Episodes
Finding a library fantasy book about "Four Heroes", otaku college student Naofumi Iwatani is summoned to another ...read more Finding a library fantasy book about "Four Heroes", otaku college student Naofumi Iwatani is summoned to another universe along three other boys to save mankind from a prophesied evil, a series of Waves that unleash monsters, in the roles of the Four Heroes from the book. Each equipped with Legendary Weapons- Sword, Bow, Spear, and Shield -, with interface functions similar to an MMORPG, they must go on separate quests as neither can upgrade due to the weapons preventing XP gain in proximity to each other. When partners are assigned, nobody wishes to join Naofumi, as he is seen as the weakest. But Myne, a member of the Spear Hero's party, offers to join Naofumi to help him train, shop and equip. On the third day of his journey, Myne robs him blind, frames him for rape, and forces Naofumi to live as an outcast. As nobody would hear his defense, Naofumi becomes angry and bitter at the world; he scrounges for materials, and learns how to upgrade his shield with resources he finds in this world. The only person who shows him any courtesy is the weapon-smith he met the day before, who could tell Naofumi wasn't as he was accused of. After fighting away some thugs who wanted to rob him, he realizes that he's in a feedback loop: he can't upgrade without experience, no experience without strength, and no strength without upgrading. From the shadows, a slave trader greets him, and invites him to a slave market to offer a slave to serve him so he may gain XP and fight. In the corner of the room, Naofumi locates a little slave girl. show less
While the Slave Trader offers a high level Wolf-man, Naofumi instead buys a cheaper demi-human; the half-raccoon girl, ...read more While the Slave Trader offers a high level Wolf-man, Naofumi instead buys a cheaper demi-human; the half-raccoon girl, Raphtalia, and is contracted with her. Due to her slave crest, she cannot betray him or disobey orders without feeling intense pain. But Raphtalia has reoccurring nightmares of her parents death, killed by a dog monster in the first Wave, and is initially hesitant to kill. Naofumi trains her to fight on his behalf, learning that because she is listed as a "companion" in his party, he gains XP when she does, allowing the two to begin leveling up; this also allows Naofumi to gain a shield upgrade to craft medicines and potions, which he uses to treat her sickness. As they continue, Naofumi's willingness to feed Raphtalia, let her rest, and not abuse her does he earn her trust, he even goes so far as to buy her a ball to play with. The two leave the capital for the small town of Lute, where Naofumi is unrecognized as the Shield Hero, and he searches for ways to make quick money to get by until the next Wave. Naofumi then unlocks the "Rope Shield" and "Air Strike Shield" spell. The two enter a mine to collect valuable ore. They are then attacked by a high-level dog monster that wounds Naofumi, sending Raphtalia into shock, remembering her parents' deaths; so petrified even the slave crest can't force her to fight. Seeing her petrified fear, Naofumi tells her to run while he buys time (just as her parents did before they were killed), and with those words she musters up her courage and slays the beast. Naofumi comforts Raphtalia, promising not to leave her, and she agrees to help Naofumi to defeat the Waves so other children won't have to go through what she did. Later at dinner time, Naofumi adds a sauce drop to the toothpick meal flag to make the Flag of Japan, remembering he may go home someday. show less
While leveling up in preparation for the next Wave, Naofumi unlocks a huge variety of transformations for his shield, each with ...read more While leveling up in preparation for the next Wave, Naofumi unlocks a huge variety of transformations for his shield, each with a different ability, while Raphtalia quickly grows up into a beautiful young woman. Naofumi also upgrades his armor in preparation for the Wave. To check up on how much time they have left until the Wave begins, Naofumi and Raphtalia pay a visit to the local cathedral and take a glimpse of the Dragon Hourglass that measures the remaining time. While there, they meet the three other heroes, much to his chagrin, as they still scorn him and view him as a liability. Rapthalia wonders why the other heroes despise Naofumi, but he refuses to tell her. The next day, the Wave begins, and while the other heroes and their allies rush to defeat the main force, Naofumi and Raphtalia head to the nearby Lute Village to help evacuate the civilians. Some knights from the kingdom arrive and refuse to follow Naofumi's orders, but realizing his effort in protecting the villagers, some of them stay behind to assist him while the others proceed to join the other heroes, who defeat the main boss and end the Wave. After the battle, the villagers thank Naofumi for his help, while the hourglass resets, starting the countdown for the next Wave. show less
After repelling the Wave of Catastrophe, the Heroes are treated to a state dinner, which Naofumi reluctantly attends. Myne ...read more After repelling the Wave of Catastrophe, the Heroes are treated to a state dinner, which Naofumi reluctantly attends. Myne informs Motoyasu that Raphtalia is a slave, and he challenges Naofumi to a duel for her freedom. Naofumi initially refuses but is forced to accept when the King intervenes and kidnaps Raphtalia. Despite Motoyasu's higher level, Naofumi's many shield forms and powers, as well as the balloon monsters on his person, quickly turn the fight in his favor until Myne openly uses Wind Magic to trip Naofumi, letting Motoyasu claim victory. When the King calls Myne his daughter "Malty", Naofumi realizes he was set-up from the start: she'd frame him to get Motoyasu's attention, and the King would back her claims. As Raphtalia's slave seal is removed, Naofumi's burning hate unlocks the "Cursed Series" unawares; but before he can succumb to it, Raphtalia slaps Motoyasu for presuming to know how she feels, and if he wanted to free slaves, he'd have some in his party. Entering the arena, Ren and Itsuki call out Myne's interference, and are incensed the King would allow such cheating. Raphtalia goes to Naofumi, calming him down with her words of loyalty, brought on by genuine love for him, and the Cursed Series is negated. Motoyasu still thinks she is brainwashed, but Ren and Itsuki are convinced she has real loyalty. The next morning, Naofumi asks Raphtalia about her expedient growth and she explains that unlike humans, demi-humans physically age as they level up. Naofumi eats a breakfast sandwich Raphtalia made him, and he can now taste it. Naofumi's confidence and hope renews, as he is now certain that he can count on Raphtalia as an ally. show less
The mysterious girl that showed up out of nowhere was actually Filo. She's a filolial queen with an advanced transformation ...read more The mysterious girl that showed up out of nowhere was actually Filo. She's a filolial queen with an advanced transformation ability, and she can even take human form thanks to it. However, her clothes get ripped every time she transforms, meaning Naofumi has to get her some magic clothes if he doesn't want to go broke. The party leaves on a new adventure to gather the materials required. show less
After hearing of a village that's in immediate need of herbicide, Naofumi and his party head there to do business. The ...read more After hearing of a village that's in immediate need of herbicide, Naofumi and his party head there to do business. The village has been overrun by plants that have turned into monsters, and its residents were forced to abandon it. These plants can even take root in humans, and apparently Motoyasu is the one who released them into the wild. show less
After hearing of a village in the East that's being ravaged by an epidemic, Naofumi and his party head there to deliver ...read more After hearing of a village in the East that's being ravaged by an epidemic, Naofumi and his party head there to deliver medicine. The epidemic was caused by the corpse of a dragon that had been killed a month before and left there to rot. Naofumi's party accepts a job request to clean the corpse and head to the mountains where it lies. show less
After refusing to hear Melty out, Naofumi switches to planning for the next Wave. When a bunch of young soldiers ask to join his ...read more After refusing to hear Melty out, Naofumi switches to planning for the next Wave. When a bunch of young soldiers ask to join his party, he agrees, but on a certain condition. At the same time, he also tries to upgrade Raphtalia's class after she hits the level cap, but all he receives is harassment. show less