Anime enthusiasts rejoice: The Rising of the Shield Hero is set to continue its epic saga with the announcement of a fifth season for the TV anime. This news comes alongside the revelation of a new global game project based on the popular Isekai series, promising fans even more ways to engage with Naofumi Iwatani’s journey.
The announcements were made shortly after the conclusion of the fourth season, which premiered on July 9, 2025, and wrapped up on September 24, 2025. While details regarding the release date for the fifth season and specific information about the global game project remain under wraps, the confirmation has ignited considerable excitement within the fanbase.
A Look Back at Naofumi’s Journey
The Rising of the Shield Hero follows Naofumi Iwatani, an ordinary otaku summoned to a parallel world to become one of the Four Cardinal Heroes. Armed with the Legendary Shield, Naofumi’s initial adventure is fraught with betrayal, leading him down a path of despair and mistrust. However, he gradually builds a formidable party, including Raphtalia and Filo, as he strives to protect the world from the “Waves of Catastrophe” and uncover the truth behind his summoning.
The anime adaptation first aired in 2019, quickly gaining a dedicated following for its unique take on the Isekai genre and its exploration of themes like prejudice, resilience, and found family.
The Anime’s Consistent Expansion
The series has seen a steady progression since its debut:
- Season 1: Aired from January to June 2019, spanning 25 episodes.
- Season 2: Co-produced by DR Movie, it aired from April to June 2022, consisting of 13 episodes.
- Season 3: Premiered on October 6, 2023, and concluded on December 22, 2023, adapting volumes 10 to 12 of the light novel series.
- Season 4: Announced in January 2024, it premiered on July 9, 2025, with Kinema Citrus returning as the animation studio and Hitoshi Haga directing. The fourth season explored the Q’ten Lo arc and saw Naofumi venturing to Siltvelt. Crunchyroll streamed the season with both English subtitles and same-day English dubs.
The quick succession of season renewals underscores the anime’s enduring popularity and the wealth of source material from Aneko Yusagi’s light novel series.
What to Expect from Season 5
While a release window for the fifth season has not yet been provided, fans anticipate the continuation of Naofumi’s arduous journey as the Shield Hero. The production staff for Season 4 included Hitoshi Haga as director at Kinema Citrus, with Keigo Koyanagi handling series composition, and character designs by Franziska van Wulfen, Sana Komatsu, and Masahiro Suwa. Kevin Penkin, along with Alfredo Sirica and Natalie Jeffreys, composed the music. It is expected that many of these key personnel will return for the upcoming season, maintaining the consistent quality and artistic vision of the series.
Diving into the New Global Game Project
Beyond the anime, Kadokawa has also initiated its “first global game project” for The Rising of the Shield Hero. The game is slated for release on PC and smartphones. Previous video game adaptations include The Rising of the Shield Hero: Relive the Animation, released on Steam, Android, and iOS in 2019, and the mobile game Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari Rerise, launched in 2021. The new global project suggests a more ambitious and expansive interactive experience, though further details on its genre, gameplay, and exact release schedule are eagerly awaited.
With a fifth season greenlit and a new global game in development, The Rising of the Shield Hero universe is poised for significant expansion, offering fans both seasoned and new ample content to explore.
