The Rising of the Shield Hero Volume 22: The Manga Companion

The Rising of the Shield Hero, originally a web novel by Aneko Yusagi, evolved into an extensive light novel series and a long-running manga adaptation illustrated by Aiya Kyu. The manga, which began serialization in 2013, became a cornerstone of the isekai genre, and the publisher, One Peace Books, introduced companion volumes to provide deeper insight into the world-building, character design, and the artistic process behind Kyu's adaptation.

This specific volume, often categorized as a supplementary guide or companion piece to the core manga run, serves to archive the visual evolution of the series. Aiya Kyu’s design approach is characterized by a high level of detail, particularly in the rendering of Naofumi’s armor and the various magical creatures inhabiting the world. These companions are generally received by the collector community as essential reference material that bridges the gap between the narrative progression of the manga and the aesthetic choices made during its production.