Everyone wants lead characters to develop, but side characters also need to be their best selves. Watching a character’s journey is entertaining, even if they aren’t the primary focus of a story. The best anime series have enough character development to go around, making for a more rounded cast and deeper story.
Rishia Ivyred or The Rise of the Shield Hero underwent changes from the first season to the second, making her a more attractive character to watch. While her development was more rushed than necessary, that’s a story for another time. But how much has she changed?
Humble Beginning
The first time viewers meet Rishia is in Season 1, after she tried to drown herself because the bow hero kicked her out of his party. Naofumi and his group take her in as one of their own with the intent of helping her evolve to a point where she can be rejoined the bow hero’s company. Members of the bow hero’s party framed her for something she didn’t do, making the bow hero feel justified in kicking her out of the party.
Unlike the other party members, she joined his party some time after he initially created the party in the first episode. Viewers don’t learn much about Rishia or gain much insight into her character because she was introduced in the last episode of the first season. She is usually shy and cowardly, with practically no skills, especially in combat.
New season, new me
When season 2 starts, Rishia still has a long way to go. She is still quite timid and does not often say what she thinks. At times, viewers get glimpses of her thoughts, but she chooses not to share them with the class. She also tends to hide in costumes out of embarrassment, like Gray van black clover. Although, she’s still a little different from the end of Season 1. She and Raphtalia trained with Eclair Seaetto, a skilled knight and daughter of a lord. This hints at her off-screen development since the first season and the foundation of her changes that will follow later in the second season. While she is still not adept at combat, there is the potential for her to realize her potential at the right time.
Surprisingly, Rishia becomes a more prominent character in the second season, which begins with the focus on her at the start of Season 2. Not only has she become more insightful and thoughtful, but also less reserved. She picks up on Raphtalia’s discomfort regarding gruesome remains of a destroyed village on the spirit turtle’s back and reaffirms that it’s okay for Raphtalia not to feel okay. She also shows that she has more wisdom than previously revealed and some skill in reading ancient texts.
the glow
For most of the first half of the second season, Rishia doesn’t show much development, but it moves quickly. Halfway through, she’s faced with the decision of either staying behind when Naofumi’s company descends into the spirit turtle’s body, or joining them. She struggles with her cowardice and indecision so far before deciding to change herself.
After that, her next developmental moment is her biggest in the second season. Naofumi’s party clashes with Kyo, the book’s vassal weapon holder.
Kyo stops everyone with a gravity attack and no one can stop him when he stomps Naofumi’s head against the floor. Seizing the opportunity, Rishia destroys Kyo, calling him weak and attacks his method of pretending to be strong by hiding behind the strength of others. Faced with this overwhelming power, Rishia acts fearlessly, using a power gained from her training with Eclair, her ability to manipulate ki. It’s quite a cathartic moment.
After Catharsis
Rishia’s confident and open personality continues for the rest of the season. When Naofumi’s party follows Kyo to another world, she joins them and promises to support them as a full party member. She pushes aside her feelings for the bow hero, who kicked her to the curb, and doesn’t think about him or his party for the rest of the season.
When Naofumi’s anger threatens to overcome him, she acts as the voice of reason to keep him calm, but let’s not forget that now she’s always ready to join the fight. She doesn’t back down when Naofumi suggests torturing Filo’s kidnapper for information and when Kizuna tells them to just ask for information, Rishia says, “Is there a difference?”
Admittedly, it was a pretty quick transformation, and it seemed to manifest itself massively over just three episodes rather than an entire season. It was great to see the change, but it might have been less shocking if it had been more gradual. As it stands, Rishia is now one of the better characters of The Rise of the Shield Hero compared to just a minor side character in the first season.
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