All images used are from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023), © Studio Madhouse.
How Writers Can Use Perception and Subtext to Deepen Character
At first glance, Himmel seems like the typical handsome hero: charming, boastful, and always ready to flaunt his good looks. But as Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End unfolds, it becomes clear that Himmel’s vanity was never about ego. It’s a performance, part of a carefully crafted persona designed for something much greater.
Himmel’s Performance
We get our first glimpse of Himmel’s persona in episode one, when the party returns to the capital and receives the king’s thanks and rewards for defeating the demon king. Himmel, with a theatrical flair, announces, “Rumor has it that the king is going to erect statues of us in the plaza. Though I doubt they’ll be able to capture the complexities of my good looks in a piece of stone. How I pity the poor sculptor.”
Frieren and her new party come across Himmel’s statues several times. Nearly every one we see is tied to a memory: dramatic poses, boastful remarks, or the hours the party had to wait for Himmel to be satisfied. To a stranger, Himmel’s flowing cape, practiced poses, and sparkling smile paint the picture of a man obsessed with his own legend.
Himmel’s Heart
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear his boasts and charisma are performance rather than true vanity. We see quiet glimpses of his sincerity, offering Frieren flowers, taking on unrelated jobs simply to help others, and always making time for those in need. He doesn’t draw attention to these moments. There’s no show, boasts, or reminders.
A more revealing moment comes when Himmel admits to his party that he’s afraid. Rather than following a script and delivering a motivational speech like other adventurers, he chooses honesty. By meeting his companions with vulnerability, he offers them more than bravado. He gives them encouragement and reassurance.
Himmel’s “Why”
Himmel’s kindness isn’t only driven by his character, it’s intentional. Beneath the sparkle and heroic poses lies a man deeply aware of his mortality. He knows Frieren will outlive their party, walking into a future they’ll never see. To do his part in preventing her loneliness he makes himself memorable.
In episode sixteen, the party comes across an old dwarf who goes by Old Man Voll, who watches over a village to preserve the memory of his late wife. He says it’s a silly reason to protect the village of a woman long forgotten by the world. Himmel agrees, but tells him it’s still important. Touched, Voll promises to carry Himmel’s memory.
Himmel’s response contradicts his usual vanity. “Don’t get me wrong I love the idea, but you have more important memories to focus on.” He turns to Frieren, asking her to carry their memories into the future.
Everything Himmel does, his posing, his dramatics, and his moments of sincerity are not for glory. All of it a gift for Frieren, taking care to ease her burden of loneliness when he and the rest of the party are gone.
What Does This Say About Writing Characters?
Himmel’s character is a masterclass in subtle storytelling. He begins as a stereotypical hero but gradually reveals layers of purpose and intentionality as we learn more about him.
Writers can take note of how his bravado serves a deeper purpose, layering morality beneath charm. His most powerful moments aren’t loud or dramatic, but are quiet moments without fanfare or performance.
Himmel shows us that depth doesn’t have to rely on a tragic backstory, but can come from love and thoughtfulness. He teaches us that powerful characters are often made not through what they say about themselves, but through how they affect the audience by how the other characters remember them when they’re gone. His story stays with us not because he was the loudest, but because he was the most sincere.
How Do You Apply This in Your Writing?
How do you approach character depth in your own writing? Do you use subtext and subtle storytelling like Himmel? Share how you give your characters memorable moments in the comments below!
If you want more writing tips and in-depth analysis of how to create compelling characters like Himmel, subscribe to the newsletter for weekly writing insights!
Want to create compelling characters that break the mold? Try utilizing the Human NEXUS. Learn more by taking the profile test. (use code ROlson10off for a discount on the full version to get all the information)
Don’t settle for stereotypes. Write characters who think, choose, and live like real people. That’s how readers can fundamentally connect with your characters.
Find us on these platforms
🌍 Website: RebekahOlsonVentures.com
📘 Facebook: AuthorRebekahOlson
🐦 X (Twitter): @Author_R_Olson
🕊 Truth Social:@RebekahOlson