Silent Whispers of Love: Understanding Frieren and Himmel’s Relationship

 

Contents

 

 

Introduction

The world of Frieren: Beyond the Journey's End is more than just a story about magical adventures. At its core is a moving story about the intricate and beautiful connection between Frieren, the stoic elf mage, and Himmel, the great hero. As we look deeper into their relationship, it becomes clear that their story is more than just friendship; it is also about a silent, unspoken love that transcends time and mortality. 

Following the Demon King's fall, the story shifts its focus to Frieren, an elf on a journey to understand humanity through her relationships with people. However, the emotional basis of the story is her exploration of her history and relationship with the deceased hero, Himmel.

Let us take a closer look at Himmel and Frieren's beautiful relationship. Spoilers ahead for anime-only fans!

 

 

Frieren's Lack of Emotional Understanding and Himmel’s Unspoken Love

Himmel and Frieren, as seen in official art.

Frieren, by nature, is portrayed as dry and seemingly devoid of romantic feelings. The manga illustrates the elven race's tendency to live lengthy lives without experiencing the emotions of love and reproductive urges. Yet, within this seemingly emotionless exterior, subtle hints suggest that Frieren's emotional landscape is far more complex than meets the eye.

Frieren's comment about elves lacking romantic feelings sets the stage for a journey that revolves around her realization of emotions previously foreign to her. This lack of emotional comprehension becomes increasingly important as readers explore the interactions between Frieren and Himmel.

In contrast to Frieren's stoicism, Himmel is introduced as a charismatic and valiant hero with a warm and caring personality. The beauty of their relationship is found not only in the differences between their personalities but also in the unspoken feelings that bind them together. 

Himmel's unspoken love for Frieren is crucial to his character. Despite the hero's obvious displays of affection and signals of something more than just companionship, Frieren is blissfully clueless about Himmel's true feelings. This deliberate decision to suppress his emotions emerges as a crucial element, resulting in a subtle undertone of love that runs through the entire story.

 

 

The Ring's Significance: A Promise of Forever

Himmel gives Frieren the ring.

The moment Himmel gives Frieren a ring is one of the memorable scenes that demonstrates the depth of Himmel's affection. In a scene laden with symbolism, Himmel encourages Frieren to choose an accessory as a token of appreciation for her efforts during their journey. Frieren, looking unconcerned, chooses a ring with a mirror lotus flower design.

The flower, which represents eternal love, becomes a major symbol in the story. Although Frieren is unaware of the flower's significance when he selects the ring, the following scenes indicate Himmel's comprehension of its value. The gesture of Himmel kneeling down to place the ring on Frieren's left-hand ring finger adds emotional weight to the scene, capturing the essence of a proposal and a vow to eternal love.

The ring is still in Frieren’s possession throughout all these years. 

The ring, with its mirror lotus flower design, symbolizes eternal love and serves as a tangible representation of Himmel's commitment. The fact that Frieren discovered the flower's meaning 29 years after Himmel's death gives a sad tone to their story. Despite Frieren's lack of awareness about the ring's importance, the flashback scenes show Himmel's meaningful look while staring at it. The act of placing it on Frieren's finger, reminiscent of a proposal, represents Himmel's heartfelt decision to be loyal to her for eternity. It becomes an implicit vow, a sign of eternal love that defies the passage of time.

 

 

Himmel's Sacrifice for Frieren's Future Happiness

Himmel the Hero and his party who defeated the Demon King. 

When you think about why Himmel opted to keep his feelings buried, the mystery grows deeper. While Frieren's ignorance may originate from her natural insensitivity to romantic feelings, Himmel's decision is based on a selfless sacrifice for Frieren's future happiness.

According to one popular theory, Himmel withheld confessing his love to save Frieren from the agony of outliving him for decades. The elves' long lifespans, along with Frieren's personality, make the idea of a life without Himmel terrifying. Himmel's sacrifice, preferring to die without expressing his emotions, is a moving witness to the depth of his love.

Statues of Himmel the Hero’s party were erected everywhere in memory of their exploits as well as to serve as a reminder of their existence for Frieren, who will surely outlive them.

Himmel explains to Frieren why he was so adamant about having statues of their party made.

The burial scene provides another sad glimpse into Himmel's character. Despite being a respected hero beloved by many, his lack of family and relations suggests a lifelong bachelorhood. This deliberate choice, objectively speaking, confirms the notion that Himmel's undying love for Frieren was the motivating factor behind his desire to remain unmarried. It further solidifies the notion that Himmel's sacrifice extended beyond the unspoken confession of love to a lifetime dedicated to preserving the memory of their bond.

 

 

Frieren’s Emotional Evolution

Frieren, the initially stoic elf wizard in Frieren: Beyond The Journey's End, changes her perspective on humans thanks to her companion, Himmel. At the outset, Frieren, typical of her elven race, remains detached from humanity, viewing them through the lens of her extended lifespan. The crucial moment comes when Himmel, lost in the forest, encounters Frieren's magical display—a flower garden brought to life.

Frieren meets young Himmel for the first time.

Himmels finds Frieren this time to recruit her into their party.

This unexpected magical encounter marks the beginning of Frieren's interest in humans. Himmel's genuine enthusiasm and warmth gradually break through Frieren's stoicism. Frieren is inspired by his unwavering generosity, bravery, and infectious positivity, which helps her understand the complexities of human emotions.

As their journey progresses, Himmel's selfless actions continue to influence Frieren's perception of humans. She comes to view them not as fleeting entities but as beings capable of immense courage, love, and sacrifice. Himmel becomes the embodiment of these qualities, and Frieren finds herself drawn to the intricacies of human emotion.

Frieren, and her companions Fern and Stark, as seen in the manga.

In the later chapters, Frieren retraces her journey with Fern, her apprentice, revealing how Himmel's influence has transformed her interactions with humans. Because of Himmel's influence on her, what began as indifference has evolved into curiosity, empathy, and a deep understanding.

 

 

Frieren and Himmel’s Eternal Bond

Two outstanding instances clearly depict Frieren and Himmel's long-lasting bond. The first takes place around the Horn of the Dark Dragon, an important turn following their mission to defeat the Demon King. Frieren, seemingly unconcerned, sets off on a solo expedition to collect magic and returns to Himmel after 50 years to retrieve the seemingly insignificant horn he had handed to her. While Frieren downplays its significance, Himmel sees the horn as a cherished keepsake, representing a special bond that transcends time.

Frieren asks Himmel to keep the horn after they defeated the Demon King. 

The second instance shows Himmel giving Frieren a blue moonflower. This unusual flower, once considered to be extinct, is native to Himmel's hometown. The moment unfolds like a proposal, with Himmel expressing his hope for Frieren to behold the beauty of these blossoms someday. Eighty years later, accompanied by her apprentice Fern, Frieren discovers a colony of the allegedly extinct blue moon grass. As a touching tribute, she drapes a wreath made of blue moon grass over Himmel's magically rebuilt statue. This not only shows Frieren's changing feelings but also acts as a moving testament to Himmel's long-lasting influence on her life.

Frieren uses magic to fill Himmel’s statue with blue moonflowers. 

Frieren puts a wreath made out of blue moonflowers on Himmel’s statue.

 

 

 

Himmel's Unfulfilled Wish

In Chapter 117 of the manga, we able to take a glimpse into the depths of Himmel's heart. Through a dream sequence, readers see Himmel and Frieren dressed for a wedding ceremony—a sad reflection of the dreams he gave up for Frieren's happiness. However, this desire stays unfulfilled, casting a sad shadow over their complex relationship.

In Himmel’s dream, we can see him and Frieren dressed for their supposed wedding. 

Despite the emotional complexities, Frieren's subconscious love for Himmel permeates throughout the story. Her changing reactions, ending in a desire to participate in the wedding and even share a kiss, provide a nuanced picture of her developing feelings. While the dream does not overtly express Frieren's desire for marriage, it does reveal a strong yearning for connection and a better understanding of Himmel. Frieren's stoic facade begins to crack, implying a greater understanding of emotions that were previously unknown to her.

Frieren did not even hesitate to initiate a kiss, while Himmel, on the other hand, did not want to take advantage of her even in a dream.

Himmel's character, marked by unspoken love and sacrifice, embodies a gentleness that transcends the boundaries of mortality. His recognition of Frieren's distinct sense of time, as well as his resolve to restrain from expressing his emotions in order to save her grief, serve as moving testaments to the depth of his love. Himmel finds refuge in the knowledge that Frieren will eventually love him back. His decision to die calmly rather than hasten Frieren's understanding demonstrates a love that transcends instant fulfillment, embracing the essence of an eternal bond.

 

 

Frieren and Himmel: A Love Transcending Time

 

『葬送のフリーレン』ノンクレジットOP／OPテーマ：YOASOBI「勇者」／毎週金曜よる11時放送

 

 

『葬送のフリーレン』ノンクレジットOP(第2クール)／OPテーマ：ヨルシカ「晴る」／毎週金曜よる11時放送

The love story between Frieren and Himmel in Frieren: Beyond The Journey's End is a masterful portrayal of emotions that transcends the boundaries of time and reality. The intricacies of their relationship, marked by sacrifice, unspoken gestures, and evolving awareness, create a story that resonates with readers on a profound level.

As Frieren retraces her journey with the Hero Party, she is accompanied by Fern and Stark, the people who represent a new chapter in her life. The expectation of her realization of Himmel's genuine feelings remains. The questions surrounding the ultimate fate of their love, whether they will be reunited in Orel, the land of the sleeping souls, add a layer of melancholy to this beautiful yet sad love story. Frieren: Beyond The Journey's End not only captivates with its magical elements, but it also leaves a lasting impact with its exploration of love—a force that is able to withstand the tests of time.

You can take a closer look upon Himmel and Frieren’s eternal bond by reading the manga and other related merchandise, shipped to you straight from Japan only here at ZenPlus!

 

 

What do you think?

Will Frieren be able to understand the depth of Himmel’s feelings towards her? 

Was Himmel happy with his life even though his love has remained unrequited until his death?

Will Frieren ever realize the true nature of her feelings for Himmel? 

Let us know in the comments or drop us a line on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)! We’d love to hear from you!

ZenPlus is your one-stop shop for all things Japanese. Check out our marketplace for manga volumes, cosplay, figures, and other merch from the Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End franchise!

You can watch Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End on Muse Asia, Bilibili, Crunchyroll, Netflix and Amazon Prime.    

 

 

 

About the Writer

Cristy is a freelance artist and writer who has been obsessed with anime and manga since childhood. Her love for these imaginative worlds fuels her creative endeavors, and she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.