Frieren's magic is deeper than you think

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]A couple weeks back, I made an entire video talking about how I think Fernan's a great show to use to engage with media literacy. From obvious and simple to layered and complicated, there are tons of ways to interpret this story. It gives you a full range, like its overt, clearly stated moral arguments to complex exploration of the human condition, which leads to the thesis of this video. I believe Fan uses magic repeatedly to explore complex parts of what it means to be a human. From existential dread to pursuing a happy life, all the while magic being the catalyst for the exaggeration that makes storytelling so special. Welcome to season 2 of Exploring Finan. My name is Pay and today we're talking about how cleverly crafted lies can be used to tell the truth.

[00:00:44]The very first video I ever made talking about Ferin explored how I thought immortality would be more of a curse than a blessing. To have everyone around you grow old and die. To see entire cultures and societies from beginning to end. To me, it's as close as we're going to get to a literal representation of existential dread. Something infamous for being hard to pin down. What is it, if not existential, to imagine the world dying around you, everyone else existing in a time frame that means nothing to you? But that's the whole point of Fury.

[00:01:14]First introducing this idea and then finding an antidote. So what's the primary evidence? Multiple elf characters are introduced in Firin.

[00:01:22]Every one of them has a drastic and unique approach to life. From FN's apathy to the mystery behind craft, there's something really intriguing about these characters. An uncanny valley fueled by the contrast of their timeless wisdom and seemingly endless youth. A big part of all the elves characters in Finn is the mix of thousands of years of experience and somehow a lack of development you'd expect from someone that old. Because despite what it might seems, when I'm talking about Finn's magic, I'm not just referring to spells, but also to the world, the fact that there's monsters that have to be fought and elves that live seemingly forever, at least on a human scale. Finan as a story's primary conflict and theme is built around this premise, fighting the apathy that had a vis grip on her. The wakeup call of losing someone that you valued deeply and regretting the way you spent your time with them. So, how do these elves and stories tie to existential dread?

[00:02:16]What lessons might the audience get from their stories? Today's video is brought to you by Reverse 1999, a turn-based tactical RPG available on Steam, Android, and iOS. This game pairs engaging gameplay with cinematic presentation. If you're not familiar, one of the first things you'll notice is the striking aesthetic. From a strong and refined painted style to a compelling dive into the question we're exploring today of how might an immortal life impact a character. Explore the story of a brand new character, Paper Haron, in the most recent version of the game, 3.4. Part of why Reverse 1999 reached out to me is because of the energy their team has dedicated to its story. like the path of a soul remaining disciple of a sect, one exploring the apathy of immortality as those around her age at a rate she doesn't. A story that very fittingly for the topic of this video mirrors that of Firins, an immortal being engaging in overcoming apathy. Paper Heron's story is an example of larger elements introduced in 3.4 exploring classic Wuja themes such as chivalry, obsession with immortality, sex conflicts, and tragic fate. In some ways, this game differentiates itself through its cinematic cutscenes and artistic style. Strong character design being an obvious priority that they really delivered on. So, if this game appeals to you, it's a great time to start playing as this version is beginner friendly. And joining the game right now guarantees up to 240 click to claim free polls. Add in some extra resources and the half anniversary celebration and you end up with a perfect chance to return or start playing for the first time. Once again, thank you to Reverse 1999 for sponsoring this channel. Now, back to the video.

[00:03:52]When talking about elves and firin, the obvious place to start is the namesake of the show. The primary conflict in the story is built around Ferin's apathy. I think there's an incredibly common human experience, most often associated with mourning the loss of a loved one, where the magnitude behind death's finality hits you like a truck. In the life we live every day, when someone passes, they're gone. and our experiences in relationship seem cemented. It's very common to regret the way you spent your time with that person. I think Ferrarin's central theme obviously explores that feeling, but this extends to loss in tons of different capacities.

[00:04:28]The way people hold on to youth with white knuckles or regret the decisions they made. Inevitably, as you live your life and make choices, what starts as endless possibilities and potential becomes concrete. all the different things you can be slowly transforms into who you've been very reasonably. That scares people and often there's a tipping point where someone really has to sit with that for the first time. I think that specific realization is a strong example of something I'd consider to be part of the human condition. The semi-universal experiences that people face in existing in this world. To me, part of what makes Furin such an interesting story is how everything within her arc is kind of built around that feeling. A conscious effort to engage in the present, to value the time as you use it as not to live with regret. Inevitably, choosing to go through a door closes other options, but to sit and never make a decision waste a life. Now, like a realistic story should, Finn's character isn't completely aimless from the start.

[00:05:26]Rather, primarily apathetic to the relationships around her. The exploration of this theme is all built around the magic world building of an everlasting elf. By creating a character where these issues are magically exaggerated, we have a story primed for exploring these themes. It's not just loss and regret. It's breaking after over a thousand years of apathy. And this is far from the only example where the story explores different components of the human condition through this lens of the everlasting elf craft. Another elf in this story that's only on screen for about half an episode also offers a lot when it comes to exploring these kind of existential questions. We find out as the story goes on that he's a forgotten hero. Once a part of an adventuring duo that saved the world, their names forgotten to the annals of time. However, Craft has seemed to move on, accepted the fact that the past is the past. Instead, focusing on what brings him purpose now, being present. There's something to me that's deeply fascinating about his character. All of these elves stories are deeply revolved around finding purpose in their long lives with all of them inevitably having underlying turmoil and significance when it comes to relationships. The ability to connect with those around them despite the hardship that comes with persistent loss spurred by the magic system in Firin.

[00:06:44]One of my favorite parts about these characters is despite how consistently across fantasy we've gotten elves that live thousands of years, somehow it's never felt like this question has been properly explored. Or much more accurately, I haven't come across it. In classic vampire literature, we've seen tons of exploration from the morbid perspective of what it might be like to live forever. But to me, in Fearin, despite all of these struggles, there are underlying roots of optimism.

[00:07:10]Finding beauty and joy in living your life, engaging in the moment. I think a great example of this is the third elf we're talking about today, Zedia. She's one of the more interesting characters in the story with tons of room for interpretation. Something that is apparent is the justosition between her pursuit and Fnin's. There's this scene from the first season, a flashback where we compare and contrast Finn and Zedia's perspective surrounding magic. Firin, a mage of peace, doesn't see magic as a tool of control. Whereas in contrast, in the era we're introduced to in this story, Zera has consistently been the pinnacle of capability with magic. She runs the Continental Magic Association, likely byproduct of the multiple conversations acknowledging that humans are on the precipice of becoming the world's greatest mages. Zedia's pursuit of creating a perfect disciple often leads to disappointment. Yet, despite that cold outward expression, she demonstrates a deep care for the students that she has. And while it adds a fascinating taste to the character, from my point of view, it's just a taste. To me, Zedia's pursuit of magic comes across as one of control. This is what's being contrasted to Firin's pursuit of magic, prioritizing passion over efficacy. Fury loves magic. The more obscure the better, completely independent of the perceived value that it has practically. A fascinating contrast to Zera being described as a living grimoire, rewarding anyone that passes the first mage exam with any spell they could imagine. I love that first conversation FN and Zedia have.

[00:08:38]Something that Zedia argues multiple times is that she has a fair and consistent assessment of others capability and promise. But in their first meeting when FN denies Zedia, the assessment she gave her is revoked. This kind of implication that no one denies her will ever truly be great. But FN is a perfect foil to Zedia's character.

[00:08:55]Actually made a whole video talking about this. The moral lesson I see here is one I've echoed multiple times in the past. Those who try to shape their life with a firm hand rarely ever get the control that they strive for. Despite what some people argue, I believe life is filled with tons of factors that you'll never be able to control. It doesn't mean you can't steer your life.

[00:09:13]By letting go and paying attention to where life is naturally pushing you, you can properly take advantage of the things out of your control or save the energy for when you really do need to push against them to swim upstream when you really need to. A big part of growing up is realizing just how little control adults really have over their lives. Responsibility can be overwhelming, but that doesn't mean you have no influence. I think this is one of the lessons being argued by the justosition of Zeria and Firin, and I think it's a beautiful example of magic representing deeper moral lessons.

[00:09:44]Elves are far from the only characters in this story dealing with magic on a deeper level. One of my favorite characters in Furine, especially when it comes to her relationship with magic, is Fern, a war orphan taken in by a drunken priest, trying her hardest to do right by him. Pursuing magic wholeheartedly because it provides herself a future, thus repaying the debt she feels like she owes Haidider. Episode two of Fyan's first season is titled, "It doesn't have to be magic." Because when Fern and Ferin are asked why they chose magic as a pursuit, the answer isn't shown in levels of passion. It's something simpler than that. Recently, I had a conversation with one of my editors about the process of making videos. And outside of the more existential big picture process of creating things, he said he just kind of likes the process of editing. I think a lot of people dream of shimmer and shine. When people say they want to be professional musicians, they think of the stadium performances, not the long days in studios where it feels like you're repeatedly hitting your head against a wall. And those who want to be YouTubers often think of the finished product and audience engagement instead of the long arduous process of actually making something or the behind-the-scenes logistics of answering emails, communicating with sponsors, managing and fighting copyright claims. The reality of any professional pursuit is that it eventually becomes work. And if you can find satisfaction and enjoyment of that busy work, I think that's a very good indicator. I think the way this story talks about Finan and Fern's relationship with magic is arguing something similar. Their life as adventuring mages is largely filled with mundane tasks. And there's something beautiful in the way that Firen finds joy in that. We see that expressed beautifully in the conversation Fern has during the second part of the mage exam with Sensei or her choice and pride in the spell she chooses after becoming a first class mage. This is explored beyond just Fern and Fyen. In the second season, we get to add another character to that roster of mages who really love magic for the little things. One of my favorite side characters in Finan is Mettoday, and we learn a lot more about both her character and relationship with magic in the second season. During the divine revolt arc, we get some insight into her backstory, hailing from a clan that hunts demons. She states that if not for her love for magic, she might not have survived this battle. Seeing it as more than just a tool for war, but rather a pursuit, one that doesn't prioritize function, opens doors that other mages are limited by. All of this tying back to FN taking seemingly useless grimmooars as payment for incredibly challenging tasks, a skewed value system. I think a lot of this is my interpretation on FN's engagement with the human condition. But the way this story explores these ideas is pretty open-ended. I'm sure you as an audience member have your own versions.

[00:12:20]And I think the fact that magic's at the center of so many different aspects of the story is really fantastic. It's one of the main components of what I think makes Finan so deep.

[00:12:30]Thank you for watching. I'll see youall next week.