Is Rising of the Shield Hero Really That Good?

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The Rising of The Shield Hero is part of my Ultimate Guide for the 2019 Anime Winter Season. A guide with more than 100 pages with a first impressions to every Anime coming out in the Winter Season. You can get your own here (it’s free!).

Title: Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari (MAL Page)

English Titles: The Rising of the Shield Hero

MAL Score: 8.47

Genres: Action, Fantasy, Game

Number of Episodes: 25

Broadcast: Wednesdays (JST)

Studios: Kinema Citrus

Source: Light Novel

Duration: 24 min. per ep.

Rating: PG-13

Synopsis

4 heroes are summoned to save the world from demonic waves. Naofumi Iwatani is one of those heroes. Someone who was your average procrastinating guy is now the shield hero of a fantasy world. Though a hero, it’s believed that the Shield Hero is just a menace who doesn’t really have much power. Moreover, he is backstabbed right in the beginning of his adventure, making him even in more disadvantage when compared to all the other heroes. Will Naofumi be able to help save the World?

Story

The story is very much what you could expect from this type of Anime genre. Basically, you have the typical RPG setting combined with your typical Shounen Hero. What I mean with this is, having 4 heroes being summoned to a World where they are the only ones who are able to save it is not really a new thing. On the other hand, having the main character start as the weakest and making it develop to the strongest is also not a new thing.

However, despite the clichés, the execution is very well done. The thing I like the most about the story is how serious it can get, without being too violent or over the top. The story is executed in a way where you can enter inside this world and live it along with the characters. Basically, although the setting does not deliver anything new, it is very well done and is able to make something we viewed many times interesting to watch.

Characters

If you have read my first post about Rising of the Shield Hero, you will know that I love the main character, Naofumi Iwatani. But, after watching two more episodes I have to say that he is even greater than I thought. His character is very well created and executed. Basically, Naofumi is one of those characters who feel real. He has is own flaws and virtues and, by the end of the day, he ends up being a good, interesting and complex character to follow.

On the other hand, we have Raphtalia, introduced in the second episode. Being a slave in the past, Raphtalia also creates a very good character to watch and follow. It’s true that she has developed a lot during these 2 last episodes which may feel too fast. However, I feel she still has much to give us, which makes me even more into this Anime.

All the other characters end up being side-characters. To be honest, I don’t feel they are as complex as the main ones. Most of them seem to be the good type of person or the very bad, want to punch their face, type of character.

Animation

The animation is also very well executed. I won’t say it’s the best I have ever seen or that there are many cool moments so far due to the animation. However, what they do, they do it well! The animation may shine more while presenting the environment, characters, and the background, than when showing action-heavy scenes. However, I don’t really mind that! Moreover, I feel that we are still at the beginning which explains why we have not seen completely over the top fights. So, we will have to wait and see.

I also like the characters’ design. Again, their designs are not over the top or something completely awesome. No, it’s more close to earth and human-like. However, it is very well done and the characterization is on spot! So, yeah, may not be your over the top designs, but damn, they are good! Specially Naofumi… He’s just… *sigh*

Audio

There is nothing bad to say about the audio overall. Being the voice acting, sound effects, background music… Everything is done superbly! If you watch this, wear earphones and no distractions, you will just enter in this amazing world and feel completely absorbed by it.

Regarding the opening, although the music is kind of cool, it doesn’t speak to me that much! It’s not that it’s bad, it’s just… Well, nothing new or attention-grabbing.

Final Verdict

The Rising of The Shield Hero is one of my favorite Anime shows of the season, there is no other way to put it. Although with a generic beginning, it is very well executed. Moreover, during these 3 episodes, we are able to see that it’s getting a little deeper and showing how it will differentiate itself from other Anime shows of the sort.

If you like anything about this type of story, watch it!

The only reason I can see for you to not watch it is if you just hate this kind of genres…

Final Score: Good!