It has been announced that the TV anime "Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004" (Hero Punishment: Punishment Hero 9004tai Kōmokuroku), based on the popular light novel from Dengeki Bungeishunju (KADOKAWA), will be broadcast in 2025. The story is set in a world where serious criminals are punished by becoming heroes and fighting the Demon King, and it has been announced that voice actor Azakami Yohei will play Zylo Forverts, a former leader of the Holy Knights who became a punishing hero after committing the grave sin of killing a goddess. Iizuka Mayu will play Teoritta, the sword goddess who made a contract with Zylo. The second teaser visual has also been released, depicting Zylo facing off against a powerful enemy.
Azagami commented, "Honestly, I can sum it up in one word: 'Please check out the teaser PV first.' It was released before the dubbing had even started, but I was instantly drawn into the world of the work by the beautiful animation and vibrant music. I feel both the joy and pressure of playing Zaylo. I prepare for battle while feeling the mixed chaotic emotions and the blood flowing through my body. To those who are fans of the work, and those who will become fans in the future, I hope you will enjoy the world of Brave Punishment, which begins with 'despair.' Thank you."
Iizuka said, "It's a battle between a group of inmates with unique personalities who have been sentenced to heroic punishment! As I read the original work, I was increasingly drawn into the world. I am happy to be able to take part in such a production. Have you all seen the teaser PV announcing the anime adaptation? I am really looking forward to seeing the various sides of Teorita in the footage, from her dignified appearance in battle as a goddess to her cute, childlike side in everyday life!"
A new project, "The Production Record of the Animation of "Sentenced to Be a Hero"," will be launched to introduce the behind-the-scenes production of the work. In the future, illustrations and settings that show the production process, as well as interviews with the production staff, will be released one after another. A project to explain terms titled "Explanatory Records" has also been started.
"Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004" is a light novel written by Rocket Company and illustrated by Mefisto. It depicts the exploits of the Punishment Hero Corps, who committed serious crimes and were given the punishment of heroes (Heroic Punishment). The Punishment Hero Corps is made up of a berserker who hasn't stopped fighting for hundreds of years, the worst thief in history, a conman political prisoner, a self-proclaimed royal terrorist, an assassin with a zero success rate, and other personality-disordered and most evil criminals. Zairo Forverts, a former commander of the Holy Knights, is the leader of the Punishment Hero Corps, which is made up of a berserker who hasn't stopped fighting for hundreds of years, the worst thief in history, a conman political prisoner, a self-proclaimed royal terrorist, and an assassin with a zero success rate, and other personality-disordered and most evil criminals. He meets Theoritta, the goddess of swords, makes a contract with her, and throws himself into battle. The anime will be produced by Studio KAI.
