It’s what everyone has been waiting for, the fight against Frieren’s clone begins!

Recap & Reaction

Opener

The opener is a recap of Fern announcing that she might be able to kill the cloned Frieren. This starts the beginning of their strategy of getting past this tough opponent.

Continually building that momentum for the big fight!

There Can Only Be One..

Just as Frieren goes over their strategy with Denken, Methode, Laufen, Richter and Fern, Dunste arrives with a giant wound in his shoulder, dripping with blood finally makes it to their meeting. Dunste updates the group about what happened to Edel and Blei. We’ve seen what happened to Edel in the previous episode and now, Blei got caught up with Sense’s clone, taking the fall for Dunste to escape from the replica Sense.

I did not expect a little bit of dark and gruesome here. ‘Frieren’ always feels so much more relaxing. I think what the creators did here to give the audience at least some sort of a peril vibe is welcomed adition that is exclusively unique to the anime.

With Dunste’s experience with fighting the replica, he offers to give the others information if they can work together. To Denken’s chagrin, that is what he wanted from the very beginning. Denken asks if anyone has the ability to heal him and Methode offers what simple healing spells she has.

Are There Any Weaknesses?!

Dunste drops the bomb on the group that the replicas can’t be mind controlled by any spells. This puts the group in a bind to come up with a new strategy. Denken still warns them that they still do know anything about the replica’s weaknesses and what controls it. Richter adds on that if the clone is as strong as Frieren, people will die. That is when Kanne & Lawine show up. Lawine adds even further to the difficulty by announcing that the replicas do not have weaknesses and are absolutely being controlled. More specifically, the Spiegel monster that Genau mentioned in the prior episode.

Lots and lots of explaining..

To everyone’s surprise at this huge revelation, Denken asks where she get this knowledge from. To her reply, it was when her brother who was in the Continental Magic Association’s advance party that had to raid this dungeon. Richter calls her out on knowing this information without sharing and working with everyone. Kanne explains that Frieren hastily went into the dungeon already and Lawine explains that Richter is really old and is basically untrustworthy. Richter couldn’t help but feel slightly humiliated with Kanne suggesting to Lawine to apologize.

Lots and lots of more convenient explaining by Lawine..

Continuing on Lawine’s knowledge about the dungeon, it is revealed from her brother’s advance party report that the Spiegel monster is behind the door where the replica Frieren is standing guard. There is no danger from the monster itself, as it is weak. By defeating the Spiegel, the replicas will vanish. Denken acknowledges what Lawine said by saying that their “mana detection confirms this.” However, the door will be difficult to open as it is shut by a “powerful sealing spell.” Frieren confirms Denken’s breakdown as the door is probably sealed shut by her replica. To put it simply, Frieren explains that the spell will only be broken if “the caster is dead.”

Lawine warns that they must execute whatever plan they come up with haste as the Spiegel monster replicates everyone in the dungeon and eventually makes their way to the end of the dungeon. Her brother’s advance party unit was one of the only ones that actually survived that raid.

The story behind the dungeon, the monster and the explanation behind the monster might be one of the least interesting parts about this whole dungeon part of the arc.

Recognizing this Vulnerability

Due to the replicas imitating everything of the real deal, this gives Fern a hunch that may give them the advantage to defeat the replica Frieren. Fern has Frieren stand against the wall as Fern blasts a spell towards Frieren. Clearly, Frieren remains unharmed but a huge revelation reveals her biggest weakness. “When casting a spell, Frieren stops detecting mana for brief moment.” In Denken’s explanation, this is something that experienced mages never have issues with, which may have helped him in their previous match.

Many of “Frieren’s” technical understanding of how powers work in the show has been mostly on the “need to know basis.” The story doesn’t really go too much in-depth, but allows the audience to know enough for it to matter when something significant comes. In Stark’s case, we just know he’s a immensely stronger than he realizes. Other than that, there is no other need for a technical understanding. For Frieren & Fern, there needs to be some kind of fundamental understanding of how magic works, so this entire arc builds some fundamental understanding of that. So up to this point, we know that Fern only needs to use Zoltraak to beat mages in this era, that she can cast it faster than anyone and that she can hide her mana like Frieren, never revealing to us how powerful she actually is.

One of the big things about what makes a mage a “good mage” is being able to detect mana. That is what we learned in the first exam. So, that’s how the story teller connects something fundamental that we just learned to building some kind of weakness in a character we all know is OP.

Laufen says that only beginner mages have issues with this, which leads to Frieren saying that she has never been adept at it. Fern puts on her frustrated face because of Frieren not pointing out this obviously flaw about her, which Frieren felt completely embarrassed about. Richter brings the realism back into revelation as Frieren outclasses everyone is many other areas of her abilities. Is there anyone that can really ‘exploit’ this vulnerability? This begins a classic Frieren montage as everyone discusses their new strategy.

This is everything that Sense wanted! While in the midst of a plot, it’s easily forgotten what the point of this entire arc is set out to prove as a lesson.

Frieren’s Reminisces

Fern stares down Frieren for a bit as Frieren just sits down with huge smile on her face. This sparks a flashback to the Hero’s Party raiding a dungeon with a giant dragon monster. Himmel announces their strategy to defeat the dragon as he details that Eisen will keep the dragon’s attention, while he will lead an attack from the rear. As Heiter is hung over and is of no use, Frieren will be the lone support. Comedically, everyone looks at the hungover Heiter and Eisen says, “he’s dead.” The dragon attacks and their plan plays out as expected as Eisen keeps the dragon monster busy by getting it to chase him. Frieren blasts the monster with a big spell as a hungover Heiter is laid out to dry next to her. As the monster attempts to get back up, Himmel finishes it with a stab to the back.

Enjoy your journey guys.

This short flashback ends as Frieren tells Fern that this makes her remember all of those fun dungeon raids she’s been on and it continues the montage once again.

So it Begins..

The plan has been decided and the start of the group’s plan begins. Denken questions if they can really clear the dungeon and Frieren reassures everyone that their is no dungeon that can’t be defeated as she was the mage that was apart of the party that defeated the most dungeons. Frieren and Fern are tasked with defeated the replica Frieren. Denken questions if they would be okay? Frieren explains that it would be “easier to predict its movements with less people.” Surely, if everyone fought together, the replica Frieren would be defeated. However, casualties will be the result and the ability to use their escape golem in the middle of the fight would be low.

Richter states the biggest danger to them, the replicas making their way to the bottom of the dungeon, where they are located. If they all convene on them at the same time, then they are likely to face death. In her reassurance, Frieren tells everyone to follow the plan as Denken tells Frieren and Fern, “good luck.” Kanne and Lawine open the door for Frieren and Fern as they head in to face the replica Frieren. Then, Denken has everyone come together to find out which replicas is best for everyone to face.

Frieren & Fern Faces Replica Frieren!

The battle begins as Frieren and her replica float in the air and trade spells of “Judradjim.” As bright blasts of emitted, Fern takes this opportunity to hide herself. As has her inner dialogue as she says to herself that Frieren’s prediction is coming true. The evenly matched battle continues between Frieren and her clone as they trade blasts and meet in the middle of the floor with their staffs pointed at each other. A giant stone begins to fall on top of both of them and Frieren uses her next spell, “Vollzanbel” to incinerate the giant stone.

Frieren begins to go over her predictions. Each time she releases an attack, she can’t detect mana, meaning her whereabouts of Fern will become a huge danger. At the same time, the Frieren clone will have its hands full with an equal opponent in herself. The clone will have no choice but to keep the real Frieren at bay as she is the biggest danger. The replica makes an attack towards Frieren and it flashes back to Frieren going over her strategy with Fern.

In all seriousness, this is the shonen fan’s wet dream. How can you not be in awe of the amazing visuals? Too bad ‘Frieren‘ is more slice-of-life because Madhouse’s fighting animation leaves us wanting more every damn time!

Frieren & Fern’s Plan

Frieren tells Fern that she won’t be able to sense her, when she is “completely hidden.” Fern questions whether or not she should attack using “Zoltraak.” Due to Frieren’s conclusions, Zoltraak is the best way to attack because it is the fastest spell to cast and elves can’t “reflexively defend against it” just yet. As we are all aware, Fern’s abilities to spam Zoltraak is unique to her compared to Frieren. Due to the slight delay in her thinking to defend against Zoltraak, including her inability to mana detect when she casts a spell—it is best suited for Fern to attack the replica Frieren. This is a spell that Fern has learned since she started training, so it is innate to her compared to century old Frieren. With a smile on Frieren’s face, “Zoltraak is a spell that can kill her and to use all the mana she has into launching it.”

And here we get to see the plan unfold of how Fern will defeat Frieren, building that anticipation we are all nervously waiting for.

As Frieren and her clone are trading shots between each other, Fern stays hidden. When the moment becomes just right, Fern makes a jump out into the open. Just as the scene is about to show a climatic event, it flashes back once more. But this time, it shows a young Frieren telling Serie about the events of Flamme’s end of her life.

The Clash of Ideology

Serie is completely caught off her guard by Frieren’s appearance, as she never would have thought that someone who didn’t like her at all would come visit. With a package in her hand, Frieren came to give Serie Flamme’s will. It has been 50 years since seeing them, as Serie proceeds to open the contents of the will. Frieren asks if Serie is even ‘sad’ about her death. To Serie’s apathetic response, training Flamme was done only on a ‘whim.’

No matter how sociopathic you are, if you spend time with someone enough, you got to have some humanity and empathy in there somewhere. It’s a classic life trope, some people aren’t willing to reveal that they actually care deep down.

Serie starts to read the will as it was written “like a report.” Flamme has convinced the emperor to allow research into the use of magic across the nation. Due to the nature of demons being the ones to use magic, it was ‘forbidden’ to use it. During this time of research of magic, Flamme was able to train and establish what is known now as “imperial mage,” the title in which Denken holds. Flamme’s request in the will is for Serie to take over and teach humans about magic. Serie feels like Flamme was too greedy in wanting more. Frieren asks what makes all of this so special?

Since the largest empire is going to study magic, this will cause a reaction for all the other empires to do the same. The power of magic is too useful for “military purposes.” Soon, the use of magic will be proliferated across the globe and its use will indeed close the gap between humanity versus the Demon King’s army. Frieren responds that this is actually incredible. However, Serie doesn’t jive with Flamme’s actions and asks Frieren to leave. Knowing what we know about Serie, she further confirms about gatekeeping the use of magic. She will only teach those with ‘talent.’ In the end, Serie feels like Flamme and herself could never reach an understanding and feels completely angered by Flamme’s request.

Frieren stops Serie in the middle of her little angry tirade by telling her that Flamme already predicted that she would be angry and shred her will to pieces. Although she knew that Serie would be upset, it wouldn’t stop her from telling Serie that “her dreams came true.” Frieren mentions how odd of Flamme to still do this. As Frieren tells Serie that she is leaving and this will likely be the last time they ever see each other, Serie stops and ask her “to go on a walk” with her since they have plenty of time.

This is like when as asshole finally realizes that they may have went too far.

Flamme’s Dream

Serie takes Frieren on a walk and tells her that “it was always Flamme’s dream to let anyone use magic.” She doesn’t think that Flamme “cared about helping humanity.” Serie asks Frieren “if she knew what Flamme’s favorite spell was? A spell that create flowers” In her complete disgust, Serie criticizes using such a useless spell. However, it was this spell that influenced Flamme’s love for magic and how much she wanted to share its beauty to the world. To Serie, this is all just nonsense drivel. When Flamme was just a wee child, this is what she told her.

Like Frieren, Serie’s elfen biology that allows their life span to dwarf humans, makes Flamme’s dreams feel impossible. Frieren tells Serie that Flamme had always “made quick decisions, as it always felt like she was in a hurry.” Serie continues to explain the differences between the elves’ life span compared to humans, contributing to an acceleration of humanity. In about 1000 years since civilization started will begin “the era of humans.” That era where humans will ‘overtake’ elves is now. If the chills don’t start here, it will begin now as Serie warns Frieren to not “neglect her training.” The day may come where it will be the Demon King that kills her or a HUMAN!

Flashing back and forth between Frieren’s time with the Hero’s Party and Frieren speaking with Serie builds a nice “calm before the storm” feeling. It is this thread of storytelling and how it all leads back from a master’s master to the current master’s student. This is a brilliant ending to the climax of Fern’s character.

Like in many instances where to most, people should be afraid, Frieren can’t help but smile and see the positive outcome of this. During this time of humans progressing, it gives her the chance to encounter all types of mages and many more types of spells she could never have imagined.

On the more serious note, people like Serie represent the dynamics between having something special to give, but not wanting to share it because “it is special.” By giving something special away, it just becomes common.. Gatekeeping isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I’m sure within this context, most people will disagree with Serie and agree with what Flamme did. Serie is a character I would love to dive into a little bit deeper, but there is much more to come!

The End of Frieren!

Well, at least it looks that was for Frieren’s clone. The episode ends on the perfect cliffhanger as Frieren’s clone attacks Frieren in slow motion, where Fern made her decision to come out of hiding. As the replica clone of Frieren takes aim with her attack, this causes her not to sense Fern. Once the clone is moments away from launching her attack, the real Frieren moves out of the way to meet Fern’s Zoltraak! Fern shoots Zoltraak with all her might and it ends right there.

Last Thoughts

Combining Great Storytelling with Philosophical Satisfaction & Pew Pews!

Many of Frieren’s lessons stems from an overall value system of the philosophy of how humans should live life. The fact that Frieren and Serie are elves that can live centuries is to prove that humans can achieve a lot more than you can think. This thought process of taking your time can make you make decisions that prolonged for no reason. Given a character like Sein, who waited too long to go on his journey—these are the kind of life journeys that hint at the nature of what humanity can truly accomplish. Like Flamme, with big dreams comes doing the impossible. Like what Sense said, “a First-Class Mage does the impossible.”

With characters like Kraft the Monk, he is the example to learn from in terms of the forgotten. He is an example I will always bring up because he is the opposite end of the spectrum of what it looks like when people will eventually forget about Himmel from the Hero’s Party that literally saved the world and Flamme, the literal inventor of magic for humanity. A big part of the flashback is the limited nature of human’s life span. We don’t have the luxury to sit on big decisions like elves do. Be decisive if you ever want to achieve anything.

Tying in Serie’s predictions to Fern’s “coming of age”

The “passing of the torch” becomes the “coming of the age” story as Serie helps tie in the legendary moment for Fern. Throughout the arc, it has been teased as to how much more mature and stronger Fern has become, albeit some self-confidence issues similar to Stark. With the flashback with Serie, it wasn’t just about a student, becoming strong enough to defeat her master—it was about the representation of humanity as a whole, adapting faster than any other living entity and overtaking the world. Fern becomes that symbol of humanity’s progress as she “seemingly defeats the replica Frieren.”

While manga readers knows what happens next, it doesn’t takeaway this episode’s incredible storyboarding of this epic moment for Fern. The culmination of Fern’s character development, how it ties into the legacy of Flamme, which ties into Serie’s warning to Frieren about the coming age of humanity—it makes this moment “that much more special.” Frieren has always relied on the storytelling element of flashbacks, along with a few moments of incredible visuals to make the present that much more astounding. These are the differences that make Frieren special and unique compared to let’s say a Demon Slayer, which relies on “off-the-charts” animation and the “in-the-moment” heavy tension of inner conflict. Instead of the tension within the fighting of a heavy plot, Frieren replaces that “moment of glory” with flashbacks that instill some kind of lesson or value to elevate the long awaited climatic moment.

This is a highly anticipated episode that created yet another epic moment like in the Aura the Guillotine arc and like in the first exam where Frieren destroyed Serie’s barrier. This is easily another one of those big payoffs that highlighted both Frieren’s legacy that stems all the way back to Serie to the present of Fern—completing the “passing of the torch” from elves to humans and from master to student. This is simply put, a brilliant masterpiece in storytelling.

Manga

This episode covers manga chapters 52-53. One of the slight differences is the omission of Richter still feeling hurt about what Lawine said about him at the end of chapter 52. Other than that, it appears to be as accurate as you can get from an anime adaptation.