Himmel vs Stark

How to Write Similar Motivators Without Redundancy

All images used are from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023), © Studio Madhouse.

In the anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End we follow an elf named Frieren. The story begins at the end of her journey with the party of heroes. Decades later, she finds herself with a new party of adventurers. Between both parties we have two characters, Himmel and Stark, whose primary motivators in the Human NEXUS are Influencer and Driver.

The question is: how do these characters mirror each other without becoming redundant? Let’s talk about it.

Himmel The Hero

Most of what we see of Himmel is in Frieren’s flashbacks and stories from others. He was selfless and compassionate, while also boastful and charismatic. His heart is that of an Influencer, as he keeps his heart on his sleeve and does his best to encourage his party members. But he has the humor of a Driver: arrogant and sometimes quite blunt.

In episode seven we see an example of both of his motivators back-to-back.

Driver: “Take a look at this face! Future generations must see how handsome I was!”

Influencer: “Though, there is a greater reason. When we three are gone maybe our statues will keep you from feeling lonely. You’ll know we existed, that we aren’t just fairytales, but people who stood beside you.”

Under his Driver humor his Influencer can be found. He’s a man who always had his friends in mind even when he seemed to think only of himself.

Stark the Warrior

Stark’s debut is in episode five, where Frieren and her apprentice Fern find him living in a quiet village. At first glance he seems like a rougher, more unpolished version of Himmel. But his true nature reveals itself quickly.

Despite his crippling fear, Stark stood between a village and a dragon. After the threat fled, he stayed, claiming the villagers were too nice for their own good when they treated him like their hero.

Influencer: He cannot bear to sever the connection the villagers have made with him. Instead, he stays for three whole years. As we can see with his interactions with the children, he spends these years encouraging and giving hope to the villagers.

Driver: Stark agrees to distract the dragon for 30 seconds for Frieren. He was terrified, but his bravery shines through. Instead of merely distracting the beast, he slays it in the given time.

What Makes Them Unique From Each Other?

Though Himmel and Stark are parallels of one another, shown through their primary motivators, they remain distinct by the way they display those traits.

Himmel is confident, refined, and outwardly heroic. He leads with charm, often using humor to ease the weight the people around him carry.

Stark, on the other hand, is young and humble, still learning to carry the weight of heroism. He follows through not with confidence, but with determination, facing fear openly and growing stronger with every step.

While Himmel’s strength lies in how well he leads others, Stark’s strength lies in how bravely he follows through despite his fear.

What Can Writers Learn?

By leaning into the subtleties of each character’s age, life experience, personality, group dynamic, and response to challenges, writers can highlight the different ways a blend of motivators can be expressed. One character may inspire others with flair and confidence, while another might do the same through persistence and emotional vulnerability.

The key isn’t just what motivates your characters, but the way it’s portrayed. The portrayal of the character can be just as defining as the motivator itself.

• Think about a story you’re writing where two characters share a core motivation. What makes them different? Are you leaning into their personal histories, their fears, or how they connect with others? Drop a comment below and share how you’re handling it.
• Not sure which motivator your character is operating as? Learn more here! Take the free test and also learn more about what motivates you to keep writing.
  (use code ROlson10off for a discount on the paid version to get information about all four motivators)

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