So, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2. Remember that? It happened. We all saw it... right?
Okay, maybe "saw" is a strong word. Maybe "experienced in a fever dream while battling food poisoning" is more accurate.
Was Season 2 Actually... Good? *Unpopular Opinion Alert!*
Let's be honest. Season 1 slapped. Naofumi, the ultimate underdog, building his party, battling monsters, dealing with all that awful prejudice. Classic isekai goodness.
Then Season 2 arrived. And... well, it was definitely a season of a show. It had episodes. There were characters doing things.
But was it good? This is where I might lose some friends. I'm going to say... I didn't hate it.
Gasp! Shock! Horror! I know, I know. The animation quality dipped. The story got a little convoluted. The new characters... existed.
And the Spirit Tortoise arc? Let’s just say it was an experience. An experience. A long, drawn-out experience.
But Hear Me Out!
Look, I'm not saying Season 2 was perfect. Far from it. It had problems. Lots of them.
But I also think people were overly harsh. We went in expecting Season 1 Part 2: Electric Boogaloo and got something... different.
Maybe expectations were too high? Maybe we were all just burnt out on isekai tropes?
Consider this: Naofumi still had character development. Raphtalia was still adorable and badass. The world-building continued, even if it felt a little rushed.
And honestly, sometimes a show just has a "meh" season. It happens! Think of your favorite sitcom. Did every season hit the mark? Probably not.
Maybe we should cut Shield Hero some slack. Maybe we should appreciate that it even got a second season at all.
The *Real* Problem: The Hype Train
Let’s be real; social media blew this out of proportion. Everyone piled on, making it cool to hate Season 2.
But deep down, were we *really* that disappointed? Or were we just following the crowd?
I’m not saying it's a masterpiece, but let's be real, did you honestly expect peak animation and perfect pacing for an entire season?
I'll admit it: I chuckled at some of the cheesy lines. I rolled my eyes at some of the plot conveniences. But I also found myself invested in the characters, wanting to see what happened next.
Sue me!
And that leads to the big question...
Will There Be A Season 3?
Thankfully, yes! A Season 3 is on its way! And that means more adventures, more monster battles, and more questionable animation choices to dissect.
Hopefully, the studio will take the criticisms of Season 2 to heart. Hopefully, they'll learn from their mistakes.
But even if Season 3 is just as "divisive" as Season 2, I'll probably still watch it. Because I'm a sucker for isekai, and I secretly enjoyed the train wreck that was Season 2. Don't judge me.
Maybe you should give Season 2 another watch. Go in with lower expectations. Maybe you'll find something to enjoy. Or maybe you'll just confirm your hatred. Either way, it's a win-win!
Besides, at least we can all agree
Raphtalia is best girl. No debate.
