Ep 1. The Shield Hero

In The Rising of the Shield Hero season 1 episode 1, titled "The Shield Hero," we are introduced to the story's protagonist, Naofumi Iwatani, a college student who is transported to a fantasy world along with three other young men. The four are summoned to become legendary heroes tasked with defending the kingdom of Melromarc from waves of monsters.

Upon arriving, each hero is designated a weapon. Naofumi, who is the last summoned, is given the legendary shield. Initially disappointed with his shield, Naofumi learns from a seller that shields are often regarded as useless in this world. Despite this knowledge, he decides to do his best and begins his journey as a hero.

Naofumi is eager to start his journey and becomes quickly enchanted by the new world that he is in. However, his enthusiasm is short-lived as he comes face to face with betrayal early on. After being set up and falsely accused of a crime that he didn't commit, Naofumi is stripped of his belongings, money, and title as a hero. He also gains a false reputation as a rapist.

Feeling overwhelmed and alone, Naofumi is forced to resort to the extremes to recover. He is soon met with the guidance of a slave trader who offers him a slave girl named Raphtalia. Despite being hesitant to use a slave, Naofumi is convinced by the slave trader that Raphtalia is best for serving his cause. He purchases her but is shocked by her appearance as she is badly beaten and in a depressed state.

Not wanting to treat her like other slaves, Naofumi brings Raphtalia back to his camping spot and begins to help rehabilitate and train her to fight. They form a close bond and become an effective team in battles. As the two travel together, they come across other creatures, monsters, and people that add to the story's world-building while Naofumi begins to unravel the mystery of why he was set up.

Overall, The Rising of the Shield Hero season 1 episode 1 sets the stage for an intense and emotional story. The episode introduces the central themes of the show, such as trust, betrayal, and perspective, while developing its main characters and setting the stakes for the rest of the series. Naofumi's journey from an eager hero to an outcast and eventual reclamation of his status is full of twists and turns that make for a thrilling adventure.