The Rising of the Shield Hero, Season 1 (2019)

[PictureGuy]

Here is an anime which takes place inside a video game. WHAT? AGAIN? Yup, again. But The Rising of the Shield Hero also offers a bit of self-realization on the part of the main character and others.

Naofumi is a loner who gets himself downloaded into a video game, and he isn’t even a player. But he’s not the only one to get downloaded. He’s just the only one who doesn’t have any knowledge of this particular game. There are four principle players – the Sword Hero, the Bow Hero, the Spear Hero, and the Shield Hero. The Shield Hero is the weakest of the group being only able to defend and not attack. Naofumi is the Shield Hero, and for some reason everybody hates him. When he is falsely accused of a sexual assault, Naofumi becomes an outcast, and the only hero not being able to gather volunteers to help him fight the Wave. He wants to go back home, but until the Wave is defeated that is not going to happen. So much for the hour long first episode.

Unable to find anyone to join his team, Naofumi seeks other ways to gain allies. He purchases a slave, Raphtalia, a frightened, sickly girl. Naofumi nurses her back to health and teaches her to use a sword. Raphtalia soon becomes a strong-willed woman with a mind of her own, and the determination that comes with having a purpose in life. She is also totally devoted to Naofumi.

Then there is Filo, a giant bird who can transform herself into a little girl. Like Raphtalia, she becomes a rather lethal warrior herself. Finally there is Princess Melty, the youngest daughter of the royal family, and apparently the only royal Naofumi can trust.

Naofumi and his team grow stronger. Though not as strong as the other heroes, Naofumi is certainly the most capable. Only his personality could use some work. Bitter over the way he has been mistreated, Naofumi is determined to be an anti-hero, only to have his own humanity get in the way. Finally, Naofumi realizes. . . . Well, for now let’s just say it’s a case of personal growth.

Naofumi’s journey to clear his name and prove himself makes for a good story. The animation though is a mixed bag. The action sequences are well done, but the rest looks like it was done on the cheap. We really don’t see much body movement from any character outside of the battle sequences.

But the story got me. So, I recommend The Rising of the Shield Hero. I hope to see seasons 2 and 3.

[Digimon_Sommelier]

I saw a few episodes between Season 1 and 2. I like when characters look/dress different after a season, but the main character doesn't change anything. He just gets developed as a character. I like aesthetic, something to make me marvel at more than just the animation (which is good in this anime). And the plot is awesome. But dressing/looking virtually the same every season? That's a bore.

[PictureGuy]

Within season 1, some characters change clothes. But in most anime series, I noticed the wardrobe does not change. The characters must get awfully gamey not washing those clothes.

[Digimon_Sommelier]

Within season 1, some characters change clothes. But in most anime series, I noticed the wardrobe does not change. The characters must get awfully gamey not washing those clothes.

It is quite astonishing that the other characters got a threads upgrade versus the main character. How?!

Trailer:

[PictureGuy]

^ I assume they had access to a shopping mall.