In case you missed it, 2026’s latest dark fantasy hit, Sentenced to Be a Hero, seems to be taking a page out of Netflix’s Stranger Things. Yes, you read that right! After the anime’s episode 1 aired, a déjà vu feeling hit as Sentenced to Be a Hero MC, Xylo, finds his situation in the storyline quite similar to Hopper’s from Stranger Things.

By the end of the anime’s Episode 1, we get this massive revelation that puts Xylo and Hopper on the same page. Both are legit men with morals, but are also forced to become second father figures after losing their first daughter (or daughter figure). But how did they end up in this unfortunate circumstance, and how far do the parallels go?

Meet Xylo & Hopper: Two Men Forced Into a Second Father Role

First, let’s look at how Hopper’s relationship was with Sara and later with Eleven. Well, before the events of the series, it was revealed that Hopper, the gruff but protective Chief of Police in Hawkins, lost his first daughter, Sara, after she was diagnosed with cancer.

That loss completely broke him emotionally, and he became somewhat hollow, a trait that defined his behavior throughout the storyline. Later down the road, we see him come across an isolated child with strange powers, Eleven, whom, after various circumstances, Hopper adopts as a second daughter, though he was unwilling at first.

Now, this exact direction runs parallel to Sentenced to Be a Hero’s Xylo. Xylo’s hatred toward goddesses in this fantasy world stems from his dark past, where he had to kill his own goddess, Senerva. Why he did that likely has connections to the story’s bigger plotlines, which will be revealed later.

But in the present storyline, upon crossing paths with Teoritta, another goddess who takes a liking to Xylo, he refuses to form a pact with her. But again, much like Hopper, certain events unfold, and Xylo is forced to pact with Teoritta, essentially becoming a father figure for the second time.

The Anime’s Thematic Depth Deems Xylo a Better Father Figure

While it may not be entirely right to draw this comparison, as both are ideal father figures in their respective storylines, in terms of narrative grip, you may sympathize with Xylo more. Why? Simply because he is the main character of the series, and the incident involving him and Teoritta will be the central theme of the narrative.

Whereas Hopper isn’t exactly the main lead in Stranger Things (more like one of the iconic main cast members), his story is just one arc within the series. However, it’s true that Hopper’s relationship with Eleven, after losing his own daughter Sara, may carry more emotional weight than Xylo’s.

Some quick info on the Sentenced to Be a Hero anime:

Whichever it is, Sentenced to Be a Hero, repeating this trope from Stranger Things, and even making it a major plot point of the series, has caught many fans off guard. And with that explosive ending to the anime’s episode 1, all eyes are on the next episode. Will it manage to live up to the expectations set by the first episode? Let’s see.