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The Rising of The Shield Hero Anime Staff Share Comments, Illustration
posted on by Kim Morrissy
The official website for Rising of the Shield Hero unveiled comments from the director Takao Abo and series composition writer Keigo Koyanagi ahead of the anime's release in January.
A rough translation is below:
Director: Takao Abo
Q. Tell us your first impression of the series when you received the offer to work on it.
A. Since this is my first time doing an isekai (lit. "other world") fantasy, it took me some time to figure out how to express it through animation and to get a sense of my own style. The appeal of the series is in its title - the protagonist's mental resilience and love for his companions. I really wanted to emphasize that.
Q. The voice cast is full of big names. What did you think when you first heard their voices with the footage?
A. They sounded just like how I imagined the characters did in my head. I could feel the growth of each character expressed in the acting as the story progressed. Especially with Naofumi, who keeps to himself and talks curtly. I always look forward to interactions between the heroes, how sometimes they fight each other and other times they band together.
Q. What should viewers look out for in the anime?
A. The clashes between the heroes, the intrigue, and Raphtalia's unwavering feelings for Naofumi.
Series composition writer: Keigo Koyanagi
Q. Tell us your first impression of the series when you received the offer to work on it.
A. It's my first time handling an isekai fantasy title. Also, I've worked with Kinema Citrus a few times before, but this is my first time working with director Takao Abo before, so I'm doing my best to meet his expectations.
Q. The voice cast is full of big names. What did you think when you first heard their voices with the footage?
A. I've attended numerous voice recording sessions by now, but each time I get blown away. Everyone understands their roles well and have approached their acting with a plan in mind. This may sound obvious, but when I watched them, I could feel their passion.
Q. What should viewers look out for in the anime?
A. Every day, everyone in the staff, starting with the director, has been experimenting in order to work out how best to express the appeal of the original work. Also, as the story progresses, more and more of this show's splendid voice cast will appear. I hope that you watch out for them when you watch the broadcast.
Masahiro Suwa, the character designer and chief animation director, left an illustration to show his appreciation.
The anime will premiere in January 2019. Crunchyroll will stream the anime worldwide outside of Asia with both English subtitles and dubbing as it airs in Japan, after premiering the first dubbed episode at Crunchyroll Expo on September 3 with guests from the anime.
The Rising of The Shield Hero is based on a series of books by Aneko Yusagi. MF Books published the novel series' 19th compiled volume in January. One Peace Books released the 12th volume in English in August. The publisher describes the novels' first compiled book volume:
Naofumi Iwatani, an uncharismatic otaku who spends his days on games and manga, suddenly finds himself summoned to a parallel universe! He discovers he is one of four heroes equipped with legendary weapons and tasked with saving the world from its prophesied destruction. As the Shield Hero, the weakest of the heroes, all is not as it seems. Naofumi is soon alone, penniless, and betrayed. With no one to turn to, and nowhere to run, he is left with only his shield. Now, Naofumi must rise to become the legendary Shield Hero and save the world!
Source: The Rising of The Shield Hero official website via Animate Times
