Sometimes a show just sticks. Even when there’s another interesting topic to research and questions to answer. This time, I planned to make a post about the Tomb Raider animated series. I had so many questions. The main one being how the same studio responsible for the Castlevania animation could produce and release a show this bad. But the more I searched for a good angle the more I disliked what I was doing. And there was another show pulling me back towards it. Because no matter how hard I try: I cannot get Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End out of my head. Which is something I did not expect since the anime passed me until recently. I even cannot remember exactly1 why I started watching the series2 . But regardless of what the reason was; the show stuck and I had to finish it… two times in a row.
Time is precious
As the above trailer points out, one of the underlying themes of the show is time. We all have limited time. Not just on a daily basis but there is also a finite amount that we actually are alive. A point Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (FBJE) uses to explore how a 10 year adventure in the party of heroes affected the life of a long lived elf3. Ten years is one one hundredth of her life. Yet that one one hundredth affected Frieren as a character more than she initially thought. The memories we see of Frieren and her journey with Himmel, Eisen and Heiter make us realise how special the small moments were. Which we as an audience see as Frieren remembers the moment and retroactively learns to appreciate them. These moments, these connections that shaped and coloured the “ridiculous and fun” 10 year adventure.
It’s all connection
Humans thrive on connections and as an extension: relationships. Constantly we’re searching for something which establishes that, even for a moment. Which makes the perspective of Frieren as a long-lived elf much more valuable. During her interactions on her journey with Fern, Stark and Sein she realises how much more of a connection she had with Himmel the Hero. Himmel, who only seemed to complain when Frieren did something she would (probably) regret later4. But for the rest of the flashbacks he acted like an engaging, yet distant romantic. Knowing fully he would have only little influence on Frieren, he established that connection anyway. He wanted to make sure Frieren would not feel lonely after they were gone. Nor did he want her to be in a situation like an Old man Voll, who sadly could not remember his wife’s face for many years after she passed. At least, not until he connected with her memory fully after happily reminiscing with Frieren. Connections are important. Connections keep us alive.
“You should treasure the encounters you have. Death isn’t the only goodbye in this life. But I guess you already know that”
– Wirbel –
FBJE Episode 28
Contradictions in connections
Lastly, I want to discuss Serie [pronounced Zērie] and Stark. Serie, the other nigh-immortal elf mage we get to know a bit in FBJE. It’s very ironic that through her intention to control magic she creates an institution that not only limits the quality mages of the land, it also allows her to (potentially) train more students. Students she, per her own words, trains on a whim. Yet she remembers their personality and their favourite spell. And by becoming the head of the Continental Magic Association, she effectively fulfils her first student Flamme’s wish. A point not touched upon in season 1, but it shows how contradictory people can be. Even if they don’t see it themselves. For example: Serie has a garden made up of magical flowers; yet she finds it silly that it was Flamme’s favourite spell “because it’s not useful”.
People say 1 and do 2, sometimes even without noticing. On the other hand there is Stark. The young warrior who looks like he’s slacking or wandering doing nothing. But we eventually learn he’s helping other people off screen, making him a great support for the community.
These contradictions are what make the characters in FBJE engaging; the connections interesting and it gives the show its appeal to a broad audience5. Based on the My Anime List ranking, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End connected with a lot of people in a positive way. Which is a very comforting thought given the show’s down to earth, slice of life fantasy story. It means (in my opinion) that a great deal of people want meaningful connections in their life. Be it with a piece of media or another person. Which brings me to one of, if not the most important quote of this show: “People won’t know how you feel unless you tell them.”
So I would like to encourage you to drop your phone and make connections. Because you never know if that small connection that lasted only a brief moment has an impact which lasts a lifetime.
Notes
- it is possible because of video recommendations of the Youtube channel Pey Talks Anime and their Exploring Frieren playlist
- Probably because I was curious. I was lucky enough to catch a few episodes for free on the Crunchyroll YT channel
- The series starts with the return of the party after they defeated the Demon King and all party members go their separate ways. FBJE is more a slice of life kind of show as it explores how the titular character spends her days in a new, peaceful era of the world.
- See episode 4
- As of writing it sits comfortably at a 9.32/10 and hold rank#1 on My Anime List