UPDATE: I loved the Sentence to be a Hero dub except one major flaw. Analysis. [Spoilers]
So after doing some research that I found pretty fun, I want to give an update on my previous post. And since I was downvoted to all hell, what do I have to lose? Also I want to preface, I loved the dub and the performances other than this one particular line and I welcome all discussions about it. I appreciate all the work that goes into these dubs and translations as some people in the industry are actually friends of mine. So please don't get the wrong idea and start sending hate comments my way as I have received some in the past.
In the Sentenced to Be a Hero novel, they use two different words for "hero": One is "eiyu" meaning champion. This one is used in a positive light about the people who were initially summoned from another world. The other is "yusha" which describes warriors who were resurrected by the goddess. This is all explain in the final episode of the series as well so if you've finished it, this is not a spoiler. Yusha is never really used in a positive light. The term is then given to the penal heroes. So the etymology of the english word hero as it works in the series is pretty much fully negative at this point. People despise heroes in this world including Kivia. No one uses the word "hero" to describe someone they care about.
Now the final episode of the dub has Kivia's line change from "I truly...I truly looked up to you" to "I truly looked up to you...as a hero". In the novel and in the sub, she never uses the word "eiyu". There is no reason to change this line to add the word hero and in fact, my initial thought when I heard it was, "that's weird". We've spent the entire season learning that heroes are despised. Why would she say that to her uncle?
My initial argument was that in the dub there wasn't an existing word for hero predating the penal heroes. So I believed that this line was even weirder because it felt like the author was establishing the origin of the word "hero" by worldbuilding in the series. People had mentioned that it was silly of me to assume so. Maybe it was. So I am moving the goalpost a little bit and explaining why I still think it doesn't work well and that other words could have been used instead of hero.
An argument was made for Kivia reclaiming the initial definition of the word hero. I don't think this works. The original word they use in the dub is "warriors". In the sub it is "eiyu" or "champion". Her relationship with Xylo at this point has changed her feelings towards "heroes" but she still views it as a punishment and negative thing. If she didn't the impact of the final scene would be lost. Her agony when making the decision she makes at the end would not make sense. If it was a word to make the mouth flaps match or to give more weight she could have used the word idol, champion, father, or anything of that nature. Or just change the line, I truly looked up to you and admired you. Saying "hero" ruins the nuance of what the series is establishing with the word. I just don't think this is the word Kivia would use to describe her uncle. But if you feel differently feel free to give me your thoughts.
I do think this is truly a translation issue between sub and dub. Because there are two words for hero in Japanese, it doesn't work as well in the dub. But on top of that the word hero isn't even used in the subtitle or the novel. It threw me off a bit.
Before you say I am over-analyzing and taking things too seriously. I find analyzing things to be part of the fun of watching movies and tv. The same way people have fun coming up with theories for what will happen in season 2 which I am very excited for. It is not serious. So hopefully it will be fun for you as well to respond. Also, it is...kind of my job to analyze writing and discuss it with others. So...yeah. Tell me what you think.
TL:DR: there is none. If you didn't read the post then feel free to move on. 😂