Naofumi Iwatani | The Rising of the Shield Hero (WIKI)
Introduction
The Rising of The Shield Hero is a dark fantasy Isekai series. It started off as a light novel series written by Aneko Yusagi and illustrated by Seira Minami.
It debuted as a web novel published on the site “Shōsetsuka ni Narō”. By June 25, 2019, the series already had twenty-two volumes up and going.
Table of Contents
The Light Novel then turned into a manga series made by Aiya Kyū and published by Media Factory. The novel, as well as the manga, were licensed by One Peace Books.
Later on, the manga got an anime adaptation. The first season had 25 episodes and it was produced by Kinema Citrus.
The second season is also looking pretty good and will cover the events of the Spirit Tortoise. A third season has also been confirmed!
Table of Content
Naofumi Iwatani
Alive
ALIAS(ES)
Current:
・Shield Hero
・Holy Saint
・God of Sitvelt
・Archduke of Melromarc
・Mirror Hero
Temporary:
・Staff Hero
Former:
・Shield
・Shield Demon
NICKNAME(S)
・Mr. Naofumi
・Master
・Hero Iwatani
・Kiddo
・Bubba Shield
・Father-in-law
・Count
・Master Craftsman
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Green
OCCUPATION
Current:
・Legendary Hero
・Merchant
・Archduke of Melromarc
Temporary:
・Vassal Weapon Holder
Former:
・University Student
COUNTRY & DWELLING
Current:
・Melromarc, Rock Valley
Former:
・Japan
WEAPON(S)
Current:
- Legendary Shield
- Vassal Mirror
Temporary:
- Vassal Staff
Former:
- Phoenix Sword
Anime: Season 1, Episode 1
Manga: Volume 1, Chapter 1
Light Novel: Volume 1. Chapter 1
Web Novel: Arc 1, Chapter 1
Drama CD Voice:Tatsuhisa Suzuki
Japanese Voice: Kaito Ishikawa
English Voice: Billy Kametz
Appearance
Naofumi’s hair is jet black, they are short and have spikes poking out of all directions. His eyes have a beautiful emerald green color that stops shining when the darkness within him surfaces.
He is always glaring at everybody, which is due to the trauma he experienced when he first arrived in Melromarc (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 1). However, the rare smile that he shows us is enough to make our hearts melt.
His outfit was made by Elhart, a blacksmith. He made him wear a Barbarian Armor +3 that he is very proud of (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 2). While Naofumi is always complaining that it makes him look like the boss of some gang of thieves, Raphtalia always compliments him on how handsome he looks in that attire.
Always stuck on his hand is the Legendary Shield that was bestowed upon him when he became the Shield Hero. It can change shapes depending on the skill that he is activating. In its original form, it’s shaped like a normal silver shield with a green jewel in the middle.
Personality
When Naofumi was first introduced, he was nothing like the character that we know now. When he arrived at Melromarc, he was an optimistic and trusting individual, which made him also quite naïve and gullible.
He was super excited when he realized he was now in a game-like environment but everything changed when he met and was betrayed by princess Malty S. Melromarc (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 1).
Now broke and labeled as a thug that assaulted a poor princess, he was despised by the whole land. With nobody on his side, he grew to be distrustful and even turned into a cruel individual who loathed the entire universe (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 1).
Unable to entrust his back to anybody with full confidence, his only option was to buy a slave. Bound by an unbreakable contract, it was impossible for a slave to disobey his orders (The Rising of the Shield Hero Manga: Volume 1 Chapter 2).
Always angry and hostile towards any living being, he carefully hid this part of his personality by trying to stay calm through any situation and be level-headed. However, due to his changed attitude, he came to reject the idea that the Shield Hero had real supporters..
Because Malty manipulated him by charming him, he started feeling disgusted every time a woman made a move on him.
Thanks to the pure hearts of Raphtalia and Filo, he softened up a bit and slowly began to open his heart once again. His caring and kind personality resurfaced (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 5).
As he never treated Raphtalia as a slave, he didn’t consider her a comrade either. Now, he treats her like a special person that is extremely important to him.
As for Filo, she is kind of his daughter. He raised her with love from the second she hatched and gave in to all her wants happily.
The kindness that Naofumi has shown Raphtalia and Filo became his usual way treating of other slaves.
He likes to spoil them, and even rewards them when they deserve it. He even goes to the extent of cooking for them even if it’s the middle of the night. His humane way of acting made Rishia believe that he was actually their slave and not the other way around (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 2 Episode 1).
A bit on the sadistic side, when merchants try to rip him off or when he witnesses people bullying Raphtalia, he would torment them using low ranked monsters (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 2).
At first glance, Naofumi looks like the villain of the group. The way he treats people, and the methods he uses to solve problems are all a bit evil.
However, he is the one who cleans up after everybody’s mess for the sake of the people who had to suffer from the consequences of the reckless behaviors of others, especially the Spear, Sword, and Bow Hero.
Ironically, he proved himself to be an amazing leader. During the Spirit Tortoise incident, he managed to keep the morale of the troops high, came up with a strategy, organized them accordingly, and in the end, led them to victory (The Rising of the Shield Hero (Light Novel Volume 15 Chapter 8).
At some point, the Hero that the people adored was Naofumi while the other three who were previously worshiped started getting hated in his place.
Naofumi set all his grudges toward them aside and extended them a helping hand by accepting them under his wing.
Powers and Abilities
Narutal and Learnt Abilities
- Alcohol Immunity
- Motion Sickness Immunity
- Animal Whisper: Animal, Demi-Humans, and Beastmen all feel at ease and befriend Naofumi naturally.
- Cooking Abilities
- Negotiating Abilities
- Potion Crafting
- Accessory Crafting
Companions and Familiars
- Slave Crest
- C’mon Raph
- Mind of the Demon Dragon
Hengen Muso
- Gather
- Wall
- Bead
- Point of Focus
- Magic Eradication
Vassal Staff (Temporary)
- Fenrir Force
- Air Strike Front Mirror
- Second Front Mirror
- Air Strike Blast
- Blast Prison
- Ragnarok Blaster
Vassal Mirror
OFFENSIVE ABILITIES
- Mirror Bash: Possess the same ability as the Shield Bash.
DEFENSIVE ABILITIES
- Stardust Mirror: Possess the same ability as the Shooting Star Shield.
- Formation One: Glass Shield: Possess the same ability as the Air Strike Shield.
- Formation Two: Glass Shield
- Formation Three: Glass Shield
- Formation One: Float Mirror: Possess the same ability as the E Float Shield.
- Formation Two: Float Mirror
- Chain Binding Mirror: Possess the same ability as the Chain Shield.
- Mirror Cage: Possess the same ability as Shield Prison.
UTILITY ABILITIES
- Teleport Mirror/Movement Mirror
- Transport Mirror
- Scroll of Return/Return Transcript
- Return Dragon Vein
- Boosted Mirror Fragments/Multiplying Mirror Fragment
- Release Rebound
- Relay Mirror
- Changing Mirror
- Changing Mirror (Attack)
- Mirror 0
CURSE SERIES (WRATH)
- Megido Iron Maiden
MAGIC
(Ritual Magic)
- First/Zweite Guard
- First/Zweite/Dreifa/Liberation Heal
- Zweite/Liberation Aura
- All Sacrifice Aura
- Anti Drifa Firestorm
- Zweite Fire
- Zweite Water
- Zweite/Drifa Decay
- Anti Drifa Hellfire
(Dragon Vein)
- Aqua Seal
(Cooperative Magic)
- All Liberation Aura
- Descent of the Thunder God
- Form is Emptiness
- Emptiness is Form
- Emptiness is Form: Hollow
(Jewel Magic)
- Jewel High Speed
- Nameless Support Magic
(Demon Dragon Magic)
Legendary Shield
OFFENSIVE ABILITIES
- Energy Blast: An ability used when the Shield is in Spirit Tortoise Heart Shield mode. It fires the Spirit Tortoise’s blast of energy.
- Night Terror: Release a shriek that will terrorize the enemy (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 8 Chapter 11).
- Shield Bash: Temporarily renders the enemy unconscious (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 18 Chapter 9).
DEFENSIVE ABILITIES
- Air Strike Shield: A shield that materializes out of thin air within a radius of 5 meters (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 3 Chapter 13).
- Air Strike Shield → Second Shield
- Air Strike Shield → Second Shield → Dritte Shield
- Shield Prison: Creates a Shield that completely engulfs a person or a group of people. Used for protection or to trap enemies.
- Shooting Star Shield: Similar to the Air Strike Shield, the noticeable difference is that allies can pass through it.
- Shooting Star Wall: A shield will appear before anyone that Naofumi considers an ally.
- E Float Shield: This Shield can float and move along with the caster.
- S Float Shield: A second shield with the same abilities as the E Float Shield.
UTILITY ABILITIES
- Change Shield
- Change Shield (Attack)
- Chain Shield
- Modify Bioplant: Alters BioPlant Seeds (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 2 Chapter 17).
- Plant Analysis
- Alert Shield: Alerts Naofumi if an enemy is within a 20-meter radius (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 1 Chapter 17).
- Hate Reaction: Attracts the attention of monsters and directs their hate towards Naofumi (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 5 Chapter 8).
- Portal Shield: A teleportation ability (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 5 Chapter 10).
- Bubble Shield: Allows the user to breathe underwater for a limited period of time (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 6 Chapter 4).
- Beast Transformation Assist: Improves the abilities of a therianthrope’s beast transformation (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 13 Chapter 9).
- Attack Support: The shield throws a dart. Whoever is hit will suffer double the damage during the next attack (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 9 Chapter 8).
- Sakura Sphere of Influence: Improves other skills whether it’s Naofumi’s or his allies (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 13 Chapter 15).
- Territory Reform: By paying with “offering points”, Naofumi can materialize inside his shield and make his base (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 15 Chapter 2).
- Poison Sensing
- Reflect Shield: Reflects the ability of a shield onto another shield (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 22 Chapter 2).
- Shine Shield: Releases a beam of light that will blind the enemy (The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 20 Chapter 9).
- Shield 0: A trap card against illegitimate powers.
- Magic Bullet: Creates magic bullets by using spells as material.
- Magic Prison: Reflect back magic onto the caster.
COUNTER ATTACK ABILITIES
- Needle Shield (Small)
- Dog Bite
- Poison Snake Fang (Large)
- Soul Eat: Steals SP.
- Heat Beam Shield (Medium): Release a laser.
- C Soul Recovery: Release a missile that steals SP.
- C Magic Snatch: Release a missile that steals magic energy.
- C Gravity Shot: Increases gravity on the enemy.
- Lightning Shield (Medium)
- Demon Elephant Tusk (critical)
- C Demon Bullet: Release a gust of magic bullets on the opponent.
COMBINATION ABILITIES
- Hiding Shield
- Tornado Shield
- Mirage Shield
- Prismlight Shield
CURSE SERIES (WRATH)
- Dark Cursing Burning S: The shield releases cursed flames that will burn everything it touches.
- Shield Prison → Change Shield (Attack) → Iron Maiden
- Blood Sacrifice: By paying with a huge quantity of his blood, Naofumi releases a giant dragon that will devour his enemy.
- Megiddo Burst: Effect is still unknown. Labeled too dangerous to activate.
Relationships
Motoyasu Kitamura
(Spear Hero)
A naïve, gullible, and stupid individual with a superhero complex who was constantly manipulated by Malty. Naofumi awakened the curse series thanks to him.
Ren Amaki
(Sword Hero)
Although he also believed all the lies that everybody threw on Naofumi, he was one of the few who at least doubted their words. He was on Naofumi’s side a couple of times and even asked for a fair reward for everybody when Naofumi helped out during the first wave attack.
At first glance, he seems cold, but it turns out he is actually an apologetic person who regretted his behavior when he learned that Naofumi cleaned up the mess he left after defeating the Dragon (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 8).
Itsuki Kawasumi
(Bow Hero)
Itsuki is always searching for recognition which disgusts Naofumi. He did stand up for Naofumi when Naofumi and Motoyasu’s duel was violated due to Malty’s intervention, however, it was only to show his superiority (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 4).
He kicked out Rishia from his party on false charges and he lost the little respect Naofumi had towards him.
Kizuna Kazayama
(Hunting Hero)
They teamed up when Naofumi was traveling to Glass’s world and he earned her eternal gratitude along the way. A 100% on his side from the second they met, she turned out to be a great addition to the team (The Rising of the Shield Hero Manga: Chapter 64).
Shildina
(Legendary Ofuda)
She falls in love with Naofumi, however, Naofumi really dislikes all her advances. Still, he respects her for her immense strength.
Raphtalia
(Katana Hero)
At first, their relationship was that of master and slave. However, as Raphtalia grew to love Naofumi, all she desired was to be useful to her savior. She became his sword and the person he trusts the most.
She’s his pillar of support, the one who can bring him back to his senses when he loses himself to the Rage Shield (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 4).
Naofumi looks at their relationships like that of a father and daughter. However, Raphtalia is constantly trying to make him see her as a woman so he can someday return her feelings.
Rishia Ivyred
(Projectile Hero)
Rishia was kicked out of the Bow Hero’s party after being falsely accused of a crime. She tried to commit suicide, but Naofumi saved her. He welcomed her into his party promising to make her stronger so the Bow Hero would someday accept her.
Glass (Fan Hero)
In the beginning, she was an enemy that wanted to kill the Four Cardinal Heroes so she could save her own world (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 24). During one arc, they had to team up to achieve a common goal and end up as allies.
L'Arc Berg Sickle
(Scythe Hero)
He and Naofumi formed a party in Cal Mira but both of them weren’t aware of each other’s true identity. L’Arc turned out to be from Glass’s world and was there to save it as well (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 23 – 24).
They turned into enemies and returned to being allies when Glass accepted Naofumi as a friend.
Sadeena
(Harpoon Hero)
She was Raphtalia’s family guardian and falls in love with Naofumi. She constantly tries to make him her husband—a behavior that Naofumi despises.
S'yne Lokk
(Sewing Hero)
She asked Naofumi if she could work for him in his village, he refused at first but after she saved his life, he changed his mind.
Fohl Fayon
(Gauntlet Hero)
Fohl has a huge sister complex and hated Naofumi because his sister fell for him. However, he realized that Naofumi was not a bad guy and started cooperating with him.
Aultcray Melromarc XXXII (Staff Hero)
He hates the Shield Hero and along with his older daughter, they worked together to frame Naofumi and turn his life into a living hell.
When he was judged for his crimes, he was sentenced to death by the Queen. Naofumi took pity on him and stopped the execution (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 21).
Filo
She is a Filolial Queen that Naofumi raised since the moment she was born. He sees her as his own daughter and gives in to all her requests (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 5).
Melty Q. Melromarc
Melty was the one who made Naofumi trust others outside his party. She was on his side from the get-go and forced herself into his party by constantly showing her dedication to the Shield Hero (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 9).
She is also the next Queen of Melromarc even though she’s just a second princess.
Keel
Keel is Raphtalia’s childhood friend. He was enslaved along with her. He was saved by the Shield Hero’s party and became a resident in the Shield’s Hero village.
Atla
She’s Naofumi’s hybrid slave and Fohl’s little sister.
Mirellia Q. Melromarc
She’s the Queen of the country and the one who cleared Naofumi’s name. She was ready to execute her husband and daughter to give him justice (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 21).
Erhard
Naofumi’s blacksmith and the first person to be on his side.
Beloukas
The slave merchant who sold Raphtalia to Naofumi.
Ost Horai
The Spirit Tortoise’s familiar.
Eclair Seaetto
The sword instructor in Naofumi’s village.
Elrasla Grilaroc
A grandma that Naofumi saved, she turned out to be an expert martial artist in the art of Hengen Muso and became an instructor in his village.
Malty S. Melromarc
She deceived Naofumi when he first arrived in her world. She stole all his money and accused him of taking advantage of her.
When her crimes were revealed, she was about to lose her head along with her father’s but Naofumi stopped the execution.
Biscas T. Balmus
The Pope of the Church. He labeled the Shield Hero a devil, and tried to kill him but he died by his hand instead (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 18).
Idol Rabier
The one who enslaved and tortured Raphtalia and her brethren after the destruction of their village (The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 15).
Plot
In his original world, Naofumi Iwatani saved his brother from getting mixed up in a bad crowd. As a reward, his parents allowed him to live comfortably while depending on their financial support. Naofumi began living as a shut-in whose only hobby is playing video games.
One day, he passed by the library and picked up a weird book. The book told the story of the Four Cardinal Heroes, however, the pages written about the last Hero were all blank.
At that moment, a white light engulfed Naofumi and he found himself summoned into another world as the Shield Hero, the most useless and irrelevant Hero of the story.
He, along with the Spear, Sword, and Bow Hero, now have the duty to protect that world from the Waves threatening it (The Rising of the Shield Hero Manga: Volume 1 Chapter 1).
Being the weakest of the bunch and discriminated against, no one wanted to be his companion except for the beautiful first Princess of Melromarc, Malty.
He jumped at the opportunity to party with her and that was the biggest mistake he ever made.
The Princess turned out to be a manipulative snake. She stole all his belongings and accused him of taking advantage of her.
Now hated throughout all the land, the Shield Hero decided to set out on his own. Now suffering from a trauma, the once cheerful Hero became someone filled with resentment and has trust issues.
However, as his only ability is defense, he didn’t have another choice than to recruit a comrade. He turned to a slave trader and bought a slave bound to him through a crest. That slave was Raphtalia.
Raphtalia became his sword, and eventually her love and fondness for him has helped him get over his past. His party grew along with their power. He was on his way to surpassing all the people who ever looked down on him.
Voice Actors
Kaito Ishikawa
Japanese – Kaito Ishikawa
English – Billy Kametz
References
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Manga: Volume 1 Chapter 1
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Manga: Volume 1 Chapter 2
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 1
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 2
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 4
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 5
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 8
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 9
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 15
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 18
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 21
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 1 Episode 23 – 24
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime: Season 2 Episode 1
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 1 Chapter 17
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 2 Chapter 17
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 3 Chapter 13
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 5 Chapter 8
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 5 Chapter 10
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 6 Chapter 4
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 8 Chapter 11
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 9 Chapter 8
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 13 Chapter 9
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 13 Chapter 15
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 15 Chapter 2
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 18 Chapter 9
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 20 Chapter 9
- The Rising of the Shield Hero Light Novel Volume 22 Chapter 2
