‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ Season 2 Episode 9 review: “Himmel’s Memoirs”

Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 9 is the perfect lead-in for the next arc of the story. Not only does the hard part begin for our main party, but another character that we haven’t seen in a minute also makes their reappearance. “Himmel’s Memoirs” serves as a great way to remind the party that the only way forward is by taking a look back at the past.

Season 2 has taken on a cute habit of reintroducing characters that the audience might be missing at just the right moment. “Himmel’s Memoirs” starts off following Denken (Jirô Saitô), another first-class that we first met during the same arc as Genau and Methode. This helps the series transition to the next part of the story. Two things about this are immediately clear. The first is that Frieren (Atsumi Tanezaki), Fern (Kana Ichinose), and Stark (Chiaki Kobayashi) will get involved in whatever it is Denken is up to. The second is that whatever he’s doing, it’s certainly dangerous and bound to be exciting for the viewers.

As the only non-magic-using member of the party, Stark lacks that magic connection with both Frieren and Fern. But it doesn’t hinder the party or their success in battle at all. This difference actually makes them stronger than parties that might not consider frontliners important to their own dynamics. The battle with the dragons is a perfect example of this. Sure, one can argue that Frieren and Fern can take care of them without Stark. But it’s doubtful that they would have the same success as they did with Stark.

Stark’s resilience pays off in yet another showdown with a dragon.

This scene also highlights how much growth Stark has experienced as their frontliner. In Episode 8, he does the absolute most to defeat Revolte with Genau. This is obviously a huge moment for him, showing how much he has grown since the beginning of the series. But the fight against the dragons in Episode 9 is what really shows how much he’s changed — especially when it comes to him fighting dragons. Stark moves through them with such ease that it feels natural for him to be on the battlefield. Even when his head ends up in the mouth of a dragon, he manages to come out mostly unscathed.

Frieren plays with the parallels between both parties every week, and “Himmel’s Memoirs” continues that trend. Seeing the two parties juxtaposed during a waiting period, with slight differences between them, is key, particularly because Frieren seems to be enjoying herself more with Fern and Stark, having learned, on her journey with Himmel, to appreciate this part of the adventure. That’s not to say she didn’t with her original party, but the glimpses into the montage show how comfortable she is with the other two in different ways. I’m sure Fern made her clean up her mess of trinkets, though.

One of my favorite parts of Frieren is her hobby of collecting grimoires. For someone from a long-lived species who studies magic, only studying spells that are “useful” can be boring. At first, it seems like collecting silly spells is her way of having fun because the world will never run out of them. But more than that, it connects her to Himmel in a very specific way, even long after their party split up.

Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 9 reminds us (again) of Himmel’s endless influence.

Without Himmel accepting that notebook as payment during their journey, Frieren might not have changed her perspective on accepting payment from others, so as not to burden them with the sense that they owe something. It’s a small realization for Frieren at the time, but something that sticks with her all these years.

Episode 9 stays the same course as the rest of the season in terms of the stunning animation. Each frame has so much care baked into it that it’s impossible to miss. This is most evident in the flashbacks featuring Himmel himself. There’s a very specific fluidity with Himmel’s movements that, while not rare in the series, brings him to life that keeps him alive through Frieren’s memories. This stands out the most when the party rests in a cabin, and Himmel starts going through his pockets to look for his journal, only to realize it is lost. The animation of his movements, cape, and face are smooth and kinetic, allowing to understand his emotions in the moment. The artists at Madhouse grant every sequence patience and grace.

Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 9 blends all of the elements that make Frieren one of the best anime currently airing. Our main trio continues to grow as their story unfolds in the North Plateau. Their journey will only take them to new places where they’ll have to face even harder enemies than a kraken. Now, if only they can do something about that tongue twister spell.

Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 9 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

Images courtesy of Crunchyroll/Madhouse. 

Kayla Chu

Made up of feminism, sports, and cheap wine.
Questions, comments, inquries please be sent to kaylamchu@gmail.com