The Rising of the Shield Hero: Season 2

Today I’d like to talk about The Rising of the Shield Hero: Season 2 by manga author Aneko Yusagi and production companies Kinema Citrus and DR Movie.

The first season of the rising of the shield hero quickly became an Isekai favorite among anime fans across the entire world with its beautiful animation, deep lore, and incredible character development that will blow you away from the get-go.

The second season though, my god, where do I even begin? The second season which was highly anticipated especially after the first came with one noteworthy change in directors, with Masato Jinbo replacing Takao Abo.

We can’t say without a doubt whether this change in directors was the catalyst to the ruin of the second season or not however it’s clear as crystal that the second season had its problems even before its delay back in October 2021.

The pacing and plot are what killed it for me this season. There has been so much dialog this season you’d think there’s a reason for it yet nothing happens for the first five episodes so, in other words, all that dialog accumulates to nothing.

We ended the previous season with Fitoria, Queen of the Filolials pleading with Naofumi to make amends with the other three cardinal heroes yet they hardly appear in any episode for less than ten seconds, this includes the last episode of the second season where they were awarded for their hard work against the waves, yet we didn’t get to see that.

Matter a fact the other three cardinal heroes did nothing against Kyo Ethnina, nothing against the Spirit Tortoise, which this season is mainly focused on. Remind me again, what is their importance in the story?

There is no character development, at least not like in the first season and I say this because Raphtalia and Filo still portray the same dependence as they did for Naofumi in the first season. Even though now, Raphtalia is no longer a slave to Naofumi after the katana vassal weapon chooses her as its wielder.

Rishia Ivyred is perhaps the only character this season that exhibits any kind of development towards the end of the season by her being able to look at Itsuki Kawasumi without crying at first sight.

Now let’s talk about some of the good things about this season, which isn’t a lot in this case.

The Spirit Tortoise, Ost Hourai. The most beautiful lady in the series, hands down. Her character is easy-going, kind, enduring, and heartfelt to the very end. Her death also has the most impactful effect on the audience than anything else that happens this season.

Episodes six and twelve are by far the best episodes of this season, it’s in the quality of animation that distinguishes itself far apart from previous episodes, which are stale in comparison.

Another aspect I enjoyed about this season is the character Kizuna Kazayama, the hunting hero. Her passion and love towards her friends were genuinely shown to almost that of a child, even to those that were once enemies such as Yomogi Emarl.

Kizuna reminded me of Naofumi in so many ways, you’d think she’s a replica of the shield hero just in another world.

Raphtalia even mentioned that the way she negotiates with the blacksmith is similar to Naofumi, not to forget she’s the only character that was able to beat Naofumi in an argument, which was interesting to see in all honesty.

I recommend those light novel readers or manga readers who want to watch this season of the shield hero to go in it with no expectation whatsoever because it goes in a different route with the main villain Kyo Ethnina and the story.

We hardly see Kyo’s true intentions this season yet his pronounced dead, the mirror vassal weapon that was supposed to be Naofumi’s has been left in Glass’s world, Kyo Ethnina didn’t reveal his resurrection technique. Need I say more…

There are so many elements that have been changed with no explanation whatsoever that as a light novel and manga reader, you’d feel completely lost. Not even Filo’s flying abilities were explained lol…

I hope my honest opinions don’t make you feel some sort of way about my review but I have to be honest, we put a lot of time and effort into each of our reviews, we put our emotions into them while still trying to be objective at the end of the day, so to receive such an incomplete story just agitates me in the wrong way.

By the way, did anyone notice that Yomogi at the end of episode eleven was teleported with Kizuna yet at the beginning of episode twelve she’s with Naofumi, did I miss something?

Season three of the rising of the shield hero has been confirmed without a release date, however, I am more inclined to let that season slide to the left.

We are left with more questions than answers however Kevin Penkins is the one person that doesn’t derail with his beautiful music throughout this season.

Let us know what some of your favorite or shocking moments were down in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading…