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The Rising of the Shield Hero

2019 – nowShow5 seasons62 episodesTV-14

Action & AdventureAnimation
76
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.6Rotten Tomatoes–69%

A moving, tense animated series about fantasy and the mind.

Good for friends night · teens · binge-friendly

Where to watch

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Not for laughs.

Shows with

Episodes

5 seasons · 62 episodes · best: S1E21 "Naofumi's Triumphant Return" 9.1

Episodes

8.1
6.9
7.3
7.1

Story

Our regrets make us stronger.

Iwatani Naofumi, a run-of-the-mill otaku, finds a book in the library that summons him to another world. He is tasked with joining the sword, spear, and bow as one of the Four Cardinal Heroes and fighting the Waves of Catastrophe as the Shield Hero. Excited by the prospect of a grand adventure, Naofumi sets off with his party. However, merely a few days later, he is betrayed and loses all his money, dignity, and respect. Unable to trust anyone anymore, he employs a slave named Raphtalia and takes on the Waves and the world. But will he really find a way to overturn this desperate situation?

Feels like

  • Isekai Revenge Fantasy
  • Psychological Trauma & Recovery
  • Found Family Dynamics
  • Game Mechanics World-Building
  • Social Betrayal Narrative
  • Melancholic Hero's Journey
  • Subversive Tropes
  • Emotional Catharsis
  • Fantasy Action Adventure

Cast

13 of 13 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Takao Abo, Hitoshi Haga, Masato Jimbo
Written by
Keigo Koyanagi, Aneko Yusagi, Ohine Ezaki
Produced by
Nobuhiko Kurosu, Hiroyasu Taniguchi, Toyokazu Nakahigashi
Music by
Kevin Penkin, Alfredo Sirica, Natalie Jeffreys

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

January 9, 2019 · September 24, 2025 · Still running

First aired
January 9, 2019
Latest episode
September 24, 2025
Status
Still running
Length
5 seasons · 62 episodes
Age rating
TV-14
Content
Violence, Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan, South Korea
Available in
128 countries

Tropes

Agitated Item Stomping, You Are Not Alone, Big Damn Heroes +9

  • Agitated Item Stomping
  • You Are Not Alone
  • Big Damn Heroes
  • "Blind Idiot" Translation
  • The Goomba
  • Laser-Guided Karma
  • Please, Don't Leave Me
  • Matriarchy
  • Poison and Cure Gambit
  • Public Execution
  • Evolving Weapon
  • Fantastic Racism

12 of 243 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Rising of the Shield Hero?"

Questions about The Rising of the Shield Hero

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Rising of the Shield Hero?

NetflixHuluCrunchyroll

In the United States, The Rising of the Shield Hero streams on Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. It also streams in 126 other countries.

Is The Rising of the Shield Hero worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76 (IMDb 7.6).

Which season of The Rising of the Shield Hero is best?

Season 1, with an IMDb average of 8.1. Season 2 is the weakest at 6.9. The highest-rated episode is Naofumi's Triumphant Return (season 1, episode 21) at 9.1, and the lowest is Flowers Offered in Recollection (season 2, episode 13) at 5.7.

Is The Rising of the Shield Hero okay for kids?

TV-14ViolenceSexual contentDisturbing imagery

Not for young kids: it's rated TV-14 in the United States for violence, sexual content, and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

How long does it take to watch The Rising of the Shield Hero?

25 h

About 25 hours: 62 episodes in 5 seasons of about 24 minutes each since 2019, and it's still in production.

Is The Rising of the Shield Hero in English?

Japanese

No, it was made in Japanese.

What tropes does The Rising of the Shield Hero use?

Agitated Item StompingYou Are Not AloneBig Damn Heroes"Blind Idiot" TranslationThe GoombaLaser-Guided KarmaPlease, Don't Leave MeMatriarchyPoison and Cure GambitPublic ExecutionEvolving WeaponFantastic Racismand 231 more

TV Tropes lists 243 tropes for it, including Agitated Item Stomping, You Are Not Alone, and Big Damn Heroes.