Naofumi Iwatani is summoned to another world as one of four Cardinal Heroes, but as the Shield Hero he can barely attack. Days later he is framed for a crime, stripped of his money and reputation, and shunned by the kingdom he came to save. With the half-raccoon girl Raphtalia at his side, he starts rebuilding from nothing to face the Waves.
Plus 1 more title.
4 titles · 62 episodes · ~25 hours
Watch the four seasons in number order: 62 episodes in total, each season continuing from the last. Season 5 is scheduled for 2027 and sits below the line until it airs. There are no films or OVAs in between.
Start here. Twenty-five episodes covering Naofumi's summoning, the false accusation that ruins him, and how he builds a party with Raphtalia and Filo. Adapts light novel volumes 1 to 5.
Thirteen episodes covering the Spirit Tortoise and a detour into another world. Adapts light novel volumes 6 to 9.
Twelve episodes opening with a coliseum tournament and following Naofumi's efforts to deal with the other three heroes. Adapts light novel volumes 10 to 12.
Twelve episodes covering the Siltvelt and Q'ten Lo arcs, where threats against Raphtalia push Naofumi into another nation's politics. Adapts light novel volumes 13 and 14.
The next season, continuing from the end of Season 4. Watch Seasons 1 to 4 first.
⚠ Not yet aired. Scheduled for 2027; the exact season has not been announced.
The anime is four TV seasons told in one line, so the numbered order is the order to watch. Season 1 (25 episodes) covers Naofumi's fall and recovery and adapts light novel volumes 1 to 5. Season 2 (13 episodes) covers the Spirit Tortoise and the trip into another world, volumes 6 to 9. Season 3 (12 episodes) adapts volumes 10 to 12, and Season 4 (12 episodes) adapts volumes 13 and 14, the Siltvelt and Q'ten Lo arcs. None of the seasons can be skipped, since each one picks up threads left open by the one before. Season 5 has been announced for 2027 and is listed below the line until it airs. The Isekai Quartet crossover series features Naofumi and his party but is a separate comedy, so it is not part of this order.
The Rising of the Shield Hero has 4 seasons in the main run — 62 episodes altogether.
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Rising of the Shield Hero | TV Series | 25 episodes | January 2019 |
| The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 | TV Series | 13 episodes | April 2022 |
| The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 | TV Series | 12 episodes | October 2023 |
| The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 | TV Series | 12 episodes | July 2025 |
| Title | Type | Episodes | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 5 | TV Series | — | 2027 |
4 titles · 62 episodes · ~25 hours
Where each part of the anime lines up with the source, so you know where to pick up reading.
Only spin-offs that tie into the main story are listed here — anthologies, fan books and the like are left out.
Season 4 ends with light novel volume 14, so continue from volume 15. Season 1 also touches part of volume 6 before Season 2 picks it up. The light novel by Aneko Yusagi runs 22 volumes in Japan and is published in English by One Peace Books. The manga adaptation, also from One Peace Books, is still behind the anime and has not caught up with the end of Season 3, so it cannot be used to read ahead. The original web novel differs significantly from the light novel, so use the light novel volume numbers above.
Start with Season 1 from 2019. It is 25 episodes long and covers everything from Naofumi's summoning onward, so no background is needed.
Season 1 (25 episodes), Season 2 (13), Season 3 (12), then Season 4 (12). There are no films or OVAs to fit in between, and Season 5 is scheduled for 2027.
No. Season 2 introduces characters and events that Seasons 3 and 4 rely on, including the journey into another world. Every season continues directly from the one before.
Four seasons and 62 episodes so far: 25 in Season 1, 13 in Season 2, and 12 each in Seasons 3 and 4. That is roughly 25 hours of viewing.
Season 5 is scheduled for 2027. It was confirmed at the end of Season 4 in September 2025, and the 2027 window was announced in July 2026. The exact season has not been announced yet.
Volume 15. Season 4 ends with volume 14. The other seasons line up as Season 1 with volumes 1-5, Season 2 with volumes 6-9 and Season 3 with volumes 10-12, so you can also jump in after any earlier season.
Not past the anime. The manga adaptation is still behind the anime and has not caught up with the end of Season 3, so the light novel is the only way to read ahead.
Yes, for all four seasons, and Crunchyroll streamed Season 4's dub the same day each episode aired. Naofumi's voice changes after Season 1: Billy Kametz voiced him in Season 1 and Stephen Fu took over from Season 2. Erica Mendez (Raphtalia) and Brianna Knickerbocker (Filo) stay the same throughout.
No. All four seasons adapt the light novel in order, with no anime-original filler arcs.
No. Isekai Quartet is a separate comedy crossover that puts Naofumi, Raphtalia and Filo in a school with characters from other isekai series. It is not part of the main story and can be watched any time, or skipped.
All four seasons stream on Crunchyroll with subtitles and the English dub. Availability varies by region, so check your local catalog.
