Episode 8 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End delivers some of the best moments in the series, including the “he said it” moment. This episode features epic confrontations and the steadfast determination of both Stark and Fern. Their synergy and chemistry is truly presented on a silver platter filled with interesting interactions and impressive direction. While we get a glimpse of Frieren’s strength, what we also witness is the trust she places in her two companions and in their unique powers.
Fern and Stark’s strengths
Stark is slowly becoming one of my favorite characters in the series. The show always presents his character as someone who seems weak but is actually strong and compassionate. Of the trio, he is probably the most approachable. (Though Frieren’s procrastination and “lazy” personality give him a run for his money.) Stark knows when to get serious, admits his weaknesses, and interestingly, his strength comes from from accepting fear.
As a mage, Fern expertly emulated Frieren’s actions, proving herself to be a fearsome demon slayer trained under Frieren’s guidance. After accompanying Frieren for a long time (from Fern’s perspective), she completely trusts Frieren’s decisions, especially when they have to confront Aura’s executioners. This trust speaks volumes about the relationship between Fern and Frieren and what these past years have meant to them. Their relationship is a fascinating and somewhat humorous combination of mentor and apprentice, with the roles shifting to mother and daughter depending on the circumstances.
And I have to say, their chemistry is an enjoyable aspect of the series. From the beginning, Frieren and Fern captured my heart but with the addition of Stark, the friendship and bond within the new group has now become important. I was also pleased to see Stark and Fern compare themselves to the hero’s group. With their mentors being part of the group of heroes, they are motivated to continue their journey, following in the footsteps of the heroes who defeated the demon king.
Frieren the Slayer
It’s another mountain to climb for the upcoming episodes of this series as Frieren episode 8 takes its entire production to the next level. What makes this episode stand out the most are the closing moments, including Lügner’s epic title that I’m sure everyone found chilling (Junichi Suwabe’s voice is also a big factor in the story). like why) because it was one of those “he said it” moments.
Interestingly, the similarly titled Bocchi the Rock drops in the eighth episode, serving as a reminder that Keichiro Satou, the series’ overall director, is directing this film with expertise. And it’s clear how great Frieren has been so far. The pacing of the story may feel slow and everything, but it’s fun to watch. Not only does it give us a vivid fantasy setting and captivating setting, but it also imparts valuable insights and lessons as we embark on this journey with the new group.
Evan Call’s music also deserves a special mention — his compositions highlight Frieren’s strength, power, and grandeur. The music gives the series a stronger story feel and adds to the overall grandeur of the series, giving it a cinema feel every week.
We are used to seeing Frieren learning her magic for little “party tricks” for fun and often to entertain her companions or to make their journeys smoother . However, this time we witness a bit of magic unleashed by Frieren when provoked. One of Aura’s executioners couldn’t even last a minute against Frieren, showing why Lügner constantly stared at her and only acknowledged Frieren as a threat. As a manga reader, this is still just the calm before the storm because the next episode is where everything goes down. With Nakanome Takahashi (the show’s animation producer) has been hyping the next episode about how it will dazzle us all, we believe we’re in for a real treat, especially since we finally understand why Frieren earned the title “Frieren the Slayer”.
Screenshot via Muse Asia
© Yamada Kanehito, Abe Tsukasa/Shogakukan/“ Sousou no Frieren Production Committee”