『Naofumi Iwatani』

Age: 19

Race: Human

Country: Japan (former), Melromarc, Lurolona Village

Occupation: University Student (former), Legendary Hero

Weapon: Legendary Shield

Naofumi Iwatani is the main protagonist of The Rising of the Shield Hero.

He was a university student before being summoned to another world, where he had to fight against the waves of calamity, as one of the 4 cardinal heroes summoned. He was, however, the shield hero, regarded by many and especially people in Melromarc as the weakest of the heroes.

Due to his status as shield hero, many refused to join his side, the only exception being Myne Sophia. Myne however falsely accuses him of sexual assault causing him to lose his dignity and all his money

Due to this, the once cheerful Naofumi became a cynical character who lost the ability to trust in people.

He buys the slave Raphtalia and the bird Filo, but treats them like his daughters rather than his slaves.

Naofumi was forced into a duel with Motoyasu but lost due to Malty's (Myne's actual identity) illegal interruption.

The King forcibly destroyed the slave crest that bound Raphtalia causing Naofumi to believe he had lost everything he valued. This unlocks a special variation of his shield called the rage shield and special move unique to it in the form of the curse series.