The highly anticipated Season 3 of The Rising of the Shield Hero is set to make its debut on October 6 at 9:00 PM JST on AT-X, followed by broadcasts on other stations. Fans are eagerly awaiting the continuation of this beloved anime series.
The series had an earlier world premiere screening at Anime Expo on July 3, with additional worldwide premieres in Paris and Austin in July, Mannheim, Germany, and Toronto in August, culminating in a Tokyo premiere alongside the cast on October 1.
The Rising of the Shield Hero is a widely acclaimed anime and light novel series that has taken the world of fantasy enthusiasts by storm. Set in a richly imagined world where four legendary heroes are summoned to protect the world from an impending disaster, this story diverges from the conventional hero’s journey in a truly unique and intriguing way.
The series includes redemption, resilience, and personal growth as Naofumi transforms from a mistrusted outcast into a powerful hero. With themes of trust, friendship, and the consequences of hatred, this series offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition in a fantasy world.
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The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Staff
In the third season of The Rising of the Shield Hero, Hitoshi Haga takes the role of director, succeeding Takao Abo from the first season and Masato Jinbo from the second season. Keigo Koyanagi continues to oversee the scripts. Kevin Penkin returns to compose the music, while Kinema Citrus oversees animation production.
The character designs are handled by Franziska van Wulfen and Sana Komatsu, working alongside Masahiro Suwa. Kōta Sera, the previous seasons’ chief animation director, is now credited for his collaboration on the character designs.
Originally published as a web novel on the user-generated novel site Shōsetsuka ni Narō, The Rising of the Shield Hero was later expanded by Media Factory with added illustrations by Seira Minami. As of June 25, 2019, the novel series consists of twenty-two volumes.
It was also adapted into a manga series by Aiya Kyū and published by Media Factory, with twenty-three volumes available as of June 22, 2023. Both the novel and manga series were licensed by One Peace Books and have been available in North America since 2015. A 25-episode anime television series, produced by Kinema Citrus, aired from January to June 2019, with a second season co-produced by DR Movie that aired from April to June 2022.
The Plot
The Four Cardinal Heroes are ordinary men summoned from modern-day Japan to save the kingdom of Melromarc from recurring catastrophic Waves. Naofumi Iwatani, known as the “Shield Hero,” is cursed with only a shield, making him the target of ridicule due to his weak offensive abilities.
Betrayed and falsely accused by a comrade, he faces discrimination and hatred from the kingdom’s people. Determined to clear his name, Naofumi embarks on a journey, eventually acquiring Raphtalia, a demi-human slave, as his companion. Together, they must confront the impending Waves and protect Melromarc from its tragic fate, battling adversity and mistrust along the way.
As Naofumi deals with the betrayal of the kingdom and the hostility of its people, he must adapt to his role as the Shield Hero, the embodiment of defense and protection. He is forced to rely on his wits, cunning, and a growing group of unconventional allies to survive and uncover the truth behind the kingdom’s conspiracies. It’s a story of hope, strength, and determination that challenges traditional fantasy tropes and keeps viewers hooked with its compelling characters and intricate world-building.
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