Raphtalia is the primary heroine of the light novel and anime series 'The Rising of the Shield Hero.' As a demi-human who evolves from a sickly child into a powerful warrior, her character arc and unwavering loyalty to Naofumi Iwatani made her an instant fan favorite. In meme culture, Raphtalia is most commonly associated with the 'must protect' trope, her adorable pouting faces, and her wholesome interactions with the Shield Hero. Fans use her templates to express genuine wholesomeness, reaction to anime tropes, or to defend their favorite characters in the 'waifu' discourse.