In Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Himmel the Hero has been portrayed as an unwavering beacon of optimism and determination. However, behind his cheerful and confident demeanor lies a sad reality: Himmel lived the last five decades of his life knowing that the one person he truly loved, Frieren, was lost in time.
Though she would be remembering him later in the future, Himmel could not help but suffer the long isolation from her. This paradox created a heartbreaking coping mechanism that defined his later years. What makes Himmel’s story even more tragic is that his coping mechanism to continue to push forward, suppress his sadness, and fulfill his promise was motivated by love and heartbreak.
Beautifully flawed love of Himmel and Frieren’s: The weight of time and memory
Himmel was always depicted as an unshakeable hero who was full of confidence and warmth. He never allowed others to view his moments of despair and sorrow, but that does not necessarily indicate that he did not experience them.
One of the most striking aspects of Himmel’s character arc is the contrast he lived under. He knew Frieren of the future would remember him, but he was still forced to suffer the heartbreak of not being able to see her ever again. For Frieren to call him a Ray of Light is a testament to how highly she regarded him, even after his death.
But at the exact moment, she utters these words, Himmel is seen writing down the decrypted spell at the Goddess Monument, the very same that would eventually enable Frieren to return to her own time.
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Another cruelest aspect of Himmel’s experience in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is the difference between the way he and Frieren perceive time. For Frieren, 50 years passed in what felt like 50 hours. For Himmel, however, it was an eternity. Imagine being away from your pet for two weeks. To you, it is a quick vacation, but to your pet, it can seem like forever.
Now, amplify that feeling exponentially, and you can start to understand the depth of Himmel’s grief. This contrast is tragic because it shows just how great Himmel’s inner turmoil was. He spent decades to achieve something that he would never be able to experience, all while knowing that the Frieren he loved was out there, continuing to live on without him.
By the time he died, Frieren still hadn’t fully understood how much she actually cared about him. It wasn’t until after he was gone that she realized how she felt, which made her ultimate realization of Himmel even more tragic.
Suppressing sadness: A hero’s burden in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Himmel’s story is one of quiet heartbreak masked by a heroic smile. His affection for Frieren was never about possession or reciprocation but about valuing her presence, even when she wasn’t present.
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“thank you for not giving up on me”
this line is just so heart-wrenching bcs himmel NEVER gave up his love towards frieren. he still held on to his memories with her until death. in another world where they’re able to fulfill their love, i hope himmel is able to hear this. pic.twitter.com/ibBHkudioP
— chitara (@fr1mm4l) December 1, 2023
His commitment to studying spells such as zoltraak and flight magic indicates that he was still invested in Frieren’s path, even when she was not there. However, his decision to spare the demon child in a scene, despite later regretting it, hints at a deeper emotional conflict, one in which his need to act morally sometimes conflicts with his own personal regrets.
Now, one of the most eagerly awaited scenes in the series is the possible dialogue between Himmel and Frieren in the afterlife. Himmel’s existence was defined by his affection for Frieren, but he never had the opportunity to express to her in person just how much she meant to him. Upon finally meeting again, it will be an emotional payoff of decades’ worth of unuttered words, regret, and appreciation.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is available to watch on Netflix and the Manga is available to read on Viz Media.
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