The Rising of the Shield Hero has captivated anime fans with its gripping tale of Naofumi Iwatani, the underdog Shield Hero, who rises above betrayal and adversity in a fantasy world. With three action-packed seasons already under its belt, the announcement of Season 4 has sparked excitement among its dedicated fanbase. If you’re eager to dive into the next chapter of this isekai adventure, here’s everything you need to know about The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4, from release dates to plot details and more.
When’s It Coming Out?
Mark your calendars for July 9, 2025—that’s when The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 kicks off! It’s slated to hit Japanese screens at 9:00 p.m. JST, which means folks watching internationally on platforms like Crunchyroll can catch it around 5:30 a.m. IST. Word on the street is we’re getting 12 episodes, keeping things tight and action-packed like Season 3. If you’re heading to Anime Expo 2025, you might score some juicy details from a panel with Naofumi’s voice actor, Kaito Ishikawa, and producer Ten Kimura. Lucky you if you’re there!
What’s the Story This Time?
So, where’s Naofumi headed in Season 4? After the wild ride of Season 3, we’re diving into the Siltvelt Succession Arc, with maybe a sprinkle of the Heavenly Emperor Arc, pulling from volumes 13 to 15 of the light novels by Aneko Yusagi. Raphtalia, our favorite raccoon-tailed warrior, takes center stage as her royal roots from Q’Ten Lo stir up trouble. Assassins are after her, and Naofumi’s got his shield up, ready to protect his best friend. Oh, and there’s a giant Phoenix about to wake up, threatening to wreck everything. No pressure, right?
Expect a darker vibe this season. Naofumi’s juggling political schemes, tough fights, and some heavy choices. The new tagline, “Revered, yet w(e)ary”, says it all—he’s a hero now, but the grind’s wearing him down. Raphtalia’s backstory gets some love, and we’ll see Naofumi lean into his leadership role. If you’re into epic battles with a side of feels, this season’s got you covered.
Who’s Back, and Who’s New?
The voice cast we know and love is returning to bring the gang to life. Here’s the lineup:
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Kaito Ishikawa as our boy Naofumi Iwatani
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Asami Seto as Raphtalia, stealing hearts
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Rina Hidaka as the adorable Filo
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Natsuko Hara as Rishia Ivyred
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Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Ren Amaki
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Makoto Takahashi as Motoyasu Kitamura
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Yoshitaka Yamaya as Itsuki Kawasumi
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Sarah Emi Bridcutt as Myne (yep, that Myne)
New faces are joining the party, too! Meet Werner, a winged Shusaku warrior voiced by Takeo Ōtsuka, and Jaralis, a lion-like demi-human from Siltvelt, voiced by Jirō Saitō. Plus, we’ve got Nadia (Ami Koshimizu), Fohl (Kouhei Amasaki), Atla (Konomi Kohara), and S’yne (Maria Naganawa) shaking things up. These newbies are gonna add some spice to Naofumi’s crew.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 on Crunchyroll, which will stream episodes simultaneously with their Japanese release, offering both subbed and dubbed versions.
