In the anime series "The Rising of the Shield Hero," the protagonist Naofumi Iwatani is summoned to another world to become one of the Four Cardinal Heroes. However, unlike the other heroes who possess offensive abilities, Naofumi is cursed with the defensive Shield Hero class. Throughout the series, Naofumi faces numerous challenges and hardships due to this cursed destiny. From the beginning, Naofumi's cursed destiny sets him apart from the other heroes. While they are showered with praise and support, Naofumi is immediately met with hostility and suspicion. The people of the kingdom he is summoned to see him as the weakest and least valuable hero due to his inability to deal direct damage.
Something that is mostly out of your own control is literally other people. That is what the other 3 heroes represent. These 3 dimwitted, thick-headed heroes seem to be working more for themselves, rather than working together. That fact is further highlighted by Fitoria this episode, stating the same as she did the previous season, that she would kill all 4 of them to summon new heroes—if they don’t find out a way to work together.
That is Rishia being a significant character alongside Naofumi s party and the next plot involves another calamity-like event surrounding the revival of this unknown Spirit Tortoise. Before advancing to the main plot of defeating the next wave, it looks like Naofumi and crew will have to take what seems to be a side-quest of some sort.
The people of the kingdom he is summoned to see him as the weakest and least valuable hero due to his inability to deal direct damage. This prejudice and discrimination are fueled by a false accusation of sexual assault, leading to Naofumi's isolation and despair. As the series progresses, Naofumi's cursed destiny becomes a catalyst for his growth and development.
Rising of the Shield Hero: Naofumi Doesn’t Always Need To Be Right
Okay, Episode 19 is out and I’m about to get controversial:
To save a long story short, the heroes need to work together to stop the Pope from killing each other. So the four heroes decide to present a united front and defeat the bad guy right?
Instead, they have to spend a good several minutes talking to get Naofumi to help out after he lectures them on everything they did wrong before he suddenly decides to work with them after they know how wrong they were. Now, I’ve criticized their actions and how those villagers had time to clear out the dragon instead of profiting off his slaying of it, so I don’t sympathize with them. But what I want to bring to attention here is Naofumi’s reluctance to help out and instead plan things out with his party since he’s confident they can survive without the other three heroes help…
The issue here is that it’s all bullshit because he knows that if any of them die, Chocobo Queen is going to kill all the remaining heroes. He knows this. He promised her he would try to make amends and when presented with the perfect opportunity, he decides he’s just going to talk crap and get them fighting amongst themselves…
Right in front of the enemy who is going to kill them all, giving them a chance to power up. They paused the action just so that he could lecture them.
Are you kidding me?
This is the moment I remembered why I hated this part despite the anime doing so much better than the manga in taming the darker aspects of Naofumi’s personality.
Now, I get he might not like the thought of working with them. After all, the source of his problems are right there (seriously, Firo, you could have let Myne die and we’d all be better for it), but that ship has largely sailed when the enemy is holding a tactical nuke to their face. Hell, the Pope even calls them out on this. Rightfully so.
Worse, the lecture isn’t even accurate.
Starting with last episode Naofumi’s been spewing a load of hot air when you consider his lecture about how his party could match Motoyatsu’s was because they trained harder. Last I checked, he’s still underleveled and his party literally just copied a technique they stole from Motoyatsu’s. One that Spear’s party worked towards, only for the girls on Naofumi’s party to get it in one-shot in order to one up his. He didn’t train to get that.
And last I checked, the heroes couldn’t defeat the Soul Eater because they couldn’t find the damn thing. Hell, even when they did find it they all did jack-all since they were all underleveled since they haven’t been fighting the Waves in other countries. Naofumi had to use a self-burning curse while they guarded him, and they still ran when Glass showed up because of said being underleveled.
Now, I love the beauty of the struggle with characters. Seeing them fall low and then rise up again is a beautiful thing to me. It’s why I loved the series at first. But this right here reminded me why I fell out of love with the series.
Naofumi has to be right, even when it doesn’t make sense. I can only have blinders on for so long when someone’s stupidity should have gotten them killed. That’s why I don’t bother with Motoyatsu. He’s too stupid to live but too strong to die.
Worse, the lecture isn’t even accurate.
Determined to prove his worth and seek justice, he embraces his role as the Shield Hero and starts working diligently to improve his defensive abilities. Through his determination, Naofumi gains a deeper understanding of his role as a protector and learns to utilize his unique skills creatively. He forms alliances with unexpected allies, such as the demi-human race, and builds a loyal group of companions. Despite his growth, Naofumi continues to face adversities directly connected to his cursed destiny. The Shield Hero class presents its own set of challenges, making battles more difficult and exhausting for Naofumi compared to the other heroes. He is often forced to resort to unconventional tactics and strategies to overcome these obstacles. However, his resilience and resourcefulness ultimately help him triumph over enemies and prove his capabilities. Naofumi's cursed destiny also serves as a reflection of the flaws within the society he resides in. Through his experiences, the anime explores themes of prejudice, discrimination, and the abuse of power. The unjust treatment Naofumi faces highlights the consequences of blind trust and the dangers of spreading false information. It also prompts the audience to question the nature of heroism and the expectations placed upon individuals solely based on their class or abilities. "The Rising of the Shield Hero" portrays the journey of Naofumi Iwatani as he struggles with his cursed destiny while striving to protect the world he has been summoned to. The series showcases the importance of perseverance, resilience, and the ability to rise above adversity. Naofumi's story serves as a reminder that one's destiny may be cursed, but it is up to the individual to define their own path and overcome the challenges that come their way..
Reviews for "The Shield Hero's Cursed Path: A Tale of Betrayal and Redemption"
1. John - 2/5 - I found "The Shield Hero and His Cursed Destiny" to be a disappointment. The storyline was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to feel invested in their journey. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, with cringe-worthy attempts at humor. Overall, the anime failed to leave a lasting impression and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and immersive series.
2. Emily - 1/5 - "The Shield Hero and His Cursed Destiny" was a complete letdown. The animation was subpar and the visuals lacked any wow-factor. The plot was poorly executed and felt disjointed, making it difficult to follow the story. Additionally, the character development was lacking, leaving the protagonists feeling flat and unrelatable. The series also relied heavily on clichés, making it feel like a recycled attempt at a fantasy anime. Overall, I was highly disappointed and would advise others to skip this show.
3. Michael - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Shield Hero and His Cursed Destiny," but it fell short in many aspects. The pacing was off, with the story dragging in some episodes and rushing through important plot points in others. The main character's personality was inconsistent and made it hard to connect with him emotionally. While the concept of a cursed destiny sounded intriguing, the execution was lackluster, with a lack of depth and complexity. Ultimately, I found myself losing interest as the series failed to deliver a satisfying narrative.
4. Sarah - 1/5 - "The Shield Hero and His Cursed Destiny" was a huge disappointment. The writing was weak, with plot holes and inconsistencies that left me questioning the logic of the world. The animation was also below average, with amateurish character designs and uninspiring battle scenes. The dialogue was cringe-worthy at times, with unnecessary fan service that detracted from the overall story. The series failed to live up to the hype and left me feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in any potential sequels.