Hero Circle

Hero Circle
Genre	Comedy Adventure
Created by	Ahn So-jin (안소진)
Written by	Lee Ho-jin (이호진) Han Soo-yeon (한수연)
Directed by	Han Soo-yeon (한수연) Jeon Kyeong-jin (전경진)
Theme music composer	Kim Jeong-ah (김정아) Yoon Joo-hyun (윤주현)
Opening theme	"Hero Circle" by Lee Ho-jin (이호진), Han Soo-yeon (한수연) and Jang Ye-na (장예나)
Ending theme	"Dot Feeling" by Lee Ho-jin (이호진), Han Soo-yeon (한수연) and Lee Il-song (장예나)
Composers	Kim Jeong-ah (김정아) Park Ji-hyun (박지현) Yoon Joo-hyun (윤주현) Choi Chang-guk (최창국)
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	52
Production
Executive producer	Ahn So-jin (안소진)
Producers	Lee Min-soo (이민수) Lee Ho-jin (이호진)
Running time	11 min.
Production companies	Studio TNT studio NODE
Original release
Network	EBS
Release	June 29, 2020 (2020-06-29) – September 21, 2022 (2022-09-21)

Hero Circle (Korean: 히어로 써클) is a South Korean aeni produced by Studio TNT and studio NODE with support from the Educational Broadcasting System. In South Korea, it aired on EBS1 every Monday and Tuesday at 5:45 pm, beginning on June 29, 2020. It aired on Tooniverse every Wednesday at 6 pm, starting on July 29, 2020. Other cable channels, such as JEI Jaeneung TV, broadcast the series every Friday. In November 2020, Meta Media Entertainment was appointed as the worldwide distributor for the series. On December 18, 2021, the series began airing at 2 pm every Saturday and Sunday on NET in Indonesia. In 2022, the series was broadcast on Cartoon Club in Thailand as แก๊งป่วนก๊วนฮีโร่ ("The Hero Gang"). Season 2 was first broadcast on June 29, 2022, airing every Wednesday at 7 pm, but due to EBS's fall 2022 reorganization, it was aired every Wednesday at 5:30 pm. EBS1 and 2 aired the series until April 1, 2023.

Plot

The series is set at a high school in a futuristic city called PowPow School (named Cityside Academy in the English dub), where five kids are just starting to develop their superpowers and have a lot to learn about becoming heroes and being themselves. They include Teo, the mischievous leader of the club who has telekinesis; Vincent, a timid vampire, can transform into a bat; Sena, a cynical and competitive girl who can run at the speed of light; Lucky, a cheerful angel; and Dino, a scientist who transforms into a dinosaur when he is angry. To prevent them causing trouble in the school, the principal, a robot dog named Bowstein, has put them into a special club called the "Hero Circle", where the other students can come to them for help. Hero Circle is just one of the school's many clubs which include: Garden Club, Science Club, Occult Club, Cooking Club, Computer Club, Manga Club, Band Club, Robot Club, and Detective Club, any of which can be the source of problems for Hero Circle to tackle, along with alien visitations, supernatural phenomena and the city's complement of superheroes and supervillains.

Season 1 shows incidents that occur between supporting characters in various clubs at the school. Season 2 further expands the world view, with episodes in which the Hero Circle competes in sports competitions with a rival school named Caesar School, takes a time machine to the dinosaur era, and confront real villains.

Characters

Hero Circle

• Teo (태오; Taeo) (voiced by Cho Hyun-jung) is the mischievous, self-appointed leader of the Hero Circle. He can freely move light objects using telekinesis. Because he is always motivated, he expands his work and gets criticized by his friends, but he is not discouraged and is always full of confidence.
• Sena (세나; Sena) (voiced by Yeo Min-jeong) is a blue-haired girl and a member of the Hero Circle. She hates being bothered, but is a competitive person who has a burning desire to win when her pride is at stake. She uses her ability to move at the speed of light and excellent athletic skills to help others. She is very interested in social networking services, so she spends most of her time on her cell phone.
• Vincent (빈센트; Binsenteu) (voiced by Yang Jeong-hwa) is a timid and cowardly vampire and a member of the Hero Circle. He has the ability of immortality, but does not want to fight anyone. Unlike ordinary vampires, he is a non-vampire and a pacifist who gets along with humans. He can also transform into a little bat. Marvin was originally planned to be a main character with the ability to become invisible, but was later replaced with Vincent, who inherits Marvin's timid personality.
• Lucky (럭키; Leogki) (voiced by Jeon Hae-ri) is a little angel and a member of the Hero Circle, who is always happy and full of laughter. No matter what happens, she remains cheerful and positive. She does whatever she wants, which sometimes leads to her getting into trouble. Whenever she is in danger, her omnipotent father from Heaven, God, appears to help her. However, Lucky herself does not know this fact. She likes fluffy things.
• Dino (디노; Dino) (voiced by Kim Eun-ah) is a cynical genius scientist and a member of the Hero Circle. He has great intelligence, excels in school, and often creates amazing inventions. He is usually calm, but when he gets angry, he transforms into a giant dinosaur. According to early concepts, he accidentally gained this ability while trying to develop a height-growth potion.

Science Club

• Teslee (테슬리; Teseulli) (voiced by Jeon Tae-yeol) is the leader of the Science Club. He always loses to Dino in exam scores and is in a perennial Kong-line (콩라인; Konglain), coming in 2nd place.
• Ed and Ned (에드&네드; Edeu wa Nedeu) (voiced by Kim Myeong-jun and Um Sang-hyun) are members of the Science Club.

Garden Club

• Devi (데비; Debi) (voiced by Jang Ye-na) is the leader of the Gardening Club. She catches students who ruin or invade the club and forces them to work in the garden, using them as slaves.

Robot Club

• Black, Red and Blue (블랙, 레드, 블루; Beullaeg, Ledeu, Beullu) (voiced by Cheon Ji-seon, Kim Eun-ah, Jeon Hae-ri and Lee Sang-jun) are members of the Robot Club, with Red as the leader.
• Kane (케인; Kein) (voiced by Um Sang-hyun) is a member of the Robot Club. He has a sharp impression and is said to have previously participated in a track and field competition with Caesar School, but lost and transferred to Caesar School. After that, he wears a green suit and faces Teo, Sena and Vincent alone. As expected from a track and field race without rules, he uses various fouls and gains the upper-hand with his flying abilities, but is defeated by Sena. Kane declares to Pugnardo, the principal of Caesar School, that this was not something that the track and field team would do and that he will quit, but effectively gives up on track and field as well. However, he is scouted by the Robot Club, who was watching the game, and he joins the club in a green position, where he finds a new aptitude.

Manga Club

• Bonnie (보니; Boni) (voiced by Kim Eun-ah) is the daughter of a vampire hunter and the leader of the Manga Club. She has a fear of bats. In season 2, she seems to have a crush on Vlad. Although she denies it, she draws a manga about Vlad and herself that she loves.
• Mako and Yuko (마코&유코; Mako wa Yuko) (voiced by Cheon Ji-seon) are Japanese twin sisters and members of the Manga Club. Mako wears square glasses, while Yuko wears round glasses. They use honorifics for Bonnie, the club's leader, and have a good relationship with her. They are shown to like heavy metal, as they are seen waving cheering sticks during band performances.

Band Club

• Marvin (마빈; Mabin) (voiced by Kim Myeong-jun) is the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Band Club. He was originally planned as a main character in the Hero Circle, with the ability to turn invisible. Despite being in a band, he would have suffered from stage fright and could only perform properly when he is invisible. He was later replaced with Vincent, who inherits Marvin's timid personality, and the invisibility concept was used as the name of one of his songs, "Invisible Man". He has a crush on Yuko from the Manga Club.
• Duke, Chester and Simon (듀크, 체스터, 사이먼; Dyukeu, Cheseuteo, Saimeon) (voiced by Jeon Tae-yeol, Lee Sang-jun and Um Sang-hyun) are members of the Band Club, with Chester as the leader.

Computer Club

• Bow Jr. (바우주니어; Baujunieo) is Bowstein's mischievous son and the leader of the Computer Club. Due to recently becoming less talkative, he communicates via text message. He joins the Villain Square in episode 12.
• Timmy, Andy and Choco Nara Strawberry Gongju (티미, 앤디, 쪼꼬나라 딸기공주; Timi, Aendi, Jjokko Nala Ttalgi Gongju) (voiced by Um Sang-hyun, Cheon Ji-seon, Jeon Hae-ri and Park Joo-gwang) are a trio of computer science truant students who hack into the school system. Dino tracks them down, and in the end, Timmy and Andy are captured by Sena, while Strawberry Gongju escapes. In fact, they are closer to the Hacker Club than the Computer Club. Timmy uses the nickname Power Supreme Genius (파워지존천재; Pawo Jijon Cheonjae) online and an avatar with blue hair and a mask; Andy uses the nickname Mr. Baby Duck (아기오리선생; Agi Oliseon Saeng) and a green duck avatar; and Strawberry Gongju's real name is unknown, but she uses a princess avatar in a crown and dress with twin tails. Strawberry Gongju's name is based on the Korean chicken and pizza brand Pizza Nara Chicken Gongju.

Detective Club

• Doyle (도일; Doil) (voiced by Jeon Hae-ri) is a detective and the leader of the Detective Club. He is named after Arthur Conan Doyle, is a parody of Sherlock Holmes, and wears a bowtie similar to Jimmy Kudo from Case Closed.
• Kin (킨; Kin) (voiced by Park Joo-gwang) is a parrot owned by Doyle, who can talk really well.

Occult Club

• Occul and Cult (오컬&컬트; Okeol wa Keolteu) (voiced by Um Sang-hyun and Jeon Tae-yeol) are members of the Occult Club, who summon beings from another world using a book. Occul has orange hair, and Cult has turquoise hair.

Demon World

• Cala and Mitty (칼라&미티; Kalla wa Miti) (voiced by Yoo Bo-ra and Lee Bo-yong), also known as the Calamity Sisters (Korean: 칼라미티 시스터즈; RR: Kallamiti Siseuteojeu), are a duo of disastrous fairies who grant people's wishes in exchange for taking their souls.
• Lilith (리리스; Liliseu) (voiced by Lee Ji-hyun) is the princess and heiress of the Demon World. She aims to bring bad luck to people and make them unhappy.
• Demon (마왕; Mawang) (voiced by Jeon Tae-yeol) is the king of the Demon World and Lilith's father. He is based on Hades in Greek mythology. Unlike Lilith, he has red skin. Since Zeus and Hades were brothers in the original mythology and God and Demon are based on them, this would make their daughters Lucky and Lilith cousins.

News Club

• Oliver (올리버; Ollibeo) (voiced by Shin Yong-woo) is a newspaper editor in the News Club, who likes grapes.

Cheerleader Club

• Cindy, Stephanie and Wendy (신디, 스테파니, 웬디; Sindi, Seutepani, Wendi) (voiced by Kim A-rong, Yeo Min-jeong and Cheon Ji-seon) are a trio of cheerleaders and members of the Cheerleader Club, with Stephanie as the leader and sometimes an extra. The total number of club members is unknown. A fourth unnamed member is occasionally seen, finally appearing as a supporting character in episode 7 of season 2.

Cooking Club

• Murphy (머피; Meopi) (voiced by Jang Ye-na) is a cafeteria manager and the leader of the Cooking Club.

Game Club

• Eugene (유진; Yujin) (voiced by Kim Chae-ha) is a calm, laidback boy and the leader of the Game Club, who first appeared in episode 24. He wears a scouter, which is used as a scanner to detect Papa Cat's robot's weakness in the final episode of season 2. He also stores bigger items in his pocket, from video game consoles to game chips and even remote controls. among the games given to the Hero Circle, the cover of the game given to Teo and Vincent features Kamagi and Beoseosmon from Studio TNT's previous series, Idaelo Gwaenchanh-eun Geolkka? (Idaelo, Is This Okay?). Even before his debut, he became popular among fans due to his attractive design, and fan art poured out. His name was not revealed and he was only referred to as the Game Club Leader (게임부 부장; Geimbu Bujang), but in recognition of the popularity among fans, his profile was released on November 2, 2020 and he was given a name, making Eugene the first unknown character to have his name revealed. Before his name was revealed, he was mainly called "Gechal" (게찰; Gechal) (a combination of "Geimbu" (게임부, Game Club) and "Gyeongchalbu" (경찰부, Police Club) by fans. This nickname was given because the character appeared in the series' opening when the Police Club was supposed to appear, making it impossible to know which club he belonged to. Aside from Eugene, the only characters who have individual scenes in the opening are the main characters, members of the Hero Circle, and Lilith. He was also nicknamed "118" due to appearing for only 1 minute and 18 seconds in total in the series.
• Steve (스티브; Seutibeu) (voiced by Um Sang-hyun and Lee Sang-jun) is a fat boy and a member of the game club, who collects figures as a hobby. He appears as a missing member in the in-universe virtual reality game called Hero Fantasy. Although his name was not revealed, fans called him "Steven" due to his appearance resembling that of Steven Universe. Studio TNT noticed this, and gave the character the name "Steve".

Book Club

• Jennifer (제니퍼; Jenipeo) (voiced by Yang Jeong-hwa) is a blue-skinned librarian and the leader of the Book Club. She first appeared in episode 20. Because of her gloomy atmosphere and mysterious return date announcements, she becomes the main character of ghost stories that circulate around PowPow School. She seems to be an old friend of the Occult Club, who says that she has no presence. Judging from the fact that she personally goes to inform of books that are due, she seems to be diligent in club activities. However, since the theme of the episode is horror, she appears in a creepy manner until her identity is revealed. In episode 19 of season 2, she comes to the Hero Circle for help because everyone is increasingly afraid of her due to her gloomy atmosphere. Solutions such as smiling frequently are not very effective due to still being creepy. Everyone agrees that it would be good to change her image, so she goes to the Manga Club for help. After the Manga Club changes her costume and makeup several times (her cosplay outfits include Link, Princess Peach, Harley Quinn, and Sailor Moon), she ends up doing a complete 180-degree change in appearance thanks to the pretty star cosplay of "Jupiter", which suits her well. However, because of the high synchronization rate, she becomes too popular, so she eventually goes back to her original state. She says that she thinks that her own appearance is better. However, she becomes close to someone who had not been afraid of Jennifer since before, and it was implied that she would become close, leading to a happy ending. It is not revealed who that person is, and only their silhouette is shown, but the silhouette and voice are obviously those of Eugene. The ending credits even reveal Eugene's voice actress Kim Chae-ha. Due to her makeover into a pretty girl, fans called her "Juniper" (a combination of "Jennifer" and "Jupiter"). She occasionally appears in derivative works and fan art, where she is mostly linked with Eugene as a couple, with the combination of their blue color scheme and the characters being a game addict and a hikikomori respectively seemingly fitting together.

Breeding Club

• Teddy (테디; Tedi) (voiced by Kim A-rong) is a lion who works in the Breeding Club, and one of the two anthropomorphic animal students to attend PowPow School, the other being Ketchop. He first appeared in episode 12 of season 2. Unlike Ketchop, he has some human features mixed in his appearance, and his sixth sense is quite developed. Among the male characters, he is one of the few with outstanding bare body specifications. He specializes in parkour, and he catches a mother horned rabbit several times bigger than himself using only tree vines. He has hidden metacarpal pads and claws under his gloves.
• The Horned Rabbits (뿔토끼; Ppultokki) are rare animals raised in Teddy's Breeding Club. They are called horned rabbits because theirs ears resemble horns. Unlike regular rabbits, they like to eat mushrooms instead of carrots.

Theater Club

• Charlie (찰리; Challi) (voiced by Cheon Ji-seon) is a theater director and the leader of the Theater Club. She is also shown to be an actress, even when she is dying, becoming a different person when doing so. She casts the Hero Circle in the play, but they all have very bad acting skills. In response to the terrible reaction from the other students, she steps in as the real prince and revises the script, successfully finishing the play. Charlie received a positive reception from fans for being a neutral prince-style female character. Since she is the only female character among the new characters in season 2, there are many derivative works and fan art based on her, and as a couple, she is mostly linked with Harper, and then with Lucky, who was cast as the princess.
• Harper (하퍼; Hapeo) (voiced by Jang Ye-na) is a boy with freckles and blond hair, who works in the Theater Club. When Charlie speaks, he thinks that her voice is low, so he speaks on her behalf, but also speaks indirectly so that the listener does not feel bad. This does not really have much effect, except that it raises Charlie's blood pressure because she hears everything. He respects Charlie very much.

Court Club

• The Judge (재판장; Jaepanjang) (voiced by Kim Myeong-jun) appears in episode 16 of season 2. He is characterized by his haircut similar to that of lawyers from Commonwealth countries, and mostly acts as a quieting agent by striking down the gavel. The episode itself is a parody of the Ace Attorney series, right down to the similar-sounding gavel sound.

Others

• Bowstein (바우슈타인; Bausyutain) (voiced by Park Joo-gwang) is a robot dog with a high IQ and the headmaster of PowPow School. He tries to look like a stern principal in front of the students, but is the type that easily shows his emotions. He worries a lot about his son, Bow Jr., who has recently become less talkative. His name is a combination of "bow-wow" (the onomatopoeia of a dog barking) and Albert Einstein.
• S.A.M. (샘; Saem) (voiced by Um Sang-hyun) is a robot who works as a teacher, being the first robot to appear as one other than Bowstein. He first appeared in episode 14. He is also cowardly; when Titch and his space pirates invade PowPow School, he is the first to run away, and hides behind Bowstein when he confronts Titch, suggesting that they just report him. Later, in episode 17, a robot that looks identical to him but with a different voice appears, and in episode 9 of season 2, dozens of them appear, seemingly inferring that the school faculty, including Bowstein, is made up of artificial intelligence robots. The early pilot episode before the series' broadcast featured a human teacher character. In episode 6 of season 2, he cooks food in place of Murphy, the cafeteria manager. It is revealed that he has extraordinary cooking skills. This is because he can absorb things with his body and has no sense of taste.
• Ketchop (캣촙; Kaeschob) (voiced by Um Sang-hyun) is a cat and the lowest subordinate of the ultimate villain, Papa Cat. He infiltrates PowPow School and creates an unofficial club called the Villain Square, where he operates secretly. Despite being a villain, rather than pushing the Hero Circle members, he often appears as a damaged or victimized figure. Ketchop is mistaken for looking like a cat, but is a real cat. He has a speech quirk where he ends most of his sentences with "~chop" (~촙), which he also uses when laughing. His name is based on "ketchup", only with "o" in place of "u". He is quite good at cooking, as shown when he serves hotteok to the students when they skip lunch, and appears as a hot dog vendor in the final episode of season 2. He actually rises to the position of final boss along with Papa Cat, but unlike Papa Cat, who flees after being defeated, he is arrested.
• Papa Cat (파파캣; Papa Kaes) (voiced by Jeon Tae-yeol) is Ketchop's boss and the leader of an evil organization. He has a speech quirk where he ends most of his sentences with "~myo" (~묘). First appearing in episode 4, he appears occasionally whenever Ketchop contacts him, and he is surprisingly generous with him, such as listening to everything that Ketchop asks for, or telling Bow Jr. to educate him responsibly when he joins the Villain Square. He plays a major role in episodes 25-26 of Season 2; in it, he overturns the car that Titch was riding while being taken away by the police. He asks Titch about the secret of PowPow School by holding the lives of his subordinate hostage. After that, he storms into the school and subdues Teo and Sena, and begins to awaken the school and the giant robot with the hacking chip that he received from Titch. Fortunately, after being hit by Dino's shrinking gun, his size is greatly reduced, and from then on, he begins to indiscriminately attack the students using the robot. At this time, he shows off his powerful appearance without hesitation, such as causing an earthquake with a simple jump, using ultrasound to incapacitate vampires, and even subduing Dino in his dinosaur form. However, the robot gradually gets damaged and pushed back by the students' continued attacks, and is defeated after the last attack by Cowman and Vlad, collapsing to the ground. In the following scenes, Papa Cat appears to have escaped, unlike Ketchop who is caught by the police.
• The Aliens first appeared in episode 5, where they kidnap the PowPow School students, replace them with robots, and use them as test subjects. After being dealt a severe blow by Devi, who escapes by digging the bottom of their spaceship with a pickaxe, the spaceship crashes, with the aliens captured by Dino and becoming test subjects in return. They returned in episode 8 of season 2, where they steal firecrackers and try to refuel their spaceship. Because it is Halloween, they are caught and mistaken for students in costumes. One of them is asked by Bowstein to install decorations, while the other two escape in a UFO, but when Lucky lights the firecrackers, they explode, destroying the UFO and sending the aliens flying. Thanks to the firecrackers exploding all at once, the students were able to enjoy a proper fireworks show. The alien who installed the decorations joins in the fun, not knowing that his UFO had exploded.
• The Police Club (경찰부; Gyeongchalbu) is only mentioned in the series' opening and do not appear in season 1, but actually make their first appearance in episode 16 of season 2. Their position is similar to that of the leader, with them arresting Teo and putting him in prison, but they are portrayed as having much more powerful authority.
• Tuber (튜버; Tyubeo) (voiced by Jang Ye-na) is a social networking service star. He appears in episode 1, where he visits PowPow School to create content.
• Cowman (카우맨; Kaumaen) (voiced by Um Sang-hyun) is a famous cow superhero who first appeared in episode 2. He becomes stronger by drinking milk. His catchphrase is "Justice is the cow that protects!" ("정의는 지켜젖소~!") The character's voice is similar to Kellogg's' Frosted Flakes mascot Tony the Tiger, whom Sang-hyun voiced in Korean commercials. Cowman visits PowPow School and conducts daily lessons for the Hero Circle. He is captured by some squid monsters, along with Sena, who secretly followed him into battle, but defeats the monsters by powering up with the milk that Sena gave him. Afterward, he tells Bowstein that he brought the Hero Circle to school so that they won't get into trouble. He is a true hero with both ability and character. Sena wears a Cowman costume for Halloween in episode 8 of season 2.
• The Squid Monsters (오징어 괴물; Ojing-eo Goemul) are a trio of squid-like monsters who capture and fight Cowman in episode 2.
• Hamkong (햄콩이; Haemkong-i) (voiced by Kim A-rong) is a hamster who first appeared in episode 6, where Dino finds him in a trash can. While secretly playing with Hamkong, Teo accidentally throws him into a beaker filled with a height-growth potion, which causes him to grow into a giant hamster. He grows so big that Lucky ends up taking it to Heaven to raise. In episode 20 of season 2, he comes down to Earth with Lucky. Dino is running wild in his dinosaur form because the potion that would have made Ham Kong return to his original size was destroyed by the sea monster's rampage. When Dino sees Hamkong, he shrinks to his original size.
• The Sewer Monsters (하수구 괴물; Hasugu Goemul) (voiced by Kim Myeong-jun, Park Joo-gwang and Um Sang-hyun) are a trio of slime-based monsters who appear in episode 13. The green monsters are brothers, while the purple monster is their uncle. They show up to cause trouble at PowPow School, but are beaten by Sena every time they appear. The monsters make Sena break her cell phone, and when Dino tells her that it will take a week to repair it, she shows extreme withdrawal symptoms. Lucky lends Sena her mobile phone, but when the monsters break that as well, Sena goes berserk with rage and destroys the monsters, shattering their entire bodies.
• Titch (티치; Tichi) is a rat and the leader of a group of space pirates. He first appeared in episode 14, where he and the pirates invade PowPow School to find treasure. He is slightly smaller than Bowstein, and captures him and S.A.M. even after the latter defeats his subordinates with his martial arts skills. The Hero Circle knocks out one of Titch's subordinates and use his suit as a disguise to sneak aboard his ship to rescue Bowstein and S.A.M. Seeing Titch's fluffy mustache, Lucky tries to touch it, causing a commotion inside the Hero Circle's disguise, which ends with Dino transforming into a dinosaur, causing the ship to crash. Since Titch tells the "subordinate" to go and rest when he appears to be in bad condition (due to Sena escaping the suit) and calls the medical team (due to the commotion inside the suit), he seems to be surprisingly good at providing welfare.
• Vlad (블라드; Beulladeu) (voiced by Shin Yong-woo) is Vincent's cousin, who first appeared in episode 16, where he visits Vincent and invites him to attend the Moonlight Party. He is a vampire with a handsome face and gentle personality who is kind to his Vincent, as well as Teo and Sena, who he meets for the first time, and Bonnie, who is his enemy. He does not appear to transform into a bat like Vincent, but he uses teleportation, where he pulls over his cloak and disappears, leaving behind pink smoke. He seems to be good at baking, as he comes out of the party wearing a pink frilly apron and holding a tray of cookies. In episode 3 of season 2, he is seen baking while wearing the frilly apron when talking to Vincent on the phone. Later, he brings some bread and cookies that he made and distributes them to the Hero Circle members. Aside from his gentle and kind behavior, he is quite good at fighting. He even had a record of going toe-to-toe with Bonnie's father, a professional vampire hunter in episode 18 of season 2. During the fight, Bonnie's father threw an explosive that could blow up the entire area. Vlad was hit by it and even showed his ability to withstand the explosion. In the final episode of season 2, when the Hero Circle is attacked by Papa Cat, he shows up with his vampire subordinates to break the defense barrier and cut off the giant robot's fist with one blow. In derivative works and fan art, Vlad appears with Bonnie as a couple, and sometimes with Vincent as part of a gag or serious moment.
• The Bully Vampires (불량배 뱀파이어들; Bullyangbae Baempaieodeul) (voiced by Jeon Tae-yeol and Shin Yong-woo) are two huge, muscular vampire brothers who appear in episode 16, where they bully Vincent at the Moonlight Party.
• Graham (그레이햄; Geuleihaem) is Teslee's hamster who first appeared in episode 17. Teslee plans to use him as a trap for Dino, knowing that cute animals are his weakness, but ends up falling for the hamster's cuteness.
• God (신; Sin) (voiced by Um Sang-hyun) is the god of Heaven and Lucky's father, who helps his daughter whenever she is in danger. He is based on Zeus from Greek mythology. He uses lightning as a weapon. Since Zeus and Hades were brothers in the original mythology and God and Demon are based on them, this would make their daughters Lucky and Lilith cousins.
• Pugnardo (퍼그나르도; Peogeunaleudo) (voiced by ) is a pug and the principal of Caesar School, and rival to Bowstein. He first appeared in episode 7 of season 2. He is a mean-spirited person who will do anything to win, including breaking rules and cheating. Judging from the fact that he had previously competed in a track and field competition with PowPow School, he seems to be in conflict with the school. He and Bowstein have similar tastes in snacks.
• The Vampire Hunter (뱀파이어 헌터; Baempaieo Heonteo) (voiced by Lee Sang-jun) is Bonnie's biological father and a professional vampire hunter. He is so skilled that he can tell vampires apart by smell alone, and always carries a giant sword. He first appeared in episode 18 of season 2. While returning from a faraway foreign country to kill vampires, he stops by PowPow School for a moment, and at that time, he realizes that his daughter Bonnie still dreams of becoming a hunter. Bonnie actually dreams of becoming a manga artist, not a hunter, and because of this, she even recruits the Hero Circle to act like an aspiring hunter in front of her father. For some reason, he hates vampires so much that he does not even recognize the peace treaty. Because of this, when he kidnaps Vincent due to needing the vampire's guidance to head to the mansion where the vampires live, Vlad immediately blocks him and tries to resolve the issue through peace. Then, when Vlad's movements suddenly slow down and he is pushed back, he laughs at him, but it turns out that Vlad was guarding Bonnie the whole time, and only retreats when Bonnie confesses that she does not want to become a hunter. At this moment, when he is about to change his perception of vampires a little by saying that he was indebted to Vlad, he sends a letter to Bonnie telling her that these were also the vampires' schemes and not to be fooled.

Voice cast

• Cho Hyun-jung as Teo
• Yeo Min-jeong as Sena and Stephanie
• Yang Jeong-hwa as Vincent and Jennifer
• Jeon Hae-ri as Lucky, Red (second voice), Choco Nara Strawberry Gongju and Doyle
• Kim Eun-ah as Dino, Bonnie and Red (first voice)
• Um Sang-hyun as Ketchop, S.A.M., Cowman, Vampire, Sewer Monster #3, Ned, Kane, Timmy/Power Supreme Genius (first voice), Occult, God, Simon and Steve (first voice)
• Park Joo-gwang as Bowstein, Timmy/Power Supreme Genius (second voice), Sewer Monster #1 and Kin
• Shin Yong-woo as Vlad and Oliver
• Kim Myeong-jun as Marvin, Ed, Sewer Monster #2 and Judge #2
• Cheon Ji-seon as Cindy (second voice), Wendy, Mako, Yuko, Andy/Mr. Baby Duck, Black and Charlie
• Jang Ye-na as Devi, Tuber, Murphy and Harper
• Jeon Tae-yeol as Teslee, Papa Cat, Cult, Devil, Titch and Duke
• Yoo Bo-ra as Cala
• Lee Bo-yong as Mitty
• Lee Ji-hyun as Lilith
• Kim Chae-ha as Eugene
• Kim A-rong as Cindy (first voice), Teddy, Baby Horned Rabbit and Hamkong
• Lee Sang-jun as Vampire Hunter, Chester, Pugnardo, Judge #1, Alien #2, Steve (second voice) and Blue

Episodes

Season 1

#	Episode Title	Original air date
01	"Tuber" Transliteration: "Inteones Seuta" (Korean: 인터넷 스타)	June 29, 2020 (2020-06-29)
02	"Cowman" Transliteration: "Yeong-ung Kaumaen" (Korean: 영웅 카우맨)	June 30, 2020 (2020-06-30)
03	"Devi's Garden" Transliteration: "Debiui Jeong-won" (Korean: 데비의 정원)	July 6, 2020 (2020-07-06)
04	"Go Getta Robo" Transliteration: "Chuldong! Lobos" (Korean: 출동! 로봇)	July 7, 2020 (2020-07-07)
05	"UFO" Transliteration: "Mihwag-in Bihaengmulche" (Korean: 미확인 비행물체)	July 13, 2020 (2020-07-13)
06	"Colossally Cute" Transliteration: "Goesu Haemkong-i" (Korean: 괴수 햄콩이)	July 14, 2020 (2020-07-14)
07	"Vampire Hunter" Transliteration: "Baempaieo Heonteo" (Korean: 뱀파이어 헌터)	July 20, 2020 (2020-07-20)
08	"Fortune Stone" Transliteration: "Pochyun Seuton" (Korean: 포츈 스톤)	July 21, 2020 (2020-07-21)
09	"Dis-Band" Transliteration: "Haeche Wigi Baendeubu" (Korean: 해체 위기 밴드부)	July 27, 2020 (2020-07-27)
10	"Marvin's Memoirs" Transliteration: "Yong-gi Issneun Gobaeg" (Korean: 용기 있는 고백)	July 28, 2020 (2020-07-28)
11	"Ducking Out" Transliteration: "Chujeog, Mudangyeolseog" (Korean: 추적, 무단결석)	August 3, 2020 (2020-08-03)
12	"Rebel With a Cause" Transliteration: "Baujunieoui Iltal" (Korean: 바우주니어의 일탈)	August 4, 2020 (2020-08-04)
13	"The Hang-Up" Transliteration: "Gojangnan Hyudaepon" (Korean: 고장난 휴대폰)	August 10, 2020 (2020-08-10)
14	"Space Pirate Titch" Transliteration: "Yagtalja Tichi" (Korean: 약탈자 티치)	August 11, 2020 (2020-08-11)
15	"Basement Bounty" Transliteration: "Migung Tamheom" (Korean: 미궁탐험)	August 17, 2020 (2020-08-17)
16	"Vamp Paradise" Transliteration: "Munlaiteu Pati" (Korean: 문라이트 파티)	August 18, 2020 (2020-08-18)
17	"Dino's Rival" Transliteration: "Dinoui Laibeol" (Korean: 디노의 라이벌)	August 24, 2020 (2020-08-24)
18	"Detective Doyle" Transliteration: "Myeongtamjeong Doil" (Korean: 명탐정 도일)	August 25, 2020 (2020-08-25)
19	"Summoning Calamity" Transliteration: "Kallamiti Siseuteojeu" (Korean: 칼라미티 시스터즈)	August 31, 2020 (2020-08-31)
20	"School Ghost Story" Transliteration: "Haggyogoedam" (Korean: 학교괴담)	September 1, 2020 (2020-09-01)
21	"Demon Princess" Transliteration: "Magye Gongju Liliseu" (Korean: 마계 공주 리리스)	September 7, 2020 (2020-09-07)
22	"No Luck Left" Transliteration: "Salajin Leogki" (Korean: 사라진 럭키)	September 8, 2020 (2020-09-08)
23	"Slice of Heaven" Transliteration: "Cheonsang-ui Gansig" (Korean: 천상의 간식)	September 14, 2020 (2020-09-14)
24	"Game On" Transliteration: "Geim sog Sesan" (Korean: 게임 속 세상)	September 15, 2020 (2020-09-15)
25	"Getting Into Dodge" Transliteration: "Gyonae Pigudaehoe Sangpyeon" (Korean: 교내 피구대회 상편)	September 21, 2020 (2020-09-21)
26	"Getting Out of Dodge" Transliteration: "Gyonae Pigudaehoe Hapyeon" (Korean: 교내 피구대회 하편)	September 22, 2020 (2020-09-22)

Season 2

#	Episode Title	Original air date
01	"Formation, Hero Circle" Transliteration: "Gyeolseong, Hieolo Sseokeul" (Korean: 결성, 히어로 써클)	June 29, 2022 (2022-06-29)
02	"Cursed Sofa" Transliteration: "Jeojubad-eun Sopa" (Korean: 저주받은 소파)	June 29, 2022 (2022-06-29)
03	"Teo's Vampire Crisis" Transliteration: "Taeo, Baempaieo Wigi" (Korean: 태오, 뱀파이어 위기)	July 6, 2022 (2022-07-06)
04	"News Club Appears" Transliteration: "Sinmunbu Deungjang" (Korean: 신문부 등장)	July 6, 2022 (2022-07-06)
05	"Gaming Competition" Transliteration: "Geimdaehoe" (Korean: 게임대회)	July 13, 2022 (2022-07-13)
06	"Cafeteria Strike" Transliteration: "Geubsigbu Pa-eob" (Korean: 급식부 파업)	July 13, 2022 (2022-07-13)
07	"Fighting Cheerleader Club" Transliteration: "Paiting, Chieolideobu" (Korean: 파이팅, 치어리더부)	July 20, 2022 (2022-07-20)
08	"Halloween Mayhem" Transliteration: "Haelleowin Daesodong" (Korean: 핼러윈 대소동)	July 20, 2022 (2022-07-20)
09	"Strange Teachers" Transliteration: "Seonsaengnim-i Isanghae" (Korean: 선생님이 이상해)	July 27, 2022 (2022-07-27)
10	"Swapped Superpowers" Transliteration: "Dwibakkwin Choneunglyeog" (Korean: 뒤바뀐 초능력)	July 27, 2022 (2022-07-27)
11	"Kidnapped Teacher" Transliteration: "Nabchidanghasin Seonsaengnim" (Korean: 납치당하신 선생님)	August 3, 2022 (2022-08-03)
12	"Mysterious Beasts and Where to Find Them" Transliteration: "Sinbidongmul Sayugbu" (Korean: 신비동물 사육부)	August 3, 2022 (2022-08-03)
13	"Transfer Student Release" Transliteration: "Jeonhagsaeng Liliseu" (Korean: 전학생 리리스)	August 10, 2022 (2022-08-10)
14	"Cala's Request" Transliteration: "Kallaui Butag" (Korean: 칼라의 부탁)	August 10, 2022 (2022-08-10)
15	"Theater Club Audition" Transliteration: "Yeongeugbu Odisyeon" (Korean: 연극부 오디션)	August 17, 2022 (2022-08-17)
16	"Fierce Attorney" Transliteration: "Gyeogjeonjaepan" (Korean: 격전재판)	August 17, 2022 (2022-08-17)
17	"Marvin's Secret Operation" Transliteration: "Mabin-ui Bimiljagjeon" (Korean: 마빈의 비밀작전)	August 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)
18	"Leader of the Hunter Family" Transliteration: "Heonteogamun-ui Sujang" (Korean: 헌터가문의 수장)	August 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)
19	"Worries of a Librarian" Transliteration: "Doseobujang-ui Gomin" (Korean: 도서부장의 고민)	August 31, 2022 (2022-08-31)
20	"Dino's Determination" Transliteration: "Dinoui Gyeolsim" (Korean: 디노의 결심)	August 31, 2022 (2022-08-31)
21	"Secret of Cityside Academy" Transliteration: "Poposeukul-ui Bimil" (Korean: 포포스쿨의 비밀)	September 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)
22	"Superpower Overload" Transliteration: "Choneunglyeog Gwabuha" (Korean: 초능력 과부하)	September 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)
23	"Time Machine" Transliteration: "Taimmeosin" (Korean: 타임머신)	September 14, 2022 (2022-09-14)
24	"Caesar School Athletics Competition" Transliteration: "Sijeoseukul Yugsangdaehoe" (Korean: 시저스쿨 육상대회)	September 14, 2022 (2022-09-14)
25	"Cityside Academy's Crisis Part 1" Transliteration: "Poposeukul-ui Wigi 1" (Korean: 포포스쿨의 위기 1)	September 21, 2022 (2022-09-21)
26	"Cityside Academy's Crisis Part 2" Transliteration: "Poposeukul-ui Wigi 2" (Korean: 포포스쿨의 위기 2)	September 21, 2022 (2022-09-21)

Production

Hero Circle was originally planned as an English education video (complete with a comic adaptation) and made for a portfolio, but was made into a television series. The video was shown on Studio TNT's website. The characters had different designs from the final series, and Marvin was going to be one of the main characters instead of Vincent. The characters did not attend a futuristic-looking school, but an ordinary one, and the video had human teachers instead of robots. Later, a modified pilot episode version was created, which was very similar to the final series, but with slightly taller human characters. Several other lead characters were added, including Bowstein, and Marvin was replaced with Vincent. The heroes were more active than in the series, and a purple-skinned character revealed in concept art was planned to appear in the series, but was cut. The series was produced in 2D FHD animation using Toon Boom Harmony.

In 2017, Studio TNT participated in KNock 2017, an investment attraction briefing session. The series won the Best Project Award at the Pre-Production Bootcamp hosted by the Korea Creative Content Agency in 2018, who selected the series as a domestic animation production support target in 2019. It received much attention both domestically and internationally, including being selected for the EBS Co-Production Contest and advancing to the final stage of the 2018 Asia Animation Summit. In 2019, it signed a global distribution contract with American distributor Ryan Posey through the Kidscreen Summit held in Miami in the United States. On June 9, 2020, Studio TNT uploaded the opening theme song and broadcast schedule to its YouTube channel. On November 14, 2020, news of Season 2's production was announced through the series' official Twitter account QNA. Four days later on November 18, it was announced that Meta Media Entertainment had been appointed as the worldwide distributor for the series. An English dub was produced, with episodes 1, 4, 16 and 19 being available on Meta Media's website and Toon Goggles. It was later announced on June 3, 2022 that it would be broadcast at 7 pm from June 29, 2022 to September 21, 2022.

Funding for Vincent dolls (in his bat form) and goodies including keyrings, mugs, flip books and stickers was carried out between December 4-31, 2020, a total of 28 days. The target amount was reached on the first day of funding.

Reception

Shortly after it aired, the series became popular on Twitter, receiving critical acclaim from the Western animation fandom due to its cute character designs, Western influence, and the fact that it was a domestic 2D animation on EBS targeted at 7-to-13-year-olds instead of an educational program for infants. Studio TNT responded to the reaction with active communication, such as posting a congratulatory message or holding a Q&A to reciprocate the fans' reaction. In addition, nicknames given by fans to some unnamed supporting characters were set as official names. Between December 1-15, 2022, a survey for the "Best 10 Children's Programs" (including Hero Circle) was created and gained encouraging popularity on EBS Kids and other children's channels.

Other media

On February 10, 2021, Hero Circle Run (Korean: 히어로 써클 런) was released on iPhone and Android. Developed by Studio TNT and Drakemount, it is a horizantal-scrolling platform game where characters with different abilities run while using superpowers. The game was originally planned for release in October 2020. It was not well-received by fans of the series due to not being widely advertised, with some comparing it to Cookie Run, and shut down on December 12, 2022. There were also plans to publish a comic adaptation of the series.

External links

• Hero Circle on Official Studio TNT website
• Hero Circle on Official EBS Kids website
• Hero Circle on WelCon
• Hero Circle on Meta Media Entertainment website
• Hero Circle on Toon Goggles
• Hero Circle on Lion Forge Entertainment
• Official YouTube account
• Official Facebook account
• Official Twitter page
• Official Twocan page
• Hero Circle channel at Naver TV (in Korean)