Score: A-

Date alert! We have a date alert! Think I can visualize Sein falling over if such news crossed his ears. This really is quite the shift from just the previous season. A lot of time was spent without Stark being able to really partake and this one has given him a lot of focus. Heck, we’re even getting some nice progression from the Stark and Fern relationship. Considering they ended the episode setting up that date…it feels like we can expect something great here.

Fern is completely shocked here!

This was easily one of the silliest episodes we’ve gotten from Frieren in a while. And that’s not even meant in a bad way. But they very much had fun getting pretty goofy. I was struggling just to decide what ridiculous visuals would be good to select for this review! Truly the visual of “Frieren throwing a tantrum” just couldn’t be matched by my imagination. Truly it was a “you have to see it to believe it” kind of thing! I can only imagine the mental space Himmel was in. Watching the girl that he’d fallen for acting like an absolute toddler…for several days.

The visuals were just a treat throughout really. Fern’s reaction to Frieren saying she’s been on the date was the most expressive she’s ever been! The shock was so intense that it broke her poker face! She didn’t stand a chance. Of course the full details was a bit more mixed. I mean Frieren is probably right. From Himmel’s point of view that was a date. Going out helping people while spending time with the girl he loved? Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if he did something very date-like in there that Frieren just kind of misinterpreted.

The legendary mage Frieren…

Still, the date itself is quite the move. I didn’t think they’d openly go on one before…season 5 or something. You could easily say that they’ve already been on dates. What was going out to pick Fern’s birthday present but a date? But this is the first one that’s been straight up called a date and that clearly has Fern shaken up. She can be a handful to be sure, but she is still a young girl. Actually going on an official date with someone she’s clearly got romantic feelings for…is a lot. But it says plenty how she reacted to Stark stretching himself out and asking her out on a date. Just straight up silence, dropped the book, accepted the date, and got herself out of there! Yes, Stark being Stark thought she might be upset but that was quite the moment.

The next episode is going to be a treat just seeing things play out. And luckily for Stark he actually got good advice. Frieren doesn’t give herself much credit and just gives all of it to Heiter. But she has kept it in mind. Elvish memory is clearly insanely good. But the point remains that she still thinks on it and tries to use what she’s been told. Frieren’s growth as a character is still a work in progress. But she’s still trying and that’s what means something to Fern and Stark. It’s that effort and wish to make the other side happy that matters here.

Just a pleasant journey

The hot spring part was fun. This show just knows how to do travelling montages in a nice way. You get the feeling of time and the journey. Some series just have people appear in places. Maybe you don’t always need a montage or to show travel time, but it’s kind of nice. It makes the world feel like a world. And I like the reasoning for Stark wanting to find that hot spring. He wanted to follow in the steps of his master and also…it was the kind of hot spring that they could all partake in. A normal one obviously would require them taking turns. But this one? They could just be a group and enjoy the moment. Another ridiculous adventure, much like the one that Himmel dragged his friends into. That man truly was a completionist. Got to explore the whole map!

An “epic” battle

I will say the fight wasn’t much to speak on since they didn’t really spend time on that. But it was kind of fun even then. There’s something about seeing a creature that huge just launch itself to the ground and charge at the main cast. And technically Frieren’s tactic was sound. Stark had the best chance to draw attention while Fern and Frieren could position themselves more flexibly to strike at the heads. Easier to time their spells than having Stark swinging his axe. Just a rough time for Stark since Frieren’s great tactic was…just using Stark as a decoy!

I couldn’t ignore this face either…

This was just another good episode. This show just constantly leaves me enjoying every moment. Nothing crazy or absurd here. Just good times. I enjoyed the journey to the hot spring plenty. But there’s no doubt that setting up a good Stark and Fern date is satisfying too. These two are the main couple obviously. While Frieren thought she also went on a date with Sein once (sorry Himmel) her romance isn’t going to be a big focus for the time being. I honestly don’t think Frieren will truly fall in love or realize how she feels about Himmel until almost the end of their journey.