What is the full English name of Iwatani Naofumi? An in-depth analysis of the protagonist's name and voice actor in "The Rising of the Shield Hero"

In the phenomenal isekai anime "The Rising of the Shield Hero," the protagonist Naofumi Iwatani has left a deep impression on global audiences with his unique and controversial hero image. His journey from a kind-hearted ordinary university student to a cynical Shield Hero after being betrayed, along with his complex charisma and growth trajectory, is the core of the story. For many fans, learning about this protagonist's official English name and the voice actors who breathe life into him is part of deepening their love for this work.

Naofumi Iwatani's Official English Name

The official romanization and English name for 岩谷尚文 is Naofumi Iwatani.

This follows the Western convention of "given name first, family name last." In Japan, his name is written as 「岩谷 尚文 (Iwatani Naofumi)」, where 「岩谷 (Iwatani)」 is the family name and 「尚文 (Naofumi)」 is the given name. Therefore, when watching the English subtitled or English dubbed versions, you will see his name listed as Naofumi Iwatani.

The Voice That Gives the Character Soul: Japanese and English Voice Actors

The successful portrayal of a character owes much to the voice actors' superb performances. Naofumi Iwatani's complex mental state—from cheerful to cold, and gradually rediscovering gentleness from anger—poses a significant challenge for voice actors.

• Japanese Voice Actor: Kaito Ishikawa Kaito Ishikawa is a renowned and skilled Japanese voice actor who perfectly captures Naofumi's inner transformation. In the early part of the story, he portrays Naofumi's ordinariness and cheerfulness as a university student; after being framed, his voice shifts to one filled with suppressed anger and distrust, masterfully conveying that disdain and indifference towards the world. As Naofumi meets Raphtalia and Filo, Kaito Ishikawa's voice subtly reveals Naofumi's underlying gentleness and protective instincts, showcasing an extremely rich layering of emotions.

• English Voice Actor: Billy Kametz / Stephen Fu In the English dub, Naofumi in the first season was voiced by Billy Kametz. His outstanding performance deeply portrayed Naofumi's pain and growth, earning him the "Best English Voice Actor" award at the 2020 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, receiving high acclaim. Unfortunately, Billy Kametz passed away due to illness in 2022, leaving many fans saddened. Starting from the second season, Stephen Fu took over the role of Naofumi's English voice.

Why is Naofumi Iwatani an Atypical Hero?

The charm of Naofumi Iwatani's character lies in his "atypical" nature. Among the many overpowered isekai protagonists, he is a prime example of an anti-hero:

1. A Start from Heaven to Hell: He did not have a smooth journey; instead, he suffered the worst betrayal at the very beginning of the story, causing a 180-degree shift in his personality.
2. Pragmatic, Even Cold, Survival Tactics: To survive in a desperate situation where he could only defend, he had to resort to methods like buying slaves, threats, and deception, making his behavior vastly different from that of a traditional righteous hero.
3. Gentleness Forced Out by the World: His kindness was not completely extinguished, but rather buried under heavy armor and anger. Through his interactions with companions like Raphtalia, his instinct to protect the weak and his deeply hidden gentleness gradually surfaced. This "cold on the outside, warm on the inside" character setting is extremely appealing.

In summary, the name Naofumi Iwatani represents a complex hero struggling in despair and seeking trust amidst distrust. It is precisely this character portrayal filled with human struggle that has led to the immense global success of both him and the work "The Rising of the Shield Hero."

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