Unraveling the Enigma: 10 Unsolved Mysteries of The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime

In the beginning of The Rising of The Shield Hero, Naofumi Iwatani is transported to a place called Melromarc, and he is filled with questions regarding his sudden arrival. These questions are quickly addressed as he discovers his purpose as one of the four cardinal heroes, entrusted with the duty of protecting the world from the catastrophic Waves.

However, as the story progresses, additional inquiries arise for Naofumi, and the explanations sometimes become less apparent compared to the initial clarity. Here, we present ten unresolved mysteries that emerge in The Rising Of The Shield Hero.

10. Who Raised Fitoria?

Idol Rabier unleashes the Tyrant Dragon Rex in an attempt to eliminate Naofumi, his group, and other rebellious demi-humans. Naofumi's group valiantly fights the ancient beast, only to realize their powerlessness against it. Fortunately, the Filolial Queen, Fitoria, arrives and resolves the conflict.

Subsequently, Naofumi engages in enlightening conversations about Fitoria's past with her. Fitoria discloses that Filo's rapid growth is attributed to Naofumi, much like her own experience being raised by a hero. However, when Naofumi inquires about the hero's identity, Fitoria is unable to recall, leaving him without an answer.

9. Why Did Naofumi Choose Raphtalia as His Slave?

After being falsely accused, Naofumi becomes increasingly detached and cautious, choosing to rely only on himself and mistrust others. It is during this time that he encounters a slave trader, who offers him the opportunity to purchase a slave.

Out of the various choices presented by the slave trader, Naofumi is inexplicably drawn to Raphtalia. While her affordability might have played a factor, there appears to be something more significant influencing his decision, particularly considering that there were other low-priced options available.

8. Naofumi’s Inability to Taste

Prior to obtaining Raphtalia as his companion, Naofumi had already lost his sense of taste. Despite consuming food, he remained unable to perceive any flavors. However, upon their dining experiences together, Naofumi becomes further aware of his tastelessness.

During their shared consumption of Usapil, Naofumi likens it to chewing on flavorless rubber. Eventually, as his circumstances improve, he regains his ability to taste. While some may deduce that his loss of taste was linked to his emotional distress at the time, a tangible manifestation of his emotions, the anime failed to explicitly clarify this aspect.

7. The Significance of the Heroes' Weapons

The Legendary Weapons take center stage in The Rising Of The Shield Hero, appearing as four spirits in the form of weapons. Each weapon summons a wielder to combat the Waves of Catastrophe.

While the spear, sword, bow, and shield are clearly identified as the weapons, their symbolic meaning and significance are not explained. The anime also does not provide any explanation on how the chosen wielders are distinguished from others or what qualifies them to wield a particular weapon.

6. Why Was the King's Hatred for Naofumi so Irrational?

Ever since Naofumi was summoned, the king displayed disrespect towards him solely based on his role as the Shield Hero. Once Malty falsely accused him, the king's hostility towards the Shield Hero understandably intensified.

As the tale progressed and Naofumi consistently revealed his true noble character, the king's demeanor remained unchanged. It became evident that there was a deeper reason from his past fueling his unwarranted hatred. Even after Naofumi's innocence is eventually established and he rescues Malty and the king, the reasons behind the king's seemingly unfounded animosity remain unanswered.

5. The Filolials Hatred of Dragons

When Naofumi encounters Fitoria, the Filolial Queen, and witnesses her defeat of the Tyrant Dragon Rex, he attempts to enhance his arsenal by incorporating the dragon material into his shield. However, Fitoria dissuades him from doing so. From the moment she intervenes to defeat the dragon, Fitoria forbids Naofumi from utilizing his curse series weapon.

It becomes evident that there exists a strong animosity between the Filolials and dragons, yet the viewers are left in the dark regarding the precise cause. The origin of this dislike remains uncertain, whether it stems solely from the inherent nature of the Filolials or is rooted in past events.

4. Why Wasn’t Raphtalia Seasick?

Later in the first season, Naofumi and the other cardinal heroes venture to the Cal Mira Archipelago as a means to earn experience points. Surprisingly, while the spear, sword, and bow heroes all succumb to seasickness during the boat ride, Naofumi is left wondering why Raphtalia remains unaffected.

Despite previously established instances of Raphtalia experiencing motion sickness during their earlier road travels, her absence of seasickness on the boat trip remains a baffling mystery. Unfortunately, no answer is provided.

3. Why Is Naofumi Unaffected by Lucor Fruits?

The Lucor Fruit, despite its small size resembling a grape, possesses an astonishingly high alcohol content capable of yielding an entire barrel of alcoholic beverage. Surprisingly, it is often used as a weapon in the imminent wave. A notable occurrence takes place in the Cal Mira Archipelago, where Naofumi consumes multiple Lucor Fruits without undergoing any adverse effects.

Conversely, when Motoyasu, the spear hero, consumes a mere grape, he becomes greatly affected to the point of collapsing. L'Arc offers an explanation to Naofumi, stating that Motoyasu's heightened tolerance for alcohol is the cause of his reaction. Nevertheless, the stark contrast between Naofumi's nonchalant response to the Lucor Fruit and Motoyasu's immediate illness still elicits a sense of curiosity.

2. Is Murder The Only Way To Save Both Naofumi's and L'arc's Worlds?

L’Arc and Therese initially show great friendliness towards Naofumi and his group. Naofumi goes as far as creating a jewel for Therese, and in return, she generously compensates him. However, their attitude changes drastically when they discover that Naofumi is actually the Shield Hero. L'Arc declares that they must eliminate Naofumi, as doing so will result in the destruction of Naofumi’s world and the preservation of theirs.

At a later point, Glass reappears and joins forces with L'Arc and Therese. The three remain firm in their belief that they must take drastic measures to save their world. Unfortunately, they fail to explain the relationship between the two worlds, leaving us uncertain whether their proposed solution is truly the only option available.

1. How Are The Waves Created?

The Waves have played a significant role in the show since its beginning, serving as the catalyst for Naofumi's summoning to Melromarc and serving as the central element that drives the plot of The Rising Of The Shield Hero.

Accompanying the Waves are fierce monsters that the heroes must confront and defend the people against. Initially, this concept appeared straightforward. However, recent revelations have brought forth new inquiries, such as the absence of waves in L'Arc's world or the potential creation of artificial waves. Consequently, what initially seemed to be a simple concept has now become more intricate.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the unresolved mysteries in The Rising of the Shield Hero anime. On one hand, I find them intriguing and exciting, as they give me something to think about and discuss with other fans. On the other hand, I can't help but feel a little frustrated that the anime doesn't provide any answers to these mysteries. It's like the writers are just dangling these carrots in front of us, without any intention of ever letting us eat them.

Overall, I think the unresolved mysteries in The Rising of the Shield Hero anime are a double-edged sword. They add depth and intrigue to the story, but they also leave me feeling a little unsatisfied. I hope that the writers will eventually provide some answers to these mysteries, but even if they don't, I'll still be a fan of the anime.