Not all heroes pull swords from stone

Support me on patreon!

Frieren once again subvert trope while engaging in it. This time we're focusing on how this show explores the archetype of a hero. It's remarkable how Frieren can do such similar things in such new ways.

Follow me on instagram!

#frieren #anime #pey

Songs in order of appearance:
I Keep on Wandering - William Claeson
Two Three on E - Franz Gordon
Let It Enfold You - Johannes Bornlof

0:00 intro
0:38 big moments, prophecy, and depth
2:28 "ad" break
2:47 heroes in Frieren
6:56 depth and application
9:24 the sword in the stone

[eclips_total]

Himmel came in a era of anti-heros to remind us that utter kindness has its place.

[mdtaj]

Himmel was truly one of a kind. the legendary heroes sword didn't choose him but he still managed to defeat the demon king and saved the world with his companions

[twelfthknight]

That "It's what Himmel would've done" became a trend in Japan is quite endearing.

I think the strength of Himmel's character is his altruistic actions are framed as how to live a rich life - one that impacts people and is remembered - rather than something imposed upon him by his role, society, or religion.

[alyenTry]

3:26
"Frieren as mage" shows her using magic
"Eisen as warrior" shows him in warrior-act
"Heiter as priest" *shows him drinking*

[Arkyl]

I actually contend that Himmel’s “vanity” was a cover. For example, he has all the statues made of himself, but there is a section where he indicates a desire to make sure that Frieren isn’t alone in the future. The statues (and perceived vanity) take on a whole new perspective when taking this into account. He’s leaving reminders of himself and her other friends for Frieren when they are gone. He wants them to get his good side because he’s trying to be presentable to the woman he loves in a future he cannot see. So while he may have some “vain” tendencies. I think what is perceived as vanity is in many ways an expression of love for Frieren.

[holderian]

It's not that Himmel wasn't worthy for wielding the sword. The sword wasn't worthy of being held by Himmel.

[mdraj]

Another valuable message from frieren. Unlike most fantasy and Isekai anyone can be a hero in this series long as they have the right mindset. If fate doesn't choose you just have fate in yourself

[grimmturd]

Not really related to the theme of this analysis, but "The Hero's Sword can only be pulled from the stone by the hero who will drive off the great calamity bent on destroying this world."
There's no doubt that Himmel was a hero but it still could mean a great calamity, worse than the Demon King, has yet to come.

[bobislav]

Himmel epitomizes what Gandalf say in The Hobbit :“I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”

[Blackferret]

You get the feeling that the Hero Party's journey took 10 years to complete their quest because they went on all these tangents to help people in various ways. And it was because all of this tangential heroism that they are remembered so well, and inspired others to become heroes themselves. If they had just bee-lined for the Demon King, they would never have touched so many lives.

[wamaschawama]

Himmel defying fate is easily one of the best aspects about him

[ruthlesshunter]

I love a hero who goes around and instead of just fixing the world, they make it better.

The things that are wrong, the tyrants and injustices are fixed, but something like a common illness or a smashed building is rarely given a second thought in fiction.

I think even more traditional heroes like superman and batman could be so much better if they spent a teeny bit less time searching for petty criminals, and more time making the world better.

[Flaris]

I love that the legendary sword is there. Because it does allow Himmel to forge his own destiny as a hero. He wasn't a man chosen by destiny or great powers. He simply made the choice himself on what he wanted to do and went out to do it. And he left a wonderful impact on the lives of those around him as he lived. It's an interesting twist that the lie is told that he claimed the legendary sword and went off to defeat the Demon Lord with it. Because that's just easier for people to process.

[zendur]

i absolutely love the choice to make himmel not pull the sword from a writting perspective, the fact that you can hear in his voice at first that it did impact him, but that he decided to still go on this journey even after failing to pull the sword, how his voice goes from shakey to firm and decisive, perfect scene

[todayontheinternet]

The scene of Stark coming to terms with Himmel (his hero) not pulling the sword from the stone is fantastic.

[qualitytikoyproductions]

A lot of viewers complain that Stark did nothing in the last arc. But during the last episode all the goodbyes from the city were to Stark, not to the pair of mages who accomplished many great things. To these people who live in the city of magic, it didn't matter what amazing things the powerful mages did. Stark was there for them, walked among them, and shared in their lives. He will be remembered.

[KennyMcGavin]

Reminder that Himmel is so well written that a helped inspire a Taiwanese man to stop a knife attack and probably save someone's life.

“It’s what Himmel the Hero would have done.”

[realkivlov]

The reason was unable to draw the sword wasn't because he was unworthy. It was because as bad as the thousand year reign of the demon king was, humanity still hadn't reach the necessary absolute apocalypse of despair that the prophecy had foretold.

[TripleExposurePhoto]

He is my favorite depiction of an unreluctant hero, who isnt literally still perfect

[mohammadabdelrahman]

I'm a simple man, I see Pay posted something, I watch it