Review of The Rising of the Shield Hero
So if you haven’t been living under a rock for basically all of 2019, you will have noticed that The Rising Of The Shield Hero, which I’m going to shorten to RSH has been making its way around the internet. My anime career is basically a whole bunch of shojos, never really venturing outside of that genre I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try RSH. I’ll skip the synopsis which you’ve probably already seen countless of times (if you haven’t go and read it!!), but just know the synopsis really doesn’t do this amazing anime justice! As far as character development goes,in my opinion, this anime pretty much nailed it. You see this helpless hero who has been cast aside, burdened with the role of the shield hero as he tries to match the skill levels of the other three legendary heroes. Every time he’s beaten down, framed and conned he just gets back up. You see his hatred grow towards his newfound home and towards those who taint his name. With only the ones closest to him, grounding him, keeping his humanity in check and reminding him that he is needed. Anyone who’s watched this masterpiece knows just how much of a caring sweetheart Naofumi really is and the way he is portrayed by the others really gets under my skin at times. I love Noafumi’s character development as a whole, you see him grow out of his hatred for everyone and start to slowly accept his role. Putting everything behind him to protect the kingdom and its people, who have treated him so harshly.
The anime really shined with the supporting characters development/personalities and stories. I guess the main thing I love about this anime is it makes me feel like I’ve known the characters forever. You see Raphtalia change from a timid girl to Naofumi’s sword, as she calls herself. I loved every single one of the supporting characters, they brung humour, realism, tension and true friendship to the story, which I think Naofumi really needed to calm his inner rage fire. Raphtalia’s past really moved me, and so I’m glad the ending was as wholesome as it was. The world of RSH is diverse as it includes demi humans, monsters and humans all living together. I think this diversity is cool, but not an unheard-of plot for fantasies. Though I do think it added more to the anime as it would have been plain boring otherwise. The only bone I have to pick is WHY SO MANY LOLI’S!!!!!! They didn’t stop coming (they did, they did, I’m exaggerating) Nethertheless the anime really delivers on the supporting characters. In my review I’ve only vaguely described Raphtalia, if you want to know more about the supporting characters, I’m leaving it to you to watch the anime and see them for yourself!
You may want to argue with me, but I find this Isekai refreshing because it doesn’t fall along the lines of ‘really OP protag was OP right from the beginning’. As I said, I haven’t watched many, but I know the popular plot. As he says many times ‘I guess I drew the short straw’, and he really did. How much can one person really do when all he can wield is a shield? He has multiple setbacks and by far lacks an overall overpowered vibe. He has little to none offensive attacks and so relies heavily on the support of his party, Raphtalia, Filo and Melty.
As far as bad guys go, I hate Myne. I’m just going to say it. Shes so annoying. I would put up with team rocket showing up at my house every day trying to capture my sister for the director to cut her head off next season.
RSH’s main story isn’t the most unique Isekai variant out there, but still delivers on its main plot and added features. The anime really makes use of its screen time, I never found myself wanting to skip any scenes, always being interested in what was displayed. The story is full of detail, every episode gripping you from beginning to end, twists and turns, betrayals and epic battle scenes, friendship and memories, what more could you want from a 2019 Isekai?
I’ve started to care less and less over time about the art and graphics of an anime. I believe the true factor to reign over a rating should be the story/ how much you enjoyed watching through the anime. Regardless I will admit that the RSH’s art is pretty great. It’s not Kimi No Na Wa’s standard that’s for sure, but still delivers crisp detail in every frame. Never once did I notice a drop in the quality.
Immersion is something that I really take to heart when I watch an anime. I want to feel like I’m there with the characters, I want to know all about the world, the places, the people, the currency, every little thing. I have to say this anime really really delivered on that. Throughout the 25 episodes, I got more and more involved in the world of RSH. The immersion was through and through spectacular, I felt as though every episode whisked me away, I never really wanted the season to end. Do be wary, if you are easily immersed like me, you will definitely get post series depression like I did! It’s a good idea to note that RSH has been confirmed for another 2 seasons! Unfortunately I’m impatient and so I’ll be getting the mangas now!
Overall I thought the anime was a real great introduction of Isekai’s for me. I’m excited to watch others and see what they have that’s unique to them. I don’t think my review did this awesome anime justice, but it’s early days, and I look forward to reviewing the next season when it releases. I scored this anime a 9/10 purely because there isn’t a single thing I can fault it on. The fighting scenes were full of energy and power, he didn’t always have to one trick his Wraith curse, the characters personalities and developments were great to watch, the world was to detailed and beautiful and the little added plot at the end was very good! You want to know what the little twist is? What the legendary heroes are really fighting for? I guess you’ll just have to watch it and find out.