Summary
This episode capitalizes on the momentum from the premiere, delivering several intense fights and surprise reveals that keep it captivating throughout.
With only one episode having aired, Crunchyroll‘s The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 is already off to a stronger start than its predecessor. While the premiere reintroduced fans to the Raphtalia’s world, Episode 2 is taking a deeper dive into the state of affairs, especially regarding slaves, since Naofumi’s returned.
As his party makes their best effort to win in the Coliseum in hopes of buying back the slaves from Lurolona Village, keeping their real identities under wraps may prove to be more complicated than they think.
Caution: Spoilers ahead.
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 2 Recap
The episode opens with Filo being given a weapon to use in battle by a sponsor just before their next opponent is announced. However, several teams have already forfeited, so the group now has to wait for their next fight.
Naofumi meets a woman named Nadia who promises not to tell on him for placing bets on his own team. As they walk together, the two are suddenly ambushed by other disgruntled Coliseum fighters. Nadia manages to subdue them all at once using powerful lightning magic before warning Naofumi that he should forfeit when they fight.
Who is Sadeena?
Sadeena is Nadia’s demi-human form, as well as an old acquaintance of Raphtalia. In the midst of the Coliseum fight, Nadia transforms into a killer whale demi-human when the battlefield becomes filled with water. In this form, Raphtalia immediately recognizes that Nadia is actually Sadeena, an adult from her past.
After recognizing Raphtalia and realizing Naofumi’s true intentions with the Coliseum earnings, Nadia throws the fight and surrenders.
The sponsors become upset and declare this battle invalid. They announce a new exhibition match involving Naofumi’s party, Nadia, and a new opponent. Together, they must fight the Murder Clown.
Naofumi and Nadia cast a choral spell on Raphtalia, making her stronger.
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 2 Ending Explained
After a strong blow from Rapghtalia, the Murder Clown warns that their group will still not be strong enough in the other world. This confuses Naofumi, who does understand what they mean. The Murder Clown then quits the battle and disappears into thin air.
A sponsor attempts to declare this match invalid because of Naofumi’s betting. However, the Jewelry Merchant and Slave Trader speak up for him and Nadia, saying they deserve their earnings and the Lurolona slaves Nadia previously purchased.
The episode ends with a young white Tiger demi-human named Fohl buying medicine for their injured sister, Atla.
Like episode one, this episode gets right into the action to keep things exciting. There was a better balance between battles and exposition this time. Instead of giving us a lot of information at once, the critical notes were weaved into the narrative naturally, making things like Sadeena’s reveal and motives feel more organic and surprising.
The animation in this series is always fairly well done, and today was no exception. The Coliseum fights were animated well, making the episode that much more entertaining to watch.
I am definitely curious to see where this whole buying back the slaves plot goes, especially with Nadia’s character involved.
What did you think of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 2? Comment below.
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