Sentenced to Be a Hero

Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004 (Japanese: 勇者刑に処す 懲罰勇者9004隊刑務記録, Hepburn: Yūsha-kei ni Shosu: Chōbatsu Yūsha Kyūmarumaruyon-tai Keimu Kiroku) is a Japanese light novel series by Rocket Shōkai, with illustrations by Mephisto. The story centers on Xylo Forbartz, a former knight who is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to lead a penal unit. Forced to fight alongside criminals, he later allies with the goddess Teoritta to combat demonic hordes threatening humanity. The series began as a web novel on Kakuyomu in October 2020, then transitioned to print under ASCII Media Works' Dengeki no Shin Bungei imprint in September 2021. A manga adaptation started in Dengeki Comic Regulus in March 2022, and an anime by Studio Kai aired from January to March 2026, with a second season confirmed. The book blends dark fantasy with themes of justice and redemption, offering a gritty take on the hero's journey. The first volume, published in 2021, runs approximately 300 pages, setting the stage for a sprawling saga.[edit]