Review of The Rising of the Shield Hero

The story is pretty decent in comparison to many isekai. The main problem is the slightly formulaic solutions to problems, but at least there is a twist to it that we'll have to see how it pans out as the series continues. Another issue I have with the story, although more minor, is the head long rush in the new world the protagonist finds himself in. Nearly every isekai is guilty of this so I'll overlook it. Other than those issues the story is engaging and well paced for the most part. I'm excited to see where it's heading in the following seasons. Not allof the story elements are pleasant though, but just because you don't like it doesn't mean the show is of poor quality. Really solid 8/10

The art is pretty, I like the style a lot. It doesn't over sharpen the characters, and the background detailed enough. It's simple, but effective and pleasant. I have to dock points for the use of cg, I understand using it for large scales things... however it still doesn't look good. Other than that it's very good looking and well animated 8/10

The sound is the reason I am writing a review. I watched the dub, so maybe the Japanese voice actors are terrible or something, but I doubt it. The voice acting is nearly universally solid, there is one exception, but it isn't unbearable and it's only in a couple of episodes. The soundtrack is beautiful and amazing, I think most people just don't notice music if it doesn't have lyrics as loud as the dialogue/action. It's subjective, but there is no world in which this anime deserves anything less than a 7 in the sound category. To give it less than a 5 is to throw away all objectivity, and leads me to believe that people who do give it such a low score in this category aren't really paying enough attention that their review is worth reading. It's great 10/10

The characters have depth, flaws, and redeeming qualities. They are semi-predictable anime characters, but they are well written 9/10

I really enjoyed it. So much in fact that this review is being written after seeing it for a second time. I'll watch it again once season 2 comes out too. 10/10

Overall this anime is an 8-9/10, subjectively I give it a 9/10.

****Spoilers from here on****

Let's talk about the mixed reviews. We live in a very anti-slavery society, and I'm in no way saying that is a bad thing. Nor am I saying that slavery is a good or acceptable thing. However, it did and does happen. I'm uncomfortable with the mc having a slave, but that doesn't make the anime or the story or the characters are bad. I'd also like to point out that the mc doesn't treat or think of his "slaves" as slaves. Maybe this isn't the case at first, but it pretty clearly is by the end of the season.

The main character is framed of sexual assault by the supposed victim. I don't see what the problem is with that. People have been wrongly accused of it in real life, is it common? No. Should we assume it is usually the case? No. However it happening in a work of fiction isn't making light of it. In fact the show kind revolves around the shear magnitude of that crime. It literally ruins the mc's life, no one thinks it is alright. Again just because something that makes you uncomfortable is in a show doesn't make the show, it's characters, or the story bad.

The uncomfortable topics in this show aren't pointless either. They serve to develop the story and characters. If your too uncomfortable with those topics that's fine. Don't watch it. You might dislike the show because of that, but that doesn't mean the show is of poor quality.

I'll be honest, homosexual characters in media make me uncomfortable. They do. I in no way am being critical, just explaining my personal feelings. So if a show has a lot of homosexual themes, I might not watch it. However, the only way that I think that having homosexual themes hinders the overall quality is if it is pointless. If a show tackles issues that make people uncomfortable for character/story reasons it is in no way a bad thing.

Let me be clear homosexuality is not bad, slavery and sexual assault are bad. The comparison I'm making is uncomfortable themes. Just because a show has them doesn't make it bad, just perhaps that it isn't a show for you.

Watch what your comfortable with, but don't write articles or reviews based on uneducated and purely subjective feelings. It doesn't help anyone, but yourself. Writing to process feelings and thoughts is fine, just keep it to yourself.