The Rising of the Shield Hero Episode 4 Review: Lullaby At Dawn

Raphtalia is so precious. She would gladly take an attack for Naofumi, who did not understand how lucky he was to have her by his side; well, until this week’s episode. This episode made Naofumi and Raphtalia bond even more and the way they did it just tears your heart out. This episode also had a couple of surprises where Karma comes back to bite.

Japanese Original Title: 暁の子守唄

Plot

After the wave has gone, the victory celebrations are short-lived when Motoyasu challenges Naofumi to a duel for Raphtalia’s freedom. Another corrupt setup unveils itself, placing Naofumi in more turmoil than he already is. Naofumi is on the verge of giving up.

Episode Highlights

Killer Duel: Last episode we were treated to some killer fight scenes, and that continued with Naofumi and Motoyasu’s duel. We got to see Naofumi show off some tricks with his shield; I loved the two-headed dog attack – that was cool. The action in the Rising Of The Shield Hero is going to be no issue throughout this series and this episode quickly demonstrated this.

Everyone’s In On It: This series knows how to make you hate the very people who summoned Naofumi as a hero to save it. I loved it was put into perspective how malicious the King and Princess Malty were, how far they will take it to set up Naofumi. The civilians I cannot hate completely as they are only following their king or are just scared.

Two Heroes Aren’t Complete Jerks: Ren and Itsuki totally surprised me coming to Naofumi’s defense and exploiting Princess Malty’s unfair melding during the fight and which people purposefully pretending not to notice. Well, I still don’t like their personality but they’ve redeemed themselves a little. I still don’t like Motoyasu and maybe never will.

Raphtalia Makes Everything Better: This part of the episode was where my heart was torn out. After keeping a cool head the past three episodes, Naofumi begins to break down from the exile and exclusion he encountered since arriving in this unjust world. AGAIN I got bloody teary!! God damn it. Though it was beyond emotional to watch, seeing Naofumi vulnerable as he was, I feel was a necessary scene. Why? Because already we’ve seen different sides to Naofumi and watching Naofumi’s pent up frustration explode out makes Naofumi an even more appealing protagonist for this series.

Naofumi is this series massive lure and exposing all his different sides has made him a intriguing protagonist to follow and easily likeable for viewers to connect with. But let’s get back to the part where my tears were flowing because I’m already enveloped in Naofumi’s character. Watching him want to give it all up after holding it together for so long was a powerful scene. The angel that is Raphtalia comes to make it all better with her genuine words and ultimate faith she has in Naofumi. This was my favorite part of this episode, the music, atmosphere, all blended seemingly together.

Cursed: Upon Naofumi break down he activated nearly the cursed series, he would have become swallowed in. I wonder what would have happened? Turn evil for good? Go rogue? That would have been interesting to see.

Themes And Trivia

Dragon Hourglass: This device may summon the heroes and tracks the time till the next wave.

Teleport: After the first wave was repelled back, Naofumi only finds out there was a ‘teleport’ option he could have used to teleport the villagers to the hourglass.

Comments

What can I say at this point? It was another amazing episode. I’m just so in love with this series and Naofumi our protagonist has proven to be the series biggest lure in. Naofumi’s struggle is something viewers are going to connect with easily. It is a delight to watch this hero rise against those who have no faith in him.

Until this episode and even with Raphtalia by his side, Naofumi still closed himself off from others. Feeling no-one would ever believe in him. I loved that wall Naofumi put up was broken down. Naofumi didn’t make it easy for Raphtalia – stubborn until the end. Finally, when she got through to Naofumi, it was like BAM in your face with all the rising emotions going on in the scene. I don’t know how anyone at that scene couldn’t feel their heart being torn. As emotional and gut wrenching as it was to watch, it was so beautiful. Now Naofumi and Raphtalia are only closer. It was a connection that needed to be established for them, in order for Naofumi to move past his burning hatred that has been within him since the beginning. Naofumi can finally breathe; I CAN finally breathe after that episode and catch my breath readying myself for the next wave of feels to hit me.

You Need A Raphtalia In Your Life

Rising Of The Shield Hero is killing it right now and I’m always excited to see this every week but it’s torture that I have to wait. I think Raphtalia is going to be best girl for this Winter 2019 season, don’t you agree?

Leave a comment on your thoughts for Episode 4 and check out our other Winter 2019 review coverage!!

See you next week for more Shield Hero!!

Next Time: Filo (フィーロ)