during the Lighting Slash part it was actually raining)

Never to See, Your Face Again

Probably the most sad reference as it literally represents the conclusion of the arc, Shang Chao dies, Xia Qing abandons Yang Cheng, OG E-Soul dies, Yang Cheng (metaphorically) dies too, and the funny Uncle Rock we met is never seen again, the line is also a reference to both E-Soul's inability to take off their masks.

Condensing the Pain, Baptism of Fire

This line may be a reference to the Downfall where OG E-Soul defeated Zero, later being considered the number 1 hero and starting a new era for humanity

This Endless Refrain, It Cuts Deep Inside/It Plays Inside

Yang Cheng's lack of self confidence, tragic backstory and overall depressing story may come to mind with this

To clarify:

This is an old drawing from my days playing X Dive Online.

I made this because I wanted to learn to draw in the Anime style, starting from the genga or key frame.

The picture is not based on the original Zero genga (if there even is one); it's based on the actual Zero (Z) artwork from the game.

Either that or she just regained self confidence after spending time with NN idk

Tiger's Confession (Episode 13)

Luo Li on an attempt to finally stop being seen as a cute little girl faces against Tiger, Da Xiong's bully, however it's revealed that Tiger was only using Da Xiong to get Loli's attention and finally confess his love to her.

However the whole scene is embarrassing asf, Tiger sudden change in personality, his pants falling off and him using DX to reach Luo Li, it doesn't help that he's the reason Loli apparently develops a slight "trauma" at people trying to confess to her (as seen with Da Xiong later on)

That blush right there? Was a mix of secondhand embarrassment, cringe and maybe a grossy feeling.

Nuonuo's Confession (Episode 19)

Even tho it isn't precisely a love confession it still counts (and plays) as one.

Loli was on her lowest point emotionally at that time, seeing that her father after all she did still doesn't fully trust her her issue is no longer being seen as a strong yet cute girl but now to gain his father's approve, comes Nuonuo trying to comfort her, explaining her that after she's still his little girl.

Nuonuo kind of changes the subject, to explain that she went through something similar, but it was worth it cause she got to know her and she's thankfull for it

There's no cringe, there's no embarrasing or moment to joke with, there's no one even seeing them at that moment unlike the other one, NuoNuo was sincere with her not using any excuses and actually making her feel better

The kiss was what sealed the deal and we see Luo Li blushing and speechless again but this time for a different reason not because she's grossed but because she doesn't know how to react (and if you look closely when the shot zooms out you can see her smiling showing she did liked it).

Basically

Tiger used Loli's friend to reach her, made it in public, his pants were falling and he accidentally pushed Loli's wrong buttons

Nuonuo actually was sincere, she acknowledged that Luo Tong was right, she made Luo Li happy and was thankful to have her by her side without even telling her an "I love you" and when this happens it was only the two of them a private conversation (she also was brave enough to go and steal a kiss instead of giving her a letter)

Extra points for Nuonuo for being one of the most gorgeous women in the show (as showcased by her 3D version)

In conclusion, Luo is the only man in this show with Unspoken Rizz not even X can have this level of game

In the scene where Luo Li cuts her hair in the final version, her reference was that of a woman with rather short hair (Which reminded me a lot of Zhang Lan's adult one) But in the original version it seems that his reference was directly that of a man (whose hair reminds me of the white hair guy from Yuri on Ice)

The Studio also did some sketches of Ossan/Bashu (the main character of the original To Be Hero series) posing and cosplaying as Hero X and Nice

I also found they shared some fanarts of Shiguang (from Link Click), Ivantill (From Alien Stage) and even a fanart of Luo Li and Nuonuo beating the shit out of Shindig lol

Some examples I could catch were Cyan and Luo, their parents met in the airplane and died together but it was thanks to their trust that Cyan survived years later she ends up in the same orphanage Luo was in and saved him from corruption.

Luo Li and Nuonuo met in an alleyway where Ghostblade was stalking one of them, Ghostblade and his wife met in the same place and same circumstances with Ghostblade saving Zhan Lan from a villain I read somewhere that meeting someone the exact way your parents met has something to do with fate.

I don't think this applies with the rest of the heroes and their partners (like Lin Ling and Moon or X and Smile) but I found this two to be a clever example of fate manipulating stuff and how the heroes aren't the only ones united by that same fate but also other people drawn to them

SONG STYLE

Being composed by the great Hiroyuki Sawano it is to be expected that the song would sound like a beautiful orquesta dedicated to Nice, the song has a sense of solemnity like an anthem which connects to Nice persona and gives a godhood feeling.

TITLE MEANING

A Paragon is a model of extreme virtue or perfection, which goes perfect with Nice and even the lyrics reflects this meaning

OVERALL MEANING

The song lyrics reflects what the public thinks of Nice as a Hero, but also how Nice (and later Lin Ling) feels deep inside, most of the song is from the people to Nice.

LYRICAL ANALYSIS

"To be the pinnacle there's a price, a model of virtue above the vice"

- This line refers to Nice's status as the perfect hero, however is a subtle foreshadowing too, Nice paid the prize of his freedom and mental sanity to reach the TOP

"Dressed in gold and flowing white, the darkness vanquished by your light"

- A physical description of Nice, the second line refers to Nice's persona as a Hero who fights all evil

"Pretenders that would keep their lives, if painless and was televised"

- This song may be a foreshadow to Lin Ling being nothing but a random dude pretending to be Nice after the original died, he got his wish of becoming a hero but not in the most precisely honest of ways and compared to the life Nice had Lin Ling had it way easier

"It's not easy being Nice, it's not about the merchandise"

- This line again foreshadow some stuff, Lin Ling had to keep his identity a secret to continue being Nice and his rise to the top and also the real Nice's life was definetly not easy, when the song mentions the merchandise this reflects to the heroes status as mere faces used by the companies Lin Ling wanted to be a hero not because of the fame, the money or to reach a higher status, he believes heroes are people that risks his life to give hope to people and fight evil and that even some random dude like him can become one Nice had a dream of being a hero inspired by his idol Smile, they both had selfless reasons to become heroes.

"It's all serene, the blue and green from outer space, if we all could make it work it could be such a happy place, to broke all piece so pain can cease"

This line may hint at one of the reasons why Nice became a hero, to make the world a better place

"We are much more, than the sum of all our parts, so go and capture all their hearts"

This goes to the realm of headcanons, but I like to believe this line is from Nice to Lin Ling as he ended up becoming the better Nice, so he's inspiring Ling from the otherworld to become the hero he couldn't be while alive.

"CAUSE YOU ARE THE TEACHER, SHINE LIKE A SAPPHIRE TO GUIDE US, WISDOM IS JUST IN YOUR NATURE, FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE YOU TAKE US HIGHER!"

This part of the chorus is sang by the public to Nice, he's the one that will guide humanity into the light, freedom and wisdom just like a teacher to his students

"SAW THE POTENTIAL TO BE GOOD, SO MANY JUST MISUNDERSTOOD"

This part is directly talking again from Nice and Lin Ling's perspective, Nice became a hero to be like Smile and make the world a peaceful place but he ended up twisted and corrupted by Shang De's seek of revenge, Lin Ling believed that a nobody like him could become a hero, he got his wish granted, by stealing another Hero's identity and almost loosing his own persona, this line can also be a reference to the negative effects of the Trust Value on Nice and Lin Ling, Nice developed OCD while Lin Ling was so into the Nice persona he was unable to go and save Moon until he dropped the persona loosing his trust value and powers in the process.

"SO MANY LOST DEEP IN THE WOOD SHALL FIND THEIR WAY"

This may refer to the people that has fallen in darkness and despair in their life but still found a way to get over it and continue to move on, could this be a foreshadow to Nice's conclusion in Season 2? 🤔

"CAN IMAGINE A WORLD WITH NO FEAR OR HATE, WAKING UP IS NO REASON FOR FEELING GREAT, CAN'T IMAGINE A WORLD THAT YOU CAN'T CREATE, YOU ARE THE FATE, YOU ARE THE FATE THAT WE DESERVE, PARAGON JUST CUT THROUGH THE NIGHT, GUIDE US WITH YOUR BEACON OF LIGHT"

Once again this is from the public to Nice, this refers to people believing Nice will guide them to a better world, that he will free them from the woods of darkness

This is from a BTS PV that I found on YT

This was the most interesting part of them since it's from May and if I recall the Ruins Incident released in August I think? Or October? I don't remember well right now

I mean

Just look at her?????

Lin Ling bagged a baddie

Or well...

Would HAVE bagged if it weren't for a certain dude

Lucky Cyan Arc:

The most prominent one in the whole trailer, changes are mostly less saturated colors and color pallete (such as Cyan having a more greenish hair in the trailer and Luo's shirt looking more brown than gray).

Loli Arc:

The scenes looks exactly the same unlike Cyan's arc, except for this specific frame where it looks like they colored Luo Li's headband as grey/white and later turned red in the donghua

Queen Arc:

Queen looks more detailed and colorful in the donghua with also warmer colors contrasting the BG, the hair shadows looks darler, the BG looks totally different too showing one of the cargo boxes in the BG

Ghostblade Arc:

The trailer looks more colorful but also more simplistic compositing wise, the scene of Ghostblade drawing the knife at Shindig looks totally different to the point I don't even need to explain what differences are there

The Johnnies Arc:

The whole shot looks more detailed and colorful in the trailer, the car looks totally different too, the lighting specially looks better and vibrant in the trailer there's also little bounce lights similar to the ones in LC's arc overall the Donghua version looks mad bland in contrast

Nice Arc:

Overall Nice/Lin Ling looks more shiny and vibrant in the donghua, the second shot also looks more bright

Ahu Arc:

Do I need to say what's different here? It looks like Ahu's arc was originally going to be animated by the Lucky Cyan Arc team I think but ended up with a totally different artists and overall different artstyle but still retaining the cartoon vibe

First many of the official arts that depicts Luo Li with this specific outfit has her looking mad serious (specially in Kontinum where she's the only hero not bothering to look at the camera) which may reflect her post-Ruins Incident state (I also have the little HC that Luo Li might use her armor to hide her true emotions)

In many times where this version of her is shown it seems to be in the present (for example in Kontinum Lin Ling is already The Commoner)

Her hair also looks way longer than before (tho LL's hair may be a little inconsistent) reaching below her back when in the show it just reaches below the neck

And as a final proof that this is LL 2 years later: shehasbreastsnow

They better do my scissoring queen justice with her 3D model

First 2 concept arts that I've never seen before

One is Big Johnny on a rampage in a city in plain daylight, curious I wonder if it's a deleted concept or scene

Second is Lin Ling about to fight God Eye but he seems to still have the cape instead of the final version where already took it off he's also dressing full white clothes

And another thing, in Moon's 3D sheet you can see images of Natasha Romanoff (MCUs Black Widow) and Spiderverse's Gwen Stacy, supposedly Super girl???

I don't know when did the BTS video dropped but there's also character sheets of characters and moments that appeared much later, such as Old Smile, Civil X, Shindig and Fear!Shindig

And some early animations and Storyboards like Loli, NuoNuo and Ghostblade from episode 16 and Storyboards of Nice sneaking on the researchers from episode 20

1.- Luo Li and Da Xiong seemed to be close in terms of age meaning that he died at 16-18 probably.

2.- Since XinYa's death was scrapped Da Xiong is the only underage character to have died onscreen (Luo could have been the first but he survived).

3.- In the dinner scene in Ghostblade's arc he mentions that he doesn't need to cry since he has a good relationship with his parents and they are still alive one has to wonder how bad his parents took the news about his death.

4.- When Luo Li discovered Phobiaclone killing Luo Tong and injuring Nuonuo we can see one of them grabbing (what I think it is cause I could be wrong) his corpse meaning that they were still mauling the poor guy even after he's deader than death.

You know after that Luo Li and Mizi comparison I realized that Nice has a little of Luka in him

Both are Mr perfect guys adored by the public

Luka was made artificially while Nice identity was built in Fear

They both have used unorthodox methods to win which puts their morals in question

Even tho Luka is a manipulative bastard this is in part because of the way he was raised and made out to be, he can be sensitive about certain things (specially about Hyuna)

Nice even tho was slowly going trough the slippery slope still had some spark of heroism until the Smile incident broke him completely

They both got their ass kicked by an enraged pink haired girl

In the current Alien Stage Luka failed to get their opponents killed (Mizi and Till) and also got the love of his life killed in front of him

Nice on the other hand either failed to kill his opponents (Loli and Dragón Boy) failed to keep the people he cared about safe too (Smile)

At the end of the Alien Stage Luka was consumed by the fire but managed to survive with lots of skin tissue reattached to him deforming his face

Nice killed himself but was somehow brought back to life with his face and body looking like a cracked vase

They both have a somehow fallen angel vibe (with Luka even doing a Lucifer pose at one point) and Nice sometimes opposing to his superior and slowly loosing his cool the more we know about his actions

This series for autistic people (like me) feels like excess sugar for a diabetic on his deathbed

I mean, how do you expect me to feel with a series with 10 protagonists each more original and unique than the other, mixing different styles of animation and having action scenes with tremendous quality?

When To Be Hero X ended I was SO obsessed that I re-watched the series like 3 times in 1 year (which I don't even do with my favorite anime AOT)

And it gets worse considering I'm an artist, so the show was an overload of inspiration for me.

The series was so good that I ended up getting hooked on 2 more series from the creator (Link Click and Ringing Fate and the previous TBH entries)

Like I said, the show is to a neurodivergent kid what excess sugar is to a diabetic

No I'm not over with glazing the hell out of this show :)

The Art is credited to either Haoling or a Lan animator on Twitter

I did some research and the person in question has re tweeted many stuff from Haoling and even shared some sketches and sheets for Link Click tho his acc seems abandoned as the last tweet was from 2023

The drawing also dates from 2023 so it's hella old

If someone is curious the name of the artist is ladonghua I think