The following contains spoilers for Season 2, Episode 13 of The Rising of the Shield Hero, "Flowers Offered in Recollection," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Season 2 of The Rising of the Shield Hero has arguably failed to live up to its predecessor -- especially being half the length -- but at least it ended on a high note in Episode 12. Or rather, the plot itself was concluded in Episode 12, while the true final episode of the season functions more like the special features section of a DVD release.
Episode 13 does not advance the plot of Shield Hero; at most, a few lines of dialogue vaguely hint at future developments or adventures for these characters, including Kizuna the Hunting Hero and even Filo, who misses her ability to fly in L'Arc Berg's world. Otherwise, Season 2 ends with a total whimper after the moderately satisfying bang of Episode 12.
Season 2, Episode 13 of Shield Hero uses nearly all its runtime to explore the season's main characters talking to one another about their fond memories from recent adventures; even the intro credits are skipped to make time for it all. The episode begins with Naofumi's own adventurer team back home in the Kingdom of Melromarc, with Filo missing her flying abilities and Rishia struggling to help set up camp that evening.
Then on one idyllic afternoon, Raphtalia fondly reminisces with Naofumi about a side quest during her time in L'Arc Berg's own world. When she traveled with Kizuna, Rishia and Naofumi In that flashback, the three girls have fun trying on different outfits -- including samurai armor for Raphtalia and even modern-style swimsuits for the three of them -- in a charming moment of cosplay fun. However, the sequence reveals little about the characters beyond a superficial level.
Other sequences in Episode 13 involve present-day characters reminiscing on their recent adventures as well, including Raphtalia recalling an amusing scene that takes place in an army camp right before the battle against the Spirit Tortoise. In that flashback, Rishia, Raphtalia, Filo and Ost Hourai all chat around the campfire and indulge in some R-rated talk.
Rishia asks Ost about advice to grow closer to Naofumi, and a curious Raphtalia and Filo ask to hear more, with Ost whispering naughty things in their ears. Finally, Episode 13 depicts Kizuna and her enemy-turned-ally Yomugi going fishing in their own world, with Yomugi recalling an amusing story about the villainous Kyo Ethnina trying to find his glasses -- which had been perched atop his head. Even noxious villains like Kyo are capable of sitcom hijinks, it seems.
Episode 13 concludes on a more serious note, with Naofumi's group visiting a cliff overlooking the Spirit Tortoise's final resting place and tossing a bouquet of flowers in Ost Hourai's memory. They depart feeling satisfied that they still fondly remember her heroic sacrifice to help defeat Kyo during an earlier battle. It's not clear what sort of adventures Naofumi's party will have in Season 3, but at least they have closure where Ost and the Spirit Tortoise are concerned. The group is more confident and tightly-knit than ever, ready for whatever may come.
Shield Hero's season finale does very little for the story as a whole, and most of its scenes are just filler. They depict amusing events that took place earlier on but given how rushed Season 2 was, there was no time to show those scenes, so Episode 13 salvages a few of them. Aside from the Ost memorial scene, however, the rest is entirely skippable, with Episode 12 feeling more like the season's true conclusion.
On the plus side, Episode 13's memorial scene helps reinforce how much kinder and more sentimental Naofumi has become as a hero. Gone are his bitter loner days in favor of a truly symbolic Cardinal Hero who risks life and limb for others -- not just for his own survival -- and he has embraced the power of friendship like never before. Ost has done much for Naofumi in the battle against evil, and he knows he owes her a great debt for that. It's a good way to improve Naofumi's likability and distance him from his dark early days, making him the kind of Shield Hero fans will want to see when Season 3 arrives.