UlasanAnime.com – The debut episode of the anime adaptation of “The Rising of the Shield Hero” has sparked a considerable amount of discussion, with one reviewer noting that while compelling, it also felt somewhat uncomfortable. The primary concern raised is the narrative voice, which is described as resembling a light novel targeted at incels.
While the premise of a hero falsely accused of rape isn’t inherently problematic, the reviewer points out that the construction of characters and their motivations surrounding this accusation is what makes the series a poor fit for the online “lynch mob.” A link is provided to an article by Jeko, which the author mentions as a motivation for their own piece, suggesting a rebuttal to its arguments.
The core argument presented is that a dramatic story about a falsely accused hero can exist without being misogynistic. The reviewer then delves into what makes “Shield Hero” appear misogynistic from the outset: the reduction of female characters to less than human to serve the emotional narrative. This tactic is directly compared to the fundamental concepts used by incels. It’s important to note that this analysis is based solely on the first episode, with the reviewer acknowledging they haven’t seen beyond that point, aside from reading the Wiki entry. However, based on the quality of storytelling and presentation observed, they do not anticipate a positive trajectory for the series.
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Up to this point, the series’ issues are not deemed overwhelmingly offensive, largely because even the main character is perceived as a collection of tropes, falling below the expected standard for the genre. The reviewer humorously notes that when presented with a pile of trash, even bad ideas within it fail to stand out as uniquely terrible. Despite these criticisms, the general production quality of the first episode (or preview) was appreciated. The concept of heroes originating from different versions of Japan is seen as a positive element, as is the potential for the main character to develop trust in his female slaves over time, even with the controversial inclusion of slavery as a key story element.
The unfortunate aspect, according to the reviewer, is that the story could have explored the main character’s psychological struggles without resorting to modern misogyny. They draw a parallel to “How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord” from the previous year, which, despite its own issues, incorporated a similar theme into a subplot without causing as much discomfort. The reviewer suggests that the current approach in “Shield Hero” might be an attempt to be “cool and hip” and meme-worthy, but ultimately acknowledges that it is a work of fiction and mature viewers should be able to distinguish it from reality.
A significant point of criticism is directed at the main character’s initial portrayal. The reviewer believes that starting the story with a “freeloader nerd laughing at bitches in his light novel” is the wrong approach. For a story that intends to tackle a fake rape accusation, a heavier opening would have been more appropriate, rather than relying on “dumb lines” and defensive, hypocritical attitudes. This initial presentation, coupled with the main character’s “giant tool” demeanor and his cheerful, self-aware “Isekai Light Novel wink-wink-wink” attitude, makes it difficult for the audience to root for him. Consequently, the rape accusation trial scene feels trite and pandering to incel thinking, where characters blame others for their failures instead of acknowledging their own shortcomings.
The reviewer emphasizes that in narrative storytelling, presenting arguments from internet debates to win viewer sympathy is not effective. After just one episode, the protagonist has done little to earn trustworthiness, making his plight feel hollow. This leads to a rhetorical question: who would be sympathetic? Perhaps someone who has also been falsely accused of rape, which the reviewer dismisses with a “LOL.”
The hope is that these perceived flaws are merely setup for future character development. However, the reviewer reiterates that despite the misogynistic undertones, the core story is quite “staple.” The execution is deemed poor, and the lack of originality is so pervasive that it blunts any strong message the series might intend to convey. The author suggests that a more straightforward approach to discussing misogyny in “Shield Hero” would be to conduct a Bechdel test after the season concludes, implying that those who continue to discuss the show after enduring it likely already have their minds made up.
In a postscript, “How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord” is described as a fun but ultimately bad “mary sue” story that makes “SAO S1” look good. The reviewer predicts that even worse content will emerge in the coming years, which they will likely still watch. They also express surprise that “Death March” is considered the best generic Isekai anime of the past year, noting its inclusion of “Suki no Skill.”
