Barely noticed he was a supporting character too Maybe it works so well because they weren’t trying to subvert anything, thus not bringing attention to it
"A fool knows no fear, but a hero shows no fear." stark is neither a fool nor a hero, he is somewhere in between. i guess that makes him really a good supporting character.
@@RavenCloak13 Its even more instinctual on that part of the Dragon as Frieren says. The dragon recognised that Stark was powerful enough to kill it, even though Stark didn't.
@@misterdayne2792 "Oh wow it can really send me flying" "Wait I can dive down and hit it" (after a quarter minute of flying up it hits the ground in only a second after being hit from hundreds of meters up)
As a fantasy adventure Gamemaster, that's the essence of adventure. You should be afraid of the monster, but not succumb to that fear. To know the danger, and measure it
When Stark faced the dragon and Linie, he ultimately confronted his opponents and defeated them only after resolving to risk his life. I don't know why, but this moved me deeply.
Its interesting, even someone socially awkward, when asked about something they are truely interested in, can likely talk your ear off for hours if you let them.
I don't think Frieren is socially awkward, maybe with people she isn't close to, she isn't good at showing what's inside her but she can still talk to people.
I dont think she is socially akward but socially disconected. She just has nothing in common with other people and basically lives in another world compared to the rest of the world, because she ages in slow motion compared to humans. Its a phenomena in real life often observed in Soldiers after they get home from a war, they cant connect with the struggles of civilian people and often have compleatly different priorites and that leads to a social disconect.
@@janmantsch6675 Also those that are generally socially isolated. I can't seem to keep friends and nor do I give people a reason to keep up with me. Most of my social development is very much the result of my background (well before social media) where I just didn't connect with others during my formative years.
"Stark's courage is such an admirable trait because he chooses to put himself in situations where he feels like he's making the right decision despite his fear." Perfect encapsulation of what I think makes this show's portrayal of the distinctions between fear, reckless bravery, and courage so interesting.
That and the following line about him using his strength to save others despite his lack of faith in that strength really put a lot of Stark's best qualities into perspective for me.
He's the closest one to Himmel. He naturally goes out of his way to help people wherever he goes and is always loved by the regular people, especially the kids. He just lacks the self-confidence that Himmel had.
In my opinion, the best thing about characters in this show, is that no one feels any "less important". Sure that Frieren is the main character and we follow the story through her perspective and flashbacks. But none of the characters feel like side content, that can easily be forgotten. Nearly every character that appears for more than 1 episode is fleshed out and expanded upon better than main / recurring characters in some shows. For example, I feel the need to have some sort of closure as of what happens to Land, Ubel, Kanne, Lawine or Sein. Even though it seems like their arc could just be dropped to make place for new characters and new stories. I can't even think of who is the support, side, background or whatever character in this show. It's not as straightforward. They are all just... characters. Interesting and lovable characters at that.
I couldn’t disagree more. Stark has been shoved into the Background left and right and he is irrelevant 98% of the time. Sure, i also have a gripe with him having no moments to shine on his own like Fern and Frieren get in abundance, but even as a support, the show fails to show why he matters to the group. Two enemies at the very beginning were maybe an issue without him, but now that they aren't there, Stark has become completely irrelevant. Frieren and Fern by there personality are too basic to warrant him as emotional support and in the fights, it is the same, if not more so
@@handhelder823 He hasn't been shoved aside. Though well, he kinda has been, but the reason is the mage exam arc took the good part of the season. He's obviously not a mage so he hasn't been present in most important parts of the other half of the season. But up until that part, he had important moments with the squad left and right. And if you knew how the story proceeds after the mage exam arc, you most likely wouldn't say that. It's a show with many complex characters. Obviously it's not going to expand on each character equally at the same time. There's a finite amount of time in each episode.
@@KrulKrukuw i am talking about the manga. And sadly, i disagree with your point about the arc with Revolte. The thing with that fight is that instead of Stark shining or being support, Revolte becomes an idiot and starts to struggle with two people he manhandled a few page earlier after being hit once after gloating. It isn’t a moment that lets Stark shine, it is a moment that shows Revolte as an idiot. True, it can't focus on all characters, which is why i don't have a gripe with Übel, Land, Wirbel or Edel not being focussed on. But Stark is a main background character
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” - Nelson Mandela
"Courage is knowing what not to fear." - Plato. That being said, considering how virtually everyone buys into fearmongering willing to trade their own liberties in replace of security, most people, like 90 to 95 percent of the human race are cowards, it's like it's in their blood. It's not purely an American thing either, it is actually people, even France initiated their own brand of patriot act, the French intelligence act after the Paris bombing.
Stark called Frieren an old hag in this episode. She made a mental note of it. Several episodes (read: -years-) later, she brought it up. To her it was just yesterday. Stark probably didn't even remember that he said that.
Paraphrasing a comment I saw in a Frieren forum: As an old Stark lies in bed soon to pass on, Frieren leans in to whisper in his ear: “Who’s the old hag now?”
I’m sure you’ll bring this up when we get there, but my favorite thing with Stark is that it takes multiple instances of overcoming his fear and doubt to become more confident. He doesn’t immediate change after killing the dragon and still struggles when facing the demons. It isn’t until he finds his resolve a second time when facing Linne that he stops outwardly acting like a coward as often.
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." - Frank Herbert, Dune Fear is not to be pushed aside or fought; it is to be used as a guide. You are capable of imposing your will upon it. Then, once you catch up to where it has guided you to, it will be gone. I think this summarizes Starks arc pretty well.
Not gonna lie when i first read your comment, i read it in chuckle voice since that where i know the quote from, i forgot the fact that it actually come from someone else.
It's also interesting to take this principle of "courage is overcoming fear" and apply it back to Frieren herself. I don't think we ever see her show fear in the face of combat, even against enemies that actually pose a legitimate threat to her despite her incredible strength (e.g. the chaos flower, which she admitted could have spelled the end for her party if not for Sein). The only time I can think of where she's shown anything like fear is in social situations. Mainly when she has done something to make Fern angry, but also e.g. when buying a birthday present.
she is mage who trained centuries, so she is pretty confident in her skills. And as a mage she needs to control her emotions to concentrate casting spells properly. So im pretty sure she is in her own zone when in combat situations. Same goes for Fern and other mages. Their faces always emotionless in combat and i like it. Less talk more focus.
Hey man, I just want to say thank you for making this series of videos. You're helping me understand why I love this anime so much in ways I couldn't think of myself.
Before your video, I watched another one about Stark, and the author didn’t use the word courage even once. I called him a summer child and pointed out what he was missing in a comment. Then, UA-cam’s algorithm immediately recommended your video. Finally, someone who sees what I see-great video!
Hey. One thing to add which underlines your point in my opinion is that. The background song in the scene in which Eisen and Stark are trembling is called "fear brought me this far". This point does get underlined by Eisen aswell when he says: "Being afraid isn't a bad thing. Without fear I would'nt have made it this far!" So in my mind Eisen dropped one of the most important quotes of all the anime said that: Fear is not a thing to be ashamed of rather it is some thing that we humans need. It let us survive, not because we are cowards. No. Out there and espacially in Frieren there are thigs in this world to be afried of. So as you said being brave is not the lack of fear rather conquering ones own fear to reach new hights in ones own journey.
Its something Unwanted Undead Adventurer addresses as well that "An adventurer should feel free to run if encountering a battle they dont feel they can win"
We probably wouldn’t have made it very far as a species if we didn’t have fear to tell us that trying to fight a bear or a shark is a dumb idea. But like everyone else has said, being able to push down your fears and overcome them is equally important.
Lately as I have been more physically isolated as I have gotten my own place while not having the economic ability to travel a lot to meet my friends and family, I have been pondering on a lot of different topics. After watching this video it has made me think more about what a courageous person really is, and what it means to have courage. While I agree that courage is not the absence of fear, I do not think that overcoming fear is courage either. It is rather that courage to do something you need to do while being afraid. I feel that is very much shown with stark as a character. He has not overcome his fear for monsters or the dragon he is facing, but he still has something he has to do even if he is still afraid. It might be a pedantic difference, but I feel like when you have overcome some fear that prevented you from doing something, you are no longer courageous. You have now become confident, which is important as well. Since that is how you progress from fearing something to understanding and accepting something.
I agree. I think that's an important part of starks character. He doesn't just stop being afraid but slowly builds his confidence. Hope you have more resources to spend time with family and friends soon. Thanks for sharing
I think one of the most endearing traits about Stark is that he feels like a guy trying to be the best person he can be. Sometimes he's unsure, sometimes he's cowardly, sometimes he's thoughtless, but he is also brave, and compassionate, and gentle, and caring. SPOILERS AHEAD: I think one of the best moments in Frieren, is when Fern is following Stark as he is just killing time in town. With his free time he helps a lady with her groceries, plays with some kids, and does a number of other small-scale kind things. I think Stark is a great example of someone who is heroic and GOOD. He isn't perfect, but he is kind and heroic in little ways as well as big ways. He takes accountability for his mistakes and tries to do better (episode where he scares Fern).
I think the part about how cowardice is not shown negatively in the anime or have people be judged negatively for it is something that just made me super happy. The scene where the kids played a lot with Stark The conversation goes something like this: Fern: why do the kids want to play with Stark a lot Frieren responds: He is probably a kind man Fern then says: But he is a coward. In a vacuum when analysing these 2 statements, they feel unrelated and theres no reason to bring it up. But its not an uncommon for people to judge other people's entire existence over just one negative trait. First impression is the last impression as they say. In Fern's mind: "how can he be a kind person if hes a coward, Only brave selfless people are known to be kind" Then Frieren responds in the best way possible: I will admit he is a coward, but that doesn't take away from him being kind. This exchange just blew me away even though its just such a simple small conversation. Illustrating that u shudnt judge a book by its cover. And when they did decide to give him the chance and not just judge him negatively, he performed amazingly, exceeding expectations. This kind of thing is a regular occurrence in the show, where a lot of things defy normal expectations. Himmel was not able to pull out the legendary sword. And although the party members of Himmel were meming, they never really judged him as being a fake hero that cannot fight the demon lord, and that they shud find a different hero instead. This is not what happened. They went with it, and he performed.
The overcoming of fear is a concept that I first really saw explored well in the original Kyle Rayner run of Green Lantern (from the 90s). Up until that point, Green Lanterns were supposed to be paragons of fearlessness, but after a calamity, they were forced to choose someone else, a man who was not fearless, but instead able to push past his fears no matter how great they were. It was a really cool reimagining of a character archetype that had always flattened one avenue of character conflict, and a recontextualising of those previous fearless characters as being similar: not people who felt no fear, but people who did not let their fear control them.
"the difference between letting your fear control you rather than guide you". I really think this phrase cut me deep. I'm afraid of a lot of things, so I prepare for unforseen consequences every goddang time... Thank you, it made me actually think about how I approach life and problems.
I love this series and your vids are exploring more aspects of what make it so great. The main trio interactions are truly wonderful. My favorite Stark moment is near the end when the girls come back from the first test and he tearfully confesses to having stayed up too late at night and drinking juice. While I have to admit that the party of Konosuba is my absolute favorite if i can only choose one I do love these three dorks so much.
"bravery is not the absence of fear, but rather overcoming it." i love this line so much because of the interpretation and meaning behind it. i've been saying something similar to people to help console them when they feel hopeless to change their situation due to paralyzing fear. "bravery is not the absence of fear, but the defiance of it." i love what youre doing with frieren, and your videos in general because it tackles so many interesting topics that bring to light what was hidden for many of us. these topics are not only helping us appreciate the shows that bring to center stage these concepts, but also to help us understand ourselves better as individuals. the overall craftsmanship of your videos is what i'd consider masterful, and i genuinely hope you are able to continue making them. your passion for such depth is admirable, and an inspiration to others who want to do something similar. you cooked. stand proud.
Idk if it's a small detail but when Stark showed up to Frieren in the forest and it turned out he didn't run away he asked Frieren Even if I die promise me you will kill the dragon And after that he was finally fully ready to accept this challenge That right there informed us on how brave and heroic he is He is scared because he cares for his life but he still prioritised what's right above his own life
I saw the name Pey and the pfp and was like “wait, is that?” But sure enough it was Pey the Musician making a cool anime video essay that blew up, good on u dude.
Another relevant aspect of Stark that gets visited later in the show is his self-image. He percieves himself to be weak and unworthy, and it causes him to interpret situations or focus on details that reinforce that belief. Experiencing situations and other's perspectives of him allows him to slowly release that image of himself and become more confident in his actions.
I feel Stark is the best written “coward” I’ve seen in a while. He grew up weaker then his piers, then after years of training but no frame of reference for how much stronger he became, he doesn’t know that he can fight the scary monsters in front of him. I still love characters like Zenitsu as gag characters, but I always took Stark seriously even when he was being comedically scared.
I study philosophy and one aspect that fascinated me about the series, was how frierens old crew handled here near immortality. For all of them she was a beacon of hope, for it is uncertain for them if there is a afterlife (especially shown by Heiter and Sein and this other elf). Frieren is the one who keeps there memory, because she has perfect memory of everything. This is even more emphasized by the way she leads her life after the hero party is dissolved. She tries to relieve the menories of the past while making new memories with Stark and Fern in the shadow of reliving her past. This is a huge tension, especially seen with fern, as she is bothered by frierens slow paste and kind of adventours at the beginning. Frieren has time to relive the past to the fullest, while fern as a human has not. There are a number of classical philosophical subjects explored, that belong to the backbone of philosophy: Mortality and Immortality, Time and its effect on human life, The story of ones inidividual life etc. There are also interesting psychological topics here: Frieren way of dealing with such a long live. She often seems almost apathetic and cold. Not every memory is explored all the time at every moment, but relived at special occasions. She has a condition (idk what it is called) that strongly divides her past and her current self, as seen by her not being overwhelmed by all the memories, even though she has near perfect memories. This profound deepness is what I love about the series, there is something for everyone to pick up. Be it only on the surface or in deepth.
criminally underrated channel. wild how consistently your video has some offhand comment that forces me to pause the video and just think. keep it up, love this format, love rediscovering frieren as if it were new to me ❤
Lessons dads are supposed to teach but often never get the chance or were never taught themselves: 1: Fear is not the same as Respect and are often contradictory conditions. You ultimately do have to choose whether you want peoples respect or fear because you can't really get both. 2: Bravery/Courage requires being afraid to exist as you point out in this video and cover well. 3: Empathy is a good thing but you have to be concious of and aware that people can be emotionally/situationally manipulative and know when to flip the off switch on it.
3. I would consider instead Sympathy, Pity comes from emphatizing with those less fortunte, including those who feel a need to Manipulate instead of honsetly convince. You should feel emphathy for as many as you can, everyone is living through bullshit afterall, however not everyone deserves Sympathy because they can be the very problem, they refuse to fix. I do have a great sentiment to a UA-camr who makes Decontruction of VillainyS where a great villain is one you can't forgive and one you can pity at the same. I agree with this since Villains are supposed to be the worst example of a theme so as a result they become the pitiful lesson to overcome, the humanity a reminder of what you too can become and have to grow from. 1. Another addition is Value Respect over Fear, because Respect lasts a Lifetime, Fear lasts aslong as your a threat and since everyone is weak in their own way it'll happen faster than you think.
Holy shit. I watched your previous Frieren videos (nice work) without realizing who you were. Love your work with the ACLU, man! You're an absolute legend!
The thumbnail and video title caused me to click. Didn't know it was commentary on Frieren. I've heard great things about Frieren, but now I HAVE to watch it!
someday, I would like to write my own story that have character development and stuff. Watching your videos definitely helps making me understand how to write characters better. I def subbed haha
Honestly I LOVE this discussion. Because, yes, you can boil it down to: "foolishness is not having fear while bravery is showing no fear" but I think there's more nuance to the foolishness part. Because sometimes people are completely JUSTIFIED in not having fear. Take Frieren for instance, she is INCREDIBLY powerful, and as such she's usually pretty justified in her confidence when facing adversaries. Now there is also s fine line between confidence and foolishness. If you're OVER confident THAT'S when it's foolish. So really there should be three categories, confidence/foolishness/bravery.
Frieren was ultimately the backup net stark needed to be secure in taking on that challenge. Like you said, its gotta be a balancing act. Fear is whats stopping us from going and getting ourselves killed but its really hard to gauge when what your afraid of is a actual threat or something your capable of overcoming.
Also highlight to have someone cover our back is very important when stepping out of comfort zone or take a leap of faith. Doing it alone is best to over-grind before advancing, just the safer practice overall, because no one will help if we misjudge the risk. Probably why I am so risk adverse.
"The lesson is a little bit more complex than have faith in yourself. I think an important part of success in whatever endeavor you pursue is to properly prepare and where this gets really tricky is it's hard to tell when you're ready to actually take on a challenge. There's inevitable going to be some leap of faith and if there isn't you probably overprepared. It's a weird balance that gets fine-tuned with iteration."
Never saw Stark as a supporting character in the party, tbh. Sure he isn't the mage, but the way he was written it feels like he is almost always part of the party. The only real exception was the mage exam when, lets be honest, he really didn't have anything to do because of the lack of magic. And lets be real, if anyone has played a Martial non-Magical character in DnD, you know this happens a lot.
To the end points: I think it’s notable that Stark is able to achieve victory over the dragon and overcome his fear because _he has support_ , not just preparation. It’s an incredibly beautiful and human moment. Frieren believes in him, recognizes his capabilities, even when he’s unsure of himself. He’s able to face the challenge because he knows he’s not alone, and frieren doesn’t lift a finger to help because she knows she doesn’t need to. She gets to deftly show him his own power by virtue of the assurance that she’ll step in if he needs. I think it’s saying something much more nuanced than just the old adage of “courage is not the absence of fear, it is being afraid and acting anyway”. I think it’s also saying “bravery is more achievable when you’re not alone” and “sometimes simply showing up for someone can give them the boost they need to realize their potential.” God I love this anime.
Reminds me of the lyrics from "You're Gonna Be Okay" by Cody Fry "But I think maybe that's what it means to be brave To feel all the fear and show up anyway"
Episode 5 is such a good Episode. First we explore a little more about Fern and Eisen... Honestly maybe there should have been more. We explore how Fern have grown up now, how she has spend 1/2 of her life with Frieren. Frieren is now a bigger part of Fern's life than Eisen. Then we meet the dragon, Frieren seems to have no problem with bringing Fern in a lot of danger. And then we see Fireren and Fern's first impression of Stark. And hear that Frieren thinks people are more scared of Fern than of her now, or at least Stark, since Fern is a little tuff on him when they first meet. (You were cute once, not only are you taler than me now but scarier too). I love this episode so much, I could have spend 12 episode with these to encounters.
I never really considered Stark along side other other cowardly characters in anime/manga. I think Stark works because they don't overplay that particular card, he's not always shown cringing at the prospect of danger and it's treated only an aspect of his characterization. He's almost an inversion of Himmel. Where Himmel could propel himself and his party onward via a seemingly bottomless well of self confidence verging on conceitedness, Stark suffers almost from imposter syndrome where his ego never catches up to his objective capabilities with a mentality that's made him quite timid -- probably best expressed in how he treats Fern.
There's a scene in The Faraway Paladin when the MC is talking to his shield bearer and student who's asking how he can become brave like him. He answers that he has just trained until he knew he can face the challenge so he wouldn't call himself brave, he's just confident in his training. Later another veteran interjects that trying to understand courage is a meaningless endeavour because no one knows what it means to be brave, the more "corageous" you become, the less sense the concept makes. It's one of my favourite fantasy anime.
Stark has no frame of reference except for his master and the stories he's been told, and it's important that the story properly recognises that. Even after the dragon... well, it's only one encounter. How is he meant to know how strong he is relative to the demons? But Frieren did. Of course he wants to run to the higher power. From Stark's perspective, he may think he's a coward, but he also thinks he's making the right decision. He stays for the town to protect them from the dragon, even if he thinks he'd die if they ever actually fought.
Usually supporting characters are weak, but Stark is the opposite. Each time the team visits a new village, the two girls complete the main quest and Stark completes all the side quests. No wonder he destroys his first boss, he's been doing repeatable quests for 3 years. His hits can summon a beacon by splitting some atoms.
Stupidity is thinking you can do this. Bravery is knowing what you are doing is not in the best interest of self preservation, but you have to do what you need to do.
My issue with Stark is that while he is well written, the story itself just doesn’t seem to want to let him be competent after he kills the dragon. Remember how he was apparently so strong when he was younger that he terrified a battle veteran warrior that helped save the world? Well apparently a demon MAGE can just copy said warrior’s physical strength and skill, and now apparently easily overwhelm Stark, which like, why do Warriors even exist in the world if magic can be taught and apparently you can replicate the strength of warriors? I don’t care if they’re demons and oh so powerful or whatever, that should not be possible for a mage of any kind to compete with someone like Stark terms of physical might if he’s apparently strong enough to scare a veteran hero. This is only made worse when like an entire quarter of the story is dedicated to just the mages and he’s left to just sit on a town. Ffs, just let him be a powerhouse, he can still be an insecure goofball and also wreck people. The series is incredible, and it has some incredible world building, but it’s not without its flaws. Like healing magic, which is just a generic green glow with no real depth added to how it works unlike the magic system everyone else uses.
You've made so many great points in this video! "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather overcoming it" and good art resonates with you...great art changes you! ❤
I feel like stark is a mix of himmel and eisen. He both goes out of his way to help absolutely everyone he can within the villages he goes to, but has the strength (and potential to pass) and ideals of eisen. Cant wait to see his progression.
overcoming fear in my opinion is saying that you are no longer bothered by it so a more adequate way to say i think sounds like this: courage is not the absence of fear, but merely its guide
My favorite thing about Stark is the day Fern goes looking for him and just stumbles across like 10 different people that he has randomly gone out of his way to help. Hes a real hero
Yes, very true brother. Very very true. I have learned more lessons about being a human being from fictional characters and fictional media. Then any human being has sit down and take the time to explain why. And how things work and what it means to be human and what it means to be constantly learning. struggling and growing anime has always been one of my oldest friends and teachers
I love the character growth in Frieren, after Stark defeats the dragon he does become more confident in his strength and understands that he is powerful, unlike many cowardly characters (Usopp *cough *cough) who get an epic episode where they show their determination and strength and prove they are more than just comic relief, only for them to immediately go back to being scared of nothing the next episode. I was sure that after the time skip Ussop would become more brave, now having braved a carnivorous island for 2 years and all, but no… he’s still too scared to actually help the crew.
There is no single emotion I can think of right now that better fit the 5 stages of grief better than the unique sensation of overcoming fear to arrive at the truth of bravery: 1. A brief moment of denial: "This can't be happening..." 2. A burst of anger: "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?!" 3. Negotiating the overwhelming feelings: "Maybe if I run...or..." 4. Then dread, embodying depression: "There's no way I can beat this..." 5. And finally, grim acceptance: "...but let's fight it anyway. Come!"
I never even thought about how Stark is a male support character to the two female leads, lol they are all so well written that I never even noticed.
Barely noticed he was a supporting character too
Maybe it works so well because they weren’t trying to subvert anything, thus not bringing attention to it
Because it doesn't matter and if you even remotely focus on it, your making a sexist comment that devalues everything with trying to state that.
@@colfdralegend
No, it's just a story. Not a soap box.
Trying to say otherwise would be sexist and devalue the story more.
@@RavenCloak13how is it sexist?
@@RavenCloak13 How is it even sexist?
"A fool knows no fear, but a hero shows no fear."
stark is neither a fool nor a hero, he is somewhere in between.
i guess that makes him really a good supporting character.
Stark is on his way to become the next Himmel...
@@MirecUNext eisen actually
@@natanduarte5273 Eisen is his master, sure, but wherever Stark comes he is doing Himmel things :) everyone loves him in the towns he visits...
@@MirecU i would say he is a mix of the two, he was originally more like Eisen but he push forward to be more like Himmel
Stark is a hero though
The chad stark
-admit he is a coward
-still solo a dragon
-prank a demon
-has a dwarf adoptive father
-there can't be bravery without madness
bro was raised by *the* short king
"The dragon ran but Stark didn't."
Dragon: "Welp, he's strong and didn't back down. Time to leave."
You know, like any other animal that's scared of the apex predator in the vicinity.
@@RavenCloak13 Its even more instinctual on that part of the Dragon as Frieren says. The dragon recognised that Stark was powerful enough to kill it, even though Stark didn't.
Where you go I go
@@RavenCloak13where you go I go,
It's even funny before that dragon destroyed some building in front of him to scare him and then gave up and went to safety
The Dragon ran away 3 years ago while Stark trained. In hindsight, its impressive the dragon lasted 30 seconds
Could be because 27 of those seconds was Stark running at it and flying through the air xD
because stark was following the plan, distracting it for frieren to kill.
@@misterdayne2792 "Oh wow it can really send me flying"
"Wait I can dive down and hit it"
(after a quarter minute of flying up it hits the ground in only a second after being hit from hundreds of meters up)
Frieren didnt kill it, she fooled Stark into soloing it@@j.c.cannon2112
"My fear has carried me this far" - Eisen
i got goosebumps first time watching this scene
As a fantasy adventure Gamemaster, that's the essence of adventure. You should be afraid of the monster, but not succumb to that fear. To know the danger, and measure it
When Stark faced the dragon and Linie, he ultimately confronted his opponents and defeated them only after resolving to risk his life. I don't know why, but this moved me deeply.
Because resolving to risk YOUR LIFE to do something, is an act of true will. It is overcoming the truest fear of all, BY CHOICE.
"Sometimes, you gotta risk it for the biscuit."
-Plato
Frieren while being socially awkward, is surprisingly a pretty good teacher.
Its interesting, even someone socially awkward, when asked about something they are truely interested in, can likely talk your ear off for hours if you let them.
They usually are 😂
I don't think Frieren is socially awkward, maybe with people she isn't close to, she isn't good at showing what's inside her but she can still talk to people.
I dont think she is socially akward but socially disconected. She just has nothing in common with other people and basically lives in another world compared to the rest of the world, because she ages in slow motion compared to humans. Its a phenomena in real life often observed in Soldiers after they get home from a war, they cant connect with the struggles of civilian people and often have compleatly different priorites and that leads to a social disconect.
@@janmantsch6675 Also those that are generally socially isolated. I can't seem to keep friends and nor do I give people a reason to keep up with me. Most of my social development is very much the result of my background (well before social media) where I just didn't connect with others during my formative years.
"Stark's courage is such an admirable trait because he chooses to put himself in situations where he feels like he's making the right decision despite his fear."
Perfect encapsulation of what I think makes this show's portrayal of the distinctions between fear, reckless bravery, and courage so interesting.
That and the following line about him using his strength to save others despite his lack of faith in that strength really put a lot of Stark's best qualities into perspective for me.
He's the closest one to Himmel. He naturally goes out of his way to help people wherever he goes and is always loved by the regular people, especially the kids. He just lacks the self-confidence that Himmel had.
Let's not be rash with our wishes, we dont want 3 statues of stark in every village that they pass
@@qwertyqwert2818 lol...he'll never have THAT level of confidence.
@@qwertyqwert2818speak for yourself, I want 3 statues of Stark, Fern and their children in every Town...
@@qwertyqwert2818 he doesn't need to, his beloved won't overlive him by centuries
In my opinion, the best thing about characters in this show, is that no one feels any "less important". Sure that Frieren is the main character and we follow the story through her perspective and flashbacks. But none of the characters feel like side content, that can easily be forgotten. Nearly every character that appears for more than 1 episode is fleshed out and expanded upon better than main / recurring characters in some shows. For example, I feel the need to have some sort of closure as of what happens to Land, Ubel, Kanne, Lawine or Sein. Even though it seems like their arc could just be dropped to make place for new characters and new stories.
I can't even think of who is the support, side, background or whatever character in this show. It's not as straightforward.
They are all just... characters. Interesting and lovable characters at that.
I couldn’t disagree more. Stark has been shoved into the Background left and right and he is irrelevant 98% of the time.
Sure, i also have a gripe with him having no moments to shine on his own like Fern and Frieren get in abundance, but even as a support, the show fails to show why he matters to the group. Two enemies at the very beginning were maybe an issue without him, but now that they aren't there, Stark has become completely irrelevant.
Frieren and Fern by there personality are too basic to warrant him as emotional support and in the fights, it is the same, if not more so
@@handhelder823 He hasn't been shoved aside. Though well, he kinda has been, but the reason is the mage exam arc took the good part of the season. He's obviously not a mage so he hasn't been present in most important parts of the other half of the season. But up until that part, he had important moments with the squad left and right.
And if you knew how the story proceeds after the mage exam arc, you most likely wouldn't say that.
It's a show with many complex characters. Obviously it's not going to expand on each character equally at the same time. There's a finite amount of time in each episode.
@@KrulKrukuw i am talking about the manga. And sadly, i disagree with your point about the arc with Revolte.
The thing with that fight is that instead of Stark shining or being support, Revolte becomes an idiot and starts to struggle with two people he manhandled a few page earlier after being hit once after gloating.
It isn’t a moment that lets Stark shine, it is a moment that shows Revolte as an idiot.
True, it can't focus on all characters, which is why i don't have a gripe with Übel, Land, Wirbel or Edel not being focussed on. But Stark is a main background character
frieren felt like old naruto, where every character had something interesting and we want to know what their stories are
Cowardice is surrendering to fear. Courage is facing it and doing as you must anyway.
And using the fear
It's ultimately fear that drives you to try and win
@@dizzyheads Fight like a cornered rat?
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” - Nelson Mandela
"Courage is knowing what not to fear." - Plato.
That being said, considering how virtually everyone buys into fearmongering willing to trade their own liberties in replace of security, most people, like 90 to 95 percent of the human race are cowards, it's like it's in their blood. It's not purely an American thing either, it is actually people, even France initiated their own brand of patriot act, the French intelligence act after the Paris bombing.
Stark called Frieren an old hag in this episode. She made a mental note of it. Several episodes (read: -years-) later, she brought it up. To her it was just yesterday. Stark probably didn't even remember that he said that.
Paraphrasing a comment I saw in a Frieren forum:
As an old Stark lies in bed soon to pass on, Frieren leans in to whisper in his ear: “Who’s the old hag now?”
I really appreciate your music choice. There's something about your video cohesiveness that makes them so easy to watch.
yaaas!
I’m sure you’ll bring this up when we get there, but my favorite thing with Stark is that it takes multiple instances of overcoming his fear and doubt to become more confident. He doesn’t immediate change after killing the dragon and still struggles when facing the demons. It isn’t until he finds his resolve a second time when facing Linne that he stops outwardly acting like a coward as often.
Character arc over before the 4th volume
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." - Frank Herbert, Dune
Fear is not to be pushed aside or fought; it is to be used as a guide. You are capable of imposing your will upon it. Then, once you catch up to where it has guided you to, it will be gone.
I think this summarizes Starks arc pretty well.
Even goku said he uses his feelings as a guide a driving.force to show him the bwst course of action. Atleast dbz goku said that for context
Not gonna lie when i first read your comment, i read it in chuckle voice since that where i know the quote from, i forgot the fact that it actually come from someone else.
It's also interesting to take this principle of "courage is overcoming fear" and apply it back to Frieren herself. I don't think we ever see her show fear in the face of combat, even against enemies that actually pose a legitimate threat to her despite her incredible strength (e.g. the chaos flower, which she admitted could have spelled the end for her party if not for Sein). The only time I can think of where she's shown anything like fear is in social situations. Mainly when she has done something to make Fern angry, but also e.g. when buying a birthday present.
she is mage who trained centuries, so she is pretty confident in her skills. And as a mage she needs to control her emotions to concentrate casting spells properly. So im pretty sure she is in her own zone when in combat situations. Same goes for Fern and other mages. Their faces always emotionless in combat and i like it. Less talk more focus.
Hey man, I just want to say thank you for making this series of videos. You're helping me understand why I love this anime so much in ways I couldn't think of myself.
Thank you for watching! I’m lucky to be able to share and analyze media with such engaged audience 😁😁
Before your video, I watched another one about Stark, and the author didn’t use the word courage even once. I called him a summer child and pointed out what he was missing in a comment. Then, UA-cam’s algorithm immediately recommended your video. Finally, someone who sees what I see-great video!
Hey. One thing to add which underlines your point in my opinion is that. The background song in the scene in which Eisen and Stark are trembling is called "fear brought me this far". This point does get underlined by Eisen aswell when he says: "Being afraid isn't a bad thing. Without fear I would'nt have made it this far!" So in my mind Eisen dropped one of the most important quotes of all the anime said that: Fear is not a thing to be ashamed of rather it is some thing that we humans need. It let us survive, not because we are cowards. No. Out there and espacially in Frieren there are thigs in this world to be afried of. So as you said being brave is not the lack of fear rather conquering ones own fear to reach new hights in ones own journey.
Its something Unwanted Undead Adventurer addresses as well that "An adventurer should feel free to run if encountering a battle they dont feel they can win"
We probably wouldn’t have made it very far as a species if we didn’t have fear to tell us that trying to fight a bear or a shark is a dumb idea. But like everyone else has said, being able to push down your fears and overcome them is equally important.
Lately as I have been more physically isolated as I have gotten my own place while not having the economic ability to travel a lot to meet my friends and family, I have been pondering on a lot of different topics. After watching this video it has made me think more about what a courageous person really is, and what it means to have courage.
While I agree that courage is not the absence of fear, I do not think that overcoming fear is courage either. It is rather that courage to do something you need to do while being afraid. I feel that is very much shown with stark as a character. He has not overcome his fear for monsters or the dragon he is facing, but he still has something he has to do even if he is still afraid.
It might be a pedantic difference, but I feel like when you have overcome some fear that prevented you from doing something, you are no longer courageous. You have now become confident, which is important as well. Since that is how you progress from fearing something to understanding and accepting something.
I agree. I think that's an important part of starks character. He doesn't just stop being afraid but slowly builds his confidence. Hope you have more resources to spend time with family and friends soon. Thanks for sharing
I think one of the most endearing traits about Stark is that he feels like a guy trying to be the best person he can be. Sometimes he's unsure, sometimes he's cowardly, sometimes he's thoughtless, but he is also brave, and compassionate, and gentle, and caring.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I think one of the best moments in Frieren, is when Fern is following Stark as he is just killing time in town. With his free time he helps a lady with her groceries, plays with some kids, and does a number of other small-scale kind things. I think Stark is a great example of someone who is heroic and GOOD. He isn't perfect, but he is kind and heroic in little ways as well as big ways. He takes accountability for his mistakes and tries to do better (episode where he scares Fern).
I think the part about how cowardice is not shown negatively in the anime or have people be judged negatively for it is something that just made me super happy.
The scene where the kids played a lot with Stark
The conversation goes something like this:
Fern: why do the kids want to play with Stark a lot
Frieren responds: He is probably a kind man
Fern then says: But he is a coward.
In a vacuum when analysing these 2 statements, they feel unrelated and theres no reason to bring it up.
But its not an uncommon for people to judge other people's entire existence over just one negative trait. First impression is the last impression as they say.
In Fern's mind:
"how can he be a kind person if hes a coward,
Only brave selfless people are known to be kind"
Then Frieren responds in the best way possible: I will admit he is a coward, but that doesn't take away from him being kind.
This exchange just blew me away even though its just such a simple small conversation. Illustrating that u shudnt judge a book by its cover. And when they did decide to give him the chance and not just judge him negatively, he performed amazingly, exceeding expectations.
This kind of thing is a regular occurrence in the show, where a lot of things defy normal expectations.
Himmel was not able to pull out the legendary sword. And although the party members of Himmel were meming, they never really judged him as being a fake hero that cannot fight the demon lord, and that they shud find a different hero instead.
This is not what happened. They went with it, and he performed.
The overcoming of fear is a concept that I first really saw explored well in the original Kyle Rayner run of Green Lantern (from the 90s). Up until that point, Green Lanterns were supposed to be paragons of fearlessness, but after a calamity, they were forced to choose someone else, a man who was not fearless, but instead able to push past his fears no matter how great they were.
It was a really cool reimagining of a character archetype that had always flattened one avenue of character conflict, and a recontextualising of those previous fearless characters as being similar: not people who felt no fear, but people who did not let their fear control them.
Stark fighting the dragon actually almost made me cry.
Something that I say pretty often is "the only difference between a hero, and a fool, is success."
"Bravery is not the absence of fear, it's overcoming it."
What a quote
Here's another one for you, that I find to be true for Stark
“Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They’re just braver five minutes longer.”
"To act without strategy is reckless. To act with will is courage"
i love this quote, it is from a card game too
"the difference between letting your fear control you rather than guide you". I really think this phrase cut me deep. I'm afraid of a lot of things, so I prepare for unforseen consequences every goddang time... Thank you, it made me actually think about how I approach life and problems.
Your videos and voice are oddly comforting to listen to fam. You do a really great job. Well done.
I love this series and your vids are exploring more aspects of what make it so great. The main trio interactions are truly wonderful. My favorite Stark moment is near the end when the girls come back from the first test and he tearfully confesses to having stayed up too late at night and drinking juice. While I have to admit that the party of Konosuba is my absolute favorite if i can only choose one I do love these three dorks so much.
7:42 Listen the part where Stark is riding that dragon during the battle like Tom Cruise in a Mission Impossible movie…chefs freaking kiss.
Always been a “It’s what stark would’ve done” than a “It’s what himmel the hero would’ve done”
"bravery is not the absence of fear, but rather overcoming it." i love this line so much because of the interpretation and meaning behind it. i've been saying something similar to people to help console them when they feel hopeless to change their situation due to paralyzing fear. "bravery is not the absence of fear, but the defiance of it." i love what youre doing with frieren, and your videos in general because it tackles so many interesting topics that bring to light what was hidden for many of us. these topics are not only helping us appreciate the shows that bring to center stage these concepts, but also to help us understand ourselves better as individuals. the overall craftsmanship of your videos is what i'd consider masterful, and i genuinely hope you are able to continue making them. your passion for such depth is admirable, and an inspiration to others who want to do something similar. you cooked. stand proud.
Idk if it's a small detail but when Stark showed up to Frieren in the forest and it turned out he didn't run away he asked Frieren
Even if I die promise me you will kill the dragon
And after that he was finally fully ready to accept this challenge
That right there informed us on how brave and heroic he is
He is scared because he cares for his life but he still prioritised what's right above his own life
I saw the name Pey and the pfp and was like “wait, is that?” But sure enough it was Pey the Musician making a cool anime video essay that blew up, good on u dude.
lmao what's good. Fancy seeing you here
Another relevant aspect of Stark that gets visited later in the show is his self-image. He percieves himself to be weak and unworthy, and it causes him to interpret situations or focus on details that reinforce that belief. Experiencing situations and other's perspectives of him allows him to slowly release that image of himself and become more confident in his actions.
I feel Stark is the best written “coward” I’ve seen in a while. He grew up weaker then his piers, then after years of training but no frame of reference for how much stronger he became, he doesn’t know that he can fight the scary monsters in front of him. I still love characters like Zenitsu as gag characters, but I always took Stark seriously even when he was being comedically scared.
I study philosophy and one aspect that fascinated me about the series, was how frierens old crew handled here near immortality. For all of them she was a beacon of hope, for it is uncertain for them if there is a afterlife (especially shown by Heiter and Sein and this other elf). Frieren is the one who keeps there memory, because she has perfect memory of everything. This is even more emphasized by the way she leads her life after the hero party is dissolved. She tries to relieve the menories of the past while making new memories with Stark and Fern in the shadow of reliving her past. This is a huge tension, especially seen with fern, as she is bothered by frierens slow paste and kind of adventours at the beginning. Frieren has time to relive the past to the fullest, while fern as a human has not. There are a number of classical philosophical subjects explored, that belong to the backbone of philosophy: Mortality and Immortality, Time and its effect on human life, The story of ones inidividual life etc. There are also interesting psychological topics here: Frieren way of dealing with such a long live. She often seems almost apathetic and cold. Not every memory is explored all the time at every moment, but relived at special occasions. She has a condition (idk what it is called) that strongly divides her past and her current self, as seen by her not being overwhelmed by all the memories, even though she has near perfect memories. This profound deepness is what I love about the series, there is something for everyone to pick up. Be it only on the surface or in deepth.
criminally underrated channel. wild how consistently your video has some offhand comment that forces me to pause the video and just think. keep it up, love this format, love rediscovering frieren as if it were new to me ❤
This is the only series that I'm still hyped about on YT... You make my day every time you upload!
"thinking about revisiting that"
You did!
That was actually the video that brought me to your channel, but you're doing good with here, keep it up!
Lessons dads are supposed to teach but often never get the chance or were never taught themselves:
1: Fear is not the same as Respect and are often contradictory conditions. You ultimately do have to choose whether you want peoples respect or fear because you can't really get both.
2: Bravery/Courage requires being afraid to exist as you point out in this video and cover well.
3: Empathy is a good thing but you have to be concious of and aware that people can be emotionally/situationally manipulative and know when to flip the off switch on it.
3. I would consider instead Sympathy, Pity comes from emphatizing with those less fortunte, including those who feel a need to Manipulate instead of honsetly convince.
You should feel emphathy for as many as you can, everyone is living through bullshit afterall, however not everyone deserves Sympathy because they can be the very problem, they refuse to fix.
I do have a great sentiment to a UA-camr who makes Decontruction of VillainyS where a great villain is one you can't forgive and one you can pity at the same.
I agree with this since Villains are supposed to be the worst example of a theme so as a result they become the pitiful lesson to overcome, the humanity a reminder of what you too can become and have to grow from.
1. Another addition is Value Respect over Fear, because Respect lasts a Lifetime, Fear lasts aslong as your a threat and since everyone is weak in their own way it'll happen faster than you think.
Holy shit. I watched your previous Frieren videos (nice work) without realizing who you were. Love your work with the ACLU, man! You're an absolute legend!
The thumbnail and video title caused me to click. Didn't know it was commentary on Frieren. I've heard great things about Frieren, but now I HAVE to watch it!
someday, I would like to write my own story that have character development and stuff. Watching your videos definitely helps making me understand how to write characters better. I def subbed haha
10/10 video essay. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Honestly I LOVE this discussion. Because, yes, you can boil it down to: "foolishness is not having fear while bravery is showing no fear" but I think there's more nuance to the foolishness part. Because sometimes people are completely JUSTIFIED in not having fear. Take Frieren for instance, she is INCREDIBLY powerful, and as such she's usually pretty justified in her confidence when facing adversaries. Now there is also s fine line between confidence and foolishness. If you're OVER confident THAT'S when it's foolish. So really there should be three categories, confidence/foolishness/bravery.
Genuinely amazing video this should have far more likes.
Frieren was ultimately the backup net stark needed to be secure in taking on that challenge. Like you said, its gotta be a balancing act. Fear is whats stopping us from going and getting ourselves killed but its really hard to gauge when what your afraid of is a actual threat or something your capable of overcoming.
Also highlight to have someone cover our back is very important when stepping out of comfort zone or take a leap of faith. Doing it alone is best to over-grind before advancing, just the safer practice overall, because no one will help if we misjudge the risk. Probably why I am so risk adverse.
This made me change my whole view of stark I thought he was just a supporting character to help plot but this makes him seem so much more real
"The lesson is a little bit more complex than have faith in yourself. I think an important part of success in whatever endeavor you pursue is to properly prepare and where this gets really tricky is it's hard to tell when you're ready to actually take on a challenge. There's inevitable going to be some leap of faith and if there isn't you probably overprepared. It's a weird balance that gets fine-tuned with iteration."
super high quality! this is a great video ! would love to see your take on zenitsu
I wonder why some people don't like the dragon fight. It was really cool
Never saw Stark as a supporting character in the party, tbh. Sure he isn't the mage, but the way he was written it feels like he is almost always part of the party. The only real exception was the mage exam when, lets be honest, he really didn't have anything to do because of the lack of magic.
And lets be real, if anyone has played a Martial non-Magical character in DnD, you know this happens a lot.
Somehow came across this vid for my fav character of the series. Frickin love this guy Stark
To the end points: I think it’s notable that Stark is able to achieve victory over the dragon and overcome his fear because _he has support_ , not just preparation. It’s an incredibly beautiful and human moment.
Frieren believes in him, recognizes his capabilities, even when he’s unsure of himself. He’s able to face the challenge because he knows he’s not alone, and frieren doesn’t lift a finger to help because she knows she doesn’t need to. She gets to deftly show him his own power by virtue of the assurance that she’ll step in if he needs.
I think it’s saying something much more nuanced than just the old adage of “courage is not the absence of fear, it is being afraid and acting anyway”. I think it’s also saying “bravery is more achievable when you’re not alone” and “sometimes simply showing up for someone can give them the boost they need to realize their potential.”
God I love this anime.
Reminds me of the lyrics from "You're Gonna Be Okay" by Cody Fry
"But I think maybe that's what it means to be brave
To feel all the fear and show up anyway"
pey videos are the highlights of my days
these videos are all so good and well thought out, keep it up you are awesome
thank you for your work, amazing video
Episode 5 is such a good Episode.
First we explore a little more about Fern and Eisen... Honestly maybe there should have been more.
We explore how Fern have grown up now, how she has spend 1/2 of her life with Frieren. Frieren is now a bigger part of Fern's life than Eisen.
Then we meet the dragon, Frieren seems to have no problem with bringing Fern in a lot of danger.
And then we see Fireren and Fern's first impression of Stark.
And hear that Frieren thinks people are more scared of Fern than of her now, or at least Stark, since Fern is a little tuff on him when they first meet.
(You were cute once, not only are you taler than me now but scarier too).
I love this episode so much, I could have spend 12 episode with these to encounters.
I never really considered Stark along side other other cowardly characters in anime/manga. I think Stark works because they don't overplay that particular card, he's not always shown cringing at the prospect of danger and it's treated only an aspect of his characterization. He's almost an inversion of Himmel. Where Himmel could propel himself and his party onward via a seemingly bottomless well of self confidence verging on conceitedness, Stark suffers almost from imposter syndrome where his ego never catches up to his objective capabilities with a mentality that's made him quite timid -- probably best expressed in how he treats Fern.
There's a scene in The Faraway Paladin when the MC is talking to his shield bearer and student who's asking how he can become brave like him. He answers that he has just trained until he knew he can face the challenge so he wouldn't call himself brave, he's just confident in his training. Later another veteran interjects that trying to understand courage is a meaningless endeavour because no one knows what it means to be brave, the more "corageous" you become, the less sense the concept makes. It's one of my favourite fantasy anime.
Fantstic script and delivery, great video :)
your script is so beautiful
Dude, Stark is my favorite character. I got so excited when I saw this video come up.
what a beautiful essay you made, cheers for you!!
Very well written and presented analysis, I also agree.
thank you, im in love with this series
Stark has no frame of reference except for his master and the stories he's been told, and it's important that the story properly recognises that. Even after the dragon... well, it's only one encounter. How is he meant to know how strong he is relative to the demons? But Frieren did. Of course he wants to run to the higher power.
From Stark's perspective, he may think he's a coward, but he also thinks he's making the right decision. He stays for the town to protect them from the dragon, even if he thinks he'd die if they ever actually fought.
This video makes me remember the "fear is a superpower" speech from Doctor Who. Fuck I loved that episode.
That last line was so beautiful
Ngl something about this video feels like a late night chill vid
Frieren is probably the only anime in my whole life that i can bare to watch without skipping any second. Not even the opening and ending song.
What you said in the beginning about bravery is about overcoming fear is a very strong and prominent theme within Soul Eater
Usually supporting characters are weak, but Stark is the opposite. Each time the team visits a new village, the two girls complete the main quest and Stark completes all the side quests. No wonder he destroys his first boss, he's been doing repeatable quests for 3 years. His hits can summon a beacon by splitting some atoms.
lol I immediately thought of Zenitsu when talking about ‘annoying coward archetypes” and I was just listening to the audio.
that's how annoying he is 💀
Stupidity is thinking you can do this. Bravery is knowing what you are doing is not in the best interest of self preservation, but you have to do what you need to do.
These videos are great. Keep going!
My issue with Stark is that while he is well written, the story itself just doesn’t seem to want to let him be competent after he kills the dragon. Remember how he was apparently so strong when he was younger that he terrified a battle veteran warrior that helped save the world? Well apparently a demon MAGE can just copy said warrior’s physical strength and skill, and now apparently easily overwhelm Stark, which like, why do Warriors even exist in the world if magic can be taught and apparently you can replicate the strength of warriors? I don’t care if they’re demons and oh so powerful or whatever, that should not be possible for a mage of any kind to compete with someone like Stark terms of physical might if he’s apparently strong enough to scare a veteran hero.
This is only made worse when like an entire quarter of the story is dedicated to just the mages and he’s left to just sit on a town. Ffs, just let him be a powerhouse, he can still be an insecure goofball and also wreck people.
The series is incredible, and it has some incredible world building, but it’s not without its flaws. Like healing magic, which is just a generic green glow with no real depth added to how it works unlike the magic system everyone else uses.
Time to re-watch this tear jerker
You've made so many great points in this video! "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather overcoming it" and good art resonates with you...great art changes you! ❤
I feel like stark is a mix of himmel and eisen. He both goes out of his way to help absolutely everyone he can within the villages he goes to, but has the strength (and potential to pass) and ideals of eisen. Cant wait to see his progression.
Courage does not erase our fear, courage is when we face our fear.
If we no longer fear it, are we still courageous for facing it again?
overcoming fear in my opinion is saying that you are no longer bothered by it so a more adequate way to say i think sounds like this: courage is not the absence of fear, but merely its guide
Yeah ' overcoming ' can definitely imply having moved past rather than not being controlled
My favorite thing about Stark is the day Fern goes looking for him and just stumbles across like 10 different people that he has randomly gone out of his way to help. Hes a real hero
Yes, very true brother. Very very true. I have learned more lessons about being a human being from fictional characters and fictional media. Then any human being has sit down and take the time to explain why. And how things work and what it means to be human and what it means to be constantly learning. struggling and growing anime has always been one of my oldest friends and teachers
I would love a video breaking down Zenitsu btw, I can already see myself linking it to anyone and everyone when discussing my thoughts on Demon Slayer
I love the character growth in Frieren, after Stark defeats the dragon he does become more confident in his strength and understands that he is powerful, unlike many cowardly characters (Usopp *cough *cough) who get an epic episode where they show their determination and strength and prove they are more than just comic relief, only for them to immediately go back to being scared of nothing the next episode. I was sure that after the time skip Ussop would become more brave, now having braved a carnivorous island for 2 years and all, but no… he’s still too scared to actually help the crew.
There is no single emotion I can think of right now that better fit the 5 stages of grief better than the unique sensation of overcoming fear to arrive at the truth of bravery:
1. A brief moment of denial: "This can't be happening..."
2. A burst of anger: "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?!"
3. Negotiating the overwhelming feelings: "Maybe if I run...or..."
4. Then dread, embodying depression: "There's no way I can beat this..."
5. And finally, grim acceptance: "...but let's fight it anyway. Come!"
This show was so good it makes me want to cry
1:14 no way that the idea you had since college is the literal definition of the word, thats crazy bro
3:55 it takes Stark exactly 30 seconds to kill from first to last blow. Frieren was on the money
Courage is the "Oh no! Anyway..." meme directed at oneself.
me vs a flying cockroach
except my weapon is my cat
Wow that's amazing,and I love your creative power that beautiful art thank you for sharing
You earned a sub with this one. I agree with everything you said about the Idiot Hero trope.