Honestly, walking into The Super Cube anime ep 1 feels a bit like tripping over a wire you didn't see. You expect the standard "loser gets a superpower" trope that has dominated Donghua and Anime circles for the last decade, but what you get is something slightly more abrasive and oddly charming. It’s based on the Manhua Wo You Yige Chaoji Cub (I Have a Super Cube), and while the animation isn't going to win a Mappa-level award, the sheer audacity of its pacing is what sticks.
Xi Xiang is our guy. He’s the quintessential underdog, the kind of character who exists just to be stepped on until the plot decides otherwise. He's poor. He's bullied. He has a sick sister. It’s a checklist of tragedy. But then, a literal cube from space crashes into his life, and suddenly the physics of his world stop making sense. It’s weird. It’s fast.
What actually happens in The Super Cube anime ep 1
The episode wastes zero time. We meet Xi Xiang, who is basically a delivery boy with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He’s working himself to the bone to pay for his sister's medical bills, which is a classic Donghua setup to make you root for him immediately. It works, mostly because the stakes feel grounded even if the execution is a bit melodramatic.
Then comes the "Super Cube."
🔗 Read more: The Beast with Five Fingers: Why This 1946 Horror Gem Still Creeps Us Out
It’s an alien artifact that fuses with him. This isn't a slow burn. The show doesn't spend three episodes wondering what happened; it throws him straight into the deep end. The cube gives him abilities—specifically a "system" style interface that allows him to upgrade his physical attributes and solve problems that were previously life-threatening.
The interesting thing about the first episode is how it handles the "System" trope. In many shows, the system is a guide. Here, it feels more like a tool that Xi Xiang is frantically trying to figure out before he gets killed. The action beats in this first outing are choppy but functional, establishing that while he's now "super," he’s still very much a target.
The technical side of the Donghua
Let’s be real about the animation. If you're coming from Jujutsu Kaisen or Demon Slayer, the visual quality of The Super Cube anime ep 1 might give you a bit of whiplash. It’s produced in a 3D CGI style that is very common in Chinese animation (Donghua), but it lacks the high-budget polish of titles like Soul Land or Battle Through the Heavens.
✨ Don't miss: Why Malcolm in the Middle Series 3 is the Show's Chaotic Masterpiece
The character models are a bit stiff. Sometimes their mouths don't quite match the dialogue, and the lighting can feel a bit flat in the indoor scenes. However, the "Super Cube" itself and the digital overlays of the system are handled with a decent amount of flair. It’s clear the budget was saved for the moments where the cube actually does something reality-bending.
Why the "System" genre still works here
You might think we’ve reached peak "System" fatigue. We haven't. The reason people keep clicking on The Super Cube anime ep 1 is the power fantasy. It's the "zero to hero" pipeline that never really gets old if the protagonist is likable enough. Xi Xiang isn't an arrogant jerk; he’s a kid trying to save his family. That makes the moment he gets his revenge—or at least the hint of it—highly satisfying.
The cube provides a literal "level up" mechanic. It’s basically a gamified version of life. If you’ve ever played an RPG and felt that hit of dopamine when a bar goes up, you’ll get why this works. The episode ends on a cliffhanger that sets up his first real test, and by that point, the clunky animation matters a lot less than the question: "What is he going to do with that power?"
Misconceptions about the first episode
A lot of people go into this thinking it’s a standard Japanese-style Isekai. It’s not. It’s an "Urban Cultivation" or "Urban System" story. The setting is modern-day, not a fantasy world with dragons. This is a crucial distinction. The conflict comes from social hierarchy, debt, and corporate/gangster influence rather than demon kings.
Some viewers also get confused by the pacing. It feels rushed because it is. Many Donghua episodes are shorter than the standard 24-minute Japanese anime block, often clocking in at 15 to 20 minutes including the intro and outro. This means they have to cram a lot of plot into a very small window.
How to watch and what to look for next
If you're looking to dive into this series, don't expect a masterpiece. Expect a fun, fast-paced ride.
💡 You might also like: Seven Years in Tibet: What Most People Get Wrong About the Movie
- Look for the subbing quality: Since this is a Donghua, the English subtitles can sometimes be a bit "rough." Look for reputable fansub groups or official platforms like Tencent or WeTV for the best experience.
- Pay attention to the sister's subplot: It’s not just flavor text. Her illness is the primary driver for almost every decision Xi Xiang makes for the first dozen episodes.
- Ignore the initial jank: The first five minutes are the hardest to get through visually. Once the Cube is introduced, the visual style finds its footing a bit more.
The reality is that The Super Cube anime ep 1 serves its purpose. It introduces the stakes, defines the power system, and makes you want to see the bully get his comeuppance. In the world of niche animation, that’s a win.
To get the most out of the series, track the "Cube Points" or the currency the system uses. The show actually stays fairly consistent with its internal logic regarding how much power Xi Xiang can "buy" at any given time, which prevents him from becoming infinitely powerful too quickly. Start by comparing the first episode's power scale to the mid-season mark; the progression is actually more calculated than it looks at first glance.
Actionable Insight: If you enjoyed the concept but found the animation too stiff, check out the original Manhua. The art style in the comic version is significantly more detailed and allows the "urban legend" vibe of the story to breathe. If you're sticking with the anime, watch at least three episodes before dropping it; the first episode is mostly setup, but the third is where the first major conflict actually pays off.