Crunchyroll has announced that the highly anticipated dark fantasy anime series, Sentenced to Be a Hero, will receive a same-day English dub premiere, with the first episode launching on Saturday, January 3, 2026. This means fans can experience the series in English simultaneously with its Japanese broadcast. The streaming giant also unveiled the full English voice cast and production crew for the debut episode.
Same-Day English Dub Premiere Set for January 3
In a move set to excite international anime fans, Sentenced to Be a Hero‘s English dub will arrive on Crunchyroll on January 3, 2026, aligning with the Japanese premiere. This immediate availability of the dubbed version highlights Crunchyroll’s ongoing commitment to delivering accessible content to a global audience. The anime is a significant entry in Crunchyroll’s Winter 2026 season lineup.
Meet the English Dub Cast and Crew
The core English voice cast for Sentenced to Be a Hero Episode 1 features a lineup of experienced voice actors bringing the dark fantasy world to life.
Episode 1 English Dub Cast:
- Xylo: David Matranga
- Teoritta: Emi Lo
- Dotta: Joshua Waters
- Kivia: Dawn M. Bennett
- Venetim: Jessie James Grelle
- Rajit: Nicholas Huber
- Priest: Jim Foronda
- Siena: Naya Moreno
- Zofflec: Ethan Gallardo
Additional voices for the episode include Abigail Blythe, Kelly Greenshield, Peyton Howard, Joshua Hires, Tom Aglio, Mauricio Ortiz-Segura, Alex Hanback, Brandon Acosta, Eli Farmer, Abi Kumar, Conner Allison, and Seth Magill.
The production behind the English dub is helmed by a skilled team:
- Voice Director: Shawn Gann
- Producer: Susie Nixon
- Adaptation: Audrey Drake Rigg, Matthew Greenbaum
- Mixer: William Dewell
- Engineer: Victor Acosta
What is Sentenced to Be a Hero?
Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004 (Japanese title: Yūsha-kei ni Shosu: Chōbatsu Yūsha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku) is a dark fantasy series based on the light novels written by Rocket Shokai and illustrated by Mephisto. The anime is directed by Hiroyuki Takashima at Studio KAI, with series composition by Kenta Ihara and music by Shunsuke Takizawa.
The story is set in a world where heroism is not a virtue but a punishment. Individuals convicted of severe crimes are forced into compulsory service as “Heroes,” frontline combatants tasked with battling monstrous abominations that threaten humanity. The protagonist, Xylo Forbartz, is a former knight commander condemned for killing a goddess. He is assigned to Penal Hero Unit 9004, where death offers no escape, only a cycle of resurrection and relentless combat against endless hordes of creatures. Xylo’s grim existence takes a turn when he encounters a mysterious new goddess, forming an unlikely alliance that could spark a rebellion against the system of eternal punishment.
Crunchyroll’s Broader Winter 2026 Dub Lineup
Sentenced to Be a Hero joins an extensive roster of anime receiving English dubs as part of Crunchyroll’s Winter 2026 season. Other anticipated titles with confirmed English dubs include JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 3, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2, and [OSHI NO KO] Season 3, among others. This season promises a diverse selection of genres and returning fan favorites, alongside new series like Sentenced to Be a Hero, all delivered with localized audio options.
