The Rising of the Shield Hero backdrop
Animation•Action & Adventure•Sci-Fi & Fantasy

The Best Episodes of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1

Every episode of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1!

Binge this in 10h 1m•Peaking at 9.1/10

Iwatani Naofumi, a run-of-the-mill otaku, finds a book in the library that summons him to another world. He is tasked with joining the sword, spear, and bow as one of the Four Cardinal Heroes and

Airs on
AT-X
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 21 - Naofumi's Triumphant Return
    9.1/10(1207 votes)

    S1:E21

    After Naofumi survives thanks to Mirelia's help, she comes to visit him and tells him the truth behind the summoning of the heroes and the discrimination against the Shield Hero. She also promises to clear his name, and holds a trial for Aultcray and Myne's crimes.

    Director:Takao Abo
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 4 - Lullaby at Dawn
    8.9/10(1109 votes)

    S1:E4

    The Wave is gone, but Naofumi's relief is short-lived as Motoyasu challenges him to a duel in the middle of the celebratory banquet held in Melromarc Castle. Motoyasu insists that owning a slave is unbecoming for a hero and that Naofumi free Raphtalia at once.

    Director:Son Seung-hui
    Writer:Ohine Ezaki

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 20 - Battle of Good and Evil
    8.6/10(790 votes)

    S1:E20

    Naofumi and gang stay on the attack despite being trapped in the Pope's Great Cathedral, but its sacred subspace nullifies his Curse Shield, leaving them one step short. Naofumi turns to another, newly unlocked Curse Shield, but the dragon's wrath threatens to swallow his mind whole.

    Director:Takuma Suzuki
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 2 - The Slave Girl
    8.4/10(932 votes)

    S1:E2

    Naofumi follows the slave merchant to his store, where he looks for a partner to act as his sword. But all he has the money to buy is a diseased demi-human girl named Raphtalia, whom he then forces into an incredibly harsh battle.

    Director:Son Seung-hui
    Writer:Ohine Ezaki

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 11 - Catastrophe Returns
    8.4/10(761 votes)

    S1:E11

    Naofumi faces another Wave, this time in a remote village. With the help of the soldiers who volunteered to join him, he's able to secure the safety of the villagers, but the Wave shows no signs of letting up. He heads to fight with the other heroes, only to find a giant ghost ship floating in the sky.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 12 - The Raven Invader
    8.4/10(737 votes)

    S1:E12

    A mysterious woman showed up out of nowhere and destroyed the second Soul Eater in a single blow. She then proclaimed the start of the "true battle of the wave" and blew away the other three heroes when they attacked her. With Naofumi's party proving ineffective as well, he decided to use the Rage Shield one more time.

    Director:Shigeki Awai
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Rising of the Shield Hero

    READ
  7. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 25 - The Rising of the Shield Hero
    8.4/10(850 votes)

    S1:E25

    It turns out that Glass, like L'arc, is also a hero from other world. Naofumi barely fights off their combo attacks and then corners Glass in a one-on-one battle, but is then faced with an all-important question: does he truly wish to protect this world?

    Directors:Shinpei Wada, Takao Abo, Koji Furukawa
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 1 - The Shield Hero
    8.3/10(1078 votes)

    S1:E1

    College student Iwatani Naofumi is reading a book titled "The Records of the Four Cardinal Weapons" in the library when he is suddenly summoned to another world and told he has to save the world as the Shield Hero, one of the Four Cardinal Heroes. And one morning, he finds all his money and equipment gone.

    Director:Hitoshi Haga
    Writer:Keigo Koyanagi

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 15 - Raphtalia
    8.3/10(772 votes)

    S1:E15

    Raphtalia corners Idol with vengeance in her eyes, her bloodthirsty blade reaching for his throat. Naofumi's words bring her back to her senses momentarily, but when Idol attacks her once again...

    Director:Toshiharu Kudou
    Writer:Ohine Ezaki

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 24 - Guardians of Another World
    8.2/10(685 votes)

    S1:E24

    Melromarc brings a large fleet to fight the Wave out at sea. While the queen takes charge and leads the operation well, the other three heroes prove useless yet again, leaving Naofumi to do it all alone. Later, he gets help from L'arc and Therese to fend off the monsters, but then...

    Directors:Takuma Suzuki, Takanori Yamamoto
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 3 - Wave of Catastrophe
    8.1/10(840 votes)

    S1:E3

    Naofumi has obtained a whole load of abilities and skills, and his teamwork with Raphtalia is reaching perfection, too. To prepare for the incoming Wave, he upgrades their equipment and heads to the dragon hourglass to find out exactly when it will arrive. But there, he runs into Motoyasu and the other heroes once again.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Ohine Ezaki

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 8 - Curse Shield
    8.1/10(755 votes)

    S1:E8

    After hearing of a village in the East that's being ravaged by an epidemic, Naofumi and his party head there to deliver medicine. The epidemic was caused by the corpse of a dragon that had been killed a month before and left there to rot. Naofumi's party accepts a job request to clean the corpse and head to the mountains where it lies.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 13 - The Devil of the Shield
    8.1/10(702 votes)

    S1:E13

    Naofumi foils the attempt to take Melty's life and fights off the royal knights, but he's then framed for abducting Melty and killing several knights, so the party is forced to go on the run. With security tightened and checkpoints everywhere, the party receives a further blow that only makes things even worse.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Ohine Ezaki

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 5 - Filo
    7.9/10(790 votes)

    S1:E5

    After Aultcray reluctantly offers Naofumi a paltry reward, he heads to the slave merchant to redo the slave crest as per Raphtalia's wishes. He also buys a monster egg there, which hatches a few days later and gives him a new party member. Meanwhile, Myne shows up in Lute Village, where they're staying.

    Director:Toshiharu Kudou
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 10 - In the Midst of Turmoil
    7.9/10(720 votes)

    S1:E10

    After refusing to hear Melty out, Naofumi switches to planning for the next Wave. When a bunch of young soldiers ask to join his party, he agrees, but on a certain condition. At the same time, he also tries to upgrade Raphtalia's class after she hits the level cap, but all he receives is harassment.

    Director:Jun Takahashi
    Writer:Ohine Ezaki

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 19 - The Four Cardinal Heroes
    7.9/10(691 votes)

    S1:E19

    The Pope holds in his hands the ultimate weapon, which possesses the properties of all four cardinal weapons. Faced with its attack skill, "Judgment," and its powerful defensive force field, Naofumi and gang are rendered helpless. As the crisis worsens, Motoyasu, who is now in line to be punished as a "fake" hero, makes a surprising decision.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 18 - A Conspiracy Linked
    7.8/10(675 votes)

    S1:E18

    Naofumi decides to go straight up to the checkpost in order to talk it out with the other heroes. But there, he finds the one guy least likely to listen to him, Motoyasu, who attacks Naofumi without bothering to listen to what he has to say. Why could Motoyasu be so intent on killing Naofumi, more than ever before?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 6 - A New Comrade
    7.7/10(751 votes)

    S1:E6

    The mysterious girl that showed up out of nowhere was actually Filo. She's a filolial queen with an advanced transformation ability, and she can even take human form thanks to it. However, her clothes get ripped every time she transforms, meaning Naofumi has to get her some magic clothes if he doesn't want to go broke. The party leaves on a new adventure to gather the materials required.

    Director:Shigeki Awai
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 7 - The Savior of the Heavenly Fowl
    7.6/10(744 votes)

    S1:E7

    After hearing of a village that's in immediate need of herbicide, Naofumi and his party head there to do business. The village has been overrun by plants that have turned into monsters, and its residents were forced to abandon it. These plants can even take root in humans, and apparently Motoyasu is the one who released them into the wild.

    Director:Yuji Tokuno
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 9 - Melty
    7.6/10(722 votes)

    S1:E9

    In the Eastern village, Naofumi meets a girl named Melty. She instantly becomes friends with Filo and then requests to accompany the party on their journey. It seems she got separated from her guards. They travel together for a while, but when they reach the capital, they find...

    Director:Toshiharu Kudou
    Writer:Ohine Ezaki

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 16 - Filolial Queen
    7.6/10(673 votes)

    S1:E16

    As Naofumi and his party try to get the weakened kids to safety, Tyrant attacks them. Once Naofumi realizes that he's actually after Filo, he hatches a plan to lure him outside the city, but they can't even put a scratch on its massive body.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 17 - A Promise Made
    7.6/10(683 votes)

    S1:E17

    Fitoria tells Naofumi that she'll kill all Four Cardinal Heroes if they don't get back on the same page. She even takes Melty hostage, but Naofumi continues to refuse. Understanding where he's coming from, Fitoria instead proposes a one-on-one duel with Filo.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 22 - Four Heroes Council
    7.6/10(657 votes)

    S1:E22

    After being unable to for so long, Naofumi finally gets to upgrade his party's classes. He then takes part in a meeting of the Four Cardinal Heroes, held under the guise of a celebratory banquet. There, he learns of the existence of a bonus stage, with increased XP earnings. Meanwhile, Raphtalia gets into a fight at the party.

    Director:Koji Furukawa
    Writer:Ohine Ezaki

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 23 - Cal Mira Archipelago
    7.6/10(652 votes)

    S1:E23

    On the ship to Cal Mira, Naofumi once again runs into L'arc, who keeps throwing him off. However, the strange man's friendly nature shines through, and Naofumi quickly takes a liking to him. After having a fun time grinding levels and a lively meal, Naofumi feels happy and fulfilled for the first time in this world.

    Director:Toshiharu Kudou
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 Episode 14 - Everlasting Memory
    7.5/10(685 votes)

    S1:E14

    Due to Myne recklessly starting a forest fire, Naofumi and his party are forced to flee to a village at the base of the mountain. However, it won't be easy to break through the knights' net. Melty suggests going to a noble she knows for help, and it just so happens that Raphtalia's past is linked to his domain.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Ohine Ezaki

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Naofumi's Triumphant Return" is the best rated episode of "The Rising of the Shield Hero" season 1. It scored 9.1/10 based on 1207 votes. Directed by Takao Abo and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/29/2019. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Lullaby at Dawn".