On October 6, 2023, the much awaited third season of the Japanese anime series The Rising of the Shield Hero is scheduled to premiere. Following a rather disappointing second season, this season promises to be a new beginning for the show. With great anticipation, fans are expecting a spectacular return in the next episode. Their anticipations have been heightened by the publication of a new trailer.
Renowned isekai anime adaption The Rising of the Shield Hero is based on the light novel series by Aneko Yusagi. The protagonist of the tale is Naofumi Iwatani, a laid-back young man from Japan who is called into a parallel world together with three other young men from different planets. Their goal is to defeat Waves, an interdimensional army of monsters, and emerge as the world’s Cardinal Heroes. Legendary gear is provided upon every hero upon their summoning. While the others are equipped with offensive weapons, Naofumi is given the Legendary Shield, a special defense device.
When Naofumi’s only friend—who turns out to be the princess of the kingdom—accuses him of sexual assault without evidence, robs him of all he owns, and abandons him, his life takes a terrible turn. Once a hero to be trusted, both nobles and commoners turn against him and he becomes a pariah.
Naofumi trains as a hero in solitude, barely making ends meet in an attempt to survive. Eventually, he buys an egg that hatches into a monster that resembles a bird and names it “Filo,” as well as a young tanuki demi-human girl named Raphtalia. They grow quickly under his tutelage into strong warriors. Together, they gradually fulfill their purpose as saviors by winning the people’s confidence and gratitude by valiant acts. Aware of the danger, they also try to solve the mystery surrounding the Waves they pose not only to their world but to others as well.