The popular work “Funeral Freelen” depicts the story after the defeat of the Demon King. This is the story of the elf wizard Freelen, who embarks on a “journey to get to know people” after the death of the hero Himmel, with whom he traveled on a journey to subjugate the Demon King.
The relationship between Freelen and Himmel is a major key to this work. Freelen, who has always had a dry personality, regrets not trying to get to know Himmel after he died.
On the other hand, during the adventure that appears in the flashback scene, Himmel seems to have special feelings for Freelen, more than just a friend. It seems that there are many fans who are looking forward to seeing the relationship between the two of them. And I am one of those fans.
So, I decided to reread the original manga and consider the relationship between the two.
*This article contains spoilers and personal opinions.
Freelen is extremely insensitive to romantic feelings.
When I re-read it, the first thing that struck me was Frieren’s statement, “We elves live long lives, but we lack romantic feelings and reproductive instincts” (Episode 13 of the original story).
In addition to having such characteristics as a race, Freeren are naturally dry and have little interest in others, and are thought to be particularly insensitive to romantic feelings among elves. In fact, even though Himmel expresses his love so clearly, Freelen is still unaware of the special feelings he had.
Based on this, I believe that the key to this work is that Frieren realizes the special feelings that Himmel had for him.
Why didn’t Himmel express his feelings?
No matter how insensitive Freelen is, if you can express your feelings directly to him, he will know how you feel. However, Himmel passed away without telling her his feelings for her.
I think the main reason Himmel didn’t tell Freelen about his feelings for her was that he would die first, leaving her alone. Even if he were to understand her feelings and become her lover or marry her, Frieren’s sense of time would mean that Himmel would be gone in no time, and his life would be much better once he was alone. It will be a long time.
In order to prevent Freelen from spending hundreds of years, or even thousands of years, of loneliness after his death by becoming her special being, Himmel conveys his feelings to her. I believe that he died with this in his heart.
Of course, since this is a dry Freelen, there is a possibility that Himmel will be rejected, and it is impossible to say that he may have been worried that her relationship would be ruined. However, it is hard to imagine that Himmel, who has a very positive personality, would not confess due to fear of something like that, and since Himmel often talks about a future in which Freelen will be alone, this theory is likely. I think so.
The meaning of the ring given by Himmel
An episode that cannot be missed in the relationship between the two is the ring episode (original episode 30). To thank Freelen for his efforts in completing her subjugation request during the trip, Himmel suggests that Freelen choose her favorite accessory.
Freelen chose a suitable ring without thinking, “Okay, this is fine.” However, the design of the ring he chose happened to be Kagami Renge. The language of flowers is “eternal love”. However, Freelen only learned of this 29 years after Himmel’s death. He had made this choice without knowing it at the time.
“I don’t think Himmel knew the language of flowers either,” says Freelen, but in a flashback scene, Himmel stares at the ring and makes a meaningful expression…Furthermore, Himmel kneels down and places the ring on Freelen’s left ring finger… I think it’s more difficult to think that you don’t know the meaning of this.
『葬送のフリーレン』
第1話～最新第14話
各動画配信サービスで配信中🪄各話のWEB限定次回予告はこちら
▼https://t.co/pGWPfAQooL配信サービスはこちら▼https://t.co/0uCweQYBF6 #フリーレン #frieren pic.twitter.com/okflIRMSYg
— 『葬送のフリーレン』アニメ公式 (@Anime_Frieren) December 10, 2023
Freelen has a long lifespan, which is equivalent to eternity for humans. When she saw him give her a ring that symbolized her “everlasting love” as if it were a proposal, I thought that he had decided to keep her single for the rest of her life.
アニメで描かれた #フリーレン が
マンガで読める魔法🪄ヒンメルに貰った指輪を
諦めずに探すお話。1/6 pic.twitter.com/w8R6E0HgD8
— 『葬送のフリーレン』公式 (@FRIEREN_PR) December 13, 2023
Was Himmel single all his life?
Himmel’s funeral scene suggests that he was a lifelong bachelor. A large number of people surround the coffin in which the great hero rests, and while it is felt that he was loved by many, there are no depictions of Himmel’s family or anyone who appears to be a relative. It seems that the three people closest to him are Freelen, Heiter, and Eisen.
I don’t think the women around him would leave him alone as he is a hero who defeated the demon king, and although he is a bit of a narcissist, he does have a nice face, and he is a kind person who won’t leave people in trouble alone. Himmel, a considerate and personable person, could have gotten married if he had wanted to. He must have been married many times.
Still, I think the reason he didn’t get married was because of his “eternal love” for Freelen.
