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The Rising of the Shield Hero

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The Rising of the Shield Hero
First light novel volume cover, featuring Naofumi Iwatani (left), Raphtalia (middle), and Myne Sophia (top-right)
盾の勇者の成り上がり
(Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari)
Genre
Novel series
Written byAneko Yusagi
Published byShōsetsuka ni Narō
Original run2012 – present
Light novel
Written byAneko Yusagi
Illustrated bySeira Minami
Published byMedia Factory
English publisher
  • NA: One Peace Books
ImprintMF Books
DemographicMale
Original runAugust 22, 2013 – present
Volumes22 (List of volumes)
Manga
Written byAiya Kyū
Published byMedia Factory
English publisher
  • NA: One Peace Books
MagazineMonthly Comic Flapper
DemographicSeinen
Original runFebruary 5, 2014 – present
Volumes26 (List of volumes)
Manga
The Reprise of the Spear Hero
Written byNeet
Published byMedia Factory
English publisher
  • NA: One Peace Books
ImprintMF Comics
DemographicSeinen
Original runAugust 21, 2017 – January 26, 2023
Volumes11 (List of volumes)
Light novel
The Reprise of the Spear Hero
Written byAneko Yusagi
Illustrated byMinami Seira
Published byMedia Factory
English publisher
  • NA: One Peace Books
ImprintMF Books
DemographicMale
Original runSeptember 25, 2017 – present
Volumes5 (List of volumes)
Further information
Anime television series
Directed by
Produced by
List
    • Hiroyasu Taniguchi
    • Kenichi Tokumura
    • Nobuhiko Kurosu
    • Toyokazu Nakahigashi
    • Yasuhiro Nakajima
    • Junichirou Tamura (S1)
    • Mitsuhiro Ogata (S1)
    • Naoki Kishida (S1–2)
    • Shou Nakata (S1–2)
    • Takashi Tachizaki (S1–2)
    • Yutaka Kashiwagi (S1–2)
    • Masakatsu Umeda (S2)
    • Kousuke Arai (S2–3)
    • Aya Iizuka (S3)
    • Masashi Hirayama (S3)
Written by
  • Keigo Koyonagi
  • Kinema Citrus (S3)
Music byKevin Penkin
Studio
Licensed by
Original networkAT-X, Tokyo MX, TVA, KBS, SUN, TVQ, BS11
English network
Original run January 9, 2019 – present
Episodes50 (List of episodes)
Manga
Tate no Yūsha no to aru Ichi Nichi
Written byAkagashi
Published byKadokawa
MagazineComic Dengeki Daioh "g"
DemographicShōnen
Original runSeptember 27, 2018 – June 27, 2020
Volumes3 (List of volumes)
Manga
Tate no Yūsha no Oshinagaki
Written byTendou Akano
Published byKadokawa
ImprintMF Comics
DemographicSeinen
Original runAugust 21, 2019 – present
Volumes7 (List of volumes)
icon Anime and manga portal

The Rising of the Shield Hero (Japanese: 盾の勇者の成り上がり, Hepburn: Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari) is a Japanese light novel series written by Aneko Yusagi. Originally published as a web novel in the user-generated novel site Shōsetsuka ni Narō, the series has since been published by Media Factory with an expanded story-line featuring illustrations by Seira Minami. As of June 25, 2019, 22 volumes have been published.

The novel series was adapted into a manga series by Aiya Kyū and published by Media Factory, with 26 tankōbon volumes released as of October 22, 2024. Both the novel and manga series were licensed by One Peace Books and were published in North America starting in September 2015. The 25-episode anime television series adaptation produced by Kinema Citrus aired from January to June 2019. A second season, co-produced by DR Movie, aired from April to June 2022. A third season aired from October to December 2023. A fourth season has been announced.

Plot

[edit]
See also: List of The Rising of the Shield Hero characters

Naofumi Iwatani, an easygoing Japanese youth, was summoned into a parallel world along with three other young Japanese men from parallel universes to become the world's Cardinal Heroes and fight inter-dimensional hordes of monsters called Waves. Only by constantly fighting against the waves can they return to their own world. Each of the heroes were respectively equipped with their own legendary equipment when summoned. Naofumi happened to receive the Legendary Shield, the sole defensive equipment, while the other heroes received respectively a sword, a spear, and a bow, weapons meant for attack. Furthermore, the “status magic” all four also have make it like they are in a computer game, except Naofumi is the only member of the group who hasn’t played one. Because of these differences, he quickly is considered weak, and so as the other heroes are fully supported by the kingdom and gain several strong allies each, Naofumi's luck turns to the worse after his single companion, revealed to be the kingdom's princess, betrays him, steals all his belongings, and leaves him devoid of all assistance and supplies by framing him of sexually assaulting her.

Mocked by the nobility and shunned by everyone from his fellow heroes to peasants, a now cynical Naofumi, with nothing but his legendary equipment and current outfit that he bought prior, is forced to train as a hero alone while working to make ends meet, until he buys from a slave trader a young tanuki demi-human girl named Raphtalia, and later an egg that hatches into a bird-like monster whom he names "Filo", both quickly growing into adulthood and becoming powerful warriors under his care. As they little by little gain the trust and gratitude of the people with their heroic actions, Naofumi and his companions work together to carry out their mission as saviors as they unravel the mystery of the Waves and the reason why they are a threat not only to their world, but to other worlds as well. This is not a story about revenge in another world, nor is it a story about how a hero is born, but a story about mutual redemption after establishing connections with companions.

Media

[edit]

Light novel

[edit]
Further information: List of The Rising of the Shield Hero volumes § Light novel

Originally published as a web novel, the series has been re-written with an expanded story-line. The series is currently published by Media Factory and features illustrations by Seira Minami. As of June 25, 2019, 22 volumes have been published. The novel series and the spin-off novel The Reprise of the Spear Hero was licensed by One Peace Books.[4]

Manga

[edit]
Further information: List of The Rising of the Shield Hero volumes § Manga

The light novel series was adapted into a manga series by Aiya Kyū and published by Media Factory, with 26 tankōbon volumes released as of October 22, 2024.[5] Both the novel and manga series were licensed by One Peace Books and were published in North America starting in September 2015.[6]

Spin-off

[edit]

A comedy spin-off series was released in the 61st issue of Kadokawa Dengeki Daioh G.[7] The four-panel comedy manga, titled A Day in the Life of the Shield Hero (盾の勇者のとある一日, Tate no Yūsha no to Aru 1-Nichi), was drawn by Akagashi.

Anime

[edit]
Further information: List of The Rising of the Shield Hero episodes

An anime adaptation was announced in June 2017.[8] The television series is produced by Kinema Citrus and directed by Takao Abo,[9] with Keigo Koyanagi handling series composition, Masahiro Suwa designing the characters, and Kevin Penkin composing the music.[10] The series aired from January 9 to June 26, 2019, on AT-X and other channels.[11] It ran for 25 episodes.[12]

The first opening theme is "Rise", performed by Madkid, while the first ending theme is "Kimi no Namae" (きみの名前), performed by Chiai Fujikawa.[13] The second opening theme is "Faith," performed by Madkid, while the second ending theme is "While I'm Next to You" (あたしが隣にいるうちに, Atashi ga Tonari ni Iru Uchi ni), performed by Fujikawa.[14] For episode 4, Asami Seto sang an insert song titled "Falling Through Starlight" as her character Raphtalia.[15] Both Crunchyroll and Funimation streamed the series.[16][17][18] Crunchyroll streamed the show in both the original Japanese version and the English dub.[19] Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia and is streaming it on Aniplus Asia, iQIYI, bilibili, Netflix, and Disney+ Hotstar.[20][21][22][23][24] Funimation started streaming the dub on May 1, 2019.[25] Originally intending to air the English dub simultaneously with the original Japanese, Crunchyroll announced that there would be a two-week delay in the release of the English version on May 14, the day before episode 19, "The Four Cardinal Heroes", was scheduled to release.[26]

At 2019's Crunchyroll Expo, it was announced that the series would receive a second and third season.[27] Masato Jinbo replaced Takao Abo as director, and the rest of the staff members reprised their roles; Kinema Citrus is joined by DR Movie for animation production.[28] During "Kadokawa Light Novel Expo 2020", it was originally revealed that the second season would premiere in October 2021,[29] but it was later delayed.[30] The second season aired from April 6 to June 29, 2022.[31] It ran for 13 episodes.[32] In Southeast Asia, Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the second season and is simulcasting it on Aniplus Asia, bilibili, IQIYI, and Netflix.[33][34][35][36] The opening theme is "Bring Back", performed by Madkid, while the ending theme is "Yuzurenai" (ゆずれない), performed by Chiai Fujikawa.[37] On May 2, 2022, Crunchyroll announced that the second season would begin airing its dub on May 4.[38]

The third season is directed by Hitoshi Haga, with the rest of the staff from the previous season returning, with Alfredo Sirica and Natalie Jeffreys also joining as additional composers.[39][40] It aired from October 6 to December 22, 2023.[41] The opening theme is "Sin", performed by Madkid, while the ending theme is "Suki ni Natte wa Ikenai Riyū" (好きになってはいけない理由), performed by Chiai Fujikawa.[42] On October 19, 2023, Crunchyroll announced that the third season would begin airing its dub the following day.[43]

In January 2024, it was announced that a fourth season was in production.[44]

Video games

[edit]

A mobile game titled Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari Rerise (盾の勇者の成り上がり RERISE) was released for Android and iOS devices on February 24, 2021.[45] An adaptation of the anime titled The Rising of the Shield Hero: Relive the Animation was released for Steam on September 24, 2019, for Android and iOS devices on October 24, 2019.[46]

Reception

[edit]

Sales and accolades

[edit]

The light novel series had over 3.3 million volumes in print by December 2018,[47] and the manga series had 1 million tankobon volumes in print by January 2019.[48] By April 2019, the light novels and manga have sold a combined 6.2 million copies in Japan, after their sales increased by 1.2 million copies in two months, mainly due to the success of the anime series.[49]

At the 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2020, the character Raphtalia was selected as Best Girl, while Billy Kametz was awarded the Best Voice Artist Performance (English) for his role as Naofumi Iwatani. Kevin Penkin was nominated in the Best Score category for his series' work.[50][51]

Reception and controversy in North America

[edit]

When the anime series began airing in North America, the first episode came under controversy. Several Anime News Network reviewers criticized the show for its framing of a false rape accusation,[52] and the protagonist purchasing a girl as a slave was controversial.[53][54] When the show's producer Junichiro Tamura was asked about it, he responded that there "have not been any controversies regarding the series in Japan, so it is difficult to say. In the case there were any controversy domestically, we will try to address all issues with the staff and people involved to bring our customers a better product the next time."[55]

Reviews of subsequent episodes have been generally positive. Theron Martin of Anime News Network gave a rating of B− for the first two episodes, stating "the series looks like it's gotten over its initial problematic hump and should hopefully slide into a more agreeable story flow."[56] He gave a B+ rating for the third episode, stating that "the series seems like it's angling to build Naofumi up more as a folk hero than the famously brazen heroes we're used to seeing in fantasy stories" and that "episode 3 gives the best argument to date for the series' possible potential."[57]

The second season received heavy scrutiny from both the audience[58] and reviewers[59] due to its fast pacing and changes to the source material.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Formerly known as Funimation.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "話題のダークファンタジーや超人気シリーズの最新刊登場！ ＭＦブックス6月新刊、6月24日発売！ そして『盾の勇者の成り上がり』アニメ化決定です!!!". Animeanime.jp (in Japanese). June 24, 2017. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019. 異世界で二度目の生を受けた元勇者の復讐劇を描く注目のダークファンタジー！ [Featured dark fantasy depicting the revenge of a former hero who received his second life in a different world!]
  2. ^ Luster, Joseph (December 8, 2018). "The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime Kicks Off the Fantasy in Second PV". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  3. ^ "Global Anime Brand Crunchyroll Reveals Inaugural Slate of Crunchyroll Originals". Anime News Network. February 26, 2020. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020. Crunchyroll has co-produced more than 60 series since 2015, working directly with partners in Japan to fund the production and creation of original anime including 'The Rising of The Shield Hero'
  4. ^ "One Peace Books Licenses Hinamatsuri, I Hear the Sunspot: Limit Manga, Reprise of the Spear Hero Novels". Anime News Network. April 10, 2018. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  5. ^ "盾の勇者の成り上がり (26)". Kadokawa. Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "One Peace Books Adds The Rising of the Shield Hero Fantasy Novel, Manga Series". Anime News Network. March 30, 2015. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  7. ^ "Rising of the Shield Hero Novels Get 4-Panel Spinoff Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "The Rising of the Shield Hero Fantasy Novels Get Anime". Anime News Network. June 22, 2017. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  9. ^ "Kadokawa Announces 2 New Anime Titles, Rising of the Shield Hero, Chio's School Road Staff". Anime News Network. July 1, 2017. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  10. ^ "The Rising of The Shield Hero Anime Unveils Main Cast, Staff". Anime News Network. August 9, 2018. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
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  12. ^ "The Rising of The Shield Hero Anime Listed With 25 Episodes". Anime News Network. January 11, 2019. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  13. ^ "The Rising of The Shield Hero Anime's Theme Song Artists Revealed". Anime News Network. November 25, 2018. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  14. ^ "MADKID, Chiai Fujikawa Perform Rising of the Shield Hero Anime's New Theme Songs". Anime News Network. February 28, 2019. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  15. ^ "Rising of the Shield Hero English Dub Will Include Alternative Insert Song for Episode 4". Anime News Network. January 31, 2019. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  16. ^ "Crunchyroll to Stream The Rising of the Shield Hero, A place further than the Universe Anime". Anime News Network. July 3, 2017. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  17. ^ "Funimation to Stream Rising of the Shield Hero Anime, Crunchyroll Announces Dub Cast". Anime News Network. December 20, 2018. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
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  25. ^ Funimation (April 30, 2019). "The Rising of the Shield Hero comes to FunimationNow dubbed!
    Episodes 1-15 debut TODAY and new episodes will launch weekly on Wednesdays at 9:30 am. CT!"    . @FUNimation. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
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  27. ^ "The Rising of The Shield Hero Anime Gets 2 More Seasons". Anime News Network. September 1, 2019. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  28. ^ "The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime's 2nd Season Premieres in 2021". Anime News Network. September 4, 2020. Archived from the original on September 5, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
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  30. ^ "The Rising of the Shield Hero 2 Anime Season Delayed to Next April". Anime News Network. July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  31. ^ "The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Slated for April 6". Anime News Network. March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
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  34. ^ "(@NetflixID) Sekilas info penting buat yang ngikutin The Rising of the Shield Hero: EPISODE 2 SEASON 2 UDAH TAYANG!". Twitter (in Indonesian). Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  35. ^ The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 HD | bilibili, retrieved April 7, 2022
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  37. ^ "MADKID, Chiai Fujikawa Perform Theme Songs for The Rising of the Shield Hero 2 Anime". Anime News Network. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  38. ^ "The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 English Dub Reveals Cast & Crew, Release Date". Crunchyroll. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  39. ^ 「盾の勇者の成り上がり」Season3のティザービジュアル公開、監督は垪和等が担当. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  40. ^ "The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Anime Unveils Visual, Director Change". Anime News Network. August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  41. ^ Mateo, Alex (September 13, 2023). "The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Anime Premieres on October 6". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  42. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 3, 2023). "The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Reveals More Cast, Theme Song Artists". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  43. ^ "The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 English Dub Reveals Cast and Crew, Release Date". Crunchyroll. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  44. ^ "The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime Gets 4th Season". Anime News Network. January 22, 2024. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  45. ^ "TVアニメ「盾の勇者の成り上がり」初のゲームアプリ！ スマートフォン向けRPG『盾の勇者の成り上がり～RERISE～』 ついに配信開始！" (in Japanese). 4Gamer.net. February 24, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  46. ^ 盾の勇者の成り上がり Reive The Animation. RPG Maker Official (in Japanese). September 16, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  47. ^ "Roundup of Newly Revealed Print Counts for Manga, Light Novel Series - December 2018". Anime News Network. January 1, 2019. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  48. ^ "Roundup of Newly Revealed Print Counts for Manga, Light Novel Series - January 2019". Anime News Network. February 2, 2019. Archived from the original on February 2, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  49. ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu (April 11, 2019). "The Rising of the Shield Hero Novel/Manga Series Has Printed 6.2 Million Copies in Japan". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  50. ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (January 11, 2020). "Carole & Tuesday, Demon Slayer, Vinland Saga Land Most Nominations for Crunchyroll's Anime Awards". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
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  53. ^ Valdez, Nick (March 24, 2019). "Here's Why Everyone is Up in Arms Over 'The Rising of the Shield Hero'". ComicBook.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  54. ^ Soberano, Ricky (November 9, 2020). "Can The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Redeem the Controversial Anime?". CBR. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
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  57. ^ "The Rising of The Shield Hero ‒ Episode 3". Anime News Network. January 24, 2019. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  58. ^ Valdez, Nick (April 24, 2022). "The Rising of the Shield Hero Fans Are Having Some Issues With Season 2". ComicBook.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  59. ^ "The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 ‒ Episodes 1-2". Anime News Network. October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
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