Danmachi season 5 episode 1: Syr sends a love letter to Bell Cranel as her connection to the Freya Familia is revealed

Danmachi season 5 episode 1, titled Syr, came out on October 3, 2024, on ABEMA Premium in Japan. In the episode, Syr realized her deep affection for Bell Cranel. Therefore, she had her friend, Horn, send a love letter to the boy, inviting him on a date with her at the Goddess Festival.

Besides that, Danmachi season 5 episode 1 revealed Syr's unexpected connection to Freya Familia. It was interesting because Syr was aware of Goddess Freya's affection for Bell and yet she chose to ask the boy on a date.

J.C.Staff studio has done an excellent job portraying the initial events from volume 16 of Fujino Omori's light novel series, which kicks off the Goddess of Fertility Arc. With vibrant animation and art, the episode saw the return of the beloved cast, including the members of the Hestia Familia, and others.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Danmachi season 5 episode 1.

Danmachi season 5 episode 1: Syr realizes her love for Bell ahead of the Goddess Festival

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Danmachi season 5 episode 1 opens with a scene in a beautiful flower valley, where Syr is seen crying. She recalls the times she delivered lunch boxes to Bell Cranel. Seeing his smile made her heart aflutter.

Likewise, when she saw the boy talking to other girls, her heart panged in slight jealousy. With all those experiences piled up, Syr wonders whether she has fallen in love with him. She asks herself, whether she can be freed from the shackles of Goddesshood. That's why, she wants to validate herself.

After Syr's monologue in Danmachi season 5 episode 1, the narrative switches to Goddess Hestia in the mansion, where she announces that Liliruca and Haruhime have both ascended a level. While Mikoto and Welf didn't get a Level Up, they received a significant status boost.

Hestia, as seen in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Mikoto looks back to their harrowing dungeon expedition experience, calling it a miracle they returned alive. On the other hand, Danmachi season 5 episode 1 reveals that Bell has also become worthy of ranking up. Yet, Hestia refuses to let him since she feels it's too early for the boy to Level Up again.

Moreover, she doesn't want to go through the stress of dealing with the people at the Denatus, who come up with awkward aliases. Following that, the narrative for Danmachi season 5 episode 1 switches to Mama Mia's tavern, where Hestia Familia's members and others celebrate their miraculous return from the dungeon's depths.

Bell and Syr in Danmachi season 5 episode 1 (Image via J.C.Staff)

Bell regrets that the Gods and the Goddesses couldn't join them. Liliruca feels the same, yet she knows they can't because of the Goddess Festival, which is around the corner. Additionally, the Gods and the Goddesses are holding a support rally for Lady Demeter.

Danmachi season 5 episode 1 reveals that the Goddess Festival is a celebration, where everyone showcases their appreciation for the year's successful harvest. However, the four main Goddesses who represent Fertility are enshrined on the pillars erected in the town's square for three days without a break.

Meanwhile, Syr asks Bell whether something has happened between him and Ryu since the elven girl has been avoiding the boy. Shortly after that, Ryu comes to Bell's table but refuses to make eye contact. She recalls the embarrassing moments she spent with Bell at the dungeon.

Bell Cranel and Ryu (Image via J.C.Staff)

Later, Bell Cranel tries to talk to Ryu outside the tavern, but the girl becomes embarrassed and knocks him out with a punch. She quickly regrets her actions and waits for Bell to regain consciousness. Ryu finally confesses and apologizes to Bell that she is having trouble looking him in the face. Interestingly, Syr notices the duo from above the tavern.

The next day, Syr finally asks Ryu whether she likes Bell Cranel. Before Ryu can answer her, Sye reveals that she has romantic feelings for the boy, and wants to invite him on a date at the Goddess Festival. However, to ensure her feelings don't ruin their friendship, Syr wants Ryu's permission. The elven girl accepts it, albeit with some difficulty, since she owes her life to Syr.

Horn, as seen in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Danmachi season 5 episode 1 then switches to the Hestia Familia's mansion, where a mysterious girl hands over a letter to Bell Cranel rather haughtily. Haruhime identifies the girl as Horn, a member of the Freya Familia, who directly serves Goddess Freya.

Yet, more than Horn's identity, Haruhime and others are engrossed in learning about the letter, wondering whether it's a love confession. Rightly so, they discover it's a love letter from Syr, requesting Bell to go on a date with her at the Goddess Festival.

Danmachi season 5 episode 1: Syr's letter causes uproar in Hestia and Freya Familia

Bell receives Syr's love letter in Danmachi season 5 episode 1 (Image via J.C.Staff)

The narrative of Danmachi season 5 episode 1 shifts the focus to Goddess Hestia, who learns about Syr's love letter to Bell. She feels her nightmare has come to reality. Yet, aside from the letter's content, Bell is more curious about why it was delivered by someone from the Freya Familia.

Haruhime feels Syr is probably from the Freya Familia. However, Welf highly doubts that Syr has ever had a Farna engraved. Mikoto thinks Syr is like Haruhime, a member of the Familia who's considered non-combatant. In any case, they agree in unison that it's strange for Goddess Freya's personal assistant to deliver the letter.

Bell Cranel, as seen in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

They ask Bell what he intends to do. The boy says he plans on meeting Syr the next day. Danmachi season 5 episode 1 then switches the perspective to Syr, who converses with her co-workers at the tavern about asking Bell on a date. While she could have invited the boy in person, she feels Bell will take the letter more seriously.

Meanwhile, Ottar holds a meeting with the other members of the Freya Familia, such as Hedin, Hogin, and the Gulliver brothers, discussing their patron, Syr's decision to go on a date with Bell. He wonders how they should split their forces, especially with the Goddess Festival around the corner.

Ottar and other Freya Familia members (Image via J.C.Staff)

Besides that, they feel Goddess Freya might get upset over Syr since she likes Bell herself. Hedin proposes to eliminate Bell Cranel, which only creates chaos in the meeting. Eventually, Allen decides to be Syr's bodyguard.

Danmachi season 5 episode 1 switches the perspective to Bell Cranel, who is on his way to meet Syr at the tavern to discuss the letter's content. He wonders how the girl will react to seeing him. At that moment, Bell gets attacked by an elf.

Although Bell showcases his impressive close-range combat skills, the elf's abilities push him to the corner. As the elf unveils his cloak, Bell identifies him as Hedin Selland. Hedin tells Bell that he plans to take him with him.

Hedin, as seen in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Following that, Danmachi season 5 episode 1 shifts the focus to Syr, who meets Goddess Freya and asks her permission to go on a date with Bell. She wants to know whether she can be freed from the shackles of Goddesshood.

Hence, she desires to take the plunge and submit to her impulses. Freya agrees on one condition: If Bell Cranel finds out Syr's actual identity, she will never get to see the boy again. Syr accepts the deal, as she feels it's a fair trade.

Conclusion

Danmachi season 5 episode 1 kicked off the Goddess of Fertility Arc's adaptation in fine style. With impressive animation quality and art, the episode introduced the familiar characters and set the stage for an interesting conflict between the Hestia Familia and the Freya Familia.

Aside from revealing Syr's connection with the Freya Familia, the episode gave fans a glimpse of the other Freya Familia members. Overall, the episode was an excellent start to the fifth season.