The Rising of the Shield Hero Returns Bigger Than Ever in Season 4

It has been a long time since we last traveled with Naofumi and his companions in the savage and hostile world of Melromarc. Fans have been waiting patiently since the last episode aired in 2023, and finally, the silence has come to an end. The Rising of the Shield Hero is returning with the 4^th season again, and it is arriving with new characters, more in-depth plot twists, and more exciting battles that will surely stir things up.

The Season 4 of this popular isekai anime is confirmed to release officially on July 9, 2025, and the wait seems to be worth it. Whether you are a fan who wants to stay up-to-date or a newcomer interested in plunging into this fantasy adventure, it is high time to start catching up on all the episodes and be ready to follow the great adventure started by Naofumi.

A Hero’s Rise Through Betrayal and Trust

Since its early episodes, The Rising of the Shield Hero was a noticeably touching fantasy anime with its strong emotion, action, and redemption combination. At the beginning, we have Naofumi Iwatani, a normal college student who was summoned into another world as one of the Four Cardinal Heroes. However, in contrast to the rest, Naofumi is provided with just a shield, more of a defensive weapon, rather than an offensive one. It takes a dark direction when he is wrongly accused and rejected by the same kingdom that he was supposed to defend.

Naofumi chooses not to give up but instead fights back his own way. In his journey, he encounters a demi-human slave named Raphtalia, whom he frees and makes his sword; and Filo, a bird-like creature, of immensely high strength. These initial seasons showcase the transformation of Naofumi as a broken man to a driven leader as he battles the mysterious Waves of Catastrophe and discover the secrets that exceeded much further than he could ever have expected.

Every season has been built on this emotional core. Season 2 took the plot into more morally ambiguous areas, introduced additional heroes and expanded the worldbuilding, and Season 3 allowed taking a closer look at Naofumi becoming more influential and responsible. By the end of Season 3, the stakes had grown much larger than before, leaving fans hungry for more.

Season 4 Arrives with Big Surprises

Now, after two years of waiting, we finally have a release date for Season 4. The new season will start airing on July 9, 2025, at 21:00 JST in Japan, and yes, Crunchyroll will stream the show for international fans as it airs. That means viewers all around the world can join in the excitement every week. You can check out the episodes as they drop here: Watch on Crunchyroll.

This season will feature 12 episodes, and the story will move into new territory, including the Siltvelt Succession Arc. Expect politics, conflict, and new layers of fantasy that dive deeper into the kingdom of Siltvelt, a nation that has supported Naofumi from the shadows since the beginning. There are whispers that the Heavenly Emperor Arc might begin as well, which means even more mystery and magic are on the horizon.

The visual style we’ve all come to love will also remain consistent. Studio Kinema Citrus is returning to animate this season, with Hitoshi Haga back as director. That’s the same team behind previous seasons, so fans can rest assured that the look, feel, and tone will stay true to the story’s roots.

Meet New Faces and Reunite with Old Ones

This season is not a mere continuation of fights. It is also introducing some new characters to be part of Naofumi crew and the world that this character is in. Takeo Otsuka voices Werner, a winged warrior of Shusaku race of Siltvelt, the character who is one of the most novel newcomers. Next to him is the lion-like demi-human Jaralis who is voiced by Jiro Saito and is a native of Siltvelt.

These two characters are first introduced in Season 4 key visual where they are depicted along with Naofumi sitting on the throne, as a symbol of his increasing strength and influence. Their addition hints at more action, more alliances, and possibly some internal conflicts that could shake the foundations of Naofumi’s group.

Of course, we’ll also be seeing the return of favorites like Raphtalia, Filo, and other key companions who have stood by Naofumi since his early days. Their stories are far from over, and with the challenges ahead, their bonds will be tested more than ever before.

The Music, The Themes, And the Energy We Love!

One of the highlights of the new season is its emotional soundtrack. The outro theme, called "Eien ni Ikkai no" or ”Once in a Lifetime,” is performed by Chiai Fujikawa. It was featured in the new trailer and it already evokes some nostalgic feelings in fans and excitement at the same time. Music has always been a large part of the tone of the show and this season promises to keep it up.

Added to that is the animation we see in the trailer that portrays a mix of beautiful visuals, heavy action sequences, and gorgeous fantasy sceneries. The world Naofumi lives in is never certain or safe, and yet it is also magical in its own sense of wonder, and this season will perfectly balance out both of that.

Fans can expect the series to explore mature themes like leadership, loyalty, and justice in a world where those things are constantly being challenged. With the Waves of Catastrophe still looming, the road ahead for Naofumi will not be easy, but that’s exactly what makes the story so compelling.

Why This Season Might Be the Most Exciting One Yet?

So why all the hype for Season 4? It’s not just because it’s been a long wait. This is due to the fact that this chapter represents a turning point. Naofumi does not simply survive or respond to the events around him anymore. He is already putting his footprint on the world, making choices, finding allies, gaining trust, and commanding nations.

That transition introduces new threats and new decisions, and it is no wonder that fans are excited to witness the extent to which the Shield Hero has actually progressed. Offering a mixture of fantasy, drama, and character development, Season 4 might become the time when the show hits its emotional climax.

Whether you’re a fan of the original light novels or someone who found the anime through streaming, this season promises to deliver something special. Get ready to laugh, cheer, and maybe even shed a few tears as Naofumi Iwatani rises once more to face a world that’s always been against him.

The Shield Hero is back. And this time, he’s not just defending. He’s leading.