Fans of the popular isekai franchise, The Rising of the Shield Hero, have reason to celebrate as a fifth season of the TV anime has officially been announced and is currently in production. Alongside the continuation of Naofumi Iwatani’s journey, Kadokawa has also revealed plans for the franchise’s first global game project, set to launch on PC and smartphones. The announcements come as the fourth season of the anime concludes its broadcast on September 24, 2025.
Fifth Season Confirmed for The Rising of the Shield Hero Anime
The highly anticipated fifth season of The Rising of the Shield Hero TV anime was confirmed with a new video and visual, though a specific release date was not provided at the time of the announcement. This renewal demonstrates the enduring popularity and critical success of the series, which adapts Aneko Yusagi’s original light novels. The anime follows Naofumi Iwatani, an ordinary otaku summoned to a parallel world as one of the Four Cardinal Heroes, specifically the Shield Hero. After being betrayed early in his adventure, he embarks on a journey of growth and redemption alongside his companions Raphtalia and Filo.
Production Details and Previous Seasons
The anime adaptation of The Rising of the Shield Hero first premiered in January 2019, produced by Kinema Citrus. The series has seen a consistent release schedule, with a second season airing from April to June 2022 and a third season from October to December 2023. The recently concluded fourth season premiered on July 9, 2025. Hitoshi Haga, who directed and storyboarded episodes from the first season, returned to direct the fourth season at Kinema Citrus, with Keigo Koyanagi handling series composition. Character designs for the fourth season were overseen by Franziska van Wulfen, Sana Komatsu, and Masahiro Suwa, with music composed by Kevin Penkin, Alfredo Sirica, and Natalie Jeffreys. Crunchyroll has been the primary streaming platform for the series globally, offering both subbed and dubbed versions.
New Global Game Project En Route
In addition to the anime’s continuation, Kadokawa announced a significant expansion into the gaming sphere with the franchise’s first-ever global game project. This new title will be available on both PC and smartphones, aiming to reach a broad international audience. While details regarding the game’s genre, gameplay mechanics, and specific release window are still under wraps, the announcement signals a robust investment in the Shield Hero brand beyond its animated format.
Previous Game Adaptations
This upcoming global project is not the first foray into video games for The Rising of the Shield Hero. A mobile game titled Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari Rerise was released for Android and iOS devices in February 2021. Furthermore, an anime adaptation game, The Rising of the Shield Hero: Relive the Animation, was released on Steam in September 2019, followed by Android and iOS versions in October 2019. These previous titles indicate a consistent effort to translate the isekai adventure into interactive experiences for fans.
The Enduring Appeal of The Rising of the Shield Hero
The announcement of a fifth season and a global game project underscores the significant impact and continuous growth of The Rising of the Shield Hero franchise. Originating as a web novel by Aneko Yusagi, it gained immense popularity before being re-written and published as a light novel series with illustrations by Seira Minami. A manga adaptation by Aiya Kyū further expanded its reach. The series has been lauded for its unique take on the isekai genre, featuring a protagonist, Naofumi, who starts from a position of severe disadvantage and betrayal, gradually earning trust and respect through his actions. This compelling narrative, combined with strong character development and action sequences, has cultivated a dedicated global fanbase, making it one of the most recognized isekai titles worldwide.
