Fans of The Rising of the Shield Hero have eagerly followed Naofumi Iwatani’s journey, and the highly anticipated fourth season, which premiered on July 9, 2025, has plunged viewers back into the complex world of Cardinal Heroes and interdimensional threats. With new episodes arriving weekly, attention recently turned to The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4, Episode 8, which aired on August 27, 2025. This pivotal episode continued to unravel the intricate political landscape of Q’ten Lo and advanced the narrative for Naofumi and his evolving party.
Season 4’s Release and Episode Schedule
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 was officially announced in January 2024 and premiered on July 9, 2025, continuing the adaptation of Aneko Yusagi’s popular light novel series. The season consists of 12 episodes, aligning with the length of the third season. New episodes have been released every Wednesday on Crunchyroll, making it accessible to international audiences.
The full release schedule for The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 is as follows:
- Episode 1 – July 9, 2025: “Siltvelt”
- Episode 2 – July 16, 2025: “Official Welcome”
- Episode 3 – July 23, 2025: “A True People”
- Episode 4 – July 30, 2025: “Entrusted Power”
- Episode 5 – August 6, 2025: “White Tiger”
- Episode 6 – August 13, 2025: “Leaving Port”
- Episode 7 – August 20, 2025
- Episode 8 – August 27, 2025
- Episode 9 – September 3, 2025
- Episode 10 – September 10, 2025
- Episode 11 – September 17, 2025
- Episode 12 – September 24, 2025
New episodes are typically available on Crunchyroll at 5:30 AM PT / 8:30 AM ET / 1:30 PM BST.
What Transpired Leading Up to Episode 8?
Season 3 concluded with significant revelations, notably regarding Raphtalia’s royal lineage in the isolated nation of Q’ten Lo. Her wearing of a ceremonial robe was misinterpreted as a declaration for the throne, leading to attacks by assassins. This turn of events enraged Naofumi, who resolved to confront Q’ten Lo directly.
Season 4 picks up with Naofumi, Raphtalia, and their companions navigating this new political landscape. Episode 7 saw the group arrive in Q’ten Lo, where they discovered a strict prohibition against killing animals and learned of Raphtalia’s father’s past opposition to the Heavenly Emperor. This led to a confrontation where Raphtalia ultimately defeated Emperor Bearga, successfully removing an oppressive barrier.
Plot Details for The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 Episode 8
Titled “Orochi”, Episode 8 continued the unfolding drama in Q’ten Lo following the dramatic encounter with the Heavenly Emperor. Naofumi’s arduous journey through the nation’s political intricacies persisted, testing his strategic thinking and determination.
Key developments in Episode 8 included:
- Raphtalia’s Growing Role: With her heritage now publicly known, Raphtalia stepped further into her role as a legitimate heir within Q’ten Lo, a development poised to reshape the nation’s power dynamics.
- New Alliances and Power Shifts: The episode explored the immediate aftermath of the emperor’s defeat and the subsequent political reorganization. New alliances began to form, particularly with the revealed ally S’yne and the reunion of Erhard and Muramasa, leading to new power dynamics within Naofumi’s expanding circle of allies.
- Confrontation with the Sealed Orochi: The heroes faced off against the formidable Sealed Orochi, adding a significant action sequence to the ongoing narrative. This confrontation likely brought new challenges and showcased the party’s evolving strengths.
Episode 8 was crucial in setting the stage for the latter half of Season 4, with the ongoing war taking significant turns and Raphtalia’s burgeoning leadership becoming increasingly prominent.
Where to Watch The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4
For viewers outside of Japan, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 is exclusively available for streaming on Crunchyroll. Crunchyroll provides both English-subtitled and same-day English-dubbed versions of new episodes. In Japan, the anime airs on channels such as AT-X, Tokyo MX, Sun TV, KBS, TV Aichi, and BS NTV, with streaming available on services like Lemino and d Anime Store. Fans can also catch up on the first three seasons on Crunchyroll in preparation for the continuing saga.
