📚 Origin & Publication
The Rising of the Shield Hero (盾の勇者の成り上がり, Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari) is a Japanese light novel series written by Aneko Yusagi. Originally a web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in 2012, it was later officially published with illustrations by Seira Minami. A manga adaptation followed, and soon after, it rose to international fame.
The story follows Naofumi Iwatani, who is summoned into a parallel world as the Shield Hero—only to be falsely accused of a crime and betrayed, forcing him to survive in a world that views him with hatred.
- Author: Aneko Yusagi
- Illustrator: Seira Minami
- Published by: Media Factory (JP), One Peace Books (EN)
- Serialization Start: 2013 (Light Novel)
- Volumes: 20+ (Light Novel)
- Status: Ongoing
The Rising of the Shield Hero Volume 1 Cover
🎨 Manga Adaptations & Themes
The manga and anime adaptations of Shield Hero focus heavily on dark fantasy elements, political intrigue, emotional resilience, and character growth. It’s known for its deeper, grittier tone compared to typical isekai stories.
- Serialized in: Monthly Comic Flapper
- Notable Themes:
- Betrayal and redemption
- Powerlessness and perseverance
- Building trust and relationships
- Justice and revenge in a corrupt world
🎥 Anime Adaptation
The anime adaptation debuted in 2019 and was praised for its world-building, intense emotional moments, and Naofumi’s character arc. Animated by Kinema Citrus, it quickly became a flagship isekai title worldwide.
- Studio: Kinema Citrus
- Platforms: Crunchyroll
- Music: Kevin Penkin
- Dub: Available in multiple languages
Naofumi Iwatani
📺 Seasons Overview:
| Season | Highlight Moments | Aired |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Naofumi’s betrayal, Raphtalia’s bond, Waves of Catastrophe | Jan 2019 – Jun 2019 |
| Season 2 | Spirit Tortoise arc, new heroes introduced | Apr 2022 – Jun 2022 |
| Season 3 | Rebuilding trust, deeper lore exploration | Oct 2023 – Dec 2023 |
🧙♂️ Main Characters
| Character | Role | VA (JP) |
|---|---|---|
| Naofumi Iwatani | Shield Hero, falsely accused hero | Kaito Ishikawa |
| Raphtalia | Demi-human sword, Naofumi’s closest ally | Asami Seto |
| Filo | Filolial Queen, loyal companion | Rina Hidaka |
| Melty Melromarc | Princess of Melromarc, political ally | Maaya Uchida |
| Malty Melromarc | Antagonistic princess (Myne) | Sarah Emi Bridcutt |
| Ren Amaki | Sword Hero, fellow summoned hero | Yoshitsugu Matsuoka |
| Motoyasu Kitamura | Spear Hero, naive rival | Makoto Takahashi |
| Itsuki Kawasumi | Bow Hero, justice-driven hero | Yoshitaka Yamaya |
🌍 Global Impact
The Rising of the Shield Hero gained massive popularity, especially for its darker, more mature take on the isekai genre compared to its peers. It attracted attention for its emotionally heavy storytelling and layered characters.
- 📈 One of the highest-streamed isekai anime on Crunchyroll
- 🔥 Millions of light novels and manga copies sold worldwide
- 💥 Sparked discussions around betrayal themes in anime
- 🌐 Huge fandom activity on Reddit, Twitter, and forums
🎮 Games & Merchandise
- Shield Hero has expanded into games and collectibles:
- Mobile Games: Collaborations with games like The Alchemist Code
- Merchandise: Figures, keychains, apparel, and replica shields
- Blu-ray/DVDs: Available for all seasons through Crunchyroll Store
📖 Where to Read & Watch
- Read: One Peace Books (Light Novel), Monthly Comic Flapper (Manga)
- Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Buy Manga/Light Novels: Amazon, RightStuf, Bookstores
Shield Hero: RISE
💬 Fandom Reactions
“Shield Hero shows that true strength is built, not given.”
“Raphtalia’s journey is one of the best character arcs in anime.”
“Season 1 had me emotionally destroyed—in the best way.”
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