The 1-week hiatus was totally worth it, as today’s Frieren Friday episode has been another solid addition to the series. Like, it didn’t even take a second to have me hooked for the next arc. The way it portrayed the demons’ invasion in one of the Northern Plateau villages was so brutal.
The presentation, the atmosphere, and the soundtracks all gave me literal chills. And that final look at the demon general’s silhouette? Gosh, that was terrifyingly cinematic. Then what? The opening theme kicked in and lightened the mood a bit. But soon after that, it was back to misery again. As it turns out, the village in question here is Genau’s hometown (remember him from the 1st Class Mage Exam, right?).
Genau’s Short Backstory Was Enough to Make MeCare About Him
Episode 6 again showcases how casually Frieren’s storytelling can bring out tears from rather simple moments. You know why? Because when Genau encounters his old friend in a dying state, it hit me in a way I did not expect. Although similar scenarios arise in all sorts of stories and anime, in Frieren, it just feels more personal.
Especially when the little flashback kicked in. Genau recalls the time when he and the bread maker’s kid used to play as children, and that almost had me in tears. Anyway, enough emotional talk. Now let’s get back to serious mode. Because, none of the villagers survived.
Then Frieren, Fern, and Stark came into the picture as Fern also received a demon-slaying request in the village. However, the way they met Genau was rather surprising. Frieren almost mistook Genau for a demon because of the bloodlust he carried out of anger toward the demons who destroyed the village. So that was a little tense!
Also, I must mention the two particular dialogues from the episode that I thought had heavy implications. One is when Genau said that he doesn’t personally have fond memories of the village, but seeing it in a state like this still makes him sad. For some reason, I really felt that. The other one is when Stark asks why the bodies weren’t eaten!
How Episode 6’s Strategy Meeting Teases for the Upcoming Mayhem
Genau and Stark from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 | Credits: Madhouse
In an unexpected turn of events, the team that has formed now is giving me high hopes for the arc. Frieren, Fern, Stark, Genau, and Methode are all formidable characters. Even their discussion made several points clear to me, including the answer to Stark’s question.
Well, basically, some demons kill simply for the pleasure of killing. And that info made me pause the episode for a second just to let it sink in. Then the five of them, especially Stark and Methode, even examine the corpses to determine exactly what kind of demon attacked the village.
And oh boy, the conclusion they came to had my nerves wrecked. The alleged demon they are talking about probably wields four swords and is said to be the strongest one in the series so far. That already sounds much stronger than Aura, at least. What do you think?
Now, speaking about the episode in general, I really loved the subtle interactions between Stark and Genau. The two might work together really well, and they even seem to share some similarities in personality. It feels like they can empathise with each other quite naturally.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 6Final Verdict
The Demon (Macht) from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 | Credits: Madhouse
By the very end of the episode, the final tease of the demon that Frieren and the others will be facing next looked like a pure abomination. It was straight-up bad news. But for this episode, I have nothing but praise. What I found different about Episode 6 compared to the others is its serious, ominous vibe. I mean, the tone has been like this ever since we entered the Northern Plateau, more or less. But now, it’s in full swing!
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
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