this post was submitted on 25 May 2025
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[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Yes, Frieren's actions towards demons brings us to an excellent philosophical question. Is it morally right to exterminate an entire species? Of course not. Does that morality shift when that same species is also seeking to exterminate you? I'd argue not, but it becomes a necessary task to protect yourself and those on your side of the war.

This debate seems to be explored with the demon Match. I haven't read the manga, so I don't know anything beside your description of the character (and I ask you to avoid further spoilers).

Yes, if Frieren murders this innocent demon, that would be a tragedy. However, that's a tragedy of war. A solider mistook an innocent man as a enemy solider. In this magic world, Frieren can detect the demon, it'd be like the innocent man was wearing a solder's vest to keep warm. To an outsider who has been conditioned by war to see the enemy flag and shoot without asking question, that's what they are going to do.

I think that we are able to have such a debate, simply based around an elf and her detached murder of demons is part of what makes Frieren an intriguing piece of storytelling. Frieren is a clearly flawed main character and the story is exploring many of them, not always telling us right from wrong, we are left to decide that for selves.

I don't know how Macth's character will be explored in relation to Frieren. I predict there are two paths, the first is the easy one, she learns to trust and bonds with the demon. Trust has been a major theme through the show, to explore is with Frieren's natural enemy would be very interesting.

The other route I could see explored, Frieren learns of his abstinent through the villagers who know his history, what he is and the of the bonds they have formed over many decades..well had. To the villagers' horror, Frieren has killed the one they have learned to call family, and she is forced to face the consequences of taking a life that others valued.

Or perhaps there is a third path, something that goes against my guesses and will surprise me.

[โ€“] [email protected] 0 points 1 day ago

Thank you, I really apriciate that you see where I'm coming from :3

While I still think that Frieren is too extreme in her beliefs, I do see where you're coming from. I think my main issue comes from the fact that the author seems to want to make her philosophy justified but at the same time giving the demons too much autonomy when it comes to their need of hunting humans.

I don't want to spoil anything as I want you to enjoy the story, but I would be really interest what your thoughts are on Macht when the next season comes out :3