Dive into our in-depth review of To Be Hero X Episode 17, "Whisper Flower," where Little Johnny (Xiao Qiang) and his alien companion Big Johnny (Da Qiang) take center stage in a heart-wrenching tale of loss and heroism. Premiering on July 27, 2025, this episode explores Xiao Qiang’s tragic past, the mystery behind his father’s murder, and the chaotic power of Da Qiang, all while hinting at a cosmic conspiracy tied to a UFO crash site. With stunning animation, emotional voice acting, and Hiroyuki Sawano’s evocative score, "Whisper Flower" balances family drama and superhero action but faces challenges with pacing and subplots. Join us as we analyze the strengths, weaknesses, and what’s next for this gripping anime on Crunchyroll! #ToBeHeroX #AnimeReview #WhisperFlower
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00:00premiering on july twenty sixth twenty twenty five to be hero x episode seventeen whisper flower shifts focus to the tragic tale of little johnny jiao chang the fifth ranked hero and his alien companion big johnny da chang while weaving in threads from ghost blades
00:16arc the episode opens with a poignant flashback to jiao chang's childhood his father ah sheng a renowned hero and healer retired after failing to save his wife during a mission that uncovered da chang a cat-like alien creature
00:30a sheng raised jiao chang and da chang in a serene mountain retreat seeking peace away from the hero association's chaos however vortex another hero pressured a sheng to return hinting at ulterior motives tied to a sheng's unmatched healing abilities
00:46tensions escalated when ah sheng refused leading to his brutal murder by ghost blade an assassin acting on mysterious orders possibly orchestrated by a scandal within the hero association chow chang finding his father's bloodied body wrongly
01:02assumed vortex was the culprit overwhelmed by grief his emotions triggered da chang's latent powers transforming the alien into a massive berserk beast resembling a blackened karama which attacked vortex in a chaotic rampage
01:17ghost blade observed from afar his role in the tragedy still hidden in the present jiao chang now a hero works alongside ghost blade unaware of the latter's involvement in his father's death the episode introduces a subplot with
01:31and queen investigating a ufo crash site potentially linked to da chang's origins or the material of lowly suit hinting at a broader cosmic conspiracy a mysterious figure watches the heroes adding suspense the atmosphere is heavy with loss betrayal and looming revelations
01:49blending family drama with superhero spectacle and alien intrigue the animation a collaboration between pb animation
01:57lan studio and paper plane animation studio remains a visual triumph da chang's transformation into a berserk beast is a highlight rendered in fluid three d with vibrant chaotic energy bursts that evoke a primal almost mythic intensity
02:12the dark swirling palette contrasts sharply with the serene mountain flashbacks emphasizing the emotional whiplash of zhao chang's journey however the two d sequences depicting a sheng's family life while tender lack the dynamic flair of the action scenes occasionally feeling flat and overly reliant on static close ups
02:32the shift between two d and three d a hallmark of the series feels less seamless here with transitions jarring in quieter moments voice acting as a standout with yuki ito delivering a heartfelt performance as zhao chang his portrayal captures the
02:47character's resilience and suppressed pain particularly in the scene where he discovers a sheng's body his voice cracking with raw anguish koichi yamadera's wild unrestrained energy as da chang adds a layer of unpredictability though his limited dialogue in beast form restricts emotional depth
03:06ghost blades ghost blade's mute presence voice subtly through yang keiki's grunts and silences remains compelling but vortex's lines delivered by kinjiro suda feel underwhelming lacking the menace needed to sell his ambiguous role
03:20nuonuo and loli while present are sidelined their voices barely registering which weakens the ensemble dynamic pacing is a mixed bag the episode juggles past and present effectively with flashbacks providing context for jiao chang's motivations
03:36the action sequence of da chang's rampage is brisk and thrilling lasting just long enough to maintain tension without overstaying its welcome however the introduction of the ufo subplot feels abrupt tacked on in the final minutes without
03:50clear as to the main narrative this risks overloading an already dense story especially with the unresolved question of who ordered da scheng's death suspected to involve higher ups like rock or a hidden faction within the hero association
04:05the episode's twenty four minute run-time struggles do balance these elements and as some fans have noted a longer format might have allowed deeper exploration of the scandal or da chang's alien nature
04:16hiroyuki sawano's score is an emotional anchor with haunting strings underscoring jiao chang's loss and pulsating beats amplifying da chang's chaos
04:25the track growl by misaki yu mace highlighted as the episode's emotional core elevates the family flashbacks particularly the line you chose mamma and papa which resonates deeply
04:36the series strength lies in its ability to humanize its heroes zhao chang's choice to befriend his bullies and raise da chang as family showcases his enduring optimism despite tragedy
04:48yet weaknesses persist the motive behind a sheng's assassination remains frustratingly vague and side characters like professor luo and lowly are underutilized fading into the background da chang's powers tied to zhao chang's emotions are visually spectacular but narratively unclear needing more explanation to avoid feeling like a convenient plot device thematically whisper flower explores the cost of heroism and the cyclical nature of trauma
05:18ah sheng's inability to save his wife despite his healing powers and his subsequent murder underscore the series recurring motif no super power can shield against personal loss zhao chang's arc mirrors ghost blades both shaped by
05:32guilt and duty setting up a potential confrontation that could redefine their relationship the alien element while intriguing risks diluting this human focus if not carefully integrated
05:45whisper flower available on krunk a roll is a poignant chapter in to be hero x blending visceral action with heart-breaking family drama zhao chang and da chang's bond forged in loss is the episode's heart elevated by stunning visuals and a stirring score
06:01ghost blades ghost blade's role as zhao chang's killer adds a layer of tragic irony promising a compelling clash as zhao chang learns the truth however the episode stumbles with its abrupt hufo subplot and underdeveloped side characters risking narrative sprawl in an already complex series the hinted hero association scandal and da chang's alien origins suggest a larger conspiracy
06:25but clarity is needed to maintain coherence with two episodes left in this arc i anticipate a resolution that ties the cosmic and personal threads potentially cementing to be hero x as a standout in the superhero genre refining its pacing
06:40and fleshing out secondary characters will be crucial to sustaining its emotional and narrative momentum
