Tate no Yuusha/Shield Hero - Character Discussion - Raphtalia

[Kairin]

The purpose of this thread is to provide a place to discuss all things Raphtalia related.
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[BWTraveller]

Reading the novels currently, and from all versions I love Raphtalia. Some time ago I stumbled on a song called "Warrior" by a woman named Beth Crowley, and honestly it feels like a perfect fit for Raphtalia. Looking in apprehensive fascination at a "broken angel" and struggling with her relationship with him, struggling to deal with her memory as well as her identity, learning to fight while helping him win, and slowly realizing that beneath the surface is the heart of a true warrior.

I just hope this thread doesn't get filled with pages of arguments about slavery and brainwashing. Yes, it's an alternative interpretation, but it's clear that this is not what was presented and it feels like going on about it would be less about the actual character and more a complaint about supposed "messages" being sent by the story as a whole. As for the character herself, yes she's a slave but at the same time she seems to feel free in a sense. The slavery has only been used to stop her from running and hiding, to force her to stand up and face her trauma and the fears born from it. And through it she's developed a true bond with Naofumi, an understanding of just how broken he is and how much he needs someone like her, someone he can feel certain won't betray or doubt him under any circumstances.

[orion]

Originally Posted by BWTraveller

Reading the novels currently, and from all versions I love Raphtalia. Some time ago I stumbled on a song called "Warrior" by a woman named Beth Crowley, and honestly it feels like a perfect fit for Raphtalia. Looking in apprehensive fascination at a "broken angel" and struggling with her relationship with him, struggling to deal with her memory as well as her identity, learning to fight while helping him win, and slowly realizing that beneath the surface is the heart of a true warrior.

I just hope this thread doesn't get filled with pages of arguments about slavery and brainwashing. Yes, it's an alternative interpretation, but it's clear that this is not what was presented and it feels like going on about it would be less about the actual character and more a complaint about supposed "messages" being sent by the story as a whole. As for the character herself, yes she's a slave but at the same time she seems to feel free in a sense. The slavery has only been used to stop her from running and hiding, to force her to stand up and face her trauma and the fears born from it. And through it she's developed a true bond with Naofumi, an understanding of just how broken he is and how much he needs someone like her, someone he can feel certain won't betray or doubt him under any circumstances.

But that only because Naofumi is a nice person and is not treating her like a slave. She's being treated like his kid. Her circumstances would be drastically different if Naofumi treated her like a slave.

He's using the slave status as a guarantee for no betrayals and light force to do what he wants. So she has basically traded her complete freedom for modified freedom plus room, food , clothes, etc. Kind of like what happens when you're a kid.

[BWTraveller]

Originally Posted by orion

But that only because Naofumi is a nice person and is not treating her like a slave. She's being treated like his kid. Her circumstances would be drastically different if Naofumi treated her like a slave.

He's using the slave status as a guarantee for no betrayals and light force to do what he wants. So she has basically traded her complete freedom for modified freedom plus room, food , clothes, etc. Kind of like what happens when you're a kid.

No argument here. In any case I just like her character. She's strong and loyal and brave, as much a hero as Naofumi himself if not more so. And what she's been swept into doing is something that resonates deep with her, protecting others from suffering her own pain.

[Demi.]

Originally Posted by orion

But that only because Naofumi is a nice person and is not treating her like a slave. She's being treated like his kid. Her circumstances would be drastically different if Naofumi treated her like a slave.

He's using the slave status as a guarantee for no betrayals and light force to do what he wants. So she has basically traded her complete freedom for modified freedom plus room, food , clothes, etc. Kind of like what happens when you're a kid.

That's what logic should tell us but I've run across enough people who still think Naofumi is the scum of the earth because he dared to purchase a slave. And that Raphtalia is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome because it's the only explanation to why she's attached to him. The fact that he treats her better than he treats himself and is the one putting himself in danger all the time in order to ensure Raphtalias protection...seem to be lost on them. Or they just can't see past the slave label.

But enough of that, kind of going OT already. I've only glimpsed over parts of the WN, and read the manga up to where episode 4 of the anime leaves off. So far, I have to say that Raphtalia is an amazing character that has a lot of things going for her. Cute, charismatic, loyal, tragic(not a trait but I do love tragic characters), intelligent, strong...with a dash of sass...and more. She's extremely loyal/devoted to Naofumi but at the same time she isn't a pushover. She knows when Naofumi's sadistic tendencies are getting out of hand and she tries to steer him into taking a more rational approach. She is his sense of reason(and moral compass?), and she works wonderfully as such.

tl;dr Raphtalia is a great gal

[orion]

Originally Posted by Demi.

That's what logic should tell us but I've run across enough people who still think Naofumi is the scum of the earth because he dared to purchase a slave. And that Raphtalia is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome because it's the only explanation to why she's attached to him. The fact that he treats her better than he treats himself and is the one putting himself in danger all the time in order to ensure Raphtalias protection...seem to be lost on them. Or they just can't see past the slave label.

But enough of that, kind of going OT already. I've only glimpsed over parts of the WN, and read the manga up to where episode 4 of the anime leaves off. So far, I have to say that Raphtalia is an amazing character that has a lot of things going for her. Cute, charismatic, loyal, tragic(not a trait but I do love tragic characters), intelligent, strong...with a dash of sass...and more. She's extremely loyal/devoted to Naofumi but at the same time she isn't a pushover. She knows when Naofumi's sadistic tendencies are getting out of hand and she tries to steer him into taking a more rational approach. She is his sense of reason(and moral compass?), and she works wonderfully as such.

tl;dr Raphtalia is a great gal

Well the slave status does put Stockholm Syndrome in the spotlight. No matter how great you are treated, it boils down to you being someone else's property. Really, most released slaves would not return to their former masters. They'd leave.

She seems to de-emphasize on her slave status as he treats her well which goes well with Stockholm Syndrome. She also doesn't seem to object him purchasing another slave in the preview.

Or... you could say she is showing unconditional love towards Naofumi.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconditional_love

[Demi.]

Originally Posted by orion

Well the slave status does put Stockholm Syndrome in the spotlight. No matter how great you are treated, it boils down to you being someone else's property. Really, most released slaves would not return to their former masters. They'd leave.

She seems to de-emphasize on her slave status as he treats her well which goes well with Stockholm Syndrome. She also doesn't seem to object him purchasing another slave in the preview.

Or... you could say she is showing unconditional love towards Naofumi.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconditional_love

The key word is "most". Most slaves are not in Raphtalias circumstance. A child on the verge of death with PTSD and multiple previous masters who tortured her for amusement. Stockholm syndrome is a non-factor in a relationship that is mutually beneficial for the both of them. Not to mention that Stockholm Syndrome is a coping mechanism; Raphtalia is grounded in reality. She understand that there is no better alternative for her. Naofumi did not kidnap her; her parents were murdered and she was captured by slave traders. Naofumi is providing her with a second chance at life with the stipulation that she be his sword and he be her shield.

She may have unconditional love for Naofumi but he had to earn it first. Her attachment came naturally after repeated exposure to his good deeds and how he treats her closer to a companion(her safety takes priority over his own) than a slave. Not to mention her parents(flashback) considered the shield hero to be the true hero of the demi-human race. Episode 4 was a testament to her unconditional love because she is no longer a child in need of a caretaker. Despite that, she chooses to defend, comfort, and assure Naofumi that she will not leave his side.

Raphtalia doesn't think of herself as his captor, but rather that he is her savior. He did save her from the worst possible conditions; nurse her back to health; mitigate her panic attacks; comforts rather than berates her when she wets the bed; buys things she wants without being asked; prioritizes her safety in battle...He even gave her a goal to strive towards. Compound all of that and you have a very loyal Raphtalia to a very misunderstood Naofumi.

I just hope as the series progresses this will become less and less of a talking point. Raphtalia has so much more to her character than this.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by orion

But that only because Naofumi is a nice person and is not treating her like a slave. She's being treated like his kid. Her circumstances would be drastically different if Naofumi treated her like a slave.

He's using the slave status as a guarantee for no betrayals and light force to do what he wants. So she has basically traded her complete freedom for modified freedom plus room, food , clothes, etc. Kind of like what happens when you're a kid.

I would argue the use of the slave seal is not to ensure she doesn't betray him. Rather he knew it was the only way to help/force Raphalia to get stronger because he knows she needs strength to survive in a world that persecutes and looks down on her demi-human kind. She says as much when confronting spear dude.

At this point I imagine he'd probably release her from the seal if she asked him to.

[Tactics]

Naofumi is willing to take Raphtalia because he is on desperate need of party member who not betray him.
He don't give a damn about demi-human discrimination until he saw treatment to other demi-human children after purchasing dagger and armor for her, which he followed by going to bar to gave her food.

What she said to Motoyasu is to tell Naofumi did nothing wrong to her as, under said contract, in reality he is telling her how to live enough now she can stand firm, as his sword, and she's proud of it. If what Naofumi looking for is never a someone able to be trusted, he won't resorted to slave, let alone frustration when Raphtalia seal is erased.

[Dengar]

What is a slave really? Isn't it someone who is forced to do involuntary labor for no pay?

That's not really what's happening with Raphtalia is it?

Does the seal really make you a slave? Or do people just think she's a slave because that's what people call her?

[Demi.]

Originally Posted by Dengar

What is a slave really? Isn't it someone who is forced to do involuntary labor for no pay?

That's not really what's happening with Raphtalia is it?

Does the seal really make you a slave? Or do people just think she's a slave because that's what people call her?

The seal can be abused to make her do things she doesn't want to do. But the relationship she has with Naofumi isn't that of a typical slave. Aside from one exception, Naofumi gives her freedom. He lets her rest when she is tired, he feeds her when she's hungry, he protects her to the best of his abilities...so on and so forth. I think the issue some people have is that she is technically Naofumis 'property' but that's arguably what a child is to their parents. She can't live a completely normal life because Naofumi needed a fighter, but he treats her well enough to where she thinks of him as a father in lieu of her deceased parents. The thought of losing him made her overcome her fears and kill the dog monster that not even the slave seal was able to force her to do. Since once Naofumi realized she was too scared, he gave her a chance to run away while he bought time in order for her to escape.

[Dengar]

That doesn't really sound like a slave to me, beyond "on paper".

[Tactics]

There's no law of universe dictate 'master' have to be terrible person should he resorted to slavery.
So do the 'slaves'. Being slaves is not equal to be forbidden from anything worthy to be considered human being as slave by application is simply "he/she is someone's property".

Its up to their masters how they ended up became. In histories, there are masters who treat their slave kind enough; gave them room, food, opportunity to work with proper income, sometimes release them from said contract when they considered said slave(s) already served more than enough.

Its not impossible for slave to be moved by their master treatment they swore loyalty to always work under said master like Raphtalia did.
Its simply that modern communities have words like housekeeper, babysitter, workers, labor, employee, etc. that slave effectively goes to negative connotation, otherwise, those employees won't wrote "stop this enslavement" when doing strike toward company that do unfair treatment. LOL.