REVIEW: ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ Episode 14 — “Privilege of the Young”

With Sein (Yûichi Nakamura) agreeing to join the party, the group sets off again. But as they arrive at their next destination, Stark draws the ire of Fern (Kana Ichinose) over forgetting to purchase her a birthday present. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Sōsō no Furīren) Episode 14, “Privilege of the Young” looks at what went wrong, how to fix it, and how the result harkens back to a critical moment for Frieren (Atsumi Tanezaki) back when she was in the Hero’s Party.

This week’s episode continues to deliver on many of the series’ long-running character elements that have made it a serene standout among the anime offerings this season.  However, the biggest new piece of this week’s narrative is how smoothly it works Sein into the party’s dynamic. While the bulk of Frieren Episode 14 is focused on Fern and Stark from a narrative perspective, Sein shines as he rapidly takes on a father figure role to his two younger comrades. As Fern’s reaction to what appears to be thoughtlessness on Stark’s part drives him momentarily away from the group, Sein is seen offering up some observations that feel born of hard-earned experience. His laid-back approach to dispensing his point of view allows him to say what he needs to without coming across as accusatory or mean. This approach is brought to life through Nakamura’s voice work so that the lines feel casual and instructive. When Sein sees someone about to make a mistake he wants to prevent it.

Fern and Stark’s eventual reconciliation is handled perfectly, displaying the well-built tonal language the series has crafted for itself. The quiet, simple moment sees the pair conveying much while saying little. The series has trained viewers to pay attention to the small details about its cast so well, that every awkward shifting of weight and slight, warm smile, speaks as loudly as a flowery apology ever could. The outstanding attention to minor character details in the visual presentation makes these quiet moments far more than the sum of their dialogue.

Once the pair have patched things up, Stark buys Fern her birthday present, and the party leaves town for the next leg of their journey. While traveling in a carriage, Frieren realizes that the bracelet Stark bought for Fern bears the same symbol as a ring Himmel had bought for her to celebrate their victory over the Demon King. While Fieren shows off her ring, the carriage is attacked by a monstrous flying creature that carries it off. After a few tense moments of uncertainty over how to resolve the situation, the group manages to return to earth no worse for wear but with the carriage seriously damaged. With no choice but to take the time to make repairs, the party settles in for a few days of work before they can move on.

At the end of each day, we see Frieren quietly going out at night searching for something. Fern eventually follows her to find the reason for her late-night expeditions. It turns out that while they were all being carried away, Frieren’s ring went missing. Alarmed to hear this, Fern immediately begins to help her search, assuring her that they won’t leave until the keepsake has been found. While Frieren initially reassures her apprentice that this is unnecessary, as she’s become quite used to losing things, we soon learn that the ring holds more significance than Frieren may realize.

Like Fern’s new bracelet, her ring has a Mirror Lotus worked into its design. That flower is said to be a symbol of eternal love. While Stark picked the bracelet out not knowing this to be the case, Frieren Episode 14 shows us in a flashback scene that Himmel  (Nobuhiko Okamoto, My Hero Academia) very much did when he gave Frieren her ring. Shown going down on one knee to slide the ring on her finger, much like one does during a marriage proposal, it is quite clear that Himmel was in love with Frieren. While the series has always made it clear that Himmel thought highly of his Elven companion, this is the first time we are shown concrete proof that his feelings ran this deep for her.

Choosing to hold off on this reveal until now was an inspired choice. Had Himmel’s true feelings been laid out early in the series the moment would’ve been lessened by the viewer’s failure to understand why Himmel would feel so strongly about this Elf who at first glance comes across as cold and distant. By waiting until now, we understand who Frieren truly is, allowing a full appreciation of Himmel’s feelings towards her.

When the news of Frieren’s problem reaches the others, the carriage driver presents her with a spell that allows the caster to find lost accessories. With this new tool in hand, Frieren takes to the sky to cast it and discover where her missing memento has gone. Frieren Episode 14 captures how she slips into the skies with elegance, creating yet another breathtaking moment as the wind plays with her hair and the tassels of her scarf. The camera angle allows her to slide away gently, building out the visual splendor of the scene.

With her ring once more secured the party moves on. Having learned much about the series’ newest personality as well as old friends, Frieren Episode 14  makes great use of its time as it enchants its audience with gorgeous visuals and skillful character work.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 1 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.