English Dub Season Review: The Rising of the Shield Hero Season Four

Aiming to protect Raphtalia from the assassins of Q’ten Lo after the events of Season 3, Naofumi Iwatani travels with his friends to the eastern isolationist kingdom. On his way, Naofumi stops over in Siltvelt, a kingdom built by a former shield hero, where he is revered as a god and is offered a chance to rule the country. Naofumi is unwilling to accept the position, preferring to continue his journey before the next wave of monsters threatens to destroy the world. Nevertheless, he finds himself embroiled in local political feuds. After escaping an assassination attempt, Naofumi decides to confront the leaders of Siltvelt, and this time, he is determined to show that old grudges and petty ambitions are nothing compared to his resolve to save the world.

On the technical side, this Anime Season was produced by Kinema Citrus and Kadokawa with Hitoshi Haga reprising his role as series director. The series composition is handled by Keigo Koyanagi, character design by Franziska van Wulfen, Sana Komatsu, and Masahiro Suwa, and soundtrack by Kevin Penkin, Alfredo Sirica, and Natalie Jeffreys. The opening theme song is “Resolution”, performed by Madkid, while the ending theme song is “Once Forever”, performed by Chiai Fujikawa.

Season 4 of The Rising of the Shield Hero continues the journey of Naofumi, Raphtalia, and Filo as they traverse new lands fraught with political tension and shifting alliances while introducing several fresh characters that broaden the scope of the narrative. Centered primarily on the Siltvelt and Q’ten Lo arcs, the season delves into the cultural and ideological complexities of these regions, revealing the lingering consequences of war, discrimination, and hero worship that define their societies. Naofumi’s ongoing struggles with leadership and morality, paired with Raphtalia’s continued growth and emotional maturity, provide some of the most engaging character-driven moments, even as the story occasionally loses focus. The pacing remains uneven, with certain episodes wandering into prolonged detours that slow the momentum and weaken the sense of urgency. Still, when the show leans into its strengths, such as rich worldbuilding, intricate political dynamics, and moments of heartfelt connection, it manages to recapture flashes of the layered storytelling and emotional depth that first made Shield Hero compelling in its debut season.

Despite its strengths, Season 4 suffers from several glaring issues that undermine its overall impact. Many of the new characters feel underdeveloped, while familiar faces outside Naofumi’s immediate circle are given little to do, creating an uneven narrative focus. One of the most contrived aspects of this season is that nearly every nation and supporting cast member within this universe, outside of Naofumi and his allies, comes across as insufferable or downright unlikable. Oh, you didn’t like the human kingdom that normalized the abuse and slavery of demi-humans? Well, get ready for the beastman country of Siltvelt, which hypocritically embraces the same elitist ideology of discrimination, arrogance, and blind nationalism that it once condemned in humans, only with a side of obsessive devotion toward the Shield Hero that feels both misplaced and unsettling. It’s honestly hard to care about any of these royal assholes or their political squabbles when their hypocrisy is this blatant. The Siltvelt arc in particular overstays its welcome, dragging across multiple episodes without meaningful progress toward the main story, functioning more like a glorified side quest that primarily benefits the Tiger Twins, Fohl, and Atla. Combined with predictable plotting and shallow resolutions to major conflicts, these flaws make the season feel bloated and prevent it from achieving the emotional or narrative weight it strives for.

At the very least, it finds its footing in its renewed attention to character development and worldbuilding, even if it doesn’t always reach the emotional heights of the original. Naofumi and Raphtalia remain the heart of the story, their evolving partnership offering the most consistent emotional grounding as they face new political and personal challenges. Fohl and Atla, introduced more prominently in the Siltvelt arc, receive welcome backstory expansion that deepens the season’s exploration of loyalty, family, and ambition. This arc, though somewhat overextended, immerses viewers in the high-fantasy culture of Siltvelt with detailed histories and distinctive worldbuilding, giving the setting a tangible sense of place. The storytelling demonstrates noticeable refinement compared to Seasons 2 and 3, with only two novels adapted this time, allowing the pacing to slow down and scenes to breathe. These adjustments help the season achieve a stronger sense of coherence and structure, even if some side characters remain static and the arcs lack the intensity and emotional punch that once defined the series.

From a production standpoint, it stands out for its visual polish and refined presentation. Studio Kinema Citrus, joined by talented staff from series such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Dandadan, delivers a consistent 2D animation style that remains faithful to the franchise while improving on background detail, lighting, and scene composition. The world of Siltvelt is rendered with rich color palettes and cultural nuance, enhancing immersion and making each location feel distinct. While the action sequences occasionally lack the fluidity or impact of earlier seasons, the expressive character animation, especially during emotional or comedic exchanges, compensates with strong personality and energy. Kevin Penkin’s score once again anchors the series, balancing sweeping orchestral themes with subtle emotional cues that heighten pivotal story moments. Combined with carefully considered pacing and clear visual storytelling, the season’s animation and music maintain the immersive energy and aesthetic cohesion that have long defined the Shield Hero experience.

Overall, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 stands as a mixed yet partially redeeming chapter in the franchise. It represents a step up from the failures of Season 2 and manages stronger narrative coherence than Season 3, which tried to do too many things at once, but still falls short of recapturing the dark tension and emotional depth that once defined the series. The focus on Naofumi and Raphtalia provides satisfying growth and renewed character focus, yet many new additions fail to leave a lasting impact, and the drawn-out Siltvelt arc contributes to a lingering sense of stagnation. While the storytelling remains predictable at times and the supporting cast underdeveloped, the polished animation, rich worldbuilding, and Kevin Penkin’s evocative score help sustain engagement. Ultimately, Season 4 feels more like a transitional bridge than a breakthrough serviceable, occasionally rewarding, but still missing the ambition and intensity that made Shield Hero’s first season so memorable, and with the recent announcement of Season 5, I remain hopeful that they’ll top it in some way.