@Electric0eye
What really blows my mind is not the fact they tell a whole story in half an episode, but the fact they did it twice. In the first two episodes.
@TheBaldrickk
2:27 - a blink and you'll miss it moment that has to also be remembered to hit home, or picked up on a second viewing. If you're not distracted by Heiter standing in the sun almost naked, you see Frieren drawing a circle around Fern. If you remember this, you might figure out what it means later, in episode 10. Apart from the various magical spells, one of the main things Frieren passes on to Fern is the lesson to keep her mana suppressed. This circle represents how much she wants it to be restricted to. Also, look out for child Fern creating the magical butterflies, which is why that's the motif Frieren chooses for her hairpiece later, as it's the one other spell we see her performing as a child. It has meaning to her.
@curioussavagery802
remember as well, that Heiter KNEW there was nothing in the grimoire that could lengthen his life. he lied, he was a corrupt priest to the end, when he lied and tricked frieren into staying and giving fern a chance to become a true mage in time to go with frieren. It was all to make frieren stay, and he used the fact that time is so brief for her. He knew she'd be fine with "a mere couple years" cus that's maybe like staying a day or two at a friend's house. And he knew she wouldn't be angry either.
@fredrichvilmschmitt6777
What surprised me most is the fact that this was just 9 minutes it totally felt like it was way longer when I watched it a common theme in Frieren's episodes is that they feel so long that each episode leaves you with the same emotion you get from watching a movie (or two)
@princeimrahil6557
This is my favorite part of the whole show. When he says "because that's what Himmel the Hero would have done" and you get that flashback of Hieter looking on while Himmel comforts the children... Absolutely makes me cry every time
@thesunthrone
Frieren is a masterclass in skilled exposition. There's just so much told via just visuals, small little cuts, or meaningfully chosen words, it's truly incredible. This is an instant classic, one that will be studied for years to come because of how efficiently it tells the stories it wants, at the pace it wants, being seemingly slow paced, yet also rewarding the viewer's attention.
@frierency
this part of the story in the source material is called "The Priest's lie" and its a huge favorite of manga readers. thanks for encapsulating what we all felt when experiencing this story for the first time
@Talon1124
I loved Frieren from minute 1. Each episode is so dense with story they feel like mini movies, but don't drag because the pacing is so on point. Each beat stays for exactly the right amount of time to be taken in and absorbed but not so long as to outlive its welcome. The entire show is like this. The fights are snappy they feel like they last for hours and only a few seconds at the same time. The slice of life moments flow naturally, and the comedy beats are pitched just right that they lend levity to a sequence but don't feel like they intrude on the serious parts.
@quigonkenny
It constantly blows my mind how adept the author of Frieren is at quickly and efficiently fleshing out the characters and telling the episodic stories of the series. You are absolutely invested in these characters by the middle of the first chapter, and then you realize that only one of them is going to be the focus of the story—the titular cute elf (or eldritch horror, if you're a demon) Frieren—as the others start to die off of old age. We get new characters, of course (who thankfully stick around a bit longer from the perspective of the narrative), but we also see a lot of the old ones, through probably the best (and among the most prodigious) use of situational flashback in recent memory. The old party, already mostly fleshed out within the first episode, helps to give insight and perspective on the new, and often vice versa. And each individual tale tends to be done within a manga chapter (or half an episode). It's quite reminiscent of 4-koma, except rather than being (entirely) comedically focused and offering you a little hors d'oeuvre of story (or stringing a few of them together) like 4-koma does, Frieren gives you a full meal each chapter, or at least a decently sized sandwich. And when the story does decide to shed its episodic, slice-of-life appearance for the occasional story arc, the author is just as deft at that slower burn of a writing style, though there is still that uncanny ability to get us instantly interested in characters we've just met.
@blackrat1228
The pacing on Frieren is amazing. I watched a few episodes by myself and realized that my gf should watch it as well, so I started rewatching it from the start with her. In my mind with all the story and character development that had been shown I thought I was 5 or 6 episodes in. After we watching it together I realized I had only finished episode 2. Each half of am episode for that beginning arc feels like a complete story.
@michaelzautner4848
The fact that it took you almost nine minutes to summarize the 9 minute story says a lot about how well constructed it is as well.
@Lohpezhoh
Makes so much sense. I remember showing My sister the anime and when at the end of that story she saw we had half an episode left she was surprised because it felt already complete and satisfying for her.
@mdyas1711
What I love is the ill wind blows from the North. The North is the cold interior highlands of the continent, the Demon King dwelled in the North. For the people of this land North is Death. The lands of the afterlife are beyond the North. It's an interesting dynamic that subtly plays through out all the episodes.
@folcwinep.pywackett8517
"pey talks anime" does in 8 minutes and 45 seconds exactly what Episode 2 is doing in it's 9 minutes. The complex of emotional swirls around the heads of Fern, Heiter, and Frieren have no better witness than in this analysis of story telling, actually doing what it is talking about. Bravo!
@supersanta4059
I, a man, 8:36 couldn't hold my tear.
@Koenig_Michi
great video as always, I haven't actually thought about why the second episode felt so god damn satisfying, but I sure as hell knew that it was a good lead in into the story at hand, but you basically cleared up the entire reason behind why that is. Also, the editings been great on this one!
@marcusbaretta
I hope this channel thrives. These videos are phenomenal.
@yohanVerveine
The butterfly theme from Fern is a sad and sweet poetry reminding us that she will be wonderful in a very short period of life..
@Stiggandr1
Heiter reminded me of Bilbo in this episode. In the books, Bilbo is far wiser than he seems in the movies, and in the scene where the fellowship of the ring is being established, it's in fact Bilbo who volunteers to take the ring to Mordor himself. It's a layered offer. He already knows that Frodo is meant to take the ring, but that Frodo still loves the shire, and can't make the decision himself. He knows that with the strife between the three great races, and the desperation of all factions present, that none of them can take the ring, not even Strider, whom he respects so much. He also knows that a decision must be made, and that if he doesn't speak up, no one will. Him volunteering, tidies up all of these factors at once, and clears the path for Frodo and his friends to truly begin their fated journey. In the same way Heiter knew that Freiren would miss her old companions, if she didn't already. He didn't just want a mentor for Fern, he wanted connection for Freiren. He was looking out for both of them. He asked a favor he knew Freiren would grant, but would lead to the outcome he knew was best, and feigned fear of a fate he was already resigned to. Regardless, it emphasizes his mortality, all humans mortality, on Freiren, and gave him leverage to convince Freiren to take Fern under her tutelage. Love Heiter.
@KaelVonrik