Film

Crunchyroll Just Crowned the New Queen of Dark Fantasy Anime With One Quote (Exclusive)

28 March 2026

Sentenced to Be a Hero quickly burst out the gates of Winter 2026’s anime season as its most exciting dark fantasy offering, and a strong contender for best new anime overall. Its troubled medieval world plagued with a Demon Blight threat bearing down on society, and the insidious corruption of its supposed protectors, is a naturally enticing premise.

But beyond its initial set of “heroes”, members of society sentenced to the position as a form of extreme punishment, introduced fans to the story of Xylo Forbartz and his Suicide Squad-style predicament, Sentenced to Be a Hero’s ensemble cast also produced an absolute icon. Some may champion the Sword Goddess Teoritta, but the real ones know Patausche Kivia’s the true breakout.

Screen Rant recently got a chance to speak with Dawn M. Bennett, the English dub voice actor portraying Kivia in Sentenced to Be a Hero. Bennett discussed how her character is the embodiment of a Lawful Good mindset, while also acknowledging when that is challenged in the face of corruption. By season 1’s finale, fans now understand Kivia’s unique challenges ahead.

Crunchyroll’s Coolest New Dark Fantasy Queen Is a Lawful Good Icon

Patausche Kivia is introduced in the world of Sentenced to Be a Hero in tacit cooperation with its star, Xylo. Her rigid commitment to justice, morality, and honoring the laws in place make her an exceptional Holy Knight, and worthy Captain of the Thirteenth Order. Speaking to this character’s nuanced portrayal down the line, though, Bennett stated:

“I love that Kivia is willing to grow. That she is willing to change her mind with new information given, because you see a lot of these lawful good characters who can be so set in their ways that they’re like, this is the law. This is how it’s supposed to be. Sorry. That’s how it is. She can recognize when there is something wrong, and it’s such a breath of fresh air for that type of character.”

-Dawn M. Bennett, voice of Patausche Kivia

Kivia was introduced in episode #1 as a powerful enforcer of the Federated Kingdom, fully committed to dying alongside her troops to guarantee safe transport of a goddess to Galtuile. She had contempt for Xylo as a penal hero, but understood quickly that allowing him to take on the Demon Blight horde meant preventing further needless death to her unit.

Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling in front of poster of Sentenced To be a Hero

Anime’s Next Solo Leveling Is Here & It’s Crunchyroll’s New 10/10 Hit

Anime seems to be on the verge of another global phenomenon following a hyped Crunchyroll debut that many fans claim could surpass Solo Leveling.

This doesn’t instantly turn into trust, either. Kivia initially believes Xylo stole her to form a pact without permission, and reminded Teoritta, his new patron goddess, that he killed one of her kind before. For much of Sentenced to Be a Hero season 1, Kivia closely works alongside Xylo’s Penal Hero Unit 9004; with, her trust begins to grow.

Sentenced to Be a Hero’s Patausche Kivia Shows Her Layers by Season 1’s Finale

Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Sentenced to Be a Hero Season 1 Finale!

For those who have seen Sentenced to Be a Hero through season 1’s finale, Kivia’s complicated side showed itself. As Bennett confirmed, this Holy Knight Captain is pragmatic in the face of new information, while ultimately still being guided by a strong moral compass. Soon, though, this moral compass would come across a brutal test in episode #12.

Kivia’s lofty position was suddenly reversed in a horrific turn of events when, in a fateful twist, her uncle, High Priest Marlen Kivia, was revealed to be a Coexister. Believing humanity is doomed against the Demon Blight, this faction undermines humanity’s efforts to survive, opting instead for them to become enslaved, rather than face annihilation.

“So now with Xylo, this character that she looked down upon in episode one, then in later episodes, they have just intimate scenes where they’re speaking together more at each other’s level, not with one looking down on the other, just being like, Hey, this is how things are. But it’s not right. Let’s talk about it. Let’s find a solution because ultimately, she just wants to do the right thing.

And whether that right thing is on the side that she’s on right now, that is for her to slowly figure out. I think that’s what makes her such a good character, the fact that she is willing to listen, even if it’s from a different perspective that she normally wouldn’t have.”

-Dawn M. Bennett

Kivia bonded with Xylo, saw the immense toll penal heroes face when forcibly resurrected to carry out their kingdom’s orders, growing cordial, friendly, and even harboring possible romantic feelings for him. By the season 1 finale, she has developed a far greater understanding of his position, but this nuanced point of view also led her to deduce her uncle’s corruption.

Doing the right thing, she met with him in private, correctly accusing him of trying to load his organization with Coexisters. Marlen then tried to cover up his deeds by ruthlessly executing her, only for her aide to save her, instantly being killed in the process.

In retribution, and to kill a traitor in her midst, Kivia impaled her uncle so ferociously with her sword that the blade broke off inside him. Because, while she was open to understanding the nuanced points of view of those who prove their loyalty to the greater good, Kivia still understood the blatant danger her uncle posed.

Kivia’s Fate Confirms a Dark Pattern

Patausche Kivia Sentenced to Be a Hero rapier

The penal heroes of Sentenced to Be a Hero were hardly the heinous criminals deserving of such a punishment. Each instance, from Xylo, to Venetim, to Dotta, and now Kivia, bore shades of falsehood in their charges. In Kivia’s case, as there were no witnesses to the killing of Marlen or her subordinate, Rajit, she was given a tough choice.

Presented either with being branded a Coexister and executed, or become a penal hero, meaning committing suicide and being resurrected, Kivia chose the latter. She believed this was the only way to continue serving her people, not realizing this turned her into an expendable pawn to a corrupt system, the moment she was Sentenced to Be a Hero.