The Rising Of The Shield Hero “Kizuna” Review
The Rising Of The Shield Hero “Kizuna” is the eleventh episode from the second season of the Rising Of The Shield Hero anime. Following Raphtalia’s transformation in episode 10. Naofumi’s new team consist of Raphtalia, Raph -chan, Filo, Rishia, Glass, L’Arc, Therese and Kizuna (also Chris but he’s only at the beginning.) The whole group team up to deal shop for new gear ready for the next “wave” after placing their orders they meet up with a hyper aggressive Yomogi Emari, who we later find out is a childhood friend of Kyo’s. After stopping her from dying by her own sword, Kizuna has a one to one with her where she explains that Kyo has been looking for a way to stop the waves since childhood. She however joins the group as she’s seen enough to know he’s clearly overstepped a mark somewhere. The episode ends with the countdown timer stopping and the world suddenly being surrounded by “wave” portals, with everyone being transported there. Finally Yomogi comes to the realisation that Kyo wasn’t trying to stop the waves, he was trying to create them.
A Set-Up Episode that lacks something
As a set up episode to the final showdown between the team and Kyo, this is great. Problem is, it feels like something was rushed here, it’s hard to know or pin down but something is missing. Characters who I usually like seem one dimensional and bland almost as if they’re being written to just set up the final fight and that’s all.
It also seems to spend a while focusing on things that seem unimportant, like L’Arc being a noble. OK sure that’s fine for a laugh and I did get a chuckle out of Naofumi’s teasing and L’Arc’s embarrassment but it just seemed like something that’s unimportant when a lot of the political strife from the show seems to have been heavily edited out.
Looking back, this episode was fun but that’s all it really is. I’m not sure I can cut this show as much slack as I usually do.
