The Ultimate Lineup: Unveiling the Most Unstoppable Shield Hero in Anime!

In the realm of anime warriors, one often envisions a fearless fighter crushing their adversaries with their prowess or engaging in epic sword battles. However, there is a growing trend among anime enthusiasts, particularly in shows like Shield Hero, where characters opt for a shield as their primary weapon, transforming into formidable shield heroes within their respective narratives.

Distinct from traditional martial artists or swordsmen, these shield heroes rely on the strength and versatility of their protective shields to safeguard their loved ones or triumph in combat. This alternative approach to weaponry begs the question: who are the most exceptional shield heroes in the realm of anime, consistently demonstrating their unrivaled mastery of this defensive apparatus?

10 Dragon Shiryu (Saint Seiya)

In the realm of the Saint Seiya franchise, Dragon Shiryu stands as one of the strongest fighters among Pegasus Seiya's allies. Despite being a rookie equipped with the Dragon Bronze Cloth, Shiryu's unwavering determination and exceptional martial prowess ultimately lead him to become worthy of the prestigious Libra Gold Cloth. However, what sets Dragon Shiryu apart as one of the top shield users in the world of anime is primarily due to the paradoxical nature of the Saint Seiya franchise. Despite boasting the Cloth with unparalleled protective qualities, Shiryu's defensive abilities are consistently tested and challenged during his intense duels. Employing his expertise in martial arts, Shiryu employs techniques such as the explosive Lushan One Hundred Dragon Lords and the incredibly sharp Excalibur to triumph over his adversaries.

However, the Dragon Bronze Cloth is renowned as a legendary garment due to its purportedly impenetrable left-arm buckle. Among all the other Cloths with arm shields, the Dragon Bronze Cloth's buckle stands out as the most intricately designed. Furthermore, even in the face of Shiryu's formidable challenges, the Dragon Bronze Cloth is consistently revered for its exceptional defensive capabilities, surpassing even the rarer Silver Cloths and the fabled Gold Cloths.

9 Shield Liger (Zoids: Chaotic Century)

Although it doesn't possess a traditional "shield," the Shield Liger from Zoids: Chaotic Century is considered a proficient user of shields. With its Energy Shield, the Shield Liger has gained immense recognition, making it one of the most iconic Zoids across all periods of the franchise. While Van Flyheight's signature Zoid may pale in comparison to modern machines, the Shield Liger remains a well-balanced and exceptionally versatile Zoid in the world of Chaotic Century.

8 Pearl (One Piece)

The Shield Liger is an impressive Zoid that boasts a variety of notable features. While it may eventually transform into the formidable Blade Liger, the Shield Liger has earned its fair share of accolades. Most notably, it was the first Zoid to utilize the front-facing Energy Shield, rendering it virtually invulnerable to most attacks. Van, the Zoid's pilot, was also the first to experiment with the Energy Shield's mechanics, discovering that its forward-facing design could turn the Shield Liger into a powerful battering ram. Although other mecha in different franchises may incorporate similar shield-like mechanics, the fact that the Shield Liger is the only animal-inspired mecha to showcase this ability sets it apart and solidifies its iconic status.

A perfect embodiment of shield users in anime is Pearl, a villain from One Piece who relies on shields for protection. This character takes center stage in the Baratie Arc of the show, serving as one of the main antagonists. Known as the Iron Wall, Pearl commands the second unit of the infamous Krieg Pirates and is notorious for resorting to underhanded tactics to secure victories. What sets Pearl apart as a fascinating combatant is his skillful utilization of his shield-and-pearl arsenal, matching the absurdity of powers in the One Piece world.

7 Ko Murakami (World Trigger)

Pearl relies heavily on brute force during combat, using his powerful shields to smash enemies and relying on the same equipment to protect himself from bullets and even cannonballs. He possesses the ability to ignite his armor in protective fire using friction, which he can then use to ignite pearls and scatter them across the battlefield. Despite his fear of injury and defeat at the hands of Gin, Pearl demonstrates the effectiveness of the best defense being a strong offense.

While Osamu Mikumo's growth may be slow, his proficiency as a shield user in World Trigger is commendable. On the other hand, Ko Murakami's remarkable adaptability makes him a formidable armament user. With the unique ability to assimilate his experiences through a short nap, Murakami can swiftly alter the tides of battle by simultaneously wielding Kogetsu (a katana) and Raygust (a versatile blade/shield). He effortlessly switches between these weapons, depending on the demands of the situation.

Although Raygust has a default blade mode that can transform into a shield, Murakami's adeptness in utilizing the defensive implement continues to astound users. Rather than simply absorbing damage with the shield like other users, Murakami possesses such a deep understanding of the Raygust shield that he can skillfully evade or redirect attacks by subtly adjusting its angle. What's more, he leverages the shield's manifestation sequence to create distance between attacks or maneuver enemies into uncomfortable positions.

6 Heathcliff (Sword Art Online)

While Kirito gained popularity for his exceptional dual-wielding skills in Sword Art Online, his ultimate adversary in the first season was none other than Kayaba Akihiko. As the creator of the game and the unexpected final boss, Kayaba, who went by the in-game alias Heathcliff, secretly controlled events as the leader of the renowned guild known as the Knights of the Blood in Sword Art Online.

5 Tooru Kokonoe (Absolute Duo)

Heathcliff exhibits exceptional prowess in combat with his Holy Sword skill, utilizing his Liberator tower shield to swiftly engage adversaries or provide himself with impregnable defense. While Kirito's unique Dual Blades skill surpasses Heathcliff's defensive capabilities, the majority of other characters find it virtually impossible to penetrate Heathcliff's nearly invincible arsenal. In an online game where swords reign supreme as the primary weapons, it is only fitting for the creator and ultimate boss of the MMO to defy this norm by incorporating a combination of sword and shield.

At Koryo Academy, all students undergo training to become future peacekeepers. They channel their determination through powerful weapons known as Blaze, while also being paired with a partner, known as a Duo, for their entire academic journey. However, our protagonist, Tooru Kokonie, is labeled an "Irregular" when his Blaze unexpectedly manifests as a shield. This unconventional manifestation stems from his deep-rooted desire to safeguard and protect others following the tragic loss of his younger sister.

Although Tooru is often bullied for his non-offensive Blaze, he refuses to let it bring him down. Instead, he channels his frustrations into hard work and determination. Tooru dedicates himself to mastering martial arts, using his skills to complement his shield with powerful force attacks. He fights with such fierceness that he has earned the nickname "Thor," and his devastating shockwave punch has been dubbed "Mjolnir." In addition, Tooru's mental energy allows him to become nearly invulnerable when using his shield. This remarkable ability extends to his Aegis Desire, enabling him to create barriers that protect both himself and his friends.

4 Mash Kyrielight (Fate/Grand Order)

Mash Kyrielight's popularity in the Fate/Grand Order mobile game has transcended into the hearts of Fate/Grand Order anime movie viewers. This is mainly due to her unwavering loyalty towards her Master, Ritsuka Fujimaru, and the Chaldea Organization's mission to rectify the series' various timelines. Initially introduced as a research assistant, an incident at Chaldea HQ reveals Mash's true identity as Chaldea's unique version of a Holy Grail Servant – a Demi-Servant known as Shielder.

3 Naofumi Iwatani (The Rising Of The Shield Hero)

Leveling up Mash in Fate/Grand Order gameplay can transform her into one of the most formidable defensive characters in the gacha game. With her immense protective capabilities, she has the ability to greatly enhance the survival odds of the entire team by providing defensive buffs. In the game's lore, Mash possesses not one, but two Noble Phantasms or ultimate abilities. One of these abilities originated during her early days, while the other was discovered after she uncovered her true nature. Unlike other Servants who are restricted by their progression in previous lifetimes, Mash, being a "living" Demi-Servant, has the potential for exponential growth. There is even a possibility that her power may allow her to become a full-fledged Servant or Heroic Spirit.

In the realm of isekai series, none suffer a more tragic fate than Naofumi Iwatani in The Rising of the Shield Hero. Transported to a fantastical world with the mission to safeguard it from inter-dimensional dangers, Naofumi is burdened with false accusations and victimized by theft, causing him to become an outcast. However, as his journey progresses, Naofumi's lonely journey is accompanied by new allies like Raphtalia, and he learns to rely not just on his legendary Shield, but also on his own strength and determination.

Throughout his adventures in The Rising of the Shield Hero, Naofumi uncovers the concealed potency of his Legendary Shield, which highlights enhancing the statistics of other weapons. In addition to his combat style that focuses on the shield, Naofumi's Legendary Shield has the ability to morph into various shield types, each equipped with unique enhancements and abilities. The versatile nature of his Shield enables Naofumi to fully embrace his potential as the quick-witted Shield Hero, showcasing his superior adaptability in combat compared to his fellow Hero counterparts.

2 Maple (BOFURI: I Don’t Want To Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense)

Protagonist Kaede Honjou avoids being trapped in NewWorld Online, but her in-game character Maple gains global notoriety in BOFURI: I Don’t Want To Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense due to her extreme focus on defense. Maple's peculiar approach to the game stems from her friend Risa Shiramine (Sally) urging Kaede to try NewWorld, despite her lack of knowledge about MMOs. Driven by her fear of both getting hurt and causing harm to others, Maple has devoted all her efforts to strengthening her defense.

1 Homura Akemi (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)

Kaede's unconventional defensive strategy in BOFURI has sparked a major controversy within the anime. Despite her lack of agility, her sky-high defense renders her nearly untouchable against most attacks. Not only that, she has also maximized her vitality and acquired special abilities, including a devastating counter-attack. Additionally, her acquired skills predominantly revolve around defense, with any offensive abilities being unintentional occurrences, such as summoning monsters to fight on her behalf.

Initially portrayed as a stoic and detached Magical Girl in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, the mysterious Homura Akemi gradually assumes a pivotal role among Madoka's eventual comrades. Moreover, not only is Homura essential to Madoka's narrative, but she also stands out as one of the most skilled Magical Girls ever known. In addition to her innate magical abilities, she wields a pistol and buckler as her go-to weapons, further distinguishing her from her peers.

Moreover, what makes Homura even more intriguing is the extraordinary nature of her buckler. While it already possesses formidable defensive capabilities, the true potential of her shield is unleashed when infused with magical energy. Activating her shield grants Homura the power to teleport, generate energy projectiles, and even open portals through which she can confiscate firearms from Japanese military installations. Remarkably, her shield also functions as a sand timer, granting her the ability to halt time entirely and even rewind it by a staggering month. As Madoka and her companions delve into the secret behind Homura's exceptional shield, a multitude of mysteries within the anime finally come to light.