The Rising of the Shield Hero

In the world of manga, The Rising of the Shield Hero (2016–present, Bamboo Édition) adapts the popular light novel series into a 21-issue comic run. The story follows Naofumi Iwatani, a young man summoned to a fantasy realm as one of four legendary heroes, only to be betrayed, framed for a crime he didn't commit, and left to fight with the weakest of the four weapons—a shield. This series is notable for its dark, deconstructive take on the isekai genre, exploring themes of prejudice, survival, and redemption as Naofumi builds a new life and party from the ashes of his reputation. The comic is most closely associated with its original creator, Aneko Yusagi, and the artist who brings the world to vivid life, Seira Minami.