Sousou no Frieren Episode 19 Discussion

Frieren holds the superiority here, both in terms of talent and age, so it goes without saying these two girls would simply follow whatever she’d suggest, also I mean she’s acting the mother, so they would anyway lol. Still liked how Fern’s team caught a Stille this early in the game, without doing much, I suppose.

Though to think the plan Frieren devised was to freeze the whole fucking lake seems so much like what she would do lol. It’s simple, you freeze most of the sources of water and those birds would have pretty much no way out to consume one, and then that will be your chance to catch one, or how it’d seem. Liked the panic it stirred lmao.

Denken is someone to keep an eye on, and so is Wirbel. And yeah, the former and his party has already kind of figured out Frieren’s plan. So that’s why Denken was so chill about it, I mean he literally said they’d steal Frieren’s party’s Stille, if they somehow got their hands on it, that is.

Here Frieren got the Stille without doing much, literally lol, and there Denken’s party is already onto her. Won’t end well, for that girl. Fern has her own things to deal with too.

It feels like only 5 minutes have pass, and I'm not even close to elf's perception of time!

I can't help but wonder how Fern pulled off capturing the Stille so quickly.

The first test of the First Class Mage Exam involves dividing into groups of three. The task is to capture the meteoric iron bird called the Stille, inhabiting the examination area before sunset. Success requires all members of the party to be present. As capturing Stilles proves challenging, a competitive and survival-oriented atmosphere emerges among the candidates. The strategy devised by Frieren, consisting of Kanne, and Lawine, unfolds.

Denken understands the situation, but actually getting their hands on the bird is a whole different challenge. I can picture Frieren being able to outshine most of the other candidates easily. It's no wonder Frieren isn't a fan of Mage Guilds. How does it make sense to let mages die just because they aimed for rank one without being ready for it? One of the top candidates even thinks being a first-class mage is only about being a symbol. It's not surprising that the country is facing issues.

And using their corpses as bait in the Forest of Death is extremely hardcore.

Btw I'm wondering why the hell was Übel even allowed to take this exam if she's literally a murderer... But there are real casualties, so I guess they don't care.

All translations from Google Translate
8:04 Land is land, ground, place

10:30 Scharf is sharp

10:34 Ehre is honor, glory, credit

14:54 Geisel is hostage


We got some nice worldbuilding. And Frieren's plan was cool, I thought she failed to catch it at first because they kept not showing the Stille lol.
I thought that it's a shame how the ED is only dedicated to Frieren and Fern, but it seems like Stark won't appear much this arc, so it's fine I guess. Justice for my boy!
I loved the background music this episode. The animation was amazing as usual too.

Very good episode, Frieren showing her enormous skills as a magician, but here what worries me is: How did Fern's team manage to catch the bird so quickly?

I think it's pointless to drop here just to say that it was another great episode, but... it was another great episode. The only downside is that they had to cut fights - it's going to be another long week waiting for next ep.

I'm pretty amazed that after 19 episodes I still find this anime perfect. No weak arc, episode or even scene. If this keeps up it will be my most deserved 10/10.

Easily the least interesting part of the show so far.

The idea of the 'Stille' itself is fine, it's a tricky bird with a comedic surprise element to it that sets up an interesting conundrum. For about half an episode. Dragging this on across multiple is unforgivable.

The exam seemed like a really fun idea, I'm sure most were looking forwards to the hidden power level elf showing everyone else how it's done or that there'd be something really challenging and interesting even for her to deal with, but then as it goes it keeps getting dumber and dumber.

Making it a group effort decides the results by luck.
Not only do you risk not having the actual best (on merit) complete the exam because the two others drag them down, but you get some of the worst mages passing because they happened to be with those who can do it by themselves (provided the group passes together).
Capturing the bird is an interesting premise, until you realize that this isn't about a mage proving their worth, it's about being able to figure out an esoteric puzzle with no practical value - Don't get me wrong, I understand the theme and importance of mana detection (which has now gone on for a bit much), but surely there has to be far better ways of testing this specific ability without even giving it away.

Put a 'Stille' in a high ceiling room with plenty of places where it can hide. "There's a bird in here, tell me where it is." "Okay, very good, now how would you go about capturing it? You have 20 minutes to devise a plan and execute it."

Ah but instead they put probably the single most important resource in this world, mages, at risk by pitting them against each other in a Battle Royale, only to get maybe the best, maybe the worst of them coming out of it.

Notice, by the way, how apart from a couple of people everyone looks like they're from a high school anime. Is anyone else feeling that the "rank 1" exam is only being taken by people who should not have any business doing so?

Until this point the story's been a joy, but not only is this a little too out there, the dialogue is mind numbingly boring and the edgy antagonistic blowhards that have been introduced feel incongruent. I just hope it's all resolved within a couple of minutes of the next episode and that it moves on fast.

As 1-st rank mage you often would get in situations when you find yourself on mission with people you dont know or even lead them as a Team leader (1-s rank mages often act as a team leader)
Skill to properly use what you have on your hands right now - is necessary for 1-st rank mage
You draw out bad cards? It is you responsibility to use them smart and get best possible outcome
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Mage dont prove their worth in this exam? Are you kidding me?
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1)You need to sense bird = you need to be good at mana senser
2)You need somehow catch a bird that move in hyper sonic speed and is tough as dragon = you need be skillfull enough to manage this
3)You need protect your bird from other teams without losing your party member = you need be strong or smart enough to do so
4)You need be smart enough to create plan to make this all out
All o this is definition of what true mage should be
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About deaths on exam:
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THIS 1-st RANK EXAM (!!!). Purpose of this exam - find best of the best mages.
The only way to do so - put them into dangerous life threatening situation. Why? Well better candidate fail NOW, then when he would stand up against demons (with thousands of people counting on him) and fail because he is 1-st rank mage in name only.
Thing is - nobody force those mages take part in exam. Everybody knew about all risk including possible death. Everybody knew that in last several exams nobody was able to pass it. Yet, they still decide to take part in it. This is their choice and their responsibility for the consequences

@LG545

I get your point and it'd be fine if this was hunter x hunter and not a world where cities are under siege and even a single mage is an invaluable resource.
If we'd seen squads of adrenaline pumped and ambushing mages going through terrain like elite soldiers, maybe there'd be a point to this, but as it stands all we've seen are adventuring parties that need rounding out with other roles, something they make a point of.

This is also to grant a rank 1 certificate, to find the *best mages*. If it'd been a mage boot camp to weed out a plentiful resource then maybe this would've been more appropriate.

edit;
Oh god your edited response is even worse... I already conceded the bird is a good enough story hook, but you're explaining it to me like I don't get what's going on at all without addressing what I'm saying. Just reiterating what the story is telling is not a good way to talk to people my man.

Suffice it to say that I don't agree with your rationalizations and I find it to be poor not well thought through storytelling.

1)It already pass 30 years since demons return in strengh and numbers (North is basicly is in state of War). Each demon is way stronger then your average mage or soldier. 1-st Rank mage should be able to 100% kill tough demons such was Lugner. Also dont forget about your regular threats you can meet on daily basis - monsters. This ep show - they could be cunning and dangerous
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2)For purpose of "boot camp" - there are low rank test (such as 3-d rank, or even 2-d). They are far less dangerous and Tutors from Magic Association could judge potential of each one candidate. 1-st Rank exam design to show - would all those already competent mages (all of them are full fledged mages) able to deal with extreme situation (in field it would be battles against demons and you dont have right to make a mistake there) as close to "actual combat conditions as possible". Magic Association MUST be 100% sure in there 1-st rank mages. This is not some childsplay ground. No place for slacking here
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In next ep or two they would explain on WHY people despite all risk want to take this exam (aside from influence and authority)