First Impressions / Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari

「神鳥の聖人」 (Kandori no Seijin)
“The Savior of the Heavenly Fowl”

Although this was arguably a breather episode, I found myself smiling the entire time. Not even the occasional drop in animation quality could detract from the thoroughly enjoyable A and B plots. In the first, Naofumi put his growing expertise with potions and medicines to good use by saving a village from a sickness brought on by Motoyasu’s attempts to end a famine. Therein lies the major difference between the Spear Hero and the Shield Hero – Naofumi thinks through his actions, coming up with counters to the consequences of moves he hasn’t made yet, while Motoyasu is content with providing a quick fix without sticking around to see if it pans out. As Naofumi rightfully points out, the villagers never should have accepted the seed, since they knew it could be dangerous, but they’re so accustomed to the idea of being saved that they hesitated to contradict a hero. By forcing the villagers to pay for his service, Naofumi made them complicit in their own rescuing, and hopefully more wary when it comes to asking for outside help with their problems in the future.

Now, as wonderful as it was to see Naofumi continue to build a good reputation with the people, can we all just stop a moment to appreciate how

adorable Filo is? Her carefree attitude is a breath of fresh air, and she’s a force to be reckoned with, both in a straight-up fight and on the battlefield of love. I really didn’t understand why Raphtalia saw her as a threat, given she looks like she’s about eleven, but it turns out she’s a sneaky little rascal, too. Despite this, when Raphtalia sees her in trouble, she has her back. The pair of them make for a formidable team when they work together, as that poor boar found out.

Perhaps the best evidence of the positive influence these two have on Naofumi was the sheer number of genuine smiles they elicited from him. I didn’t count, but with the exclusion of the very first episode, it must have been more than the rest of the series combined. Being with them has revitalized his humanity, and while I wouldn’t say any of them are quite ready for romance just yet, as long as Naofumi has companions he values by his side, we can be sure that he will continue to grow into an even stronger and more capable hero.

And speaking of heroes, is anyone wondering how the others are doing with their exploits? Hopefully better than Motoyasu, at least.

 

Preview

37 Comments

  2. I wonder could thing goes different if he make different chooses? What if the Shield Hero didn’t make this path? Can he make it a different choose in his journey? Or a spin off if the Shield Hero redo his life with little memory with help of his “demon” and the spear hero?

    I’ll never know….

    Andrew
    Reply

  3. I wonder if I’m the antagonist and wield the No Name keyblade to cause trouble like Xehanort, make the Shield Hero fall to darkness and become darkness itself with no hope of return, destroying everything he may or may not care about. After all darkness is the Shield Hero true nature and his true destiny.

    Xehanort
    Reply

  5. This episode focuses on the growing reputation of Naofumi as an entrepreneur selling his services to the masses and cleaning up other heroes’ mess.

    https://randomc.net/image/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari%20-%2007%20-%20Large%2013.jpg

    Also, the sisterhood rivalry relationship between Filo and Raphtalia.

    https://randomc.net/image/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari%20-%2007%20-%20Large%2036.jpg

    It’s been brought up many times already in Reddit but for those who don’t know, the anime is adopting the light novel, not the manga(which is adopting it’s own interpretation of the light novel, and not the web novel(draft version of the story). The hot springs get away is a bonus chapter in the earlier volumes.

    Overall, I very pleased with the adaption. It’s not ground breaking but it is very entertaining to watch.

    SpitFire
    Reply

    2. I remember thinking that this wasn’t in the manga. With that said, it does develop the plot and characters, and it’s nice to see Naofumi smile. If he were brooding and dour all the time, those times when he loses his cool wouldn’t be as exciting

      Stars
      Reply

    3. I agree. I see some similar “candle light of Hope” from an other “Goblins!?. No Goblin no interest!” Anime. But they also hit hard on the “he is the only rightful Hero!”.. But lets see.. i am still watching it from randomc.net sidelines (screenshots)..

      Worldwidedepp
      Reply

    4. That maybe along with the future events, hope one day maybe a spin off or future volumes he’ll fall astray and become a monster of rage, vengeance, and darkness in red.

      I bet FILO and Raphtalia will save him along with three heroes who wishes to redeem themselves for their mess.

      Xingbar
      Reply

  6. Shield-bro’s getting really bland for me, as I expected. I know this is a filler and all, but removing or toning down Naofumi’s rage and jaded outlook is turning this into vanilla isekai with just better graphics. Even in the WN, I really liked the start but dropped it after everyone stopped hating Naofumi.

    If they somehow manage to make it all the way to the super big plot twist in the LN then I’ll pick this back up real fast lol. It might be able to explain how mellow this story has gotten.

    Skyfish
    Reply

    1. Fair enough. I would probably have the same opinion as you if hadn’t known in advance the plot ahead. I wonder what plot twist your talking about… I’ve read the official translations up to vol. 13 and know the synopsis for the future volumes.

      I can assure you however that episodes 5-7 are relevant to the plot. You will be seeing the results of the events of these episodes in the later episodes. Unless they changed the plot for the anime I guess… but the anime has been faithful to the LN.

      I mean, if viewers try to skip episodes 5-7 and jump into episode 8 or the next wave perhaps, would the story make sense? would the audience care as much for the trio main characters if the adoption hadn’t spent time to develop the characters setup the major conflict in the plot? rising action I say.

      Imagine if right after the Shield versus Spear hero duel Kinema Citrus decides to jump on to the dragon corpse next episode and just show a giant white bird along with Naofumi and Raphtalia. And Naofumi just happens to become a traveling entrepreneur but they skipped all that because… we want to show Naofumi in rage mode. And by the way, the trio company going around the country selling stuff? this is a major plot setup for the future.

      That said however, you can always put it on hold and continue in the future when the action picks up. I can’t blame you if this bores you though. I myself have been bored of highly acclaimed shows myself.

      SpitFire
      Reply

      1. I’ll probably pop back in again when they’re against Show Spoiler ▼

        .

        I’ve come across a pic of Raphtalia meeting Show Spoiler ▼

        in 4chan or a discord channel but couldn’t find it again. I’d be disappointed if that didn’t really happen in the LN and turns out to be fanart.

        Skyfish
        Reply

  8. I don’t really understand some of the changes they made from the source in this ep. Filo never mentioned in the LN that Naofumi should be her mate in the future, she only wanted him to praise her, nothing more.

    Slarkero
    Reply

  9. https://randomc.net/image/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari%20-%2007%20-%20Large%2018.jpg

    RAFU!

    https://randomc.net/image/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari%20-%2007%20-%20Large%2012.jpg

    And thus, the waifu wars begin
    Show Spoiler ▼

    Ginobi47
    Reply

  10. Despite the this episode, Naofumi is an ass in my eyes and dangerous, after all he’ll loss himself in rage and darkness. After all darkness is his true nature and destiny.
    If I were him in first episode, I just run off and trust no but myself, then witness the kingdom fall.

    Xingbar
    Reply

    1. Haha, you literally make him sound like he’s Anakin Skywalker.

      Honestly, I can’t blame him for being quite ruthless to most people outside his two companions, the black smith and a select others. It seems like people have to earn his trust before becomes less hostile.

      Duh.
      Reply

      1. He’ll eventually slip off, by entering full pure rage mode. My hope is someone who manipulate him to change the future in a dark one or cause a time paradox. I want see a shock on his face of the horror if his mistake after time recreates itself.

        No name
        Reply

      1. I’m just saying that he’s an ass because of his personality and using slaves and methods despite his unfortunate event.. Even the his attack tells his cool, ut deep down he’s still trash. A man of pure hate and vengeance. Making him a ticking time bomb.

        Like in kingdom hearts Gula said, trust no but your self, at less that what I do if I’m in his shoes.

        Xingbar
        Reply

    3. I hope your Ass is a mild down putting a comment in your vocabulary. I also hope you’re not spoiling a future change as well. Being grumpy and trading services at fair prices often accepting barter make him quite superior to the Princess and King. As far as slavery goes this is a feudal state where almost no one is totally free. He could have chosen to die and fail or buy the slave and treat it well and the slave is not really a slave anymore. In a feudal state if one is trying to do important actions there is no way to at least order serfs and servants around who both are in a form of bondage normally. Teaching the population the wisdom of the Enlightenment is normally impossible for one and would take more than one lifetime. His actions make him no saint but neither does it make him a villain which Ass to me means. To me, you have to be verbally abusive at a minimum to gain Ass status. Being a grump does not qualify.

      RedRocket
      Reply

  12. Sooo, is Naofumi’s shield god basically? I mean, I look at the other weapons, and they’re all pretty much just that, weapons; fire attack, lightning attack, so on, but the shield seems to be able to do just about anything (except attack ironically, though even that is questionable with that 2 headed dog version). It just seems like at some point he’s going to be able to rewrite the world with this thing, and end and create life.

    hjerry2000
    Reply

    1. I don’t know where you got the idea that Naofumi’s shield power is godly.

      https://randomc.net/image/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari%20-%2007%20-%20Large%2009.jpg

      Read the LN myself and he ain’t Rimuru. There are plenty of characters stronger than him. He’s vulnerable to attacks and often needs outside intervention to survive. Just ask Atla.

      Having said that, the LN didn’t go much in-depth into the powers of the other heroes as much as the author did with Naofumi. It is his story after all. And I should emphasize the plural form of the word heroES.

      Eugene
      Reply

      1. I never said anything about him being godly, but what his shield can do. Watching him essentially rewrite how the plants, and elixirs work, via his shield, is yeah, getting into god territory.

        hjerry2000
        Reply

      2. Naofumi’s power specializes in supporting and healing.

        It’s mentioned in episode 5 when the Queen’s soldiers concludes the Myne cheated for the Spear Hero in the race if your only following by the anime.

        You can see Naofumi’s supporting role especially in the last few episodes when Filo or Raphtalia attacks their opponent and he uses his “air strike shield”, uses himself to distract their opponent, or acts as a rear guard.

        https://randomc.net/image/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari%20-%2007%20-%20Large%2011.jpg

        As for his healing ability. It’s self-exclamatory. With that said however, his healing ability is far from being able to heal individuals no matter severity. As you will find out next episode.

        https://randomc.net/image/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari%20-%2007%20-%20Large%2010.jpg

        Now for Naofumi being able to GMO the cursed plant, recall he’s been given learning materials by various peoples. Also, his first try was a failure. He had to make to a trial and error approach to be able modify the plant. It hasn’t been under the microscope yet but Naofumi’s determination to learn will become crucial in future engagements and for his party’s survival.

        https://randomc.net/image/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari/Tate%20no%20Yuusha%20no%20Nariagari%20-%2007%20-%20Large%2016.jpg

        Cheers.

        Eugene
        Reply

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