New Cast and Release Date for 'Sentenced to Be a Hero' Anime

The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Rocket Shokai's light novel series, "Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004," made a splash at the KyoMAF event this week. Fans can look forward to exciting developments including new cast members, stunning visuals, and a revised debut schedule.

Recently unveiled at the event was a new promotional video, highlighting significant character portrayals:

• Shōya Chiba as Jayce Partiract
• Yōko Hikasa as Neely

A brand-new visual, revealed on September 6, showcases the vibrant landscapes and captivating characters that await viewers. Originally slated for an October release, the anime will now premiere in January 2026 to ensure exceptional quality, featuring a 60-minute inaugural episode.

Streaming service Crunchyroll will make the series accessible to international audiences as it airs.

The anime features a star-studded voice cast:

• Yōhei Azakami as Xylo Forbartz
• Mayu Iizuka as Teoritta
• Shizuka Ishigami as Patausche Kivia
• Shun Horie as Dotta Luzulas
• Shunichi Toki as Venetim Leopool
• Yōji Ueda as Noragalle Senridge
• Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Tatsuya
• Jun Fukushima as Tsav

At the helm is director Hiroyuki Takashima, renowned for his work on "Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation." His team includes assistant director Yoshitake Nakakōji, script supervisor Kenta Ihara, character designer Takeshi Noda, music composer Shunsuke Takizawa, and world-building expert Nobutaka Ike.

The light novel series debuted on Kadokawa’s Kakuyomu platform in October 2020, introducing a novel twist on heroism—where being a hero is a penalty for criminals assigned to fight against the forces of evil. The narrative promises to evolve with the lead character's fateful alliance with a powerful goddess, aiming to reshape their destiny.

Adding more depth to its narrative, a manga adaptation by Natsumi Inoue was launched in March 2022, with its second volume hitting shelves in April 2024.

Source: My Anime For Life