The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 5

The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 5

Something About an Evil Plot

I can’t stress enough how much I didn’t want to watch The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 5. And I also can’t stress enough how much I don’t want to be writing this review of the episode right now. It’s actually the worst anime I’m watching this season.

Alright, well, let’s get into my string of complaints about this episode, as usual. First up, someone from another world is behind the Spirit Tortoise’s awakening. That alone isn’t that bad. But, we’re told by L’Arc & friends that this villain’s motivation is that he wants power for himself.

Sure, most villains want power. But that’s also the most boring, generic motive possible. At least L’Arc and his comrades are antagonists because they’re trying to save their own world. In that sense, they’re pretty much the same as the player character in Fate/Grand Order.

Glass, Therese, and L'Arc from the anime series The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 5
Glass, Therese, and L’Arc

This is another example of how the plot of The Rising of the Shield Hero is painfully bland. And, yes, I understand the anime is currently speedrunning the light novel content. But, I don’t see how the plot would be any better in the novels. It’s the same plot, only faster.

At least I’m seeing a lot of people recognize that the series isn’t good thanks to this season. I’ve seen people who were big fans of the first season say they dropped the second because it’s so bad. They’re the lucky ones. I wish I could do that. But, the reviews must go on (for now).

It was also revealed in Episode 5 that there are other Spirit animals. I’m hoping that we don’t have to watch Naofumi’s party deal with them all. The sooner we can get this arc over with, the better.

Kyo Ethnina, Wielder of the Book Vassal Weapon

First of all, Kyo Ethnina is a stupid name. Second, he’s the wielder of the Book vassal weapon? More like he’s a nerd. And third, he’s the poster child for the generic mad scientist villain trope. The only unique thing about this series is that Naofumi owns slaves.

How do you know an anime character is a mad scientist? They tend to have long, white hair. They also wear glasses, because what kind of scientist doesn’t wear glasses? And, they need to have an annoyingly smug personality that makes you want to punch them in the face.

Guess who checks off all three of those boxes. That’s right. It’s Kyo Ethnina, mad scientist extraordinaire. And, of course, the fact that his vassal weapon is a book only adds to the trope. But, Kyo’s character design is actually better than I first thought it was.

Book Vassal Weapon Wielder Kyo Ethnina from the anime series The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 5
Book Vassal Weapon Wielder Kyo Ethnina

You see, when Kyo first revealed himself, I thought he had random vials of liquid attached to his chest. You know, to show that he’s a scientist. But, upon further inspection, I don’t know what those objects are. They’re not vials of liquid. They kind of look like they could be scrolls.

Anyway, just as I’m hoping this arc won’t include the other Spirit animals, I’m hoping it’s the last time we see Kyo. I can’t remember any “important” characters getting killed off in Shield Hero so far. But, I can still wish that Kyo dies by the end of the Spirit Tortoise arc.

If Kyo turns out to be a recurring antagonist of the series, I’m going to drop it. I can already guarantee that I will never see him as a good character. He’s not even going to be an okay character.

Ost Horai, the Spirit Tortoise

For a moment, I thought that my prediction bout Ost becoming one of Naofumi’s slaves was about to happen. When Ost was “on the brink of death” and a seal appeared on her chest, I thought this was a slave seal at first. That wasn’t the case.

On one hand, I’m a bit disappointed that my prediction didn’t come true (yet). But on the other, I don’t see what Ost brings to Naofumi’s party. I guess she has gravity magic. Though, I’d say the fact that she adds a black-haired woman to the harem is the only real benefit to keeping her around.

And even though the seal on Ost’s chest is that of the Spirit Tortoise, that doesn’t disprove my theory. You see, Kyo revealed that Ost isn’t actually a familiar of the Spirit Tortoise. It’s more like she is the Spirit Tortoise. She’s the Spirit Tortoise manifested in human form.

Ost Horai from the anime series The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 5
Ost Horai

So, why does this matter? Well, because the easiest way to kill the Spirit Tortoise is now to kill Ost. And, to me, it’s pretty obvious that Naofumi isn’t going to kill her. So, how else can he stop the Spirit Tortoise from rampaging?

Well, the simple answer is that he can enslave the Spirit Tortoise so it. If he makes Ost his slave, Naofumi may be able to put the Spirit Tortoise back to sleep. I can’t see him being able to control the Spirit Tortoise, though. That would be too much of an instantaneous jump in power.

Also, even if Naofumi could control it, the Spirit Tortoise still runs on human souls. He wouldn’t be able to use it without supplying sacrifices, which isn’t going to happen. Oh, and speaking of souls, it sounds like it’s possible to recover them from the Spirit Tortoise.

Conclusion

What do you think of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 5? Do you actually like this season? Is the mad scientist trope a good trope? And should Ost join Naofumi’s harem? Let me know in the comments.

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My review of Episode 6 is available now.

One Reply to “The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 Episode 5”

  1. Well, if you don’t like Kyo as a villian, you can drop it now… Minimum spoilers))) He is not best villian in story, but his side story is not THAT bad. He wasn’t bad at start, but his pride and lust for power take him to the dark side. He want power cause of *spoilers* He make one deal with conscience and another, and another. His life is like “end justifies the means” story. Please, don’t drop it, after Turtle Arc you will be rewarded! Like a lot! Anime creators is f**ked up((( There is no doubt, but (for my opinion) even they can’t ruin later arc (after Turtle). I say: there are 4 Sacred Beast (inc Turtle).

    Ost can make “ara-ara, Naofumi-kun” in the harem))) I want see her in the harem, but…
    Just remember: first, but not last(((

    P.S.: Wanna see Dark Naofumi again? Wanna see loli-Raphtalia again?
    if you don’t drop SH, you will see best arc in LN with L’Arc, Glass and…

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