Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Rewatch Episode 22 Discussion

**Repeat Journeyer**

Poor Stark. First thing Fern does is start griping as soon as she gets home.

Richter actually seems like a decent guy when he's not threatening to murder children.

I love that Denken basically adopted Laufen as a granddaughter. I want donuts...

Actually no. I want Frieren's comically large portion of steaks.

There are a lot of restaurants that I used to love that have since gone out of business. But like Himmel said, we can still go out in search of even better flavors. (Although, I still haven't found a hamburger to surpass that one specific one I used to get from a hole-in-the-wall place run by an old dude who had been making burgers for like forty years until he retired a couple years ago. Genuinely the best burgers I've ever eaten.)

And those dorks *really* need Sein around, lol

We get a little more insight into Übel. And she seems to like Four-Eyes. ~~It should have been me~~Poor guy.

Wirbel saved Stark from a shopping trip with a bunch of women. A true bro.

*>old dude walks up to Stark*

*>says "I have nothing left to teach you"*

*>refuses to elaborate*

*>leaves*

> 1) How are these magic lightings work? If we saw them as streetlamps.

*A spell to give off light*

> 2) Is it normal that fellow examinees keep the good relationship between each other?

After what they went through in the first test, I'd expect the groups to have a lasting bond.

> 3) Any common points between Übel and Land? Any potential ship material?

Opposites attract?

> 4) How legendary is The Bell inn?

Considering it's been the best restaurant in town for over eighty years, that's pretty significant.

> 5) Why omurice?

It's very tasty.

> 6) So you agree that recipe, taste and flavor always changing even if the food looks the same outside?

Actually, come to think of it, our palettes change as we go along as well.

> 7) Who is this old man?

Stark's mentor, obviously

> 8) Is Lawine an ojousama?

Don't say that to her face.

> 9) Can you see Wirbel and Stark as bros?

I want more adventures of these guys.

> 10) Are you ready for part 2 of the exam? Any expectations?

*laughs in rewatcher*

I think we've gone far enough that I can now say this: This is the first of (to my knowledge) two times that Corey Wilder has played a secondary character who becomes the target of a vaguely sexual obsession by a villain. The biggest difference is that Übel is more of a seductress while Jabber is just a pervert.


I can't explain why, but somehow eating 20 lb of steak in one sitting really is a Frieren thing to do.

**Rewatcher: Blu-Ray Version**

It's nice to have a low-key episode between the two stages of the mage exam.

* You have Denken wanting to find the restaurant he went to with his wife.
* Stark & Frieren having the quest of making Fern happy.
* Learning that Lawine is part of a higher-class family.
* Wirbel is always on the recruit mode for work.

Though the most interesting is that Übel learns magic purely on feeling. As this is something that the series hasn't explored. Most magic is usually studied, and even though we have cases like Fern, who has a great skill in how early she can activate her magic. This is a bit different because this is how Übel uses her magic in general. Even more interesting is that she learns from empathizing with the caster, like she did with Wirbel. Very intriguing since the first impression of her so far has been of one who just enjoys killing for killing's sake. Next up is the 2nd stage of the mage exam.

This episode finished up volume 5 by adapting chapters 46 & 47. Actually remarkable they can extend these chapters and not make it feel padded.

**First Timer: Beyond Dubbed’s End**

Stark is braver than me. That sort of pounding and I’d be staying still as hell, hoping they leave.

Ooooh we’re getting Richter lore?

…they’re gonna go to the same restaurant, aren’t they?

KITTIES

I am thoroughly enjoying the addition of kitties in this. No wonder Frieren was somehow ranked in that ecchi post: pussy right there on the screen.

Such cute cats too, oh my goodness. But their meowing didn’t make my cats start smothering me. Disgraceful. This is why we need authentic casting. 📢 Cast real cats to do cat meows, cowards 📢

Yknow, a question of the day asked a while back what spell(?) could be used for *other* things (right?). Do you know how big of a goldmine the binding spell would be in the kink community? We would be (consensually and enthusiastically) unstoppable.

Is this a ship?

Is it okay for me to ship this?

…is it okay for me to look the ship up on the fandom shipping wiki and not be flashbanged with the binding spell used for other purposes?

The fucking score keeps making me think I’m gonna hear The Shire motif.

He didn’t even know him? 😭😭😭

Lawine is an yuri otome FL. I love this for her. Who is her longhaired brother, hello sir 👀

Why is the waltz playing

*AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH*

***AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH***

^(screaming)

I will enjoy this ship. I will embrace the yuri. It helps a great yuri was announced for an anime adaptation today too.

Once more, circling back to what it means to live and die.

If no one ever passed Sense’s exams, what leg does she have to stand on in criticizing Genau?Aang is a pacifist, the fuck are you, girl???

Wirbel & Stark besties, I love that for them.

***

**First Timer: Beyond Manga’s End**

My library is working again!

Starts on p150 for two panels or Ch46

No kitties in manga☹️

Manga!Land calls Übel a dumb kid.

Ch47 at 13:30

Anime makes Frieren more emotional to get Startk to mediate between her and Fern.

Manga says “warrior”, anime uses front-liner. I wonder why.

Manga!Übel is leaning to Land to read the next exam paper he received.

Manga gave us a front bath shot of that one mage. First Loid’s shower scene with all those muscles, now a man in a tub. This week has been *great!*

In the anime, the lady mage is holding that poor bird by its legs.

Last two panels of the volume proper are switched to show Wirbel and Stark while the other mage is reading the exam paper before Genau and Sense’s scene.

***

**Spell for Additional Thoughts**

I said before that not getting a prequel with the hero’s party is fine with me, and I stand by that. The beauty in this is living those memories with Frieren, feeling wistful alongside her even though we weren’t there for the entire journey. It’s seeing how she was before, and how she reframes those memories now. *That* is what makes those glimpses of the hero’s party special to me, and having an uncut, unabridged story of them in their present day feels like it would be an emotional let down.

But I wouldn’t say no to little shorts, especially chibi ones. “Hero’s Party Quest!” or something.

Nice little slice of life break, I enjoyed this episode.

Land, Übel, Denken, Richter—I am very much intrigued by all four.

Quick thoughts on them:

* **Land**: Him being “known” for clones that are that advanced *smells* of political intrigue or a life of being in danger.
* **Übel**: She’s a lot more than just a murderer. I am okay with her and Land.
* **Richter**: Asshole who threatens to kill kids yet he’s happily helping the elderly. The disconnect. What he got happening in his life to be that desperate to win? What’s he running from?
* **Denken**: I wonder if the death of his wife or his wife in general changed his views on things. Did they have any kids?

I want an yuri otome/rofan webtoon about Lawine and Kanna, please. They fit the mould! It would sell like beignets!

***

**QotD**

1. I assume a simple light spell.
2. I’m not sure. But hardships do build relationships.
3. Captain, the ship is already at the docks. When do we sail?
4.
5.
6. Hell yeah. You could be cooking the same dish twice, hours apart, and it could taste different.
7. In the words of Bodyswapped-with-The-Flash Lex Luthor when he took off The Flash’s mask and looked in the mirror, “I have no idea who this is”.
8. Yes! Waaaait oh my god, she would be a brilliant otome villainess who tries to avert her ending!!!
9. Yes.
10. I have concerns.

**Rewatcher (Sub)**

A bit of a transition episode here, getting back to the more slice-of-life style I know some people prefer. It's nice getting to see Stark again for more than a minute. And of course Fern is back to her usual pouty self, lol. It was nice seeing them all enjoying a meal together like that. Poor Stark though, getting dragged away by Wirbel for battle. Likewise, I liked seeing some of the new characters outside the stakes of the test. I particularly liked the Denken/Laufen/Richter dynamic here. But then everyone has a wake-up call as they learn about the second stage of the exam, with an apparently low passing record from the person designing the exam.

As I said before, I do like this exam arc even if I do understand why it's not for everyone. But I'm glad they were able to have this kind of cool-down between each stage. And this way Stark isn't completely forgotten despite not being able to take part in the exam itself.

**Rewatcher**

I had forgotten Richter lived in the town and had a shop



1) How are these magic lightings work? If we saw them as streetlamps.

* I bet they have to be recharged every once in a while with the equivalent to fireflies but magic.

2) Is it normal that fellow examinees keep the good relationship between each other?

* Denken was the voice of reason to her new granddaughter and Richter but in any case, making new connections always helps.

3) Any common points between Übel and Land? Any potential ship material?

* Seems they both like to keep their cards to themselves.

4) How legendary is The Bell inn?

* Yes.

5) Why omurice?

* Because anime, by law, is required to have at least one of: fireworks scene, beach episode, parfaits and/or omurice.

6) So you agree that recipe, taste and flavor always changing even if the food looks the same outside?

* Food is tastier with friends :).

7) Who is this old man

* Town's old coot.


8) Is Lawine an ojousama?

* She's on her way to become one. She lacks [the laugh](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJAWOwq8BCE)

9) Can you see Wirbel and Stark as bros?

* Yeah? Wirbel looks pretty chill when not next to ~~dommy mommy~~ Übel.

10) Are you ready for part 2 of the exam? Any expectations?

* [I bet they're gonna have a fun time.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sOrIXkUlxg)

**First-timer, subbed**


Ah, the old Frieren is back. Was so nice to get a chill laid back slice of life episode after all the battling. And more Stark too! And Fern being all pouty. And Frieren being adorable. And Himmel flashbacks. 


It really was like meeting an old friend you thought you weren't going to be seeing for a while. Made me realise how much I missed this type of episode. 


I even liked the newer characters more in this setting. 



But alas, we're heading into a labyrinth next episode looks like and more battle. Will hold out hope for a return to the chill vibes after it. And try to enjoy the battle for what it is. Sigh.


Edit: One question though. What is it that Stark says around the 18 min mark when the two girls are talking about Frieren being like a teacher? My subs didn't translate his dialogue. This was right before Wirbel accosts him.

Rewatcher

Fern is in full disapproving mom mode and can only be appeased with snacks, also Stark is clearly learning to Fern whisper. So they imply Stark had some kind of training arc two seconds before you find out its just some weird old man. and now once again strange warrior men are dragging Stark off to do things while nobody is concerned. Also figured how Kanne trying to play prince charming was going to end. It is nice to see the other mages outside the test.

\[Frieren Anime\] >!Well everyone assuming they will be competing against each other next test is ironic since said test would actually go better if they worked together while also making it clear why that plan will fall apart !<

Not gonna spoil anything, but I just finished my rewatch too, I was surprised how many scenes still holds my full attention and how much of the dialogues are still pretty meaningful and powerful. Definitely looking forward to the coming season....

**First Timer**

I thought I spotted the trio that was trying to melt the ice stealing a bird, but I guess not.

I still had the first OP in my head all day.

Hopefully we get a day on the town with some Stark. I bet that's only half the episode, though.

I've been staying up all night and sleeping from 6 am to 3 pm since winter vacation started. Stark is me frfr.

Taverns can last 80 years.

After the real bird noises for 3 episodes, the fake cat noises are distracting.

Wirbel legit beat Uebel. That probably affected her.

Ahhhhhh. Uebel interrogates people, to steal their spells. Hence the conversation in the cave.

Oh, so the hero's party did vist Aesserst. Sein wasn't here at the time.

Coin flip, does Frieren get some continuity over 80 years? Nope! But she doesn't care.

Some people wouldn't consider the silent treatment to be a punishment.

All daughters are dress-up dolls for their mothers.

Wait, I had a thought, I assumed it was a given that Fern and Frieren wouldn't compete against each other, though on the other hand, Frieren isn't going to go easy on her apprentice. But Kanne and Lawine? They need each other to succeed. Pitting them against each other will just leave them bruised and bloodied.

I'm pretty sure that Wirbel is looking for a target dummy.

Oh, actual work. I hope they get paid.

Himmel killed the big bad wolf and saved little red riding hood.

Himmel's mole has shrunk.

It's signed Senze, not Sense.

Prediction: In sounds like people fail Sense's tests because they are too aggressive or give into their worst instincts.


2) Normal, yes, because they bonded during the test. But Land is right, they should be more aloof.

3) The show is shipping him with Uebel, though.

5) I've never understood the appeal, but I've never had it.

6) Only a family owned business can keep the flavors "handed down"

7) I doubt we've seen this kid in a flashback but maybe there was one.

8) I've been wanting to call her an ojousama for 2-3 episodes. It's the braids.

9) They already are.

10) Puzzle boxes. Or that one Japanese box pushing game that was all the rage, with giant rocks. Might be before your time.

**3rd Ranked Rewatcher**

With the first part of the exam now over, today's episode feels mostly like a little break in between the exam arcs. Poor Stark was *not* expecting this break (shouldn't have drank that juice in the middle of the night, smh my head).

It does feel nice to have a break between the serious exam portions and get to see some of these characters a bit more. We get to see a different side of Wirbel when he and Scharf hire Stark for a job, and similar for Richter running some kind of magic repair shop in town. And it's interesting indeed how many of our characters end up at the restaurant, with both Denken and Frieren in particular having fond memories of it. Everyone's chosen meals were amazing! And I love how poignant it was that Frieren was able to enjoy the improved taste of her giant pile of meat instead of focusing on the fact that taste had changed.

We also learned an intriguing fact about Übel and her ability to learn other people's magic if she can empathise with them. There's been a lot of talk and speculation about whether Übel's interest in Land is so that she can get to know him and learn his cloning abilities or if she's actually interested in him as a person. (As with many things, I personally choose both.)

Towards the end of the episode, all of the remaining examinees get a notification about the time, date, and location of the next exam and that it will be proctored by Sense. It seems she has a habit of making very difficult exams to pass, to good luck to everyone for the next arc, exam part two!

PS: We're also now at the part where we're caught up with all the manga volumes that I have, as I don't think the rest of my order will arrive before the end of the rewatch. Got most of the way through with those five volumes though!

S1) Man, bro is so new he doesn't even have an English wikipedia page. Which is a shame, as he's had some cool roles if nothing super big and fancy. Land may end up being a breakout role for him! I do feel the need to point out that he has had a role in GBF as the doggo [Kusuki](https://gbf.wiki/Kusuki), one of Shinsha's animal friends.

1) Probably wouldn't look much different from regular electric lights to us I imagine. (In fact, I legitimately wouldn't be surprised if it was some kind of magical way of harnessing electriocity lmao)

2) Probably varies a lot based on person to person, but if you had a good partnership, it might be wise to stay on good terms with them.

3) Oh boy, get in line. Tonnes of people ship Übel/Land. I'm indifferent towards it myself.

4) Seems pretty memorable at least.

5) Somehow it feels like the right fit for Stark. I've never actually had omurice myself before.

6) I mean, that does seem to be true in the real world, too, we're always refining spices and flavours and making modern versions of older dishes. Like, one of my favourite examples of this is the tomato, which is often seen as such a staple and important food in Italian cooking, and yet the tomato is a new world food that wasn't even brought over to Europe until the Columbian Exchange. Especially for someone who's really long-lived like Frieren, these kinds of human cultural changes would go by really quickly from her perspective.

7) Clearly he's Stark second master... or something. I am definitely amused by him though.

8) I guess so? Not really a fan of the trope or her character, so I guess it fits.

9) Most certainly.

10) Well, I guess know how it goes, so... Mostly I guess I'm expecting to enjoy rewatching it, I guess.

### Second-time watcher and your host (subs),

Seems like a few days respite really helps the body and the mind before the next trial. I think can't say anything about much right now.


> 1) How are these magic lightings work? If we saw them as streetlamps.

Maybe these are like lightbulbs.

> 2) Is it normal that fellow examinees keep the good relationship between each other?

Yes, because mutual assistance and helping is part of the greater picture.

> 3) Any common points between Übel and Land? Any potential ship material?

Maybe they have common goals, that's it. Yeah, they are shippable.

> 4) How legendary is The Bell inn?

The hero Himmel blessed with his presence, and many other adventurers entered there.

> 5) Why omurice?

Because it is Japanese-made material.

> 6) So you agree that recipe, taste and flavor always changing even if the food looks the same outside?

Yes. Because the ingredients, cooking style, the tools always change, whcih gives unique interpretations, which allows space to innovate, even if keeping the same at the basics and the outside.

> 7) Who is this old man?

Some random fellow who bumped into Stark, and exchange he did not refused his advices.

> 8) Is Lawine an ojousama?

She is a rich girl, probably an aristocrat, so kinda counts, yes.

> 9) Can you see Wirbel and Stark as bros?

Yeah, because they are strong, and respects those who have power.

> 10) Are you ready for part 2 of the exam? Any expectations?

Let's go!