Frieren: How Himmel Impacts the Narrative Even After His Death

Summary

Himmel’s death changes Frieren, leading her on a journey of understanding and remembrance.
Himmel continues to live through the inanimate objects like the Blue Moon Weed and Hero’s Sword.
Himmel’s death helps shape the plot through various instances, influencing characters’ decisions and actions.

The title “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” implies a journey that commences where another one concludes. Deaths are significant in anime, serving as catalysts for character growth, plot shifts, and often inspiring main characters. Himmel’s death, however, seems to have an almost all-pervasive influence on “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End“.

Following their victory against the Demonic Ruler and establishing tranquility worldwide, Himmel’s group concludes their arduous ten-year odyssey filled with numerous challenges. Separating at last, they each pursued distinct paths. Half a century later, these companions reunite for a final adventure to witness the Cosmic Meteor Spectacle. Upon completing this journey, we also bid farewell to Himmel. The sudden demise of Himmel leaves Frieren with profound understanding and remorse, prompting her to embark on a new voyage of comprehension and recollection.

Himmel’s Death Changed Frieren

The demise of Himmel left an indelible mark on Frieren. As an elf, the progression of time moved at a snail’s pace for her. While Himmel spent a decade cherishing his moments with Frieren, it felt like mere months to her. Upon their reunion, Frieren remained unchanged, while Himmel had aged so much that he was almost unrecognizable for a brief moment. However, when Himmel passed away, Frieren came to understand she had lost someone significant in her life, yet knew very little about him. She lamented not attempting to learn more about him earlier. Consequently, she decides to embark on a journey to comprehend humans better.

In the course of her travels, memories of a place called Himmel inspire Frieren to try new things and view them from fresh angles. During Episode 4, Frieren chooses to participate in a village’s New Year’s celebration, which involves getting up before dawn to watch the sunrise. Fern queries Frieren, “You have to wake up even before the sun rises… You really want to see the sunrise that badly?”. Reminded of her past where she had missed the sunrise, Frieren initially doubts Himmel’s understanding of her feelings. However, when she witnesses Fern smiling upon seeing the sunrise, Frieren also smiles and finally understands what Himmel meant. He had wanted her to enjoy not just the beauty of the sunrise itself, but the happiness it would bring to others’ faces.

In my opinion, the show masterfully weaves in pivotal scenes that shape the characters’ journeys and choices they make along the way. Moreover, it serves as a beacon, guiding us towards a more compassionate and caring universe, just like Himmel does.

Himmel Continues to Live Through The Inanimate

Blue Moon Weed

In Episode 2, Frieren and Fern are tasked with cleaning a statue of Himmel. While Frieren begins casting a spell to create blossoms, memories of Himmel come flooding back. During their travels together, Himmel shared stories about a stunning blue flower from his hometown called Blue Moon Weed, promising to show it to her someday. However, they were never able to fulfill that promise. Months later, Frieren sets out on a quest to find this elusive flower and eventually locates it, using it to adorn the statue of Himmel. Despite usually being quite pragmatic, the time and effort Frieren invests in finding the Blue Moon Weed reveals just how deeply that memory touched her heart.

The Hero’s Sword

In Episode 12, Stark comes across what’s known as the Hero’s Sword, causing him distress. Legend has it that eighty years ago, Himmel drew this same sword and vanquished the Demon King. However, Frieren clarifies that Himmel didn’t actually pull the sword out; instead, false legends arose to protect the hero’s reputation. For a brief moment, Stark questions Himmel’s legendary status. But Frieren explains that since he defeated the Demon King without the Hero’s Sword, it made Himmel an even greater hero. This encounter triggers memories of Stark’s past and his brother, and eventually, he comes to terms with himself.

Mirrored Lotus Ring

In Episode 14, Frieren misplaces a ring she received from Himmel. Over several days of searching in vain, she feels resigned to accepting its loss. However, Fern persuades her to keep looking, emphasizing the symbolism of the ring as an emblem of eternal love. Frieren hadn’t realized this and wondered if Himmel held the same sentiments. Yet, when she eventually locates the ring, memories flood back about how Himmel had placed it on her finger, mirroring a proposal. This moment serves to illustrate to viewers that Himmel harbored romantic feelings for Frieren.

Himmel’s Death Helps Shape the Plot

Himmel’s demise served as the catalyst for the narrative, and subsequently influenced it in numerous ways. Frieren embarks on her voyage due to the remorse she harbored following Himmel’s passing. Upon encountering Heiter, she is taken aback by his decision to raise Fern, which later turns out to be a gesture he made because he believed Himmel would have done the same.

In Episode 4, Frieren encounters Eisen who assists her in locating Flamme the Magus’ writings. He also shares his and Heiter’s worry that Frieren didn’t properly say goodbye to Himmel. Eisen urges Frieren to embark on a voyage to Aureole, a place where they might encounter Himmel’s spirit. Although it’s uncertain if Aureole truly exists, Frieren and her companions persist in their travel, hoping to eventually meet Himmel’s spirit.

Embarking on an enchanting tale like no other, I find myself captivated by Frieren! This story masterfully blends yesteryears with the here and now, offering a profound glimpse into the complexities of human feelings that often elude our grasp. As we journey alongside Frieren, her encounters with Himmel’s reminiscences will undoubtedly shape her life in intriguing ways, inviting us to ponder the depths of emotion and connection.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is currently available on Crunchyroll.

2025-02-16 05:05