Ever since The Rising of the Shield Hero has been released, it has been controversial for a number of reasons. One of the most significant factors is the false accusations of violation on Naofumi Iwatani, the protagonist of the show. As if this was not enough, Naofumi’s relationship with Raphtalia, his female companion, is even more discomforting. Despite all the controversies, the show has been able to gain a large number of fans who are eagerly waiting for the upcoming second season. Today we look at some of the controversies that have had a negative impact on the show and introspect if there is a possibility that it can redeem itself.
Any anime fan will be able to recognize that The Rising of the Shield Hero is unconventional. It is unbelievable how naïve the protagonist is, and it is almost surprising to see his cohorts take advantage of him. He is accused of violation in the very first episode, and since he belongs to a female-dominated society, it means that he is in for a lot of trouble. Moreover, he even gets his belongings stolen and is mocked by society for his inability to fight. All the troubles that he faces make him a little paranoid, and he is forced to buy a slave, which further complicates things for him. The controversial beginning of the show proved to be extraordinarily polarizing for the audience in the West.
The show received a ton of criticism for its depiction of false accusations and slavery. It was later also accused of normalizing grooming. The criticisms are understandable since the false accusations specifically appear to be in bad taste during the MeToo movement. The fact that the show aired just as the allegations of misconduct with Vic Mignogna, the voice actor was released, makes it seem even more terrible.
Despite all the controversies, several fans who watched every episode of the show acknowledged the issues raised by the critics. They were outspoken and made sure that their voice was heard on social media. The people who worked on light novels and manga are overwhelmingly female, so the portrayal of the controversial scenes is primarily due to cultural differences and are not misogynistic. Since there have been no controversies about the show in Japan, the producer Junichiro Tamura has pointed out that if there have been any such fears regarding it, they would have addressed the issues. Keeping in mind that the series was not controversial in Japan, it does seem that the controversy in Western countries is merely because of cultural differences.
The allegations of grooming of Filo and Raphtalia also seem unfounded when one looks at the show with no bias. Although both of the characters indeed show romantic interest in Naofumi, the show has specifically denied such allegations by showing that Naofumi’s emotional bond with them is purely fatherly. He never recognized their romantic feelings and has been very clear about his stance. He ensures Filo is clothed because he wants her to be protected, not because he is embarrassed by her nakedness. Since Naofumi has faced a ton of problems from the beginning of the show, his relationship with Raphtalia is built on mutual trust and helps him get through his tough times.
People who stuck around with the show, despite all the controversies, were rewarded by a mindboggling soundtrack, power scaling, exceptional fight scenes, and much more. The masterful character development was touching enough to make any fan fall in love with every one of them. The show ends with Naofumi’s accuser being discredited and Rapthalia standing up to her people’s enslavement. The mistreatment of the hero is also acknowledged in the finale.
The second season of the show will hopefully give the protagonist a much more positive reputation. Almost all of the show’s controversies have been resolved, and the time is ideal for Rising of the Shield Hero to get a new start. However, it seems hard for the show to turn non-viewers into viewers since they now have a terrible first impression. However, despite its controversies, The Rising of the Shield Hero is a great show that has remained popular, and with the upcoming season, it is almost sure that it will grow in recognition.
Eva winget is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2006. As a technical expert, Bella has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites.
SOURCE: The Rising of the Shield Hero: The Controversies of Season 1
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