Frieren: How Music & Silence reveals Emotions

Disclaimer: The following essay is an analysis of the first episode of Frieren: Beyond the Journey's End. Written by an anime-only. Hope you enjoy the read.

The most poignant narrative device of Frieren is the purposiveness in when a scene should be silent, and when it should possess music. The return of our heroes is the first instance in which this contrast is established.

As they arrived to the cheers of the citizens, trumpets were used to receive them. When they were gilded for their achievements, horns were there to exalt them. When they indulged in their nightly celebration, fiddles played a homey tune for them. However, it was only when our heroes stared into the distant skies does our next set of OST plays -- that of silence.

Eisen commented on it being over, and Himmel would affirm to their adventure's end. Heiter would also contextualize this entire journey of theirs as a long ten years of their lives. The silence then is quite apt in respecting the solemnity of that stretch of time. In terms of structure, the contrast from fanfare to complete stillness mimics their sudden transition from glory to mundanity. And in congruous, its symbolic silence also echoes the concerns Himmel and the other heroes have, the fact that they now have to look for work as ordinary civilians.

However, such is not the only form of silence. After a short conversation, our heroes looked towards the sky and found themselves at awe at the era meteor shower. As its name suggests, this shower is unique in that it only happens once every 50 years, making it a rare and magnificent sight. Captivated by this moment, Himmel could only gasp at its sheer beauty. Though here is perhaps when something unconventional happens. Rather than give this scene any sort of music to accompany its magnificence, the show instead opts for the same form of silence as before. This then begs the question of why.

Well, maybe the answer lies in the mythos of how this show handles its music -- the mythos of perspective. While the previous silence is apt in characterizing the sincerity our heroes carried, this moment of silence seems to belong to Frieren alone. When faced with a sight that awed her friends, the only thing she had to say was a fairly cool, unimpressive, the view's not so good from the city. Perhaps for a long-life elf that has lived a thousand years, she has seen this meteor shower more times than her fingers can count. Like she would later suggest as well, she has even found the perfect spot to watch the shower from; an act that embodies her familiarity. To Frieren then, silence is the perfect sound to how she feels at that moment -- a wasted opportunity, rather than a once in a life time spectacle.

We can contrast this to how Himmel perceived the meteor shower and in addition, how he saw everything else around him. Let us analyze Himmel's last adventure together. (Video with analysis captions below. I'm not a musician or anything so instruments stated might be wrong.)

The music in this scene resonates directly to the emotions Himmel had. It begins softly, a simple flute melody and a few piano notes. But as the adventure continued and he shared stories with his friends, the music grows in size and layers. It reaches a swell in climax, a battle where Himmel got to enjoy a short return to their cherished heroism. For that he felt gratitude, a sentiment echoed by the softness of the harp. And then finally, all the instruments swell in unison -- a sight so beautiful that it caught his breath -- ending with the fading notes of the violin; Himmel's last words.

That... is simply beautiful. I must credit the composer Evan Call as well, for he made me cry not once, not twice, but seven whole times in the process of me analyzing this scene. But regardless, I think what ultimately makes this so narratively powerful is in how well it contrasts Himmel and Frieren. The emotions they felt when they watched the meteor shower is essentially the difference between an orchestra and an empty room. While it is fair to say that Himmel may have only felt so differently because of the fifty years of patience he had to endure, I think it doesn't change the fact that he was still awed by that very first meteor shower. After all, it was an exceptional marvel that humans can only catch with half their lifespan. And it just so happened to greet Himmel and his party at journey's end; a farewell from the celestial heavens. There is no doubt in my mind that when Frieren's heart was silent, his heart on the other hand was singing those very same orchestra notes.

The Silence of Frieren's Heart

Frieren's unwavering attitude towards the meteor shower shouldn't just be viewed as a simple product of familiarity as well. It dives deep into the very core of her personality and her perception of time.

Her reunion with Himmel is another case where we would expect some flutes or violin or even a few piano notes to strike a chord, but instead what we have is the distant chirping of birds. It is not to say that Frieren was neither moved or is a heartless person. I think her smile when Himmel said that he is still handsome, tells us that she was glad that this baldy is still the same vainglorious bastard she once partnered with. But despite that happiness, it was still faint; a mere ripple, rather than the swells Himmel experienced.

Perhaps if we have another long-life elf like High Elf Archer from Goblin Slayer, the reactions may be different. She will definitely be much more animated and vocal, releasing no little amount of the "ehs" and "ahs" to express her disbelief at her friend turning bald in such a "short time". But Frieren is no doubt much more subdued in her temperament. We get a feeling that not many things, even if it is fresh, exciting or farcical can come to surprise her. Is that solely just the inevitability that comes from being a long-life species? Well, we can't say for certain as we do not have another elf for comparison. But what we can say is that regardless of whether this was simply a birth by nature, or the eons that nurtured, the silence of her heart is no doubt what characterizes our protagonist the most.

The strongest showing would be when Frieren attended Himmel's funeral. Once again, our silence rings loudly, even more so than the clamorous bells. Like how the citizens have also judged, we may see this silence to be a showing of her indifference; we may see the lack of tears as a case for her insipid heartlessness. 

But do not be fooled. Silence sometimes can reveal much more emotions than any kind of orchestra can do. For one, the lack of music is why the battering of the dirt against Himmel's casket was pronounced, both in its volume and its irreversible totality. Here is your friend being buried ten feet underground, never to be seen again. And with every agonizing reflection, the shovel cuts the dirt like it does her heart. And with every flashing memory, the dirt piles and encrusts it all up.

The silence is also notable in how Frieren perceives those memories. While Himmel's memories swell with nostalgia and euphony, Frieren's are enduringly voiceless. Is it because she possesses no fond memories? No. Of course not. Otherwise, how can the passing flashes of them be so vivid in color and excitement? How can every single one of them be bursting with so much warmth?

Why they are silent is because the emotions that Frieren feels isn't that of overwhelming sadness. What she feels is an emotion much more empty and mournful. What she feels is regret -- regret not towards the loss of something precious, but the loss of what could have been precious. If she had spent just a little more time recounting about those days every moon... If she had given just a few more months visiting her old friends to muse about the past... Could those memories have been more animated? Could those memories have evoked the orchestra swells of her heart?

We do not know. She may never know, for time is already lost and the person may never be found...

That is unless, she embarks on her journey to retrace those sounds. If she embarks on a journey to the far North.

The Music of Frieren's Heart

Frieren's journey will be a long and arduous one. But despite all that, she now feels the crushing regret that comes from neglecting her time, her companionship and her memories. To make up for it, she has decided that she will learn more about humans; to understand the time that they possess, the eons that she possesses, and the emotions that comes with every single second. 

With a grander purpose in mind, perhaps it is why as a contrast to her farewell fifty years ago, her departure this time was accompanied by the orchestra strings to send her off. It is time for a new journey. But now, she will cherish every moment of it.

Afterword

Phewww, this show... is just fucking amazing. You do not know how many times I have actually cried in this episode alone. If you look around my blog, you will see that Frieren is the exact kind of show I love the most -- character introspections. I have a firm belief nowadays that anime is at its best only when the shows put their everything into making the picture, the music, the dialogue, all elements of the screen harmonise to deliver a single, yet poignant emotion of a character. 

The last time I fell in love with a character introspection is with 86. And now, I am happy to announce that Frieren has also joined the ranks to pull on those very same heartstrings.

I am not done with my analysis of this show. Trust me, I have a lot more to write. Until next time.