WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 35 ofThe Rising of the Shield Hero, “Katana Hero,” now streaming onFunimation,Crunchyroll&Hulu.
The 35th episode ofRising of the Shield Herofeaturesa heartwarming reunion after a few episodes of the constant separation of every member of the original Shield Hero Party: Filo, Rapthalia & Naofumi. After trying to follow Kyo Ethnina into his world, the Shield Hero party was split into different locations. Naofumi, Rishia, and Rapthalia were transported to the Infinite Labyrinth – a supposedly inescapable prison, while Filo was discovered by a demi-human slave trader.
Later in episode 34, Naofumi found & rescued his filolial partner, but only after Rapthalia fell prey to Kyo Ethnina’s nasty plans in episode 33. However, as good developments sometimes emanate from the bad ones, the Rapthalia-Naofumi separation led to the creation of Vassal Weapon Wielder, adding another powerful hero to the Shield Hero party.
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A Forced Reunion With Old Foes
Episode 35 ofRising of the Shield Herobegan from Raphtalia’s point of view. The show depicted the character recalling memories of her life as a demi-human slave before she met Naofumi. As a slave, her life was filled with suffering and misery; however, meeting Naofumi changed Rapthalia in different ways. She became his most trusted partner and his strongest offensive weapon against foes they encountered in Naofumi’s adventures. Unfortunately, after going through all those evolutions, it seems Raphtalia is back to square one since she is reduced to her old child-like look, having lost all her previous skills.
On the road to what seems like a new form of slavery,a determined Rapthalia is throwninto a prison where she meets, Naofumi’s former enemies, now turned allies: L’Arc, Therese & Glass. These vassal heroes were equally surprised to see Rapthalia in her miniature form. Soon things progress, and the Vassal heroes explain to Rapthalia that they were imprisoned in a cell that sucks away their internal energy the more they use it. So, for them to conserve their energy, little movement is required, meaning that escape is impossible. Well, it was for them until Rapthalia suggested a witty plan. Using her newly-acquired illusion magic, she managed to assist everyone in escaping successfully, freeing them from the evil plans of the crafty Ethnina. During their time in the cell, Raphtalia filled the party in on what had happened ever since the Shield Hero party came to their world.
The heroes were shocked at what happened, especially thenews of Kizuna, the Hunting Hero, trapped in the Infinite Labyrinth. After listening to Rapthalia’s talks, they decided to assist her in finding Naofumi by using the Dragon Vein to teleport back to Sikul. Following the party, Rapthalia to leveled up, allowing fans to sport her extraordinary physical body evolution once again. After a day of hard work and adventure, the party then decided to turn in for the night.
The night scene in episode 35 was crucial because it allowed viewers to have a good look at Glass’s adorable personality. In the first season ofRising of the Shield Hero, Glass was portrayed as a cold, villainous individual who wanted to defeat Naofumi and destroy the world he was summoned to. Of course, that didn’t happen, but it was enough for fans to get a one-sided look at Glass’s nature.Episode 35 revealed Glass’s kind and fragile nature, allowing fans to see that there was more to these vassal heroes than the story initially depicted.
The New Katana Hero
The next day, L’Arc and the rest of the party discovered troubling news: the new Katana hero was about to be chosen. This was both good and bad news as the birth of the Katana hero would mean the protection of the people if it was in good hands. However, if it was in bad hands, it could spell doom for the country. Still, everyone could rely on one unchangeable fact:the Vassal weapons only choose their wielders. After the party arrived at the ceremony, Rapthalia witnessed Kazuki, one of Kyo’s subordinates, trying to get the Katana weapon. This bad news suddenly changed after the Katana weapon suddenly appeared in Rapthalia’s hands, meaning that she was chosen to be the Katana Vassal weapon wielder, even against her will.
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The katana, stuck to her, unwilling to come off, forcing Rapthalia to separate herself from L’Arc and the rest because she was being pursued by soldiers carrying out Kazuki’s orders to retrieve the katana. As Rapthalia escaped from the angered soldiers, she sported a shocking growth spurt again, allowing her to regain her former look fans are all too familiar with as a mature demi-human. Due to the confusion and pain from the constant body metamorphosis, Rapthalia was unable to fight back her weak pursuers. Soon, she grew weak from exhaustion until she was found by a priestess who truthfully claimed that her family had served theKatana Hero for generations. After the priestess gave Rapthalia new clothes, the demi-human was energized and determined to confront her foes.
A Heartwarming Reunion
Emerging from the temple, Rapthalia subdues Kazuki and kills the copies of the Byakko, one of the Four Holy Beasts targeted against her. However, after she defeated Kazuki and traveled down the castle, she almost collapsed from exhaustion as she was still trying to get used to her new, barely nourished body. Coincidentally, in her weak state, a bigger version of the Byakko beasts showed up and almost killed Rapthalia until she was saved by her first true companion: Naofumi. With the aid of Filo and Kizuna, the Byakko was defeated, allowing fans to finallywitness the long-awaited reunion.
The reunion between former slave and master was heartwarming & long overdue. But, in the new Rapthalia, one thing had changed: her mind. Initially, Rapthalia considered herself Naofumi’s sword or offensive tool. However, after being freed from the slave crest due to the strong will of the Katana weapon, she changed her mentality. This time, Rapthalia decided to stand with Naofumi as an equal and not a weapon. Her newfound sense of independence is truly a sight to see, as the new Rapthalia will definitely be an asset to Naofumi.
The tear-lined development revolving around Rapthalia in episode 35 is definitely one of the best in the fantasy seriesso far as the power ranking of the Shield Hero party is about to change for the better.
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