One of the things I really appreciate about Frieren is how easy it would have been to have made it about Himmel. A lesser writer could have so easily made Frieren’s journey with Stark and Fern about Himmel. It could have devolved into being just about a lost chance to realize she loved him.
Instead, the story stays centered on Frieren whohopes to see Himmel at the end of her journey yes, but she mostly wants to see how much capacity she has for change. It makes points throughout season 1 that Frieren has changed. She fights old monsters with new perspectives. She realizes her time isn’t solely her own anymore. She makes more of an effort to get to know the people in her life. Himmel might have been a big catalyst for her desire for self reflection and to see how much she can change, but the story is about her and her growth, not him.
I just think there’s something really special about something well written can show a woman having regrets about not pursuing a deeper relationship with a man and have it centered on the woman’s interiority and growth.
Watching season 1, I do not think that Frieren really believes she will see Himmel at the end. I think she hopes she will, but she does not expect it. Instead, I think she retraces the steps to see if she can do better this time and if she can grow more connected to the world around her and less apathetic.
