@moonshinei
when you’re in a making videos about frieren competition and your opponent is pey the musician:
@adamwebster1666
A counterpoint: Finding heaven may be a red herring. “Communing” with Himmel is the A plot, and is being accomplished through reliving the memories of the past and forming new bonds with a new party. This actually makes the A plot central to the story so far, but still exist in service to character and theme, making it 3rd place in the hierarchy at best, although personally I think setting is still above plot in this case. Just my thoughts anyways.
@josephscottlawrence
I love the symbolism of the A plot. Frieren’s journey is to a place called Heaven, and on the way she realizes that the guy named Heaven is already with her more than she realized. Since life itself is also a long journey towards heaven, it makes the story feel especially personal.
@bouboulroz
What I find really touching in this episode is the realization of how much Frieren's old party loved her despite her outwardly coldness with them. After 10 years travelling together, she basically ghosted them for 50 years, then came to hang out like half a century of radio silence never happened. But then, Heiter and Eisen saw her cry, maybe for the first time in 60 years, and spent decades finding a way for her to deal with the one regret she expressed. Her difficulties to connect with people, because they knew deep down she cared. And as someone with very similar struggles, I find that comforting.
@Those2menoverthere
Towards then end of the video you say "...I'm occupied by what's going on in the moment". It's perfect that you say that, because that's what Frieren herself is starting to do. She has begun to appreciate the daily happenings more and more. That's basically where we pick up the part of her journey at, which is when that type enjoyment begins to grow on her. You could almost argue the "real" A Plot is we're here to witness her emotional journey progress, and the "talking to the dead" goal will be a sub-result of the main story's emotional journey. Either angle works, it just really depends on how you want to look at it.
@ryantpark8155
Frieren's lack of emphasis on the A plot is in line with slice of life genre, which is something I think western media doesn't really venture into
@rumaristo129
The A plot is essentially Frieren's relationship with Himmel and I think it's EXTREMELY important.
@ehkoin
Excellent video but i disagree when you say the A plot is replaceable. I think the A plot, despite taking a back seat, was deliberately chosen since it serves as a kind of framework for the story. The fact that Frieren is trying to reach Ende to reconnect with the Hero is important because it contextualizes the decisions Frieren makes. This contextualization is crucial imo. If Frieren's A plot goal was something different, that contextualization would be missing/weaker.
@Weebdotexe
the first 4 were probably released at the same time, due to the first volume ending with them setting out for Ende, and Frieren not wanting because its cold
@MansonMamaril
3:00 "Completely abandoned one of the 5 elements..." but everything changed when the fire nation attacked...
@twelfthknight
One of the more contentious issues surrounding the genre of fantasy recently is how publishers have been less keen on epics ala Lord of the Rings and moved more towards cozy fantasy (along with Romantasy) because they've proven to sell quite successful. Cozy fantasy puts conflict and plot in the back seat to focus on the characters and setting, not that "nothing" will happen but the pace is relaxed and the goal is ultimately instilling comfort in the reader. For those who would love to see the next great fantasy epic, that publishers aren't looking for it is kind of galling. I think Frieren has achieved something incredible in that it treads this mysterious line where it can be a story of the characters heartwarming moments doing chores for a tiny village to get another useless grimoire while the next chapter might be a tense battle in an dungeon with an ancient demon. You can get a taste of both that epic bigness and the cozy smallness, both are equally as important in the context of Frieren's personal journey towards Heaven while Fern and Stark's mortality means the adventure has to keep moving.
@oliverlau9118
Please continue to do one for each episode, you deserve so much more views and I think a whole catalog will give you the attention you deserve one day
@BrianRepine
"It's all about the journey, not the destination" could sum up the entire show really well.
@Angrenost02
Characters are everything. Nail the characters and the audience will be interested in anything they do.
@dareka9425
I discovered this kind of story telling in The Witcher 3 and one of the reasons why Frieren immediately became my favourite anime. I spent over 200 hours in The Witcher 3 just looking for and completing side quests. I avoided main storyline quests unless I need more XP boosts or to unlock the next phases of the missions. I enjoyed the side quests more because they let me become a Witcher while the main storyline is just the typical father looking for his daughter story. In fact, the moment I feel like I can't find anymore side quests I simply quit the game. I didn't finished the main storyline until the DLCs came out.
@daltonbooth2738
Honestly I noticed throughout this show, even my second or third viewing, I have asked myself what the overall goal was, but in the end just kept watching and enjoying it even if I didn’t know or remember, which is a testament and a half to how good it really is.
@PickledGherkin
I think the best example of shows where the overarching story doesn't really seem to matter is Mushishi. It's the only other show that has managed to put me into the same kind of serene and simultaneously overwhelmed state of mind as Frieren.
@CookiesPlay09
I had to stop the video at 2:10. I think pey made his point. I've really enjoyed the show and Pey's analysis, but I completely forgot that this was Frieren's A Plot. I though about the plot for a sec and the First Class Mage Arc came to my mind
@grimmturd
I'm grateful to be alive in this time that you are putting out these videos analyzing Frieren. Even though I know why I love this show "for some reason", it's nice to hear your more refined take as to why. I honestly feel a bit sorry for those who downplay how important this story is to the world and resign myself to believing that it just isn't the right time in their lives where the appreciation for it's messages have an impact yet.
@Rinne0000