A great chapter. This is my first time reviewing after reading this story twice over the past year or so. First of all, I must confess that I am likely an odd reader, having never watched the Rise of the Shield Hero anime or read the light novels. In fact the only exposure I have to the series beyond your own story is a parody abridged series. I knew the story had a fantasy video game like setting. So I was searching for some interesting stories, and this one caught my attention. The idea of the heroes working together instead of against one another is quite appealing, as is the worldbuilding done in the story though from what I have gathered from your notes, the light novels have provided a wellspring of material to draw from. I appreciate the level of detail and commitment that you have put into representing the story and setting as faithfully as you have. Well onto the review itself. First the main characters. I have greatly enjoyed the realism applied to the cast as they each have their own unique foibles and strengths that sometimes help and sometimes hinders them. With the main character Naofumi, his dissatisfaction and hate of how he has been treated has left its mark on him, and though I would like to see him move past it, I applaud the characterization. One's past impacts and affects us even when we wish it wouldn't. His rise and struggle against his own worst aspects, his acknowledgement of his sins, most notably how he wronged Melty was handled really well. He is not perfect, he isn't trying to be and that is fine. He's trying to do a job and protect his loved ones, sometimes even from himself. I've grown to enjoy the side characters quite a bit, but I do think that you've written Naofumi well and how he is adjusting to his position as he has tackled the various situations he has been tossed into. As for his romance with Raphtalia, its great and I enjoy seeing them working together and growing through their failures. I look forward to their happy ending. His cast of supporting characters have been very enjoyable, I have particularly enjoyed Dou-Lon and Eclair serving as bastions of calm in the story, while also having their own bit of humor and arcs. Dou-Lon's victory over Eclair was a great chapter. As for Motoyasu, early on he was a pain, a well written annoyance, but a pain nonetheless. I especially applaud how you've recovered his character as we saw in the first book of Virtue of the Shield hero. His loyalty and his desire to improve and avoid his mistakes have been quite a good read. My only issue with that section, was that I was desperately curious to see the fallout of Itsuki going into self exile would pan out. Still Motoyasu and his journey have been very engaging and rewarding to read, to see how a person would push to overcome their own mistakes and fight for their redemption, not just with their martial might, but owning up to their mistakes and actively pushing to grow as a person. His defense of Sadeena in the face of Raphtalia's wrath was a very powerful moment for his character. Though with the Yanderes here, I suspect the Spear hero is going to get some of the less pleasant aspects of character development. It will be fascinating to read, but I know it will be a difficult piece to handle well. Good luck with that. I am glad he has gained S'ynne and the others to watch his back. The romance between him and S'ynne has been good to see, and it is nice to see him with a girl who is stable and loving. He has grown so much that I am eager to see him truly show his heroic quality. Ren has fallen off the radar in the larger narrative at the moment, his aid in repelling the surprise Wave was solid, but I do look to see him participate in a larger way in the main plot. That said, the trauma of 'seeing' his beloved and his friends cut down would stick and I can easily see him struggling to overcome his own trauma. He is the second hero to gain a blessed series out of the ordeal, but I am not sure the cost was worth it. That said, prior to the Spirit Turtle, his story and his path were handled quite well. Looking at how this book is written, we may see some more progress on that front, but it may still be a struggle as he still needs to overcome his own demons. Wyndia has proven her quality in standing by his side. Last and certainly not least is Itsuki. Honestly one of my favorite characters and likely my favorite character path for the main cast. His growth has been in many ways a double edged sword. He has grown past the simple showiness of justice, and is looking to right wrongs, but the slave arc in the earlier parts of the story may have been harsher for him than many of the others. To be confronted with the full weight of evil, to have to kill and stain one's own hands to save innocent lives, and at times even fail at that. He has had a very rough road. There are a couple of questions that I have in regards to his character though. First, why is his cursed series disguising itself as the Bow of Justice, rather than its likely status as the Bow of Pride? A play on the idea that Pride, that most insidious of sins, so easily hides behind false pretenses? The ego of pride disguised behind the humble and noble name of justice? Interesting thoughts. Further, I recall you noting earlier that Itsuki was the closest to unlocking his own blessed series, I assume that it would be one of humility, but that is probably a bit away and in the realm of spoiler territory. But the most pressing question that has honestly been on my mind for quite awhile is this, what would it takt to make Itsuki the main character? You noted before that the only thing needed for Motoyasu to become the lead character would be to have never met and fall under the influence of M'yne. So my question is what would need to change for Itsuki to rise to such a role. The trauma of his life and the inferiority complex he has would likely need to be addressed, and he would need to grow beyond his pride and sense of inferiority to see and seek true justice with eyes unclouded by both, but the process for that would likely take time. As for his supporting cast Rishia has clearly taken the lead, to no one's great surprise, but his friends having helped to anchor him and guide him to a clearer sense of justice have been excellent. I do expect that the Shara, Betsy, Anya, Leo, and Asriel will form the core of his party. Though I am curious as to whether Rishia and Itsuki will be able to party together as they are both heroes. That said her Projectiles weapon is meant to work alongside his own Bow, so perhaps that won't be an issue. Well this is getting a bit long, so I'll save more of my thoughts for later, should I be able to rise from my own bed of doldrums. Regardless, I must comment on this chapter itself. First of all, its good to see Itsuki still resisting Karn's intentions. I have long been frustrated at how he likely does not yet know of Karn's own treachery, which would allow for the liar to trick him. That Karn is going with a psychological twist, pushing him closer to insanity is both devious, but also it has a flaw. Notably, Itsuki believes that this is a part of him. If he can overcome this, be it through his friends, or on his own, then he will be stronger than ever. Further, Karn is having to commit resources to help push Itsuki along, which he may regret. Third, is that his plan requires his attention to be on the hero. And since he just got a Life Force charged explosion to the face, and has been spending two days trying to slow Rishia's group down, Itsuki may have been able to get some good and solid rest. I hope, but I doubt as Karn has done a great job preying on Itsuki's own foibles and flaws. He may regret how things went in town, that he drew his bow and readied a skill to kill the town, but he didn't he shut down that Karn induced intrusive thought. But he is on a very slippery slope, he needs help, darn Karn for delaying said help. As for Rishia its nice to be reminded how powerful Life Force is when combined with a vassal weapon. The party that she has brought with her will be crucial and I do like the poetic nature of those who have seen Itsuki at his worst, are coming to rescue and redeem him, for they have also seen the best of him. I hope we get to see some more from the party. The art is great. Congrats on your engagement, and thank you for writing I good story. I look forward to seeing where things will go.
Comment on Virtue of the Shield Hero: Three
Knight_of_Wings on Chapter 3 Wed 25 Jun 2025 04:54PM UTC
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