Yuusha-kei ni Shosu: Choubatsu Yuusha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku

Both explore heroism as a heavy, costly role rather than a power fantasy, with dark, serious tones where responsibility, consequences, and moral pressure drive the story. In one, the hero is forced into it; in the other, they choose it—yet in both, society often sees them as a blight, despite the risks they take to protect said society. 

Both are about a group of people being forced to protect a kingdom against their will, the protagonists are hated by the people in the kingdom despite fighting on the same side against the same enemies, the protagonist is broody and is the most competent person around 

A tragic hero reluctantly forms a pact with a person that imbues him with unimaginable power once again, in order to slay giant and violent monsters. Then they set out on a journey to discover/expose the hidden truth of the world and those that are in control. 

Former royal knights of the kingdom Framed, betrayed, or scapegoated by the kingdom Branded as criminals, sinners, or traitors Exiled or punished by the very system they protected Yet they remain morally good Continue to protect the kingdom or its people The story questions: Is justice defined by law, or by conscience? 

Both The Rising of the Shield Hero and Sentenced to Be a Hero (9004-tai) take away the "glory" of being a hero and turn it into a punishment. In both worlds, being a "Hero" is like wearing a leash: Naofumi is trapped by a kingdom that framed him, while Sion is a death-row criminal forced to fight as a "Penal Hero" to stay alive. They share a similar dark theme where the main characters are treated like "trash" by society but used as powerful weapons in battle. Because of this, both heroes are grumpy and cynical; they aren’t fighting to be "good guys," they are just fighting to survive and earn their freedom. Also, in both stories, the hero is "kept on a leash" by a powerful woman who recognizes their value even while the rest of the world treats them like monsters. read more