Review of The Rising of the Shield Hero

The first episode sold me on the show immediately. Beautifully sets up expectations for Naofumi and his relation with the world around him. Being 25 episodes long, the story kinda drags at times, but it also jarringly moves too fast in parts. There is a bit of a harem component here, but it's downplayed so I strongly appreciated that. Compared to the manga, Naofumi's personality is toned down and significantly less vindictive, which is....fine (disappointed sigh). The opening tracks are both absolutely wonderful too, though I prefer 'Rise' over 'faith'; the whoah-ohs really sell me on the emotions Naofumi must be feeling; and those last30 seconds of the first opening still brings a tear to my eye today. Faith is also good, but it took me a while to get over losing Rise. The art is clean and pleasant to look at with very little fan service, which I also appreciate.