The Rising of the Shield Hero has entertained a great number of fans of light novels, manga and anime lately, overcoming the belief that a strong hero fights with a sword as a main weapon. The isekai series, also classified into dark-fantasy and adventure, tells the story of the protagonist out of luck. Naofumi, who is suddenly transported to the isekai world, has to survive the severe world with only the defensive weapons.
Based on the original novel published since 2013, the first season of The Rising of the Shield Hero hit the air with 25 episodes in 2019. And then, the second season was broadcast with 13 episodes in the end of June, 2022. In December 2023, the third and latest season concluded with 12 episodes, which brings the total number of episodes in the anime series to 50.
Those who have already completed the currently-released episodes of the The Rising of the Shield Hero anime series may miss it or be interested in what will happen in the next part. Today, I’d like to introduce where the The Rising of the Shield Hero anime ends in light novel and manga.
Check out which volume to read to enjoy the following story after the anime ends!
(Photo on top: ©2021 アネコユサギ／KADOKAWA／盾の勇者の製作委員会S2)
How many volumes does The Rising of the Shield Hero have?
The author Aneko Yusagi started The Rising of the Shield Hero (盾の勇者の成り上がり) on the user-generated novel publishing website Shosetsuka ni Naro in 2012 and its light novel series has been published by him and he illustrator Seira Minami since 2013. There are 22 volumes published so far in the light novel series of The Rising of the Shield Hero (The latest volume 22 was released in June, 2019). A spin-off series The Reprise of the Spear Hero (槍の勇者のやり直し) has been serialized since 2014, too.
The light novel series has been also adapted into the manga series by Aiya Kyu since 2014, which consists of 24 volumes so far (The latest volume 24 was released in November, 2023).
Which should you choose, light novels or manga?
If you want to know what will happen to Naofumi’s party after The Rising of the Shield Season 3 ends, it’s highly recommended to read the light novel series. There are many unadapted volumes you can read in English as of this moment while the manga adaptation has not caught up with the anime series. That is to say, you can go ahead of the anime only in the light novel series.
The Rising of the Shield Hero: Which Volume to Read after the Anime Series
Then, where should you re-start The Rising of the Shield Hero in the light novel series after watching the anime series?
Light Novel: Which volume of The Rising of the Shield Hero to read after the anime?
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 was just concluded with Episode 13 “Flowers Offered in Recollection,” which coincides with the end of Volume 9 of the light novel series.
And, Season 3 finished with Episode 12 “The Ones We Must Protect,” which corresponds to the end of Volume 12.
Therefore, you can enjoy the rest of the story after the anime ends from the light novel series Volume 13. Up to the third season of the anime series and the light novel series until Volume 12, the Justice Arc has been covered. An upcoming season re-starts with the Siltvelt Succession Arc.
Here is the The Rising of the Shield Hero light novel/anime correspondence table:
Season 1: From Volume 1 to Volume 5
Season 2: From Volume 6 to Volume 9
Season 3: From Volume 10 to Volume 12
Season 4: From Volume 13
There are enough volumes translated into English to enjoy the next story arcs in the light novel series. Go ahead of the anime series from Volume 13 onwards earlier than the upcoming Season 4!
Manga: Which volume of The Rising of the Shield Hero to read after the anime?
As previously mentioned, the anime series overtook the manga series in Season 2. There is no other option but to progress to the next story in the light novel at the moment. If several new volumes of the manga adaptation are released before the third season of the anime series comes, you can choose the manga series to proceed.
Here is the The Rising of the Shield Hero manga/anime correspondence table:
Season 1: From Volume 1 to Volume 12 Chapter 45
Season 2: From Volume 12 Chapter 46
Season 3: –
When will The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 air?
Unfortunately, at the end of Season 3, there was no announcement for The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4. However, it is true that at the end of Episode 12 of the third season (which is the 50th episode overall), there was a hint suggesting the production of a continuation season. Given how far it has come, there is a high possibility that the anime will be adapted until the end, and we can look forward to future news while read further from the light novel series Volume 13 in advance.
Should you be in search of suggestions similar to The Rising of the Shield Hero, consider exploring this curated list of manga and anime.
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