Review of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4

I think it speaks volumes when there are so few reviews for a show that is oft-touted as one of the big names in isekai. I have just finished Season 4's 12th and final episode, and my thoughts on the series as a whole, are that "it exists". It is not as offensively bad as Season 2, but it is nowhere near as good as Season 1. Honestly, Shield Hero as a show, peaked in Season 1, fell into the Mariana Trench with Season 2, and has then spent the last 2 seasons trying to climb out of that deep chasm. As I said, Season 4doesn't really do anything that I hated, but it also doesn't do anything daring, shocking, or, I feel, have any moments that harken back to the darker and grittier side of the story. It's a fairly cookie-cutter plot-line this time around.

The main plot of this Season, is that Naofumi wants to settle things in Q'Ten Lo, because the constant assassins that are being sent after them due to Raphtalia wearing a miko outfit, are interfering with the preparations to take on the next Guardian Beast, the Phoenix.
The first arc / half of the season is the gang traveling to Siltvelt and dealing with political issues therein, while the second arc / half is dedicated to sorting out the political issues within Q'Ten Lo.

Admittedly, it's a bit of a reductive way of looking at it, but that is what the story could be summed-up as; If I said anymore, it would probably spoil the entire season, so it does kind of prove that it's a very linear and cookie-cutter plot this time around.

This season also has a much heavier focus on Naofumi and Raphtalia, while a lot of the other cast-members get pretty heavily side-lined. Yes, it fits with the plot, but makes the show feel quite shallow. There are 2 cast members who have some growth in the Siltvelt arc (no spoilers), and Sadeena has screen-time in Q'Ten Lo (obviously), but a lot of time is spent developing a new character, and building up a cliché "evil figure".

Overall, as I said right at the start, this season "exists". It's not the worst Shield Hero offering, but it's not the best. The plot is linear and mostly predictable, with a few good moments and a couple of twists sprinkled in for good measure. The art and animation were decent, if not pretty good in some areas, while lacking at other certain moments.

I will solidify my opinion of this being a "middle of the road" Season, with a score of 6/10 "Fine" and Mixed Feelings.