With the North American release for Rising of the Shield Hero being as solid as it is, it’s welcome to see that Australian distributor Madman Entertainment is able to do largely the same for their fans there. The distributor is going for the same approach of both parts of the first season being made available on the same day, August 5th, 2020. The first part and second part both have regular edition DVD/BD combo releases priced at $69.95 but the first part also has a DVD/BD LE set available the same day that’s priced at $109.95. On-disc extras for both are listed as just the promos and the clean theme songs but the limited edition comes with:
- Limited Edition Packaging
- 4 Metallic Art Cards
- 120 Page Art Book
- Metal Keychains
- Vinyl Sticker Shields
- Fabric Poster
- TV Spot
- Textless Songs
The first season of the series was directed by Takao Abe based on the series composition by Keigo Koyanagi. Masahiro Suwa served as the character designer with Kinema Citrus handling the animation production.
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. With a manga adaptation that’s being released in English by One Peace Books, the novels come from writer Yusagi Aneko with illustrations by Seira Minami and the manga version is adapted by Kyu Aiya.
Check out the official site and Twitter.
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…