Tokyo, Japan – July 9, 2025 – Fans of the acclaimed fantasy anime, The Rising of the Shield Hero, can rejoice as the highly anticipated fourth season officially premiered on July 9, 2025. The new season, which continues the arduous journey of Naofumi Iwatani, the reluctant Shield Hero, is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Continuing Naofumi’s Tumultuous Journey
The fourth season picks up following the events of the third season, promising a darker tone as it delves into the fallout and new challenges facing Naofumi and his companions. Announced in January 2024, the production of the new season has been eagerly awaited by fans. The English dub for Season 4 began streaming on Crunchyroll starting July 10.
Plot and Thematic Direction
According to Crunchyroll’s description, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 will see Naofumi preparing for the return of the Phoenix. A significant plot point involves assassins from Q’ten Lo targeting Raphtalia, mistakenly believing her to be a throne usurper. This conflict necessitates Naofumi’s journey to Siltvelt, where he is hailed as a demi-human savior, though not all welcome him. In the politically volatile Q’ten Lo, Raphtalia emerges as a symbol of revolution. The season will explore whether Naofumi can unite his allies and guide them toward salvation amidst rising chaos. The narrative is expected to adapt volumes from the original light novel series, likely commencing with Volume 13, covering the Siltvelt Succession Arc, and potentially parts of the Heavenly Emperor Arc.
Production Team and Episode Count
Hitoshi Haga returns as the series director for The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 at Studio Kinema Citrus, the animation studio responsible for previous seasons. The series composition is handled by Keigo Koyanagi, with character designs by Franziska van Wulfen, Sana Komatsu, and Masahiro Suwa. The musical score is composed by Kevin Penkin, Alfredo Sirica, and Natalie Jeffreys. The opening theme song for Season 4 is “Resolution” by Madkid, and the ending theme is “Eien ni Ikkai no” by Chiai Fujikawa. The fourth season is confirmed to consist of 12 episodes.
Where to Watch the Premiere
The premiere episode of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 became available on Crunchyroll on July 9, 2025, at 5:30 AM PT. The series will follow a weekly release schedule. Crunchyroll holds the streaming rights across various territories, including North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, India, and Southeast Asia.
Fans worldwide can now dive back into the adventures of Naofumi, Raphtalia, and Filo as they face new threats and navigate complex political landscapes in this eagerly anticipated new season.
