The anime was originally slated to premiere October 2025.
According to a press release, Kadokawa revealed that the upcoming anime adaptation of Rocket Shokai’s “Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004” light novel series is being delayed to January 2026. The anime was originally scheduled for broadcast in October 2025 as part of the Fall 2025 lineup.
No reason for the delay has been given, although Kadokawa also confirmed that the premiere episode will now be a 60-minute special. Furthermore, the anime will hold a special livestream to reveal new details on 26 July, 7PM JST.
“Sentenced to Be a Hero” details
The anime adaptation is headlined by:
- Yohei Azakami as Xylo Forbartz
- Mayu Iizuka as Teoritta
- Shizuka Ishigami as Patausche Kivia
- Shun Horie as Dotta Luzulas
- Shunichi Toki as Venetim Leopool
Hiroyuki Takashima helms the series as director at Studio KAI, with Yoshitake Nakakoji as assistant director and creature designer. Kenta Ihara is writing and supervising the scripts, while Takeshi Noda is designing the characters. Shunsuke Takizawa is credited as music composer, Nobutaka Ike handles worldbuilding, and Kouta Sugawa handles prop design.
The story for “Sentenced to Be a Hero” is described by Yen Press as:
Heroism—a punishment for only the worst criminals. Those sentenced to the fate of a hero are forced to fight on the front lines against deadly centers of contagion that rot the land and turn its creatures into roving armies of violent beasts. And if a hero dies, their only reward is being brought back to life so they can continue the never-ending battle. But when Xylo Forbartz, a member of Penal Hero Unit 9004 and a convicted goddess killer, comes face-to-face with a new goddess, the pact they forge might just be enough to change the world…
