when you’re in a making videos about frieren competition and your opponent is pey the musician:

The A plot of Frieren is her slowly but surely realizing how deeply she loved Himmel. Weirdly, Frieren is in actuality a coming of age story.

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.

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.

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

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.

@MeedaYean

Ай бұрын

It's really amazing how effortlessly the show "tricks" the viewer into seeing things from Frieren's perspective. I can't even fathom how someone could write a character that is simultaneously this fantastic, larger than life wizard on par with Gandalf who is at the same time painfully down to earth and relatable. It almost makes this series hard to recommend simply because it feels like any synopsis sells it short and I have to fall back on "you just gotta watch it"

@Glyn-Leine

16 күн бұрын

the end goal was the b plot all along

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.

@epiks2544

Ай бұрын

That truly is the issue with media these days. I actually hope that the next freiren season takes a good while to come to us. Not only because there's not much of the manage currently left, but also to keep the quality as high as it was. Ofc the issue with this in modern media is that great shows that take a long time to make is that it's just less profitable, which is sad as it can snub great shows before they even come out. Publishers just have no reason to take that gamble.

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

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.

@restfulori212

Ай бұрын

I agree with thi. While the A plot is very lackadaisical, every bit of the show revolves around it and the impact of it. There is no scene, no adventure, no moment that doesn't in some way connect to the A Plot. Everything flows to and from that A Plot, the revisiting of her past aventure, the influence that party had on the world itself, her traveling companions even. It all circles back to Himmel and his death, and even(As a very light spoiler I suppose) the more B plot/C Plot adventures they go on are only a thing Because of the A Plot. It's a story that is constantly recontextualizing moments, lines, things that seemed unimportant one moment and then become immensely important a few stories later. Its honestly just, a level of story weaving I aspire for.

@sebasfealunn4408

Ай бұрын

Yes I believe the same. A plot is important because it is so personal to Frieren and is emotionally connected to the hero's party. It sets theme for entire show and gives foundation to all those precious moments between characters. If it was something with bigger stakes, Frieren's childish moments probably wouldn't amuse but annoy us. Even the hero's party in some flashbacks was annoyed by Frieren waking up late. Conversely if it was something less meaningful, her development wouldn't make much sense. Why would she struggle or improve if she doesn't care? There are at least 2 beautiful scenes that I can think of right now when Frieren does something different because of the hero's party and I believe that it is its connection A plot that elevates these scenes from just being a good callback to profundity.

You're going above and beyond in analyzing the show with all of these videos. Well done. There is already a lot of depth visible on the surface but you somehow managed to unearth even more. Your style is sophisticated but also friendly and inviting, which I admire.

Wow thanks for mentioning my comment! I really wasn’t expecting that

@PeyTalksAnime

Ай бұрын

it was insightful and well thought out! Thanks for engaging with the content, makes these videos even more fun to make

Characters are everything. Nail the characters and the audience will be interested in anything they do.

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.

Great series! And you have an excellent voice well suited to the subject material. Now, I must take issue with the idea that the A-plot of Frieren is interchangeable with many others: It’s about Frieren finally being able to say to Himmel what she cluelessly omitted to say while he was alive, and now regrets not saying after he’s gone: the only place we see her cry is at his funeral. The A-plot is integral to resolving this pain and regret. People have issues like this hurting them for decades, but Frieren measures her life in units of centuries. Note that, after Himmel’s death, the “timestamps” of the episodes are in terms of years after his death. She recapitulates the 10 year journey/campaign, but takes her time to (literally and figuratively) smell the flowers, recall memories (implied in the flashbacks) as well as engage in “cleanup”, both of a coastline, a harvest, and eliminating the remaining forces of the Demon King. Two other themes are worthy of note that help us think this universe/world is very much like ours: the process of upgrading Zoltraak was not done by Frieren, but by a process as similar, and thus as familiar as, the pursuit of the development and improvement of our scientific and technological knowledge. Making our elf out to be the sole developer of all the upgrades to magic since Zoltraak was developed just isn’t imaginable given how reluctantly she gets out of bed (a character flaw you addressed in another video, and quite excellently). The other theme is closely related to the issue of Frieren, one of the Living, trying to get resolution by communicating with the spirits of the Dead, and it is the communication of the Dead to the Living: It is Mr. Whitmore, the eccentric millionaire, bankrolling the expedition to find Atlantis in the Disney film of the same name: He takes the shepherd’s book and solemnly hands it to Milo, saying (I quote from memory), “The quality of our lives is measured by the gifts we leave to our children. Atlantis is waiting….” It is Tony Stark following the clues and hints left by his father to realize that the solution to his Suit killing him is a new element. He’s gazing at a holographic model of the atom, and saying “Thanks, Dad.” It is Heiter, the “corrupt” priest, figuring out where Flamme’s residence is, leaving the clues for Frieren to follow after his death. It is Flamme, recognizing the dilemma of long life long before Frieren appreciates the problem, that leads her to planting the tree that protects her home. It’s the grimoire enchanted by Flamme to fall open to the very page that Frieren needs to read. Frieren expressed frustration with Flamme upon seeing how accurately Flamme predicted her predicament, but she IS taking Flamme Seriously. I was about to dismiss the anime based on the Three episode rule, but a fan clip on KZread where Flamme is featured got me back to watching: The number of counterfeit grimoires of Flamme was a form of Chekov’s Gun that aroused my curiosity, so I watched episode 4 and got hooked again the moment Frieren said the tome was the real deal. Alas, life intervenes and I am behind everything: will be following… PS: my bet is that it really is Flamme’s notes, but the goal will ultimately be in vain: I cannot see the Demon King’s castle being within “hoot and holler” of the peaceful and bright realm of the dead without doing something about dynamiting the basement of the neighbors. However, I agree that the ultimate story of Frieren is the journey down memory lane that will heal Frieren, not the goal.

thank you capturing the essence of why so many people love frieren! keep up the amazing workk!

If you enjoy the fantasy road trip structure - spice and wolf does something similar, though it doesnt tie together the themes as neatly as this story does. Theres a new season airing right now actually.

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.

The A plot is actually a plot device designed to show the ongoing interaction between Frieren and Flamme, her long-dead stepmom. Flamme gives Frieren guidance when she needs it. It would be quite satisfactory if the A plot ends with another Flamme's grimoire with the single line "Happy now?"

@giftedfox1

21 күн бұрын

Flamme is Frieren's master

Honestly, every damn week I look forward to your videos, it makes me value Freieren so much more and I do value it a lot already! Thank you very very much :)

Please do continue this wonderful series of yours.

Love the analysis of frieren you've been doing recently!

I love what you have made so far keep it up!! (love your view about the show and how you talk about it!)

Love your videos! I really enjoy your deep analysis of all the details in Frieren. :)

Thank you again for this insightful analysis of a series I love! ❤

I love this show so much, your review always make me contemplate again this masterpiece and you are top tier analyst that can condensated the themes of each episode.

I think there is a hidden A plot here - and that is the exploration of both Himmel's journey as a hero, as well as Flamme the historic human mage. While Himmel is more with Frieren at first, Flamme becomes just as important a character, and in a retroactive way we see or get inferred the conflicts they both faced in their time through the lens of Frieren's memories, often contrasted with how the world looks like long after their passing. Indeed, in episode 4, Frieren sets out to retrace Flamme's steps here as the greatest human mage knew she one day would - ostensibly to talk to Himmel, but in truth learning more about Frieren herself. And this is the true main plot of Frieren - learning to appreciate and value the transient through the lens of the immortals. But one human mage, taught on a whim, and look what a legacy she left behind. But one human warrior, encountered by happenstance by an elven mage - and look what a change he brought to this world. Small, tiny, mundane little things, yet that's what history is made up of - the culmination of myriad tiny little choices that results in novel feats, discoveries and art.

Thanks for uploading, man.

Yet. I say "yet" and it could be that the A plot is still a little hidden, but we got hints. And if not, also good 😅

Thank you for sharing

great video bro ❤

Girls Last Tour, Yokohama Shopping Log, Humanity Has Declined ... exist. Good stories don't need a main plot. Also, I think where Frieren and her friends are going will matter in the long run.

Aristotle in his Poetics lays out all these elements of a story, and declares that Plot is the singular most important. Without a major plot, there can be no major denouement of that plot, and no catharsis produced in the souls of your readers. This began to break in modern times with comic books, situation comedies, and the serialized adventure story (see Trigun). Radio, Television, and Internet have further eroded Aristotle's claim. Much is said about Frieren being about the journey and not the destination, which is just saying that you do not need a plot, life itself is episodic. But even deeper, is the ground that Frieren is plowing and that has to do with religious belief. One might believe in the destination of mythological places, beings and creatures, and of course that is mythology, but the individual's belief is not myth, it is the real feeling of being on a journey of discovery together with others, family, friends, and mates, and even internet casual commenters. Flawed characters trying to do their best make a story, because that is what everyone here is doing now, in the here and now!

@adamwebster1666

Ай бұрын

I think this is too stiff a definition of a story. Where the prime driving conflict is an external threat, actionable Plotting is the heart of the story. But some stories are driven by other conflicts, in this case it’s Frieren’s regrets, so naturally the resolutions will come from characters feelings and progress, not external actions. There’s a lot of interdependency and overlap in these concepts, so I can see how some would see it differently, but this is my pov anyway.

all side quests: the movie. it's awesome.

Pretty sure the main plot of the anime/manga is Frieren's wanting to understand why that 1/100th of her life mattered so much to her.

Nice idea though I don't think it's that the main plot doesn't matter. It's more so that we still don't know what the main plot is and end up thinking "what if subtly a lot of the things we're seeing are actually connected to the main plot but we just don't know it yet." Sure they're heading to "heaven" but that seems far too simple. The story is setting us up for something, slowly building up tension with how calming the episode can be. Is the Demon King really dead? Is a new threat looming? Is Heaven real? Maybe it's hell? This journey is not going to do as smoothly as we think?. Like a show where the real villain makes an appearance near the end. That the vibe Frieren gives. Also we are in some ways learning of two main plots. Frieren's one, and the hero's party's that already occurred. Frieren is in many ways almost a thriller detective series in a way not really done to this level before.

Except when you really wanna know what kraft is all about and you read every chapter and then he never shows up

keep going

Bro please make a video about Dungeon meshi, no one is talking about it it's so frickin good.

@Non-Existence3

18 күн бұрын

Lol 😂😂😂 That is a trash Show! Hahahahahhaha😅😅😅😅😅

I think this is called a "McGuffin".

Have you watched Mushishi? A lot of the points remind me of that.

@PeyTalksAnime

Ай бұрын

I havent, but it's on a list of shows I want to check out. I appreciate the suggestion as it makes it more likely I'll actually sit down and start it

Does firefly count?

not enough people talking about the C plot imo

Mob Psycho, Nichijou

@PeyTalksAnime

6 күн бұрын

Great examples

Interspecies reviewers

This is an interesting video, but there are some flaws. ATLA does the same thing as Frieren, as some episodes are episodic and, in the same way, a journey. You list ATLA as an example of doing the opposite, but it does the same thing. Your central point about the 'A plot' in Frieren being replaceable is unclear. The 'A plot' is the thread that binds all the story's events together, so the notion of it being replaceable seems contradictory. The way you use the term "A plot" is a bit confusing. There is a grander purpose to a story like Frieren's Destination that is true, but this is not necessarily the "A plot". That is the overarching goal. "A plot" can exist within the context of a singular episode, it does not have to be one BIG idea. An A plot can be Phineas and Ferb building a Rollercoaster, and the "B plot" can be Perry stopping the bad guy. And the overarching goal is "to have fun every day during summer vacation". You can even apply this to a show like Pokemon. Sometimes Ash just travels and doesn't even fight a gym leader, but the overall goal is still "become a Pokemon master". However, some episodes can be Ash and the gang helping a group of Pokemon (A plot) and having the B plot(Team Rocket planning to steal the Pokemon that Ash and the gang are helping). Edit- judging by the comments I think no one even knows what is a plot or b plot. This video melted everyone's brain

Are you not awate of the slice of life genre?

i made some people mad by saying this anime would not necessarily need romance. that it would still work just as well if frieren isn't actually in love. that it would still work even if fern and stark don't "just date already". personally i find the fern and stark dynamic annoying and a detriment to the show, but i know i'm not normal. i find it interesting that in both of these extremely popular ships, it could be argued that it is completely one sided. is stark actually interested in fern at all? are frieren's feelings actually fundamentally different from how she feels about her other former party members? is it important to the story that those answers be yes? i do believe the story is being written that way, but i don't think it had to be.

the anime about nothing