>>283482659 (OP)
Sousou no Frieren constantly conflates reminiscence with reflection. While it presents itself as a profound and introspective look into grief, time, and the impermanence of life, it never moves beyond easy nostalgia bait. In place of any genuine introspection or growth, Frieren endlessly dwells on the past. The high quality art, animation, music, and cinematography give the illusion of emotional depth and mask how static and shallow the story really is.
Beyond the first few episodes where Frieren mourns and reflects before deciding to cherish what she has left and reconnect with Heiter and Eisen, she doesn't change at all throughout the entire season. The show falls into the same episodic rhythm:
>Arrive at a new town
>Flashback to Himmel
>Fern acts like the mom
>Stark acts as comedic relief
It becomes formulaic and repetitive while acting as though it is profound. It never develops any of it's themes, it's an endless loop of sentimental reminiscing.
Fern and Stark never progress beyond their initial tropes. It tries during the demon arc and the ballroom dance, but never capitalises on it and regresses back to their original dynamic afterwards.
The second half of the season is boring bureaucracy about magical exams and administration. It introduces even more tropey, throwaway side characters who contribute nothing to the initial themes of the show.
The whole show is visually beautiful but shallow. The constant illusion of being contemplative and mature comes off as pretentious when you drill down and see there is nothing substantive underneath. You could cut half the episodes and lose nothing of substance. It's a sentimental and comfy vibe that appeals to the zoomer's lack of media literacy.
