The following contains spoilers for Season 2, Episode 11 of The Rising of the Shield Hero, "Kizuna," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Rising of the Shield Hero's second season has introduced a variety of all-new heroes and villains to the show. Naofumi Iwatani and his friends first took down the monstrous Spirit Tortoise with Ost Hourai's aid, and now, in a brand-new isekai adventure, the villainous Kyo Ethnina stands as Naofumi's worst enemy.
So far, Naofumi actually knows very little about the villain aside from Kyo's appearance, his plan to steal the Spirit Tortoise's essence and a few basic details. In Episode 11, however, a newly revealed minion explains much more about the villainous Kyo -- but nothing she says can justify what Kyo has done.
In Episode 11, "Kizuna," a new villain appears: a swordswoman named Yomogi Emarl confronts Naofumi and L'Arc's united group and challenges them to battle on Kyo's behalf. Naofumi and the others soon subdue Yomogi without injuring her -- in fact, they help Yomogi by separating her from the Kyo-made sword she wields, which threatens to explode and kill everyone present.
Kizuna and her fellows Glass, L'Arc and Therese escort Yomogi to their rural home base, with Naofumi's own group tagging along. Despite Naofumi's protests, Kizuna volunteers to question Yomogi and figure things out; she might even find out where Kyo is holed up. All this shows just how diplomatic and fair-minded Kizuna really is, and it quickly pays off.
Kizuna speaks to Yomogi alone in the house, where she opens up about Kyo Ethnina. As Yomogi explains it, she and Kyo were childhood friends in a Japanese-inspired nation on this world, with young Kyo being a reclusive, eccentric lover of books and research. In the flashback, Yomogi is seen getting to know Kyo and even joining his research before finding it overwhelming and opting to learn the sword instead. Yomogi claims at first that Kyo is merely a misunderstood researcher, but soon realizes he has gone too far. Before long, she no longer opposes Naofumi's and L'Arc's united group, and it's definitely the right call. Regardless of their shared childhood, Kyo is not worth her loyalty.
Some anime star a minor or major villain who is ultimately misunderstood, or merely made a mistake in pursuit of their goals. They might realize this and find redemption, with examples ranging from Uchiha Obito in Naruto to La Brava in My Hero Academia and even Reiner Braun in Attack on Titan. Kyo might have been like that too in a parallel universe, but Shield Hero Season 2 makes this unlikely to be the case. He may have been a reclusive and studious boy whom few people understood, but that alone does not excuse his actions -- and Yomogi, the girl who understands him better than anyone, knows it. If she can no longer tolerate Kyo's actions, no one can.
Kyo has proven himself a cruel, selfish and exploitative villain who views his allies -- even the talented Kazuki and Yomogi herself -- as expendable tools at best. He also has a highly abrasive personality and an utter lack of compassion or altruism, and even strove to create his own inter-dimensional Wave for unknown purposes.
This villain sees fit to destroy, abuse or deceive everyone and everything around him, including trying to capture Raphtalia and Filo, and there is no redemption at this point. Yomogi knows the only way she can make things right is to help the united isekai team take down her childhood friend once and for all. No excuse, no sentimentality -- just war.