Get ready, Shield Hero fans! The highly anticipated fourth season of The Rising of the Shield Hero is officially set to premiere on July 9, 2025. The announcement comes with a thrilling new trailer and a captivating key visual, offering a glimpse into Naofumi’s upcoming adventures. Here’s everything we know so far about the new season:
Premiere Date and Where to Watch
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 will debut on July 9, 2025, on AT-X, TOKYO MX, Sun Television, KBS, TV Aichi, Lemino, and d Anime Store in Japan. It will also air on BS NTV on July 10. For international fans, Crunchyroll has confirmed that they will be streaming the new season as it airs in Japan.
New Trailer and Key Visual
The new trailer offers an exciting look at the challenges and battles that Naofumi and his companions will face in the upcoming season. It also previews the ending theme song, “Eien ni Ikkai no” (“Once in Eternity”), performed by Chiai Fujikawa.
The key visual depicts Naofumi seated on a throne, flanked by both familiar allies and new characters. The tagline for the season is “Revered, yet w(e)ary,” hinting at the difficult decisions and heavy responsibilities that Naofumi will have to bear.
Story and Plot
Season 4 is expected to pick up directly after the events of Season 3. Naofumi and his team are preparing to confront the powerful nation of Q’ten Lo, which has sent assassins after Raphtalia due to her royal bloodline. The trailer includes the line “The return of the exiled,” suggesting that Raphtalia may journey back to her homeland and delve into her past.
Based on the light novel series, Season 4 is likely to adapt content starting with Volume 13, concluding the Siltvelt Succession Arc and potentially beginning the Heavenly Emperor Arc. The season will likely revolve around Q’Ten Lo, with Naofumi determined to protect Raphtalia from further assassination attempts.
New Characters and Cast
Two new characters will be joining Naofumi’s party in Season 4:
- Werner: Voiced by Takeo Otsuka, Werner is a winged representative of the Shusaku race from Siltvelt.
- Jaralis: Voiced by Jiro Saito, Jaralis is a demi-human from Siltvelt’s lion race.
Returning cast members include:
- Naofumi Iwatani: Voiced by Kaito Ishikawa (Japanese) / Stephen Fu (English)
- Raphtalia: Voiced by Asami Seto (Japanese) / Erica Mendez (English)
- Filo: Voiced by Rina Hidaka (Japanese) / Brianna Knickerbocker (English)
- Ren Amaki: Voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Japanese) / Alan Lee (English)
- Malty S. Melromarc: Voiced by Sarah Emi Bridcutt (Japanese) / Faye Mata (English)
Other returning voice cast members include Natsuko Hara as Rishia, Makoto Takahashi as Motoyasu Kitamura.
Production and Staff
Kinema Citrus will return to animate The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4, with Hitoshi Haga directing. The series composition will be handled by Keigo Koyanagi, and character designs will be by Franziska van Wulfen, Sana Komatsu, and Masahiro Suwa. Kevin Penkin, Alfredo Sirica, and Natalie Jeffreys are in charge of the music.
- Director: Hitoshi Haga
- Series Composition: Keigo Koyanagi
- Character Design: Franziska van Wulfen, Sana Komatsu, Masahiro Suwa
- Music: Kevin Penkin, Alfredo Sirica, Natalie Jeffreys
- Animation Studio: Kinema Citrus
Music
MADKID will perform the opening theme song, “Resolution,” while Chiai Fujikawa will perform the ending theme song, “Eien ni Ikkai no” (“Once in Eternity”).
Episode Count
Season 4 will consist of 12 episodes, consistent with the episode count of Season 3. The series will be released on three Blu-ray/DVD volumes, each containing four episodes.
What to Expect
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 promises to be an exciting continuation of Naofumi’s journey, filled with new challenges, characters, and battles. Fans can look forward to seeing Naofumi confront the nation of Q’ten Lo, protect Raphtalia, and uncover the secrets of her past. With a strong production team and returning cast, Season 4 is poised to deliver another thrilling installment in the Shield Hero saga.
Where to Catch Up
If you need to catch up on the first three seasons of The Rising of the Shield Hero, they are currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
Controversies and Popularity
The Rising of the Shield Hero has been a controversial yet popular anime series. While some have criticized its themes and content, it has also garnered a large following for its unique take on the isekai genre and its compelling characters. The series has inspired spin-offs, including the video game The Rising of the Shield Hero: Relive the Animation.
With the premiere date fast approaching, fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the return of The Rising of the Shield Hero. Be sure to mark your calendars for July 9, 2025, and prepare for another epic adventure with Naofumi and his companions!
