Katana Hero

Katana Hero (刀の勇者) is the tenth episode of Season 2 and the thirty-fifth overall episode of The Rising of the Shield Hero anime.

Synopsis
Raphtalia is imprisoned in a Raybul Kingdom prison. She’s wary of L’Arc’s team, who is also imprisoned there, but asks them for help in escaping. Glass is weakened by the draining power of the prison. Raphtalia has a plan to escape, but…

Plot
Raphtalia is prisoner in a castle, her jailor warning that she'll be soon handed over to Kyo. She thinks about Naofumi and vows to survive long enough to rejoin him. She tries to escape, but her cell bars are magically made to drain her power if she attempts to escape. She sees that Glass, L'Arc and Therese are prisoners too, in the same cell.

Raphtalia doesn't trust them as they are Naofumi's enemies but agrees to make a truce for the time being in order to avenge Ost's death, stop Kyo and retrieve the Spirit Tortoise's power. The tanuki girl recounts how Naofumi's party ended up in the Infinite Labyrinth but managed to escape bringing Kizuna along. According to L'Arc, they are trapped inside the Prison of Exhaustion, a place designed to drain and tire all prisoners inside, the guards having their powers augmented via magical talismans - and the effects are even worse on Spirit people, for it drains their very life force. Moreover, Vassal Weapons cannot be taken away from their users, just like the Cardinal Weapons. Even with her weakened powers, Raphtalia rapidly devises an escape plan (she uses her illusion magic to trick the guard into opening the cell door, then steals his magic talisman and fires a golden magic beam through the wall) and they go into the nearby forest, intending to reach Sikul. Next day, walking in disguise, the group agrees to reach Raybul's Dragon Hourglass so they'll meet Kizuna and Naofumi at Sikul much faster. Therese reveals some gems she hid in her clothes, allowing them to purchase new clothes and give Raphtalia food - lots of it. Later, they practice some level grinding, and L'Arc notices Raphtalia's body has grown some more. Night falls and Glass tailors the tanuki girl's kimono to better fit her size, and she casually comments about Kizuna's haori, much to Glass's happiness. Next day, they notice that near the Dragon Hourglass is happening at Raybul a contest to select the new owner of the Vassal Katana. Among the candidates, the group sees "genius mage" Kazuki, but as he prepares to unsheathe the Katana, the weapon immediately repels him... and instantly goes to Raphtalia's hands, leaving her completely bewildered.

Kazuki accuses Raphtalia of stealing "his" katana and sends the guards to capture her. They also notice that Raphtalia wielding the Vassal Katana instantly erased her slave crest. The tanuki girl departs from Glass's party carrying the katana, with the guards in pursuit, and then she notices the Katana's power completely restoring her adult body. Reassuring her vow to return to Naofumi's side, she manages to arrive at a huge Shinto-style shrine, where she's greeted by the local miko (shrine maiden), who leads her inside. The miko strips her naked, embarrassing her, but then gives her new clothes and explains her clan served the Katana Hero for several generations. As she leaves the shrine, Kazuki and his guards arrive, demanding the Vassal Katana and intending even to kill Raphtalia if she doesn't give up her weapon. Kazuki feels outraged when Raphtalia compares him to Kyo and presents her with two clones of Byakko (white tiger) Guardian Beast, whom Raphtalia kills very easily. Kazuki still doesn't give up, but Raphtalia rapidly immobilizes him via Instant Blade: Mist, opening a near-lethal wound on his chest. Kazuki explains he needs the Vassal Katana in order to overthrow Kyo, but Raphtalia serenely warns him that the Shield Hero is coming to get revenge for Ost and departs ignoring Kazuki's pleas completely.

Outside the shrine, Raphtalia sees herself cornered by an even bigger Byakko clone, but she's too weak to fight it. Suddenly she notices Naofumi, Filo, Rishia, and Kizuna coming to her rescue and killing the tiger clone effortlessly. Rahtalia notices how happy Naofumi is to see her again. Even without her slave crest, Raphtalia is more than happy to see her party again as she warmly hugs Naofumi.

Light Novel & Manga Differences

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Trivia

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