There are a few ways to tackle a work of fiction when writing a story. You can generally apply one of the following outlines to be the “bottom line” of your story, if that makes sense (there are countless many, these are just a small handful):
- Focus on a particular injustice or “moral”
- Present interesting characters, develop them, have them move your story forward
- Tell an entertaining story with no real commentary
- Create an atmosphere that allows the consumer to relax and be at ease
And so on. Naturally, many works of fiction choose to employ not one, but a few of these. Naturally, there are countless “points” to have as your bottom line. After watching episode 4, I am very sure that Rising of the Shield Hero understands how to wield its bottom line to its advantage and be very impactful as a result. The underlying story about corruption is an avenue, a symptom of the message which appears to be a story about damaged trust, which is an interesting subject explored this way. The drama and emotion in the fourth episode was so heavy, so raw, so intense that I was fatigued after it was over. I said something I don’t think I’ve ever said about an anime, “Please let them be happy and relax for a few episodes.”
There is much to say about what cannot be stated clearly – Shield hero has a lot to say about respect, formality, persevering in the face of contempt, and finding comfort in a friend. This thick air of tension is so heavy in the fourth episode, especially the beginning, that I was actually stressed out. That is another of the show’s strengths – the ability to cover subject material that is downright uncomfortable where the hero is not presented a deus ex machina out of every uncomfortable situation. It won’t be fair. It won’t even be pleasant. But it’s important to think about what that means, how it makes us feel, and how you can process these sorts of things.
Raphtalia is the avenue by which Naofumi is able to walk on the path of trust once again. You see his distrust of humanity is so strong that even when she insists otherwise, he thinks he has lost her to “everyone else”. This is truly a portrait of a broken man. Normally a monologue in a show like this serves as an easy avenue for “show, don’t tell”. All that Shield Hero has ever done from the beginning is show: Here is why Naofumi cannot trust others. Here is why this world is rotten and wicked. Here is why Raphtalia’s undying loyalty, her unbridled faith and love in a man who saved her is so strong. The scene where she rejected the spear hero and let Naofumi sleep in her lap was nothing short of beautiful – that’s a lot of sticking your neck out for someone who would be easy to throw aside. No, the show’s strength is in making us believe and understand where this emotion comes from, and seeing it play out on screen is like a reward.
I was surprised to see the sword and bow heroes point out that Myne helped the spear hero cheat. I honestly hated all four of them prior to this, but to see them treat the situation with some virtue did change my opinion of them somewhat. Perhaps there is hope here? They certainly weren’t being very objective at the beginning of the show, however.
Also, Raphtalia’s kurt “roast” of the kingdom before leaving? Fucking amazing. They might still be wiping the shit from their mouths.
The turning point in the fourth episode spelled the end of the suffering of the Shield Hero, and the beginning of his healing. The chemical reaction that took place here was definitely the beginning of a tipping point, a change in feelings, and the solidifying of Naofumi and Raphtalia’s relationship all in one powerful moment. Also, looks like I was right on about the food allegory piece, as he is able to taste Raphtalia’s cooking at the end here.
I enjoyed watching Naofumi so concerned for Filo as to struggle to find a way to get clothes for her that will grow and shrink as she does. The man is becoming a father already.
The queen appears to be keeping tabs on what the king and his daughter are doing while they are away. The comforting thing is that I seem to remember someone mentioning that the kingdom is ruled by a matriarchy, and it would seem the queen is quite a deal more objective than the king is, who seems to be ruled by his morally bankrupt daughter. My expectation is that before the end of this, she will come to collect the “tab” that Myne has racked up. I’m beginning to think this show is really about revenge and justice. Haha.
I’ve never felt so rewarded by watching Filo, Raphtalia, and Naofumi just act like a small group or a family together. Normally these scenes in another show would feel like obvious padding, but here it really feels like I’m given refuge from the stressful path of their daily life, able to enjoy what they were able to earn themselves.
Given how the opening shows the “corrupt” looking Naofumi, which I’m assuming is related to that cursed shield ability he got, I’m expecting that to be a source of darkness he will have to fight. The idea is probably to manifest his distrust of humanity in a tangible way, which is a little tacky but I’m ok with it.
I doubt we’ll have an episode as stressful as the fourth again considering the narrative pace and the “turning point” it was considered, but I’ll steel myself before watching the next batch.
