Raphtalia is the main heroine of The Rising of the Shield Hero, a brave demi-human from the Tanuki lineage, and the first true ally of Naofumi Iwatani, the Shield Hero. Once a traumatized slave, Raphtalia has become a powerful fighter and the holder of the Vassal Katana, later crowned the Heavenly Emperor of Q'ten Lo. Her story is one of resilience, loyalty, and growth as she overcomes her tragic past to fight alongside Naofumi and protect those dear to her.

Personality & Appearance

Credits: Studio Kinema Citrus

Initially, Raphtalia is a timid and fearful child. Traumatized by the destruction of her village and the loss of her family, she suffers nightmares and was near death when she was bought by Naofumi. However, her fear gradually dissipates through Naofumi’s kindness, healing her spirit as he nurses her back to health. She becomes fiercely loyal to him, vowing to be his sword and prevent others from experiencing the horrors she endured.

Raphtalia is a beautiful young woman with tea-red eyes and long auburn hair. Her tanuki traits include fluffy raccoon-like ears and a bushy tail, adding to her charm. Over time, her appearance evolves from a frail, sickly girl in rags to a strong, confident warrior. Her typical outfit is a red-and-black European-style dress layered over white frills, later replaced by a ceremonial Miko outfit when she acquires the Vassal Katana. Though capable of being feminine and compassionate, Raphtalia places her focus on fighting skills and practical efficiency, earning her a dignified yet reserved demeanor.

Powers & Abilities

Credits: Studio Kinema Citrus

Raphtalia’s strength is a result of both her training and her position as the Vassal Katana Hero, granting her impressive combat abilities and magic affinities.

• Vassal Katana Mastery: After being chosen by the Vassal Katana, Raphtalia becomes the Katana Hero. Her weapon enables her to execute devastatingly fast and precise sword strikes, making her a force in both close and medium-range combat.
• Light, Dark, and Illusion Magic: Raphtalia is skilled in magic, particularly illusion-based spells. She uses her illusions to confuse enemies, coupled with light and dark magic to manipulate the battlefield to her advantage.
• Enhanced Physical Abilities: Due to her demi-human race, Raphtalia’s leveling accelerates her growth, bestowing her with enhanced strength, speed, and agility. Her combat proficiency is honed through relentless training, making her a highly skilled swordswoman.
• Resilience and Healing: Raphtalia’s determination and compassion allow her to endure physical and emotional hardships. She frequently uses her healing abilities to aid Naofumi, such as when she endured the Shield of Wrath’s flames to keep him grounded.
• Leadership as Heavenly Emperor: After overthrowing the corrupt emperor of Q'ten Lo, Raphtalia reluctantly accepts her role as Heavenly Emperor. Her leadership skills grow, blending strength with compassion for her people.

Trivia

• Unspoken Bond: Raphtalia’s connection with Naofumi is so strong that she can often guess his thoughts just by his facial expressions.
• Dislike of Raph Species: Despite Naofumi’s affection for the Raph species (which he created from her DNA), Raphtalia finds them unsettling and is a bit jealous of the attention he gives them.
• Anime-Exclusive Scenes: In the anime, Raphtalia is portrayed as more naive, such as when she mistakenly believes kissing Naofumi could make her pregnant.
• Cultural Differences: Her Miko outfit, gifted by L'arc in the light novel, reflects her role in Glass’s world as a ceremonial warrior.
• Romantic Hints: In Light Novel 22, Naofumi teasingly calls her “Raphtalia Heavenly Empress Iwatani” when joking about marriage, making Raphtalia blush and leaving her momentarily speechless.
• Different Weapons in Adaptations: In the Web Novel, Raphtalia wields the Vassal Hammer instead of the Katana, a late change attributed to the rushed Web Novel ending.
• Chess Skill: She is one of the few characters to recognize Naofumi's tactical thinking and sometimes scolds him for not making morally straightforward decisions, urging him to be the hero she knows he is.