The first half of the episode is interesting because the show has built Himmel as this great hero. We have seen Himmel making mistakes, like with the demon girl a few episodes ago. In a lot of fantasy series it is common for the sword to choose the next hero. Himmel is not chosen. Though, for Himmel that doesn’t stop him. The term fake it until you make it is what Himmel does. Himmel’s actions are what make him a hero, and he did so by defeating the Demon King. Of course it makes sense why this truth was hidden because, as Frieren says, we love to romanticize our heroes. Thinking they are flawless, but that is far from the truth.
The episode spins from Himmel to Stark in the 2nd half of the episode, as it is his birthday. It is interesting to learn that his older brother Stoltz was the pride of their village and Stark is considered a failure. As Stark mentions that Himmel wouldn’t run away. Again, as Frieren says, we love to romanticize our heroes. Would Himmel have fought the demons as a child? Of course not.
Stark is clearly too hard on himself for the things that happened to Eisen & his family. In a way he isolated his mind by blaming himself and forgetting how much both loved him. I love Eisen’s line that everyone who works hard is a warrior. Essentially we each have our own battles, and we shouldn’t compare our battles with someone else’s. Also, how both Stark’s older brother and Eisen making Hamburg steaks for Stark is incredibly wholesome. It is funny how something that was a given for Stark could not make him realize how much the both of them cared for him.
This episode adapted chapters 25 and 26. They extended a good amount of chapter 26. Which is wonderful to see.