Anime

​​​​The Rising of the Shield Hero (''盾の勇者の成り上がり)​​ anime series produced by is an adaptation based on the Light Novel series written by Aneko Yusagi.

A second season will premiere October 2021. A third season has been announced.

Synopsis
Stories of old tell of four otherworldly heroes—wielding the sword, spear, bow, and shield—who defended the land from wave after wave of calamity. With the fate of the world in balance, the kingdom of Melromarc summons these legendary figures; in modern-day Japan, the call is answered, and the unwitting heroes are transported to this fantasy universe.

Thrust into Melromarc and given the title of "Shield Hero," otaku Naofumi Iwatani is labeled the weakest due to his lack of offensive capability and apparent inexperience. When the heroes part ways to start their journeys, he only has one willing companion: the beautiful princess Malty Melromarc. However, she soon betrays him, steals all his money, and accuses him of raping her.

For his alleged crimes, Naofumi is branded a criminal and made an outcast of society. With hatred filling his heart, he sets out alone, vowing vengeance against those who wronged him.

Background
The Rising of the Shield Hero is based on Aneko Yusagi's light novel of the same title and mainly adapts the first five novels. While more faithful to the first novel, the second to the fifth novel is followed more loosely, for example; rewriting events, changes to the personalities of characters, and the addition of characters into the narrative which weren't originally there.

The worldwide premiere of episode 1 of The Rising of the Shield Hero anime debuted at Crunchyroll Expo on September 1st. The Crunchyroll co-production will be available to members worldwide except for Asia when the series kicks off as part of the winter 2019 anime season.

Staff

 * Original Work: Aneko Yusagi
 * Original Illustration: Seira Minami
 * Director: Tako Abo
 * Series Composition: Keigo Koyanagi
 * Character Design: Mashiro Suwa
 * Design Leader: Takeshi Takkura
 * Design Assistant: Shinpei Wada
 * Monster Design: Satoshi Mori
 * Action Setting: Yuka Kuroda
 * Prop Design: Ayako Sugimura
 * Color Coordination: Anna Okamatsu
 * Visual Adviser: Osamu Masuyama
 * Art: Shinsuke Kinoshita, Sachiko Nishiguchi, Seiko Akashi
 * 3D CG Director: Yushi Koshida
 * 2D Artist: Hydekick
 * Motion Graphics: Hidekatsu Uemura
 * Director of Photography: Yukiyo Kajiwara
 * Editing: Hitomi Sudo
 * Sound Production: Glovision
 * Sound Director: Fumiyuki Go
 * Music Kevin Penkin
 * Music Producer: Hiromitsu Iijima, Shunichi Uemura
 * Animation Production: Kinema Cirus & DRMOVIE

Music
Opening Themes:
 * RISE by MADKID (Episodes 2-12)
 * FAITH by MADKID (Episodes 13-19, Episodes 22-23)

Ending Themes:
 * RISE by MADKID (Episode 1)
 * Kimi no Namae by Chiai Fujikawa (Episodes 2-12, Episode 25)
 * Atashi ga Tonari ni Iru Uchi ni by Chiai Fujikawa (Episodes 13-20, Episodes 22-24)
 * Cold Illusions by Ryan Greaves (Episode 21)

Original Soundtracks:
 * Dusk by Kevin Penkins
 * Dawn by Kevin Penkins

Insert Song:
 * Falling Through Starlight by Asami Seto (Episode 4)
 * RISE by MADKID (Episode 20)

Trivia

 * When Aneko Yusagi was asked about their first impression towards the storyboard, Aneko replied "Was this really how it was like? I knew how the story went, but when I tried looking at it as my own work it felt like something else entirely."
 * When Aneko Yusagi was asked about their favorite episodes, Aneko replied "Episode 1-4."
 * When Aneko Yusagi was asked about their overall impression towards the anime, Aneko replied "I guess. It's like seeing the story from Raphtalia's point of view." (sugar-coated).
 * When Aiya Kyu was asked about the character designs and art for the Shield Hero anime, the manga artist replied, "I believe the illustrator for the novels, Minami Seira, is overseeing the whole thing in detail."
 * A limited edition light novel was packaged with the season 1 Blu-ray/DVD set.