You’ve heard of “To Kill a Mockingbird” but what about “To Catch a Schtille”? In the universe of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, there are many interesting and magical creatures. The anime does a decent job naming these monsters and explaining their lifestyles or hunting strategies.
In the previous episode, we learned about Schtilles, light brown birds that can fly close to the speed of sound, kicking up showers of earth or water every time they take off. Episode 19 is finally here, and we’re going to learn more about the Schtille as Freiren and her new companions try to catch one.
Episode Recap
Frieren reflects on the fact that every group is different. Even though Kanne and Lawine fight all the time, they work together when it counts. The next day, Frieren and her two young companions formulate a plan to catch a Schtille. The birds are incredibly sensitive to mana and won’t go near anything that emanates it. Their own mana is so faint that only the most skilled of mages can detect it. With this information, plus a short-range spell for capturing birds, Frieren and her group come up with a risky plan.
First, Lawine uses her ice magic to freeze the entire lake at the center of the testing area. At the same time, Kanne runs around infusing every watering hole with her mana. Finally, Frieren goes to a small pond that’s free of mana and uses her ability to mask her own mana. She essentially turns invisible. In that state, she quietly waits for a Schtille. Eventually, one of them lands on her shoulder, and Frieren uses the spell to restrain it. The Schtille has been caught!
Unfortunately, anyone who was paying close attention to the magic in the atmosphere could detect Frieren again in the quick moment when she activated the spell. The Elf and her two companions have the bird secure, but now, they are being attacked by another group of mages led by Denken, the long-bearded man with the monocle. Meanwhile, Fern’s group is having the same problem. They caught a bird but are now fighting another group of mages who want to steal it. To be continued.
Episode Thoughts
I just have a few general responses and thoughts to add for this episode. First of all, I’m still surprised that I like Kanne and Lawine and that they are decently written characters. There are way too many anime series that would include much more annoying and shallow female characters if given a similar opportunity. Lawine and Kanne, though a bit aggravating at times, are amusing and cute.
The mages who are fighting Fern’s group seem very fierce and underhanded. I was surprised the man with pale blue hair, Wirbel, actually tried to murder Fern. Then again, that’s a strategic move if you could tell she was powerful. Ubel is probably a fair match for Wirbel. I didn’t catch the name of the brunette mage fighting Fern, but something is up with her. As Fern pointed out, she seems to be the strongest, but is hiding that fact and letting Wirbel lead. I wonder what she’s planning.
Denken’s philosophy about First Class Mages was interesting. I expected him to be the typical old boomer traditionalist. However, he disagrees with the Continental Magic Association on their stance that First Class Mages need to be harshly tested to assure their “quality.” Instead, Denken believes that the most important thing for a First Class Mage is to be a symbol of power.
Whether a mage is the highest “quality” or has the best skill level is irrelevant. According to Denke, what matters is their ability to play the part of a poised social leader. They need to influence and control people. This idea may be self-serving, since I imagine Denken is better at politics than magical battles. Nevertheless, it’s a thought-provoking take on mages in society.
My last note for today goes back to the theme of the intro: creature lore. I’m impressed with the unique creatures invented in this anime. In episode 19, we learned about Geisel: those white birdlike monsters. They infuse corpses with magic and leave them in a forest as bait. When mages and the like try to move those corpses, the Geisel attack, thereby doubling their meat for the day. What a brilliant and terrifying creature.
Thank you for reading~
Anime Rants 
Frieren recently mentioned that there are significantly fewer mages now than there used to be. I can understand not going easy on mages who will then be part of dealing with extreme threats, but one would think that the association of mages might think to avoid further culling their own numbers. I mean, sure, one first-class mage might be worth several of their lower-classed peers, but the weight of numbers is not to be underestimated. If this test, among others, is carried out once every three years, and they lose as few as three to six mages to it, that can add up surprisingly quick, especially in a profession that seems to have already gone from thriving and overabundant to practically an endangered species. A living mage might always have the ability to progress, and to pass on whatever little they know to the next generation, at least beginning their magical education. But a dead mage is just that: dead. No more potential for growth, no more possibility for teaching someone whose education may now never begin.
In short, it’s stupid for them to permit mages to die in a mere test, just to keep up their status and their own egos.
Denken’s philosophy is also flawed and, as you mention, self-serving. But it does point out that there are flaws in the current system as well, which makes the whole situation that much more stupid, spending the lives of mages on something which apparently doesn’t even mean that much in the real world.
As for the brunette mage, at a guess I’d say her plan is fairly simple: let the aggressive loudmouth take charge without dispute to avoid internal discord among the team, evade the attention of outsiders so they underestimate, use that advantage when it comes time to collide with each other.
It’s also interesting to me how Frieren taught Fern in an “old” style, apparently, that focuses combat on offense and defense, instead of on countless little tricks that ultimately boil down to the same thing. Old styles persist for a reason, and it served Fern well enough against Lugner, at least.
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