Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End episode 23 has premiered and it marks the beginning of the second part of the exams. It may seem fairly simple as they just need to conquer the labyrinth by reaching the end of it; they don’t have to fight one another on this one and of course, one might assume it will be smooth sailing, especially with Frieren among the participants. However, as the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that not everyone opts for teamwork despite Frieren being there. Some choose to venture into the ruins alone, while others stick with their former teammates from the initial exams.
While the episode primarily focuses on teams exploring the dungeon and their strategies, my key takeaway from this is actually different. First, Frieren is that one Gacha player who always pulls whenever she gets a chance. Despite her immense magical prowess, her addiction to gambling on grimoires showcases her unyielding love for magic and she isn’t ashamed at all of losing “50/50” all the time. I also find it funny how everyone is basically fighting for their lives in the dungeon while Frieren is getting eaten by mimics.
On the other hand, Himmel embodies the person who must clear the map 100% before moving on to the next. He may also be the type of player who talks to every NPC and hopes to find some rare item or just random stuff. Himmel meticulously clearing every inch of the map before advancing shows his personality and this approach somewhat contrasts with Frieren’s impulsive nature. It just goes to show that the hero’s party had a diversity of personalities.
Surprisingly, there was one moment that was heartwarming in this episode. It’s discovering that Fern, despite being a prodigy, doesn’t share Frieren’s passion for magic. However, this isn’t a bad thing. While Frieren’s pursuit of magic may be a little bit selfish, Fern’s motivations are rooted in compassion for others. Seeing her express that she continues to study magic alongside Frieren because she loves seeing her master smiling and happy, warms my heart so much. Although Fern may lack the same drive as other mages, her genuine intentions are wholesome which makes me love her even more.
Setting aside the heartwarming moments, as I mentioned before, this exam isn’t a walk in the park. Despite Sense claiming to be a pacifist, her tests are notoriously difficult. It’s revealed that none of the previous first-class mage examinees managed to pass her trial. Even with Frieren’s involvement, success isn’t guaranteed. Why? Because the participants are going to face each other.. kind of. Having the dungeon with perfect replicas of each participant (including Sense) to battle against adds extreme difficulty to the challenge since it means that they will have to face Frieren’s replica.
However, what’s particularly intriguing is that participants can strategize and choose whom they face off against, leveraging their knowledge of their own weaknesses. Wirbel’s team used this strategy to have a shot at winning, but it hasn’t been shown yet if their strategy worked as the episode ended gloriously.
The final moments of the episode sent chills down my spine. The gradual reveal of her replica, accompanied by the ominous background music, sets the stage for an epic final boss battle. It’s absolutely insane how Madhouse cooked the entrance for Freiren’s replica on this one. Here’s to hoping they will continue to deliver like they always do in this series.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End episode 23 screenshots are taken via Muse Asia
© Yamada Kanehito, Abe Tsukasa /Shogakukan / “Sousou no Frieren” Production Committee