'Sentenced to Be a Hero' creators discuss character design and anime adaptation

'Sentenced to Be a Hero' creators discuss inspiration, character design and the anime adaptation success

The creators behind the fantasy series Sentenced to Be a Hero have discussed the origins of the story, their collaborative creative process and the response to the series’ anime adaptation.

Author Rocket Shokai and illustrator Mephisto spoke about the project in an interview, explaining how the concept for the series first developed and how the characters were designed.

According to Shokai, the idea for the story was influenced by a video game. “The original inspiration came from the game Ace Combat 7. There are several episodes in which you carry out missions as part of a penal unit, and I found that perspective and position extremely compelling,” he said. “It made me want to express something similar in a fantasy setting of my own.”

Mephisto explained that the visual style of the characters did not originate from a single influence. Instead, designs were developed individually.

“There wasn't one piece of media or content that inspired the overarching visual presentation of the show,” the illustrator said. “The inspiration for the series' designs took place on more of a character-by-character basis, and it drew from a lot of different IPs.”

Shokai said the character Xylo feels closest to him as a writer, partly because the novel is written in the first person. “Since the novel version is written in first-person perspective, I would say Xylo,” he said. “It’s easier for me to directly express his reactions to events as they unfold.”

The two creators described their working relationship as collaborative but flexible. Shokai said he offered guidance on characters while leaving creative space for Mephisto’s interpretation. “I would give a little bit of direction for each character to Mephisto,” he explained.

Mephisto said the process involved comparing the illustrations with Shokai’s vision after reading the novel. One character required adjustments during development.

“At first, I hadn't illustrated him as a boy; I'd illustrated him much taller and in his 20s,” the illustrator said, referring to the character Dotta.

Both creators also reflected on seeing the story adapted into animation. Mephisto said watching the anime brought imagined scenes to life. “Overall, it was such a moving moment for me to see everything animated,” the illustrator said.

Shokai added that the success of the adaptation has not changed his approach to writing. “When I create a story, I always think about what it is I want to tell,” he said.