Hero Mask (stylized as HERO≠MASK) is a Japanese original net animation (ONA) anime series produced by Pierrot for Netflix. The series is written and directed by Hiroyasu Aoki, and premiered worldwide on December 3, 2018. A second season premiered on August 23, 2019.
In June 2020, it was announced that Hero Mask would receive a manga spin-off titled Hero Mask: A lost memory which would be serialized on the LINE Manga app starting on July 7, 2020.[2] The anime aired on Tokyo MX from July 2, 2020, to December 10, 2020, making it the first true Netflix original anime to broadcast on linear television in Japan.[3]
Plot
Set in a fictional version of London, James Blood is a hot-blooded officer working for the elite "Special Service of Crime" (SSC) division within the Capital Police Department. Sarah Sinclair is a subordinate to Crown Prosecutor Monica Campbell, whose witness suddenly drops dead while working on a high-profile case involving the LIVE Corporation. Shortly thereafter, the police station is attacked by an enemy James thought long dead. James ends up teaming with Sarah to uncover the perpetrators behind these events, dragging them into a conspiracy involving LIVE, escaped prisoners who supposedly died years ago, and masks that give their wearers superhuman abilities.
A hot-blooded Detective Inspector (DI) working with the SSC in the Capital Police Department. After fighting off his arch-nemesis Grimm, who he thought to be dead, multiple times, he decides to look for answers with Sarah. Later, he also protects Tina from Geffrey Connor. Gets exposed to the same energy experienced by Julia Herst when she died, leaving him to use a Mask similar to Tina's.
An assistant attorney working in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). After she witnesses Monica collapse in the street before giving her vital information, she believes she was murdered, and teams up with James to find the perpetrator. She also works with Oliver Henderson to figure out the connection between Live Corporation and Monica.
A technical specialist and Detective Sergeant (DS) at the SSC who designs and maintains multiple gadgets for the organization, including the "GPS Bullets" that James is fond of using.
A former SSC detective who disappeared after his girlfriend collapsed one day. Currently working as a mercenary for the LIVE Corporation, helping Geffrey Connor continue research on the Masks.
One of the researchers for the development of the Masks, he is determined to see the Masks' fruition, using Harry Creighton to hunt down opposition and investigators. Believes that technology should be made for humankind at the expense of some.
Steven Martland (スティーブン・マートランド, Sutībun Mātorando)
The CEO of Live Corporation, he is heavily connected to the development of the Masks.
Richard Burner (リチャード・バーナー, Richādo Bānā)
Voiced by: Yutaka Nakano[1] (Japanese); Armen Taylor (English; Netflix Dub); Mark Laskowski[5] (English; Sentai Filmworks Dub)
The Detective Chief Superintendent (DCS) in charge of the SSC. He resigns after the death of his wife during a bank robbery.
Monica Campbell (モニカ・キャンベル, Monika Kyanberu)
Voiced by: Haruka Shibuya[1] (Japanese); Julia McIivaine (English; Netflix Dub); Sara Gaston[5] (English; Sentai Filmworks Dub)
An investigator for the SSC that worked at Ecohes, she was killed by Live Corporation for getting too deep into the investigation of the development of the Masks.
One of the researchers for the development of the Masks. Also the brother of Geffrey Connor, believing that technology should help everyone without the expense of others.
Jeremy "Grimm" Payne (ジェレミー・ペイン "グリム", Jeremī Pein "Gurimu")
Voiced by: Yūichi Karasuma[1] (Japanese); Sean Chiplock (English; Netflix Dub); Scott Gibbs[5] (English; Sentai Filmworks Dub)
A criminal who is known for a string of killings and is known to be mentally unstable. He heavily dislikes James since James had arrested him and put him in prison. Used as a test subject for the masks before escaping.
A criminal who took multiple doctors hostage in a hospital to get a heart transplant for his daughter. Theo supposedly died in prison but was secretly used as a test subject for the masks before escaping with the others. Wishes to see his estranged family before he dies.
Her father, William Herst (ウィリアム・ハースト), takes care of her as her mother, Julia Herst (ジュリア・ハースト), died in an accident during the development of the Masks, pregnant with :Tina. Tina was also exposed to the energy of the accident, and was given a Mask to perpetually keep her from dying from the energy. Geffrey Connor wants her mask in order to finish the Masks.
Production
Anime
The series is written and directed by Hiroyasu Aoki and is animated by Studio Pierrot.[7] Takahisa Katagiri is providing the series' character designs, and Hisaki Kato is composing the music.[7] The 15-episode first season premiered worldwide on Netflix on December 3, 2018.[1] The 9-episode second season premiered on August 23, 2019. The main cast and staff members reprised their roles.[6]
The manga Hero Mask: A lost memory was first serialized in Japan on July 7, 2020, with new chapters made every week.[3] Serialization was completed on September 15, 2020.[9]
It was published in paperback in Japan on March 15, 2021.[10]
