The difference between afraid and annoying

Been thinking about making this video for awhile. Ended up being a ton of work so I hope yall like it! This is an analysis of the coward archetype in anime, specifically looking at Stark, Zenitsu, and Usopp.

Inspiration for this thumbnail:

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Music in order of appearance:
Bach - Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor
Rain - Pableno
Fleeting Light - James.Ifo
I Will Keep on Wandering - WIlliam Claeson
Nafas - HATAMITSUNAMI
Lonely Starfall - William Benckert
Planting the Seeds - David Celeste

#frieren #anime #pey

[gilgameshlfx]

"Being afraid is not a bad thing.
It's my fear that brought me this far"

- Eisen the Warrior

[SmappyBabbles]

I think another interesting thing about Stark is that other characters in the story ADORE him. Every town they stop in, he's just speed running side-quests and winning over the hearts of all the locals without even trying. He's got these ginormous shoes to fill, taking Eizen's place in Frieren's party, but in many ways I think hes taken on Himmel's as well, at least when it comes to being the party face. I think its another, really neat way to explore a character with very little self-confidence, who just happens to charm everyone he meets, not by being conniving or deceitful, but just by genuinely being a sweetheart.

[sachiel]

oh my god
the idea of having zenitsu closing his eyes to block out the fear and relying on his hearing makes too much sense
that should've absolutely been what the writer went with instead of needing him to be passed out

[colinsmith]

Stark's intro is SUCH a good representation of fear. Not exactly cowardice, but REAL fear. The dragon is POWERFUL, and TERRIFYING. And no matter how powerful Stark becomes, he can't SEE himself overcoming that power and fear. Even when he's finally convinced to face it, it's only because he's tricked, told he has to hold it off for a bit so Frieren can prep a spell.

There was no spell. Frieren knew Stark could kill it, even if Stark didn't. She knew Stark would go all-out, because of his fear, thinking he had to just to survive. And the dragon wouldn't survive that. It's not until the dragon is already dead, at Stark's hand, that Stark REALIZES he did it. And he was TRICKED into it.

[Narmatonia]

Even without better character writing, Zenitsu would be significantly more bearable if he didn't spend so much time screaming in our faces

[MrAlbinoGhost]

i really love your idea of zenitsu progressing to a point where he just closes his eyes to avoid facing his, but remains awake. it retains his character while still allowing for growth, and it would do a lot to make him less annoying

[Hurricayne]

Bravery can not exist without fear. 'Bravery' without fear is recklessness.

[MegaMrASD]

2:11 I think the issue with Zen is very simple. He never really grows, or faces consequences for cowardice. Him being a coward is fine, but there is a lot of emphasis placed on it, with no real payoff either positively or negatively, leaving him just plain annoying

[thomasdjrasta]

The "drawback" point is SO IMPORTANT, I remember thinking when seeing Zenitsu being a badass while unconscious "If literally everything about you is better when you're not conscious with no drawbacks, why would I ever want you conscious again?"

[magic_cfw]

I would also point out that Frieren also doesn't treat overcoming fear as an on/off switch. Stark still showing fear, as well as flashback with Eizen shaking, points out they will always be cowards, but they do not succumb or indulge in fear. Further reinforces that form of Heroism where triumph and action despite fear is bravery, rather than bravery through absence of fear.

[MoeidIrfanWarraich]

"Can a man be brave if he is afraid?" Bran asked Ned Stark.

Ned replied "That's the only time a man can be brave"

[abilawaandamari]

Stark and Eisen have such little screentime, yet they're become such memorable character in such a short time.

[rotmistrzjanm]

And that's why I've lost my mind when my friend said that meh "Stark is just copy of Zenitsu and Frieren as anime is one of those appealing to male fantasies" HOW CULTURALLY ILLITERATE CAN YOU BE?!

[nuxxism]

Another key part of Stark's fear is how it echoes Eisen's. Literally both having fear tremors before battle. Which goes to show that fear isn't something you get rid of. Overcome your fear and then you never get scared again. You are literally fighting against your instinct for preservation.

There is also a contrast between Zenitsu and Inosuke with regard to motivation. So many of the demon slayers, including most of the Hashira, are there for revenge, they are demon slayers to cope with the reality of what demons have personally done to them. Tanjiro too. Not Zenitsu and Inosuke. But Inosuke has reason to stay because he wants to fight, he has no fear. But Zenitsu is terrified of everything, of demons, of medicine, of training, of the Hashira. He is only there because 'Gramps' paid off his debt.

[mr_nn]

Usopp is a coward, but he's really funny and he's brave. He might be weaker than the rest of the crew but makes up for it with sheer ingenuity. I'd argue he more than earns his place among legends.
Early Zenitsu had me wishing he stayed asleep all the time. I tolerate him because he could be much more and we get a glimpse of that at the end.
I love Stark's character. Everything about the character speaks to me at a fundamental level.

[Daniel-qtib]

I often think of the Leap of Faith scene in Spiderverse when it comes to bravery/fear. The glass that Miles was holding onto shattering when he jumps wasn't just because it was cool in the moment - it was already established that he can't unstick himself when he's afraid. We don't just infer that he was probably afraid at that moment, we KNOW he was - and he leaped anyway.

[twelfthknight]

I would also cite Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit for this trope. Bilbo starts off the story as someone who believes he has no place or desire for adventure, but after being cajoled into a real epic quest and facing numerous challenges in succession he grows in confidence to the point he's calmly conversing with a fire-breathing dragon by the end. Had he remained the reluctant character he was at the beginning throughout the story constantly cowering in front of each and every danger... well, it certainly would've been "realistic" it also would've been a pretty obnoxious arc for his character and duller story over all.

[Dumland]

One iteration of the coward trope that really sticks out to me is king in one punch. He is the complete opposite of saitama, but supports his character really well. I thought that I would hate King as I'm not the biggest fan of the coward archetype, but King really grew on me.

[muhammaddimasfachriakbar]

The problem with zenitsu is that his fighting capability when unconscious never being addressed or properly talk about by the in universe characters.

It's make zenitsu uniqueness feels like a deus ex machina.

[korsekil]

One example of a cowardly supporting character that I find interesting is Ron Weasley from Harry Potter, because his main depictions fit BOTH sides of the coin. Book Ron has several moments where he's terrified, but faces his fears and stands up when it counts, and in one case literally stands up with a twisted foot to protect his friends. Movie Ron flips those moments around for comedic relief and is often more of a nuisance, much like Zenitsu, though he has some moments where he finds his courage.