Table of Contents
With being unable to cross into Siltvelt, the team encounters someone connected to Raphtalia’s past as someone’s slave.
| Network | ||
| Crunchyroll | ||
| Director(s) | Abo Takao | |
| Writer(s) | Koyanagi Keigo | |
| Air Date | 4/10/2019 | |
| Introduced This Episode | ||
| Van Reichnott | ? | |
| Idol Rabier | ? | |
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Borderlands: Naofumi, Raphtalia, Melty, Van, Myne
With Myne setting fires to the forest, to smoke out Naofumi, telling local lords Naofumi is doing it, thus keeping him from crossing borders, it makes the idea of heading into Selvelt impossible. Yet, as much as there is the alternative of meeting Melty and Myne’s mother, crossing between provinces could be just as hard as the border. Luckily though, Melty knows a local lord named Van Reichnott. A man who is friendly to demi-humans which makes him quite different from what many demi-humans are used to. Especially Raphtalia who finds being in Seyaette triggering – for it is the province of her former village. A place ransacked by Melromarc soldiers and commoners during the first wave.
The Plight of Demi-Humans: Raphtalia, Idol, Naofumi, Melty, Van
But, even years later, now technically free herself, Raphtalia sees nothing has changed. For during the short time everyone stays at Van’s mansion, she finds no peace. Perhaps because, like Melty, she finds her inability to do anything a heavy weight to bear. Yet, then comes Idol Rabier. That man, an adjacent lord, one who praises the same God and participates in the same church as Myne, basically kidnaps Van and ransacks his home. All to find Melty and Naofumi – in extension.
However, before Idol does any more damage to Van’s home, Melty comes out and leaves with him. Hoping she can keep Naofumi and his kids safe, and maybe speak to her father directly. A naïve goal.
Rescuing Melty: Raphtalia, Idol, Naofumi, Melty, Van, Filo
While it does cross Naofumi’s mind to leave Melty behind, she has won him over. So, with Raphtalia and Filo, they storm Idol’s castle, and we learn a handful of things. First and foremost, Idol is trash since he is torturing Van to learn where Naofumi is and is willing to do the same with Melty. Second, we learn Idol was Raphtalia’s former owner and with that, we’re set up to learn her backstory in the next episode.
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Based off the way Idol acts, how in the world did Raphtalia end up with Dorei-shou? Did he sell her to him or did she run away and Dorei-shou acquired her?
- What was in that basement Raphtalia wanted to go into?
- How do the lords or leader of Siltvelt feel about how demi-humans are treated in Melromarc?
Highlights
Addressing The Prejudice
In a lot of fantasy anime, it is established there is prejudice between different races, but it isn’t necessarily dived into that much. It’s like, we should be glad culture is being addressed at all. However, with The Rising of the Shield Hero, things are being taken to the next level as, instead of just a supporting character experiencing the prejudice, we’re seeing them address someone who oppressed them. Possibly, we may watch her get tortured, and him interrogated about the why of it.
Which, in turn, might help illuminate more information about this church so many noble people seem to follow. Heck, it might even explain why the shield hero is a noted friend to demi-humans and is treated like a social pariah to many. I mean, imagine if Naofumi, outside of Melromarc, is treated like a prophet or holy figure.
Taking Note Of What Happened During The Waves Outside of The Capital
Sometimes it seems the waves are simply the western nations of the continent trying to conquer Melromarc. But rather than doing things the old fashion way, storming borders and all that, they try to come from the sky and attack villages and other areas to get a foothold somewhere and then expand. Which is all just a theory but with Raphtalia talking more about what happened during the waves when she was little, it pushes the idea they aren’t as isolated as they’ve seen thus far.
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| Season/ Episode | Synopsis | Director, Writer, and Introduced Actors | Topics & Focused Characters | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Season 1, Episode 25 “The Rising of the Shield Hero” [Season Finale] | While The Rising of the Shield Hero technically comes to an end, it may actually be a new beginning. |
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| Season 1, Episode 24 “Guardians of Another World” | In its penultimate episode, L’Arc and Therese reveal their true selves and Glass makes a long-awaited appearance. |
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| Season 1, Episode 23 “Cal Mira Archipelago” | What begins as just a regular day of defeating monsters and the Cardinal Heroes bickering turns into a stark realization. |
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| Season 1, Episode 22 “Four Heroes Council” | Despite Naofumi’s name being cleared, there remains many issues keeping the Cardinal Heroes from being on the same page. |
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| Season 1, Episode 21 “Naofumi’s Triumphant Return” | In pursuit of making things right with Naofumi, Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc seems willing to go to drastic means that even disturb Naofumi. |
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| Season 1, Episode 18 “A Conspiracy Linked” | The true mastermind behind Naofumi being harassed and treated like a social pariah reveals themselves to us. |
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| Season 1, Episode 19 “The Four Cardinal Heroes” | As Pope Balmus attempts to eviscerate the Cardinal Heroes, a few surprises appear and we’re clued in that Naofumi may get some reinforcements. |
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| Season 1, Episode 20 "Battle of Good and Evil" | As followers of the Pope die, so comes the question of whether or not one of the heroes may sacrifice themselves, Naofumi in particular, to save the rest? |
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| Season 1, Episode 15 “Raphtalia” | Raphtalia’s childhood up until when she was purchased by Naofumi is uncovered, and it is a tear-inducing tale. |
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| Season 1, Episode 16 “Filoial Queen” | Never mind the beasts from the last episode, all eyes are on the Filolial queen Fitoria. |
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| Season 1, Episode 17 “A Promise Made” | As Fitoria presents her ultimatum, the other heroes may have walked into a trap. |
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| Season 1, Episode 14 “Everlasting Memory” |  With being unable to cross into Siltvelt, the team encounters someone connected to Raphtalia’s past as someone’s slave. |
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| Season 1, Episode 13 “The Devil of the Shield” |  Are you tired of Myne? I’m tired of Myne, and luckily the heroes are reminded that she isn’t the benevolent person she pretends to be. |
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| Season 1, Episode 10 “In The Midst of Turmoil” | It seems Melty has a mission which could change Melromarc for better or worse. Also, Itsuki and Ren seem on the verge of fighting Naofumi. |
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| Season 1, Episode 11 “Catastrophe Returns” | While the 2nd wave has far more interesting battles than the first, it is the arrival of the character Glass that will be noteworthy. |
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| Season 1, Episode 12 “The Raven Invader” | While you may think the battle between the heroes and Glass would be the highlight of the episode, oh you got another thing coming! |
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| Season 1, Episode 9 “Melty” | Naofumi finds himself involved with a young girl named Melty, thanks to Filo, and he is under the impression she may bring nothing but trouble. |
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| Season 1, Episode 7 “The Savior of the Heavenly Fowl” | Raphtalia has it bad for Naofumi, as does Filo, and both are beginning to make plans on how to make him theirs. |
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| Season 1, Episode 8 “Curse Shield” | Remember that dragon Ren supposedly killed? Well, Naofumi and his girls end up having to face it because Ren didn’t finish the job. |
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| Season 1, Episode 6 “A New Comrade” | As Raphtalia gets jealous of Filo growing closer to Naofumi, we’re given an update on what the other heroes are doing. |
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| Season 1, Episode 5 “Filo” | We’re informally introduced to another kingdom this episode, alongside seeing that Myne and her father truly are trash. |
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| Season 1, Episode 4 “Lullaby at Dawn” | The Riding of the Shield Hero kicks things up a notch as Naofumi, once more, is coerced to play the villain thanks to Myne. |
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| Season 1, Episode 3 “Wave of Catastrophe” | Naofumi and Raphtalia experience their first demon wave, and Raphtalia begins to hear whispers of Naofumi’s past. |
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| Season 1, Episode 2 “The Slave Girl” | Naofumi gets his first follower and may begin to show the world the rumors about him are untrue. |
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The Rising of the Shield Hero lives up to what its trailer hyped and may provide oh so much more. |
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