The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 1 Review – Best In Show

Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts

The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 1 Review – Quick Summary

In The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 episode 1, “A New Roar,” Naofumi Iwatani tried hard to be a good ruler of Lurolona Village. It turned out he had a talent for it. He knew how to delegate to Raphtalia, Filo, and Melty. The kids even called him Shield-oneesan. Then one day, new and strange beasts attacked the village. Of course Raphtalia and Filo made quick work of them, but Naofumi was uneasy. Things took a turn for the worse when a magical shock reverberated across the entire continent, and Naofumi knew his unease had a source – and that source threatened them all.

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 1

Naofumi still feels the sting of being the Shield Hero. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Gotta say, it was good seeing the team together again. The instant we saw Naofumi, Filo, or Raphtalia on screen, it was like they’d never left. It looks like we have a new member of the Shield Hero’s entourage, and her name is Rishia Ivyred. She’s as timid as Raphtalia is bold.

Raphtalia seems to have taken Rishia under her wing. As they browsed a weapon shop, Raphtalia didn’t rush selecting a weapon she thought might suit Rishia. Upon presenting it to the green-haired young woman, though, she shied away, protesting that she preferred to use magic. 

“But no matter what I do, I’m a failure,” she said (10:34). 

But Raphtalia is Raphtalia, so she shoved the sword into the woman’s hands. Rishia repeated again that she thought she was a failure, and that caught Naofumi’s attention.

With a scowl, looking at the sword she held awkwardly in her hands, he said (10:48), “At least you can hold a weapon.”

Her apology made him realize how he had sounded. He had not wanted to snap at her, but you could see that he was still resentful that his role as the Shield Hero means he could not hold a sword, or any other kind of weapon. And all at once, the immersion back into this world was complete. I’d met the characters, and Naofumi had brought forward all of the emotional trauma he had endured in the first season.

Best in Show Moment for The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 1

Naofumi knew he’d help his friend the Queen. But they had to observe the forms. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: Mirellia Q Melromarc is Back

You might expect that I’ll choose the scene where Naofumi unleashed Dark Curse Burning as my favorite scene. To be honest, I did, too! It was a great scene! It tied back to the first season, and it showed that even though Naofumi can’t hold a weapon, he can still project force – beautifully animated, deadly force!

But I can tell I’m getting older. My favorite scene was much more laid back. It had a lot going on, but it didn’t shatter hundreds of enemies with a single shot. On the other hand, it did feature Queen Mirellia Q Melromarc.

Hey, look who’s back! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Now, you might accuse me of liking this scene just because she’s attractive. But I really admire her diplomatic skills! She…

Okay, we both know I’m not being completely honest here. So, yes, I think she’s very, very attractive. But more that – she’s a full grown, adult woman! I don’t have to pretend that the show cast a twenty-something in the role of a high school student. That means it’s okay that I say she’s attractive! Good heavens, that’s a relief!

So, yes, how much I like her plays into me picking this scene. And yes, I do admire her diplomatic skills! She’s subtle, she’s effective, and she supports Melty. Oh, and she sees through the other heroes’ false bravado. What’s not to like?

Delivery: A Moment between Two Trusted Friends

Mirellia had called the four heroes together to talk about defeating the Spirit Tortoise. When they’d learned she was going to ask them to do something other than fight the Waves, three of them walked out. Even Naofumi, who had by now gotten used to their antics, seemed shocked.

That left the Queen and Naofumi alone at the table. They’d gotten to know each other pretty well during the first season, and it looked like they both knew how this would play out. But they both wanted to observe the forms. 

I like her poise and charm. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream. 

So she asked if he would accept the job, and he thought about it. She explained that the Spirit Tortoise would likely wreck a path of destruction all the way to Melromarc. Which, by the way, meant it would rampage right through Lurolona Village. His village, in other words.

With a grin, he said (08:50), “You always know how to persuade people.”

It wasn’t as exciting as Dark Curse Burning. But it felt like a great product of that world and the experiences Mirellia and Naofumi had shared. I liked the mood it projected. And I liked how it gave the plot clear consequences: If Naofumi fails to stop the Spirit Tortoise, his people will suffer. That’s a kind of motivation that’s always been effective for him!

What did you think of seeing the gang together again? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 1: Other Posts

Other Anime Sites

• Reddit: Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari Season 2 – Episode 1 discussion
• RABUJOI: The Rising of the Shield Hero S2 – 01 – The Tortoise and the Hero
• Random Curiosity: Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari Season 2 – 01

This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)

• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 1: A New Roar
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 2: Footprints of the Spirit Tortoise
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 3: Shaking Land
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 4: Ruins in the Fog
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 5: Ost Hourai
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 6: Racing to Catch Up
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 7: Infinite Labyrinth
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 8: A Parting in the Snow
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 9: Humming Fairy
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 10: Katana Hero
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 11: Kizuna
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 12: Reason to Fight
• The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 13: Flowers Offered in Recollection