The anime adaptation for the light novel series The Rising of the Shield Hero is getting some additional distribution as part of the winter 2019 season. Funimation has confirmed their pickup of the show as part of their lineup. The series will be directed by Takao Abe based on the series composition by Keigo Koyonagi. Masahiro Suwa is on board as the character designer with Kinema Citrus handling the animation production. Now, the main Japanese cast has been revealed along with a great new key visual to the right.
The Japanese cast includes Kaito Ishikawa as Naofumi Iwatani, the Shield Hero, Asami Seto as Raphtalia, a demi-human, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Ren Amaki, the Sword Hero, Makoto Takahashi as Motoyasu Kitamura, the Spear Hero, Yoshitaka Yamaya as Itsuki Kawasumi, the Bow Hero, Rina Hidaka as Firo, Maaya Uchida as Melty, Sarah Emi Bridcutt as Myne, Yutaka Nakano as Aultcray Melromarc XXXII, and Hiroki Yasumoto as Elhart.
The series has been going on since 2012 in print published form after starting off as a web novel where it will now have eighteen volumes out as of this August. With a manga adaptation that’s being released in English by One Peace Books, it’s at a surprising place to get an adaptation. The novels come from writer Yusagi Aneko with illustrations by Seira Minami and the manga version is adapted by Kyu Aiya. No details of who is involved in the adaptation were revealed.
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Plot Concept: Naofumi Iwatani was summoned into a parallel world along with 3 other people to become the world’s Heroes. Each of the heroes respectively equipped with their own legendary equipment when summoned, Naofumi received the Legendary Shield as his weapon. Due to Naofumi’s lack of charisma and experience he’s labeled as the weakest, only to end up betrayed, falsely accused, and robbed by on the third day of adventure. Shunned by everyone from the king to peasants, Naofumi’s thoughts were filled with nothing but vengeance and hatred. Thus, his destiny in a parallel World begins…
