The Rising of the Shield Hero Episode 10 Review: In The Midst Of Turmoil

The Rising Of The Shield Hero‘s current entertaining streak is amazing to me. Every episode has been solid in some way and this week was no different. As I anticipated from last week, we’re getting into the gritty of the plot now as the next wave is coming. Naofumi and the others prepare for the wave, and to Naofumi’s surprise, he gains new party members. Ahh, that made me so happy for our hero; he’s come so far.

Japanese Original Title: 混迷の中で

Plot

Melty, after Naofumi rejected her request, is called upon by her mother, queen of Melromarc, who tells Melty to warn her father of his treatment towards the shield Hero. Naofumi and the others prepare for the next wave as they are applicable to get class upgrades. But a royal proclamation forbids them from doing so. Upon a visit to the slave trader, Naofumi is recommended to visit Shieldfreeden hourglass to get the group’s upgrades. Unexpectedly Naofumi runs into Itsuki and Ren, and tells them of their careless actions after they have left. Naofumi gains also new party members before the next wave hits.

Episode Highlights

Imprisoned Queen: My early suspicions were confirmed at the beginning of this episode. Queen Melromarc does not support the king and his unjust actions and tells Melty to send a warning to him. This will add great entertainment to the plot and I’m excited to see this part unfold.

Royal Decree: The King and Malty are stopping at nothing to make things impossible for Naofumi when he wishes to have a class upgrade. I’ll be interested to find out their motives and dislikeness for the shield hero. What is the history behind this society’s hatred for the shield hero?

Opening Your Eyes: Naofumi dominated the entire conversation between him, Itsuki, and Ren, addressing the mess both had left behind and which Naofumi and the others had to clean up. Nafoumi was harsh but rightly critical for both heroes’ lack of thinking ahead and comprehension of the repercussions. Naofumi showed his maturity and deep compassion for others.

Compassionate Hero: This episode demonstrated beautifully Naofumi’s compassionate nature towards others, despite what has befallen him. His aiding those poor villagers and setting up an emergency shelter for them moved me a lot. Naofumi’s selfless acts as these are what made me love his character so much. Naofumi makes the other heroes look absolutely pathetic and selfish.

Back Home: It cannot happen, Naofumi can never go back home. It would not just break Raphtalia and Filo but me too. The scene where Raphtalia expresses her sadness when she learns that Naofumi has to return to his own world was sad. I don’t want to think about this part of the plot yet.

More The Merrier: Naofumi continues to surprise me. A small group from Luxton wishes to join him after saving their village. He sent the group to gather 150 coins as the only way he’ll let them join. Again another selfless moment here as the small group gather the money and Naofumi tells them to spend it on themselves for upgrades. He then will let them join his group. This part of the episode made me happy and concerned because Naofumi has more support, but it bothers me that next wave is coming as they might lose people.

Themes And Trivia

Upgrades: Paying a visit to the slave trader, Naofumi finds out there other Dragon hourglasses throughout the land in different countries where he can get his class upgrades with no problem.

Comments

We are ten episodes in now and this series is so entertaining. Each episode has been so enjoyable and I haven’t seen a series do this for a long, long time. The setup has been just been fantastic and I cannot wait to see what happens when this next wave comes. It makes me so happy and nervous that Naofumi has gained new members but only leads me to assume that he’s going to lose someone. I really hope not but it’s a possibility.

My favorite thing about this episode was that it demonstrated why Naofumi is this series protagonist and not any of the other heroes. Naofumi is full of so much compassion for others and selfish acts for those worse off than himself. Naofumi is what you call a real hero. Just see at the way he addressed Itsuki’s and Ren’s blindness ideals of heroism and the aftermath they left. It displayed his higher level of maturity above the others and sensible nature. Ahh, this was the moment I had been waiting for Naofumi and it was done brilliantly. Itsuki and Ren are not the bad guys I thought they were, especially after defending Naofumi twice, but they had become blindsighted in their actions – seeing themselves as heroes or vigilantes.

Doesn’t Hurt To Show A Little Compassion

Themes of compassion rang strong this episode and I loved it so much. Wonder how long it would take for the series to focus on this part of Naofumi, since it was displayed brilliantly. All these events in this episode, the next wave is coming, getting new members. Will everyone survive the second time round? Who was the strange woman at the end of the episode? More questions pile on.

Leave a comment on your thoughts for Episode 10? Check out our other Winter 2019 review coverage!!

See you next for more Shield Hero!!

Next Time: Catastrophe Returns ( 災厄、再び)