Summary
The Rising of the Shield Hero has really been at its peak this season when focusing on the vassal heroes, and Episode 11 may be the best example of that.
Back in Season 1, fans never could’ve imagined a day when the vassal heroes would finally see eye to eye. Now, in The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3, three of the four have finally joined together, with a fourth possibly on the way in Episode 11. While it doesn’t seem like the bow hero is ready to get on board with Naofumi’s party now, here’s hoping he does before the Phoenix finally does attack.
While The Rising of the Shield Hero has had its ups and downs this season, Episode 11 was one of its better showings. Maybe it’s because viewers already have a connection to the other heroes, but the episodes that focused on them finally joining Naofumi felt like they held more weight than some of the other installments.
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 11 Recap
The episode opens with Itsuki repeating words of affirmation to himself as he enters the arena to fight Rishia. He assumes she will be an easy opponent, considering how weak she was before, and laughs when she declares she is there to save him this time.
Upon seeing that Rishia is here with Naofumi, Itsuki assumes he’s been tricked and that it is his job to prove how evil the Shield Hero is. He aims his bow toward Naofumi and shoots into the crowd before accusing him of buying slaves for hard labor.
In an attempt to prove that he is right, Itsuki uses his new Justice Bow to release a hoard of righteous arrows. However, instead of hitting Naofumi, he hits the announcer instead. Although he is fine, when the announcer stands up, he apologizes for being under the service of the Shield Hero.
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Rishia manages to turn Itsuki’s attention back to their fight, attacking and showing off just how much stronger she’s become. As he wonders how his justice could lose to someone like her, Itsuki allows himself to succumb deeper to the curse series. Still, she continues to overcome even when he tries to kill her.
How does Rishia defeat Itsuki?
Despite his best efforts to defeat and even kill her, Rishia manages to defeat Itsuki using the power of his own bow. When the bow seems to reject Itsuki’s corrupted idea of justice, it instead creates a new weapon for Rishia to use against him.
Upon losing, Itsuki runs off searching for Malty, who he’s sure is the only person who still believes in him. However, he returns to their base to find a letter mocking him, saying she has stolen all of his money and left him with a mountain of debt.
How does The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 11 end?
Devastated, Itsuki passes out and dreams of a time from his past. When he wakes again, he is in Lurolona Village, where Rishia informs him that she and Naofumi have agreed to help pay off his debts.
As they observe him outside, Raphtalia wonders if Itsuki will be able to overcome his almost catatonic-like state, while Noafumi explains that one’s sense of justice can be a complicated thing.
If nothing else, the character development has been a highlight of Season 3. I almost wish we had more time to flesh out these storylines instead, as they’ve been a long time coming. It almost seems unfair to rush through the heroes finally forming alliances just to get to the Phoenix storyline, but with everyone on the same page now, this battle should eventually be the biggest, most satisfying of the series.
What did you think of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 11? Comment below.
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