The Rising of the Shield Hero
The Rising of the Shield Hero
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The Rising of the Shield Hero

"Our regrets make us stronger."

8.5
Yr 2019
Rt 24m
Status Returning Series
Animation Action & Adventure Sci-Fi & Fantasy Drama
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

Iwatani Naofumi, a run-of-the-mill otaku, finds a book in the library that summons him to another world. He is tasked with joining the sword, spear, and bow as one of the Four Cardinal Heroes and fighting the Waves of Catastrophe as the Shield Hero. Excited by the prospect of a grand adventure, Naofumi sets off with his party. However, merely a few days later, he is betrayed and loses all his money, dignity, and respect. Unable to trust anyone anymore, he employs a slave named Raphtalia and takes on the Waves and the world. But will he really find a way to overturn this desperate situation?

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 76 /100

The Rising of the Shield Hero received largely favorable responses, primarily earned through its subversion of standard isekai conventions. Critics praised the series for ditching standard escapist power fantasies in favor of a hostile setting where the protagonist faces immediate betrayal, framing the heroic journey as a desperate, uphill battle against an antagonistic society.

Reviewers highlighted the emotional investment created by Naofumi's plight, noting that the persistent conspiracies and deceit surrounding him make his gradual rise and eventual triumphs deeply satisfying. While some commentary noted that the basic summoned-hero setup lacks originality and occasionally relies on standard role-playing game tropes, the dark moral tone and the protagonist's borderline villainous edge offered a fresh take on the genre.

“flips the traditional isekai narrative on its head by turning the heroic fantasy into a nightmare.”

“The Rising of the Shield Hero is one of my favorite anime that released in 2019, and it has risen to the top to become my favorite isekai of all time.”

“...the majority of the plot is dedicated to Naofumi’s literal rise and it is glorious. So many times, the machinations of the conspirators put people in Naofumi’s way who believe him to be truly evil based on lies. The frustration felt while watching is undoubtedly intentional and makes every victory that much sweeter.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix
US • CA • UK
Hulu
US
Netflix Standard with Ads
UK • CA • US
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Crunchyroll
US • CA • UK
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
CA • UK • US
Disney Plus
CA • UK
Why fans love it

The Rising of the Shield Hero twists the traditional isekai journey by removing the promise of a heroic welcome. Instead of glory, Iwatani Naofumi receives betrayal and social exile, turning the standard adventure into a cold study of isolation and survival. The series leans into its dark fantasy roots, prioritizing the psychological toll of a rigged system over the typical power fantasies found in the genre.

Kaito Ishikawa anchors the series through the transformation from a na'ive otaku into a pragmatic, guarded anti-hero. This shift defines the show, moving away from noble quests to focus on the tensions within a dysfunctional party and the realities of an unforgiving parallel world. By centering on the defensive nature of the Shield Hero rather than offensive spectacle, the show forces the audience to consider the cost of trust in a world built for betrayal.

Signal Match

Similarity

Where The Rising of the Shield Hero overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

saving the world anti hero magic slavery training romance dysfunctional family betrayal religion sibling rivalry dragon parallel world dark fantasy seinen summons anime corrupt church isekai fantasy based on light novel adventure dungeon crawling
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
January 09, 2019
Status
Returning Series
Episode Runtime
24 minutes
Origin
JP
TMDB Votes
1,595