My thought of Frieren
The first thing I realized while watching Frieren was that this wasn’t an anime in the usual sense. In the first three episodes alone, with its time skips and calm narration, it clearly showed what kind of story it wanted to tell. It made me feel that I wouldn’t be watching a story about great battles or heroism, but about the emotions that remain after all of that is over. It conveyed this in a short time, yet in a very powerful way.
In fact, Frieren reminded me of the value of time. Or rather, it reminded me how often I fail to understand its value. I see something similar in myself: sometimes not being empathetic enough, sometimes being late, sometimes thinking “I wish I had spent more time.” You could call this regret, but I see it more as something we realize as we grow. Because when we are young, and even sometimes when we grow older, we don’t fully grasp how precious time really is.
After the series ended, I thought about the people I had lost. I thought about friends I haven’t talked to for a long time, friends whom life has pushed into a corner of my past. Frieren didn’t tell me this directly, but it made me feel it. Quietly, without judging, without shouting. Just by showing.
The best part was this:
It didn’t trap me in “I wish.”
Instead of saying “I wish I had done this,”
it made me say, “From now on, I won’t be like this.”
That’s why Frieren feels hopeful to me, not pessimistic. It talks about being late, but it also says that we can still do something.
I also realized this: this story is not different for men or women. It’s for humans. The emotions it tells are things anyone can experience. That’s why Frieren feels less like a female character and more like a human state of being. Her stillness, her silence, her late realizations felt very familiar to me.
If I had to describe Frieren in one word, I would say “enlightening.” Because instead of making you cry, it makes you realize. It lights a small spark inside you.
When I recommend it to someone, I don’t say “the action is great.”
I say, “It’s very human.”
I say, “It makes you stop and think, turn back to yourself, and maybe broaden your perspective.”
And if I want one thing from the reader at the end of this, it’s action.
For those who isolate themselves – maybe to protect themselves – to loosen that a little.
To understand the value of time.
To show love, and to show that they are loved.
Because all of us need that.
What do you guys think?
In fact, Frieren reminded me of the value of time. Or rather, it reminded me how often I fail to understand its value. I see something similar in myself: sometimes not being empathetic enough, sometimes being late, sometimes thinking “I wish I had spent more time.” You could call this regret, but I see it more as something we realize as we grow. Because when we are young, and even sometimes when we grow older, we don’t fully grasp how precious time really is.
After the series ended, I thought about the people I had lost. I thought about friends I haven’t talked to for a long time, friends whom life has pushed into a corner of my past. Frieren didn’t tell me this directly, but it made me feel it. Quietly, without judging, without shouting. Just by showing.
The best part was this:
It didn’t trap me in “I wish.”
Instead of saying “I wish I had done this,”
it made me say, “From now on, I won’t be like this.”
That’s why Frieren feels hopeful to me, not pessimistic. It talks about being late, but it also says that we can still do something.
I also realized this: this story is not different for men or women. It’s for humans. The emotions it tells are things anyone can experience. That’s why Frieren feels less like a female character and more like a human state of being. Her stillness, her silence, her late realizations felt very familiar to me.
If I had to describe Frieren in one word, I would say “enlightening.” Because instead of making you cry, it makes you realize. It lights a small spark inside you.
When I recommend it to someone, I don’t say “the action is great.”
I say, “It’s very human.”
I say, “It makes you stop and think, turn back to yourself, and maybe broaden your perspective.”
And if I want one thing from the reader at the end of this, it’s action.
For those who isolate themselves – maybe to protect themselves – to loosen that a little.
To understand the value of time.
To show love, and to show that they are loved.
Because all of us need that.
What do you guys think?
Commentaires
To put it into perspective (for LOTR fans) the story of Frieren is literally like— what was Legolas up to after the One Ring of power was destroyed and the fellowship disbanded.
It’s an “aftermath” kind of story about the life of a hero who already saved the world. I love that, as a concept for a story.