The Rising of the Shield Hero: Season 1, Episode 25 “The Rising of the Shield Hero” [Season Finale] – Recap, Review (with Spoilers)

While The Rising of the Shield Hero technically comes to an end, it may actually be a new beginning.

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Network
Crunchyroll
Director(s)		Abo Takao
Writer(s)		Koyanagi Keigo
Air Date		6/26/2019
Introduced This Episode
Lecia	?

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A Battle For Survival: Glass, Naofumi

Back and forth Glass and Naofumi fight, with Glass willing to battle to the death for she feels, until the Cardinal Heroes are dead, the waves won’t end. For while the Cardinal Heroes don’t cross over into their world, it seems there is some strange connection between each world’s heroes and the waves.

Oh, by the way, Glass is a hero. Specifically, Glass is the Vassal Wielder or Fan Hero. So while she may appear to be a villain, that perception is false. Though, in Naofumi’s eyes, she might be for even as the clock ticks down, and the wave ends, it is made clear this fight will not end until one of them die.

A New Recruit: Lecia, Naofumi

As with the past waves, at least of late, Naofumi and his team did the majority of the work. However, in this episode, one of Itsuki’s now former team members deserve great credit. You see Lecia, a young woman, launched the alcohol that no one but Naofumi seems to have much of a tolerance for. Thanks to that, on top of greatly assisting Naofumi, she also outshone Itsuki. Which, as we’ve seen from the followers of the other heroes, outshining their leader is a huge no-no and likely one of the main reasons Naofumi is still demonized.

Yet, with it being a common person, Lecia finds herself accused of stealing and tossed out. Said embarrassment leads to her being suicidal, in a way not made to be taken serious, and so Naofumi offers to recruit her. Which, despite all that has been said about him, is an offer she gladly accepts. Well, after he offers kind words and acknowledges how great of a help she was in the waves.

Long Term Planning: Naofumi, Raphtalia, Queen Mirellia

Naofumi has been, for at least 6 or so episodes, prepping Raphtalia for the possibility of him not always being around. In this episode, he really triggers her by becoming the lord of the demi-human region Seyaette and Raphtalia being led to believe he is prepping her for life after he is gone. That is recovering her fishing town to its former glory, and training the locals so whether it is a wave or outsiders, they are prepared to protect their home. Leading to her having a full-on breakdown and Naofumi reassuring her.

However, whether he is doing so to qualm her fears or he is truly committed to sticking around is hard to say.

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. So does Naofumi not care about the little brother he was such a big influence on and the rest of his family?
2. What is the level cap in Raphtalia’s world?
3. Are Glass and the rest from Earth or is their other world just another version of the one the show is primarily set in?

Other Noteworthy Facts & Moments

• Naofumi is now level 73, Raphtalia 75, and Filo 76.

On The Fence

It Ends On A Ellipsis

From the fight with Glass to how the season, maybe series, who knows, ends, you don’t feel like you got a real conclusion. Which could be a good thing since maybe another season will be produced. However, unlike Goblin Slayer, there isn’t an explicit noting that The Rising of the Shield Hero will return. Thus leaving us with what feels like a 25 episode origin story. One which certainly had many high points but also for a good while now it has been just lacking any real pop. Even if you include Myne getting bit in the behind by karma.

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