Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. This week we continue our look at Frieren Beyond Journey’s End. Last week, we ended on a high note with Frieren telling a demon to kill herself and she complied. One of the coldest and coolest scenes I’ve seen in anime, ever. What happens next in the journey? Let’s find out.
Episodes 11-17
We begin the second half with Frieren being pardoned and receiving a grimoire for her troubles (at least give her two. She saved your damn city). They stay in the city for what I assume is a few days if not months as the dead are properly buried. They then take their leave where their next stop is the Northern Plateau, but they’ll have to make a side trip to Äußerst to take the first-class mage certification exam. Because of everything going on in the plateau, traveling is restricted unless they have a first-class mage traveling with them. Getting there will take a while and to make things worst it’s winter time and they’re lost (maybe we should have waited until spring). Stark passes out from hyperthermia (this is our warrior, right?) but luckily, Fern and Frieren manage to find an emergency cabin for shelter where it’s occupied by an elf monk named Kraft (does he have macaroni and cheese?). They stayed together for 6 months in that cabin where Stark trains under Kraft to strengthen his body and not much else happens.
In the first half of episode 12 the group arrives in the Village of the Sword, the resting place of the legendary Hero’s Sword that only the true hero can lift (basically this world’s version of The Sword in the Stone). Monsters are drawn to the sword, so Frieren often shows up to eliminate them and keep the place safe. When they arrive at the sword’s resting place, Stark is shocked to see the sword still there as he was told stories of how Himmel successfully removed the sword (those stories were greatly exaggerated). Frieren reveals that Himmel never could remove the sword and someone else just started spreading the story that he did. Despite not being able to pull the sword, Himmel wasn’t discouraged about it and said that he’ll prove himself as a hero by defeating the demon lord (not gonna lie, that’s pretty badass. Not to mention he proved he was the hero. Take that sword). In the second half we focus on Stark. His 18th birthday is around the corner and Fern wants to give him a gift (asking Frieren for advice was not the best choice). Fern finds Stark after he helped out a few people around town where he reveals he’s not used to celebrating his birthday. Stark was born in a warrior village where the strong are celebrated and the weak are ignored. Stark’s older brother, Stoltz, was considered a prodigy while he was seen as a failure so his family pretty much ignored him aside for Stoltz who believed that Stark would become a stronger warrior than him or anyone in the village. When the village was attacked, it was Stoltz who told Stark to run away as he wanted him to survive (he knows he’s going to die, and he fulfilled his big brother’s duty and protected his sibling). Fern buys him a silver bracelet and Frieren makes him some hamburg steak which in the warrior culture is given to those acknowledged as trying their hardest. Stoltz would secretly make Stark hamburg steak on his birthdays, showing that he was always watching him and saw the hard work he was putting in (scene here: https://youtu.be/FUXI7syW4HQ?si=tU6tLfuznXaz2_HF).
Episode 13 introduces us to a new character named Sein, a local priest who is a natural when it comes to healing spells. In the past he dreamt of one day becoming an adventurer with his good friend. However, as he grew older, he became apathetic and gave up on that dream. Seeing herself in Sein, Frieren takes it upon herself to convince him to become an adventurer. Through their interactions it finally gets revealed that the reason he gave up on adventuring was because of his brother. His brother received an offer to move to a holy city but turned it down as he didn’t want to separate Sein from his hometown and friend. In Sein’s mind he stopped his brother from achieving great things and him not leaving is his way of making amends. Once Sein’s brother hears this he slaps Sein saying he never regretted his decision to stay but Sein clearly does and tells him to do what he wants to do. This gives Sein the push to join Frieren’s party until he can find the whereabouts of his friend and join up with him.
Nothing much happens in episode 14. It’s Fern’s birthday and she’s mad that Stark forgot to buy her a present. Sein steps in as the big brother and tells her that she can’t expect a guy like Stark to remember everything and be honest with her feelings (translation: all men are idiots, we won’t understand anything unless you say it openly. Don’t be afraid to give us obvious hints on something you want). Realizing that she’s been a little unfair to Stark, Fern goes to apologize only for Stark to apologize to her first and admit he wanted to pick Fern’s present out together but was too nervous to ask (scene here: https://youtu.be/a1tgMVmK_L4?si=1-sVkarxfSTbZ7sm). The two head out with Stark buying a bracelet for Fern which has a similar design to a ring Himmel once brought Frieren in the past. Sein says that the designs are the mirrored lotus flower which symbolizes eternal love. Basically, Stark just professed his love for Fern and his desire to one day marry her (way to spoil the series finale). After hearing this, Stark is embarrassed while Fern doesn’t seem to mind (so she does like him. Although she doesn’t have much options. Next to Heiter this is the only male she’s gotten to really know and be around. Stick two people in a room long enough and they’ll eventually warm up to each other). Frieren’s situation was somewhat similar. When she picked the ring she didn’t know about its meaning either. Himmel did but brought it for her anyway because he truly did love her (it was always hinted in previous flashbacks, but this moment just solidifies that yeah, he loved her. Makes his death all the more tragic because of what could have been).
Episode 15 starts with the group arriving in a village only to discover a demon has cursed the residents into a deep sleep (it’s the coma spell). This spell is so powerful that even Frieren succumbs to it along with Stark and Fern. The only one able to resist the curse is Sein who manages to wake Frieren up long enough to kill the demon and save the village (scene here: https://youtu.be/1HK1P4XpYyg?si=6pzdgM444NIYhMeB). The second half of the episode is a little more interesting. After arriving in the city of Vorig, a noble named Orden spots Spark and begs him to pose as his son Wirt at an upcoming soiree. Wirt was a warrior who went out to battle against the demons and was unfortunately killed. He was loved and respected by everyone in Vorig. Not wanting everyone’s morale to drop, Orden lied to everyone saying that Wirt is still alive and recovering from the recent battle. With the group low on funds and Orden offering to pay them in gold as well as a grimoire (I wonder which one Frieren values more?) they agree to give him Stark. For the next days, Stark and Fern learn proper etiquette before the soiree and manage to kill it at the party with no one being the wiser (scene here: https://youtu.be/Kq0-jtK4fS0?si=qa7jEgoo0gcCUhYn). After the soiree, Orden offers Stark to stay in Vorig and be his pretend son (do you have any idea how messed up that sounds?) but Stark rightfully says no (see? Even he knows this is wrong and he’s as sharp as a bowling ball). Stark points out that he can’t replace Orden’s son just like Orden can’t place Stark’s dad (even though I’m sure he would like him to. I know we only saw one flashback of the guy but he was a right asshole). This opens up Orden’s eyes and the next day the group sees him training with his second son, Mut. Realizing that even though he lost one son he still has another son and should value the time he has with him.
Episodes 16 and 17 are quick ones. The group arrives in a village where Frieren goes to visit her friend, Voll, an elderly dwarf who married a human woman and serves as the village’s protector in her honor. They spend a week in the village catching up with Voll and having Stark train under him. During this time Frieren can tell that Voll is becoming senile in his old age and promises to carry on his memory in the future like she carries on the memory of Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen. After this, the group arrives at the final village to Äußerst where Sein finds out that his friend now known as the Gorilla Warrior passed through here not too long ago. After performing a series of errands for a stubborn old woman, she tells them that he headed in a different direction than Äußerst. This puts Sein in a tight spot. Does he continue to travel with the others, or does he go to reunite with his best friend (insert yourself as a part of the main cast or leave and hopefully get a side story or spinoff? Or you can bet it all on the mystery box). A snowstorm delays the group’s departure for one month giving Sein plenty of time to make his choice. In the end, he decides to leave (taking a big gamble and hoping for the side story or spinoff. I would have chosen the safe bet and stuck with the main cast. (Baron): I would have chosen the mystery box). So Sein takes his leave bringing the group back to the original three. Which is a real shame. Not only did he fit well within the group, and had some funny moments, but he served as the voice of reason for Fern. I think we forget that she’s not used to dealing with boys her own age despite her intelligence and skills. Sein really did fill in that father role and helped her sort through her emotions and let her see that just like she’s confused about her emotions and how to handle them for the opposite sex, so too is Stark (scene here: https://youtu.be/f8Wpv_StUkA?si=YQQKJ68kpyykyXK8). Many people have said his departure came way too soon and I agree with them. He should have stuck around longer. As the group continues to Äußerst, Fern gets sick and they have to stop in a small village to treat her. This leads to Frieren revealing to Stark that she usually holds her hand for emotional support. Which was the same thing Himmel did to her when they traveled together. Fern gets better just in time for the group to make it to Äußerst and just in time for the mage exam.
And that was the second half of the anime. A short section, but a nice little slice of life that let’s us explore the characters more, see their relationships develop, and introduces us to a new character who more than earned his spot with the main cast. Tune in next week for the final part half. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.