“The Last Smile,” the 22nd episode of To Be Hero X, which premiered on Sunday, August 31, 2025, amplifies the series’ stakes with a blend of intense action, emotional turmoil, and significant plot revelations. The episode primarily focuses on the climatic battle involving Dragon Boy, Hero Smile, and Nice, culminating in the dramatic intervention of Hero X. This installment not only showcases explosive fight sequences but also delves into the complex psychologies of its central characters, particularly Nice’s internal conflict and Dragon Boy’s backstory, while setting the stage for the season’s impending finale.
The Escalating Battle: Dragon Boy, Hero Smile, and Nice’s Dilemma
The episode plunges viewers directly into the frenzied battle between Dragon Boy and Hero Smile. Dragon Boy, a delinquent hero ranked 12th, is driven by a desire to destroy the current world and monopolize public faith, mirroring his idol, the fallen hero Zero. His power allows him to absorb damage and return it twofold, making him a formidable opponent. Hero Smile, a former “X” title holder and long-standing Top 10 hero, struggles against Dragon Boy’s raw strength.
Amidst this chaos, Nice, a hero grappling with his manufactured public image and his role as a puppet under Mr. Shand’s control, arrives on the battlefield with a vial of Fear substance. Initially, Smile is relieved to see Nice, but it quickly becomes apparent that Nice is in emotional turmoil, torn between his heroic ideals and Mr. Shand’s orders to eliminate Smile to disrupt the hero rankings. Nice injects Dragon Boy with the Fear substance, but Dragon Boy, harnessing his unique ability, not only withstands the effect but also weaponizes it, vomiting the substance back onto Hero Smile. This act transforms Smile into a menacing figure consumed by animosity, who then attacks Nice, further escalating the conflict.
Dragon Boy’s Past and Nice’s Guilt
“The Last Smile” offers glimpses into Dragon Boy’s dark past, revealing a memory of him as a child drowning in icy waters, thrown into the predicament by two mysterious figures for harsh training. This flashback suggests a deeper origin for his “twisted ideals” and his disdain for those he deems “trash.”
Nice’s character arc takes a significant turn as he confronts the consequences of his actions and his manufactured heroism. Overcome with guilt as he witnesses Smile’s demise, Nice breaks down. The episode explores Nice’s inner psyche, revealing his struggle to reconcile his past admiration for Smile with his current role as a manipulated figure. This internal conflict is portrayed as a key factor in Nice’s eventual decision to jump off a building, as seen in the series’ very first episode, highlighting the deep emotional weight he carries.
The Arrival and Dominance of Hero X
Just as Dragon Boy is about to deliver a fatal blow to Nice, a pivotal moment occurs with the sudden arrival of Hero X. X, the enigmatic number one hero, instantly shifts reality into 3D and teleports Nice to another zone, effortlessly defeating Dragon Boy. The crowd erupts, hailing X as a “God” for his overwhelming power and timely intervention.
X demonstrates a unique ability to manipulate reality, transforming Dragon Boy into what appears to be a “piece of paper” and throwing him into a river, depowering him without the public fully understanding what transpired. Despite his immense power, X remains unfazed, acting with a casual, almost grumpy demeanor, suggesting he views these events as merely “cleaning up everyone’s messes.” However, X’s actions are not entirely altruistic; he quietly claims Smile’s pendant after his defeat, hinting at a personal agenda. The episode concludes with Rock, who has been observing the events, declaring that X cannot escape him, leaving viewers with a tense cliffhanger regarding X’s true motives and the larger conspiracy at play.
Production and Themes
Li Haoling’s masterful direction is evident in “The Last Smile,” seamlessly balancing intense fight choreography with profound emotional storytelling. The episode’s animation style, particularly during X’s entrance, shifts between 2D and 3D sequences, enhancing the visual impact of his reality-bending abilities.
Themes of hero worship, public opinion’s fickle nature, and the moral ambiguities of heroism are central to the episode. The crowd’s instantaneous shift from adoration to cries for vengeance highlights the superficiality of public faith. Through Nice’s internal struggle and X’s ambiguous actions, the episode challenges conventional notions of heroism, exploring the idea that even those at the top may have ulterior motives or be deeply entangled in manipulative schemes. This installment leaves audiences questioning whether X is truly saving the day or cementing his dominance through the pain and confusion of others.
