The Rise Of The Shield Hero Episodes

Okay, let’s talk The Rising of the Shield Hero. We all watched it, right? Or pretended to at least?

Seriously though, it sparked some *intense* discussions. Ready for my totally-not-controversial takes?

Episode 1: The Infamous Start

Episode one...whew. Talk about setting the stage. Naofumi gets summoned, gets betrayed, gets robbed. The works.

Honestly? I kind of admire his resilience. Most of us would be crying into our instant ramen. He just gets angry, and starts leveling up!

Here's where my unpopular opinion sneaks in. Maybe, *just maybe*, Raphtalia was a good addition early on? Think about it.

He needed *someone* to trust. I am not saying it was done perfectly, I am just saying...consider it. Okay?

Raphtalia's Rapid Growth Spurt

Speaking of Raphtalia...did anyone else feel like she aged up faster than their sourdough starter?

One minute she's a sickly kid, the next she's ready for battle. Anime logic, gotta love it. Also, a little creepy!

I'm not saying I *dislike* her character. Just that her development felt... accelerated. Like, warp-speed accelerated.

Filo: The Feathered Friend

Then there's Filo. A bird. That turns into a girl. Anime is a wild ride, my friends.

She's basically a feathered weapon of mass destruction. And also, surprisingly adorable. That little girl is really powerful!

Her obsession with pulling Naofumi's cart is… something. Talk about commitment to the team. I'd rather take an Uber.

The Waves: Plot Device or Actual Threat?

Let’s not forget those pesky Waves. The supposed reason everyone got summoned in the first place.

Honestly, did anyone *really* feel threatened by them? I mean, aside from the characters actually in the show?

They felt more like a plot device to push the story forward than an actual, looming apocalypse. Bring on the monsters... eventually.

Malty: The Villain We All Love to Hate

Ah, Malty. The queen of awful. Did she actually have any redeeming qualities?

Seriously, her villainy was so over-the-top, it became almost comical. Like a cartoon character, but evil and conniving.

It is safe to say that pretty much everyone hated her. And hated how long it took her to get her comeuppance.

Naofumi: The Reluctant Hero

And then there’s our main man, Naofumi. The ultimate reluctant hero. He is a grump. No doubt about that.

He goes from zero to hero by being angry and defensive. It is his superpower, maybe. Also, a big shield helps.

But deep down, (like, *really* deep down), he's got a good heart. Buried under layers of justified cynicism, to be fair.

Final Thoughts: Shield Hero - Worth the Watch?

So, was *The Rising of the Shield Hero* worth watching? Absolutely!

It's flawed, sure. But it's also entertaining, engaging, and full of characters you either love or love to hate.

Plus, who doesn't love a good underdog story? Even if that underdog is armed with a shield and a whole lot of resentment?