The Rising of the Shield Hero: Season 3 Episode 1 - Exciting Release Update and Major Surprises Revealed!

The release date for episode 1 of The Rising of the Shield Hero season 3 is Friday, October 6, 2023, at 9 pm JST. Fans are cautiously hopeful about the new season after the mixed response to the previous season. The plot for episode 1 remains uncertain, which can be frustrating for anime-only viewers who are eager to know what to expect.

Follow along as this article breaks down the latest release information for The Rising of the Shield Hero season 3 episode 1 and more.

The Rising of the Shield Hero season 3 episode 1 set to continue Naofumi and co’s efforts to defend their world

Release date and time and where to watch

The third season of The Rising of the Shield Hero will premiere on local Japanese networks at 9 pm JST on Friday, October 6, 2023. International audiences can watch the episode on Crunchyroll shortly after its initial airing in Japan. It is uncertain if Funimation will continue streaming the new episodes for their subscribers. Therefore, Crunchyroll is the recommended and more dependable platform for legally viewing the upcoming episode.

The Rising of the Shield Hero season 3 episode 1 will be released in Japan at each of these times in the corresponding time zones:

Pacific Standard Time: 5 am, Friday, October 6

Eastern Standard Time: 8 am, Friday, October 6

Greenwich Mean Time: 12 pm, Friday, October 6

Central European Time: 2 pm, Friday, October 6

Indian Standard Time: 5:30 pm, Friday, October 6

Philippine Standard Time: 8 pm, Friday, October 6

Japanese Standard Time: 9 pm, Friday, October 6

Australia Central Standard Time: 10:30 pm, Friday, October 6

Season 2 recap

In Season 2, Naofumi and his teammates embarked on a mission to protect their world from the dreaded Spirit Tortoise, a catastrophe believed to be even more destructive than the Waves of Calamity. Along their journey, they encountered Ost Horai, a new member who joined their quest to vanquish the Spirit Tortoise. Although they initially believed they had succeeded in defeating the creature, Ost's survival as the embodiment of its soul shattered their illusions.

The group then ventured to the mountain atop the Spirit Tortoise to investigate further, where they unexpectedly crossed paths with L'Arc, Therese, and Glass—adversaries from their past encounters in Season 1. They soon discovered that Kyo Ethnina, a Book Hero from another world, had been manipulating the Tortoise for his hidden motives. With Ost's selfless sacrifice, the group managed to overcome the Spirit Tortoise and pursued Kyo into his own realm.

However, upon waking up, they found themselves confined within the walls of a prison cell, along with a new acquaintance named Kizuna Kazayama. Together, the group and Kizuna managed to break free from their captivity, embarking on an arduous journey in search of Kyo. Eventually, their relentless efforts paid off, leading them to discover Kyo's whereabouts. However, their joy was short-lived as Kyo cunningly seized Raphtalia, imprisoning her alongside Kizuna's comrades. Nevertheless, after enduring numerous trials, both groups succeeded in reuniting. In the climactic final episodes of the season, the sinister motive behind Kyo's creation of the Waves of Calamity was unveiled, and our valiant heroes valiantly foiled his plans, putting an end to the impending disaster.

What to expect (speculative)

In terms of production for the upcoming season, fans can anticipate a significant improvement compared to the criticism the second season received. Since the future of the series depends on a successful recovery from the shortcomings of season 2, it is highly improbable that season 3 will disappoint visually. Make sure to stay updated on all news regarding The Rising of the Shield Hero, as well as general updates on anime, manga, film, and live-action as 2022 unfolds.