The Rising of the Shield Hero memes stem from the popular isekai anime series featuring Naofumi Iwatani, a hero unfairly ostracized by the kingdom he was summoned to protect. These memes typically highlight Naofumi's pragmatic, often cynical attitude toward his detractors, or focus on the wholesome yet fierce loyalty of his companions, Raphtalia and Filo. The community frequently uses these templates to express feelings of being misunderstood, the satisfaction of overcoming betrayal, or the collective internet hatred for the antagonist character Malty. Since its debut, the series has provided a wealth of iconic reaction faces and dramatic screenshots that perfectly encapsulate themes of redemption, spite, and social outcasting.