Mohsin Lag
The Rising of the Shield Hero was one of the most popular isekai anime series of the Winter season in 2019, capturing the attention of viewers with its exciting tale of legendary heroes tasked with defending the land from waves of catastrophe. At the heart of this story is Naofumi Iwatani, who must fulfill the role of the shield hero despite being met with distrust and disdain due to his lack of offensive abilities and inexperience. But after being betrayed by his fellow heroes, Naofumi must learn to survive on his own in a strange new land. If you’re a fan of The Rising of the Shield Hero and its themes of adventure, perseverance, and overcoming adversity, then you won’t want to miss these 26 best anime series that offer similar thrilling stories and epic journeys.
26. The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar
Kicking off the list of the best anime like The Rising of the Shield Hero with The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar. This is similar to our hit series in which the main character, Yuuto Suoh is transported to another world. However, unlike Naofumi who got betrayed in Shield Hero, Yuuto finds himself in the warring world of Yggdrasil and uses his modern knowledge to become a powerful Patriarch at a young age. This anime takes us on a thrilling battle fantasy journey as Yuuto becomes a king in a parallel world and is surrounded by beautiful battle maidens who are loyal to him. Expect to be taken on an adventure filled with unexpected twists.
25. Gate
Gate: Thus the Japanese Self-Defense Force Fought There!” is an anime and manga series that is similar to “The Rising of the Shield Hero” in that both feature a protagonist who is transported to a fantasy world and must navigate their way through new and dangerous environments. In “Gate”, the protagonist Youji Itami is a member of the Japanese Self-Defense Force who is sent to a parallel world through a mysterious gate. He must navigate his way through the dangerous world and interact with its various inhabitants, including elves, dwarves, and dragons. Like in “The Rising of the Shield Hero”, “Gate” features themes of adventure, survival, and the struggle to understand and survive in a new world.
24. Bofuri
BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense is an anime similar to “The Rising of the Shield Hero” in its exploration of a fantasy world and the character’s journey of growth and discovery. This is a good anime series that follows the journey of a new gamer, Maple, as she navigates her way through a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game (VRMMO). Maple’s unique approach to the game is to prioritize defense, putting all her skill points into this aspect, which surprisingly proves to be a winning strategy. With her newfound invincibility, she gains a following of players who admire her strength and skills.
23. Plunderer
Plunderer is a dark fantasy anime series that shares similar dark elements with The Rising of the Shield Hero. Set in a world where the population is divided into hunters and plunderers, with the Hunters Guild being the most powerful organization, the story follows Hina and legendary hero Licht as they embark on a journey to find Hina’s mother and uncover the mystery of the missing numbers. Navigating through a dangerous world filled with powerful enemies and untrustworthy allies, Hina and Licht must uncover the truth about their world and pasts. Known for its intense action scenes, well-developed characters, and deep themes about power, justice, and loyalty, Plunderer is a must-watch for fans of dark fantasy anime.
22. I’m Standing on a Million Lives
I’m Standing on a Million Lives is an anime like The Rising of the Shield Hero in several ways. Both anime feature main characters who have been transported to a fantasy world against their will, and both characters adopt an outcast-like archetype. Here we have Yusuke Yotsuya, a third-year middle school student known for his aloof and logical nature, who finds himself transported to a game-like world. Together with his classmates Iu Shindo and Kusue Hakozaki, who were transported there earlier, Yusuke becomes a third player and embarks on a treacherous quest. Despite his detached demeanor and tendency to toy with the lives of his companions, Yusuke must protect his party from attacking monsters, difficult incidents, and powerful scheming enemies as they navigate this new world and strive to win the game.
21. Yona of The Dawn
Both Tate no Yuusha and Yona of the Dawn are fantasy anime that features a romantic subplot. The main characters in both shows have been betrayed by those they trusted, and go on a journey to save the kingdom and the people they care about. Both series feature a group of fighters with unique abilities.
In Yona of the Dawn, Princess Yona leads a peaceful life in the kingdom of Kouka with her father, King II, and her bodyguard Hak. However, on her 16th birthday, she loses everything she holds dear and is forced to flee the castle. With Hak as her only ally, Yona sets out on a quest to find allies and reclaim her kingdom, using an ancient legend involving the Crimson Dragon King and his four Dragon Warriors as a guide.
20. How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom is an anime that shares similarities with Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari. Both shows follow the journey of a main character who uses their modern knowledge and practical skills to navigate and succeed in a fantasy world. The main character in “Realist Hero in Another World”, Kazuya Souma, is summoned to a kingdom filled with mythical creatures and is tasked with ruling as its new king. Instead of following traditional fantasy conventions, Kazuya employs administrative reform to govern the kingdom, using his real-world experience to tackle the challenges he faces. This unique approach sets the anime apart, making it a must-watch for fans of “The Rising of the Shield Hero” who enjoy watching practical problem-solving in a fantasy setting.
19. Seirei Gensouki
Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles is an anime series that follows the story of Rio, a young boy who discovers he is the reincarnation of Haruto Amakawa, a Japanese university student with a troubled past. Rio’s journey begins when he uses his newfound magical abilities to solve the kidnapping case of a little girl, leading to his enrollment in a prestigious academy for noble children. Well, Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles, is a good anime like The Rising of the Shield Hero in its portrayal of a character’s journey of self-discovery and growth. Both series feature a main character who becomes overpowered after being betrayed. The plots are well-developed and the animation is of high quality. I highly recommend watching both of these series
18. Cautious Hero
Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious” is another anime that is similar to “The Rising of the Shield Hero”. Like in “The Rising of the Shield Hero”, the protagonist Seiya Ryuuguuin is summoned to a fantasy world as a hero and is tasked with saving it. However, Seiya is an overly cautious hero who is more concerned with preparing for danger than actually going out and fighting. This leads to humorous and action-packed situations as Seiya tries to navigate his way through the world of Gaeabrande.
17. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Both “The Rising of the Shield Hero” and “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” are highly regarded tv shows in the isekai genre, known for their compelling plots and interesting characters. In “Mushoku Tensei”, Rudeus Greyrat is suddenly transported to the Demon Continent after a blinding light takes over the country of Roa. Along with his student, Eris, Rudy must navigate this unfamiliar world and find a way back home. The series takes a surprising turn when a mysterious figure claiming to be a god offers advice, leaving Rudy to question whether or not this stranger can be trusted. With a captivating storyline and memorable characters, this is an anime not to be missed.
16. Irregular at Magic High School
15. Goblin Slayer
Like The Rising of the Shield Hero, Goblin Slayer is a dark fantasy series that takes place in a fantasy world filled with various creatures and races. The story follows a young priestess who sets out on her first adventure with a group of adventurers. After a devastating attack by goblins, she meets the Goblin Slayer, a lone warrior who is dedicated to wiping out all goblins from the land. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey filled with challenges and obstacles as they take on quests to slay goblins and protect the innocent. The series is known for its intense and brutal action scenes, as well as its thought-provoking themes about heroism, sacrifice, and the consequences of power.
14. Log Horizon
Log Horizon is a popular anime series that shares similarities with Tate no Yuusha. It is set in the virtual world of a popular MMORPG game called Elder Tale, where 30,000 Japanese players are suddenly transported into the game as their avatars. The series follows the adventures of Shiroe, a master strategist, as he navigates this new reality and tries to find a way for the players to survive and coexist with the non-player characters in the game. With intense action and thrilling plot twists, Log Horizon explores the boundaries between reality and fantasy and the consequences of living in a virtual world.
13. Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers
Like the anime The Rising of the Shield Hero, Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers tells a story of adventure and survival in a fantasy world. The legend says that when the Evil Master awakens from the darkness, the Master of Fate will summon six brave warriors to save the world. Adlet, who considers himself the strongest man on earth, is chosen as one of the “Brave Six Flowers.” He sets out on a quest to prevent the resurrection of the Evil God, but he soon finds out that there are actually seven warriors in the promised land. With a similar feel to The Rising of the Shield Hero, this is an action-packed fantasy journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
12. Konusuba
Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! is an adventure comedy anime series set in a fantasy world. The story follows Kazuma Sato, a shut-in NEET who is transported to a parallel world after his untimely death. Upon arrival, he meets Aqua, a goddess who offers to help him on his journey in the new world. However, things don’t go as planned when Kazuma discovers that Aqua is far from being a powerful and wise goddess, and together with a loli arch-wizard and a masochistic knight, they form a party of unlikely heroes.
As they embark on a quest to defeat the Devil King and change their fate, they encounter all sorts of strange and dangerous situations that test their resolve and make them question the nature of their journey. If you’re a fan of Tate no Yuusha and enjoy isekai themed series with a good laugh, Konosuba is a must-watch.
11. Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
In Re: Zero, Subaru Natsuki’s life takes a dramatic turn when he suddenly finds himself transported to a strange and unfamiliar fantasy world. Despite being unarmed and ill-equipped for the challenges ahead, he is soon set upon by a group of menacing thugs. It is only by chance that he is saved by a young woman named Satella, who is searching for a stolen insignia. Grateful for her help, Subaru decides to repay her by assisting in her quest. However, their journey takes a dangerous turn when they are stalked by a mysterious force. Despite their best efforts, the pair are eventually killed. To Subaru’s surprise, he wakes up to find himself back at the beginning of the same day, reliving the events over and over again. With each iteration, he strives to uncover the truth behind the strange happenings, but he finds that the deeper he delves, the more complicated and dangerous the mystery becomes. Like The Rising of the Shield Hero, Re: Zero is an isekai fantasy that explores complex themes and challenges its protagonist with dangerous and unpredictable obstacles.
10. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord
In the fantasy MMORPG Cross Reverie, King Diablo reigns supreme with his possession of the game’s rarest artifacts. Despite his fearsome reputation, Diablo’s true identity is that of Takuma Sakamoto, a socially awkward shut-in gamer who only finds fulfillment in defeating his virtual opponents. However, his life takes a drastic turn when he is summoned by two girls, Rem Galeu and Shera L. Greenwood, who end up becoming his slaves instead due to a spell gone wrong. With this new reality, Takuma must navigate his existence as the Demon King while adjusting to his new life with his cute girl slaves by his side.
As you can see, similarly, in Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari, there is also a shut-in protagonist who gets transported to another world and goes on adventures with cute girl slaves. Both anime share a similar premise of the protagonist’s journey and their interactions with those around them in their newfound reality.
9. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash presents a story reminiscent of The Rising of the Shield Hero. Our protagonist Haruhiro finds himself transported to a mysterious world with no recollection of his past. Alongside a group of others in a similar situation, they embark on a journey of survival and discovery. In this fantastical world of Grimgar, the characters are faced with the challenge of mastering their skills as adventurers, navigating dangerous creatures and unknown territories. Throughout their journey, they form strong bonds of friendship and face obstacles that test their character and resolve. Therefore, the same themes of camaraderie, determination, and self-discovery are present in both “Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” and “The Rising of the Shield Hero”.
8. DanMachi
Both Danmachi and The Rising of the Shield Hero follow the journey of the main character starting off as a weak individual and strives to become more powerful. In the bustling city of Orario, Bell Cranel, a young and optimistic adventurer, sets out on a quest to become the greatest adventurer in the land with the help of the goddess Hestia. Bell faces challenges and obstacles as he delves deep into the monster-filled catacombs known as the “Dungeon.” In this world where gods and humans coexist, Bell must navigate the dangerous labyrinth, confront the mysterious powers within the shadows, and survive on the surface. Along the way, he experiences setbacks, and triumphs, and makes lasting friendships, all while striving towards his goal.
7. Sword Art Online
Both The Rising of the Shield Hero and Sword Art Online are alike in being characterized by a mix of action, adventure, and drama, making them ideal for fans of the action-adventure and other world survival themes. Sword Art Online is set in 2022, virtual reality technology has made great strides, and a new online RPG, Sword Art Online (SAO), is released. Using “NerveGear” technology, players can control their avatars within the game with just their thoughts.
Kazuto Kirigaya, also known as “Kirito,” is among the lucky few who receive the first copies of the game. Upon logging in, he and ten thousand other players find themselves in the stunning and intricate world of Aincrad, a place filled with medieval weaponry and vicious monsters. Tragically, the players soon learn that they cannot log out and are trapped in the game until they beat all one hundred levels. To escape Aincrad, Kirito must work with other players, some of whom are allies, while others are enemies. The stakes are high in Sword Art Online, as a death in the game means death in real life. Kirito must come to terms with his new reality, fight for survival, and ultimately, break free from the virtual nightmare.
6. In Another World With My Smartphone
Another amazing anime like The Rising of the Shield Hero is In Another World With My Smartphone. Here we have Touya Mochizuki, who is transported to a magical world after a tragic accident caused by a stray bolt of lightning takes his life. As an apology, God offers him the chance to be reincarnated and grants him one wish. Touya asks to keep his smartphone, setting him on an exciting journey in this new world.
Filled with magic and surrounded by cute girls, Touya must navigate through his romantic frustrations and solve the mysteries of this fantasy world with the help of his companions, including the twins Linze and Elze Silhouette, Yumina Urena Belfast, Leen, and Yae Kokonoe.
5. Overlord
If you’re a fan of “The Rising of the Shield Hero,” you’ll definitely enjoy “Overlord.” This similar anime takes place in the world of the popular online game Yggdrasil, as its servers are about to shut down for the last time. The main character, Momonga, a powerful wizard and guild leader of Ainz Ooal Gown, decides to stay logged in until the game completely shuts down.
However, he is shocked to find that he is still in control of his character, and even more surprising, the non-player characters have gained personalities and emotions of their own. With his loyal servants by his side, Momonga embarks on a journey to discover the cause of this mysterious phenomenon and if there are others like him who have become trapped in the virtual world.
4. No Game No Life
No Game No Life is an epic anime like The Rising of the Shield Hero, both of which take place in fantastical worlds. This anime is a blend of comedy and surrealism, following the story of the NEET siblings Sora and Shiro, who are known online as “Blank.” They view the real world as just another poor game, but everything changes when they receive an unusual email inviting them to a chess match.
The email leads them to an alternate dimension called Disboard, where all conflicts, big or small, are resolved through high-stakes games. This world operates under a fundamental rule where each party must wager something of equal value to the other party. Sora and Shiro are thrilled to find a reason to keep playing games in this strange world. Their goal is to unite the sixteen races of Disboard, defeat the master of Games, Tet, and become the masters of this world where gaming reigns supreme.
3. Saga of Tanya the Evil
2. Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken
Tensei Shitara is an anime similar to The Rising of the Shield Hero, as they both delve into the concept of reincarnation and the adventures that ensue in a fantasy world. In Tensei Shitara, the main character Satoru Mikami, a 37-year-old corporate worker, leads a monotonous life in Tokyo until he is suddenly attacked and killed on the streets. However, as he succumbs to his injuries, a mysterious voice recites a series of commands that he can’t understand. Upon regaining consciousness, Satoru finds that he has been reincarnated as a slime in an unfamiliar world. With this new form, he gains the power to consume anything and mimic its appearance and abilities. This sets the stage for Satoru’s journey in this new world, filled with adventure and excitement, as he navigates through its many dangers and mysteries.
1. Arifureta
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest is a thrilling anime like The Rising of the Shield Hero that takes you on a journey in another world. The story follows the protagonist, Hajime Nagumo, as he and his classmates are transported to a fantasy world and tasked with saving it from destruction. Unlike his classmates who possess powerful abilities, Hajime does not have any special powers, which makes him an underdog in this new world. However, he must navigate through the dangerous and monster-infested world in order to find a way back home and become the strongest hero.
Similar to Naofumi Iwatani in The Rising of the Shield Hero, Hajime starts off as an underpowered and underappreciated character. He must find a way to overcome the obstacles and prejudices that come his way in order to survive in this new world. Both series feature themes of voracity, sacrifice, and the struggle to overcome adversity. Fans of one series will undoubtedly enjoy the other, as both provide a thrilling and compelling story of betrayal, revenge, and turning into a powerful a respected being.
