Ren Amaki

Ren Amaki is one of the Four Legendary Heroes summoned to the world of The Rising of the Shield Hero anime, specifically the Sword Hero. He's a 16-year-old high school student from an alternate, more advanced version of Japan where VRMMOs are commonplace, and he initially views the new world like a game similar to the ones he played.

In the anime, Ren appears as a cool, aloof, and somewhat distant character who tries hard to maintain a loner/cool-guy image. He has short black hair, blue eyes, and a handsome, bishounen-like appearance that Naofumi notes would fit a typical isekai protagonist. He wields the Legendary Sword and focuses on solo or minimal-cooperation playstyles, treating his party more like a guild where members are expected to level up independently rather than relying heavily on teamwork.

Compared to the other heroes (like the overly trusting Motoyasu or the self-righteous Itsuki), Ren comes across as more reasonable and level-headed at times, though he still starts off arrogant, dismissive of consequences, and initially believes rumors about the Shield Hero. Over the course of the anime (especially in later seasons), he shows growth, becoming more willing to listen, reflect on his mistakes, and cooperate when needed.

He's voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka in Japanese (the same VA as Kirito from Sword Art Online, which fans often point out as fitting given the similarities in archetype).