Danmachi season 5 episode 8: Freya's plans begin to fall apart as Bell Cranel learns to live again

Danmachi season 5 episode 8, titled Desires (Bell Cranel), came out on November 21, 2024, on ABEMA Premium in Japan. The episode saw Bell Cranel regain composure as he began to realize his memories weren't false. On the other hand, Freya appeared distressed, as she and her Familia couldn't break Bell no matter how hard they tried.

One of the highlights of Danmachi season 5 episode 8 was Bell Cranel, who learns to live again. When Bell was on the verge of losing hope, his final attempt at meeting Ais Wallenstein saved him. With renewed hope, Bell appeared to be a different man, mentally and physically.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Danmachi season 5 episode 8.

Danmachi season 5 episode 8: Hedin Selland's brutal training pushes Bell to a corner

Hedin Selland trains Bell (Image via J.C.Staff)

Danmachi season 5 episode 8 begins with a scene at Folkvangr's training ground, where Hedin Selland puts Bell Cranel through a brutal ordeal. He pushes the boy to the extreme, refusing to go easy on him. Eventually, Hogni and the Gulliver brothers intervene to stop Hedin from causing further harm to Bell.

Hedin justifies his actions, saying Bell has won the affections of Goddess Freya. Therefore, it's only wise for him to prove himself worthy of her love, or else nobody among the Freya Familia will stand for it. Hedin asks Bell to get up and prove he's Freya's true Odr.

After the training, Danmachi season 5 episode 8 switches to the Folkvangr's interior, where Hogni tells Hedin that inflicting sadistic pain on Bell will only break his pure heart, for which Freya has fallen in love with him in the first place.

Allen in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Likewise, the Gulliver brothers try to make Hedin understand that even though Freya has entrusted him with Bell's training, his brutal treatment of the boy lately has been unacceptable. They wonder whether Hedin has some ulterior motive behind his actions.

Hedin doesn't say anything for a while but then mentions that the Gulliver brothers may have been blind to the situation. He adds that the one most distressed from being back into a corner isn't Bell Cranel but their Goddess, Freya.

Bell's resilience and refusal to succumb to their plans have inversely agitated Freya, who has spent more time ruminating alone as if questioning her choices. Bell's strong sentimentality has kept Freya's charms at bay and rattled their plans. Thus, Hedin feels they have no choice but to put more pressure on the boy to cause a mental breakdown.

The Gulliver brothers in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

He asks Allen to participate in Bell's christening from the day after. However, Allen refuses to take part as he has to look after the tavern. Hedin makes unjust comments about Anya, which agitates Allen and almost begins a fight. The elf also asks Ottarl, but the warrior says he can handle it alone.

Following that, Danmachi season 5 episode 8 switches to Hestia's mansion, where the Goddess asks Welf for the key to the workshop. She says she wants to retrieve her debt bill. Meanwhile, Welf organizes some old equipment and comes across Bell's.

Welf in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Although Welf can't recall for whom he made such equipment, he knows he has put great care into making it. Hestia is glad Welf still has such deep feelings within his heart.

Nevertheless, Hestia goes to the workshop and meets Asfi, who summoned her to the place using a note. Asfi is glad that Hestia remembers her. She feels they must share what they already know.

From her conversation with Asfi in Danmachi season 5 episode 8, Hestia realizes that Freya Familia is slowly losing their patience because Bell hasn't succumbed to the new reality.

However, given the kind of harsh treatment the boy is being put through, Asfi feels it's only a matter of time before Bell's will breaks. From Asif's intel, Hestia figures out that the Freya Familia is distracted. She wonders whether it's the right time to hand over the note to Hermes.

Danmachi season 5 episode 8: Bell Cranel decides to believe in himself, Hermes realizes what he must do

Bell Cranel loses hope (Image via J.C.Staff)

The narrative for Danmachi season 5 episode 8 switches to Folkvangr at night, where Bell Cranel slowly loses hope. He is tired of following the vicious cycle of fighting, eating, and sleeping, and then fighting again at the Freya Familia. At the same time, he begins to question his life's purposes and goals.

Bell then enters Freya's room. The Goddess asks Bell to join her in bed and promises not to do anything. Seeing Bell depressed, she caresses the boy and shows compassion. Bell Cranel feels he should just give it up, embrace his new life at the Freya Familia, and forget his old memories.

Freya in Danmachi season 5 episode 8 (Image via J.C.Staff)

Yet, he suddenly recalls Syr's crying face. Even if those are dreams, he can't forget her tears. Meanwhile, Freya is conflicted about her feelings as she watches the boy fall asleep. The next day, Hedin notices Bell heading out again to look for Syr.

Hedin Selland reminds Bell there's no such girl in Orario. However, Bell doesn't listen and heads out anyway. As Bell goes out, Hedin Selland summons Van and other Freya Familia members. He orders them to withdraw Bell's observers and have them look into the Loki Familia, who are returning from their Dungeon expedition. Hedin feels they must be charmed as soon as they set foot in Orario.

Riveria from the Loki Familia in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Meanwhile, Hermes Familia is busy distributing the firewood, something the Ganesha Familia usually does every year. On the other hand, Bell Cranel enters the Hostess of Fertility Inn again to search for Syr. However, Anya's friends remind him there's no one named Syr there.

Bell begins to lose hope. Just then, in Danmachi season 5 episode 8, Mama Mia tells Bell Cranel to stand his ground and keep believing in himself. She also reveals that she's a half-resigned member of the Freya Familia. Mama Mia's cryptic words instill Bell with hope. Although he doesn't understand their meaning completely, he wants to believe in himself.

Ais Wallenstein in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Suddenly, Bell understands what he must do. He runs as fast as he can to meet one person he hasn't met yet. Danmachi season 5 episode 8 then shows Bell Cranel arriving outside the Loki Familia's mansion to meet Ais Wallenstein, the person he admires the most.

Bell asks Ais whether she remembers him. Ais doesn't say anything for a while, but she suddenly holds Bell's hands and asks if he's willing to train with her. She feels she has made him pass out many times before and then lets him lay on her lap and recover so she can beat him again. Ais' gut feeling says they should be fighting on the bridge.

Bell takes on Hedin (Image via J.C.Staff)

Ais Wallenstein's confession makes Bell Cranel's eyes well up with tears. He is happy to realize his feelings were never wrong, and Bell is also glad that Ais is the person he admires the most.

Danmachi season 5 episode 8 then switches to Folkvangr, where Bell Cranel channels his inner strength and uses the moves taught by Ais to finally land a scratch on Hedin Selland.

Bell's moves surprise Hedin in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

He refuses to conform to the new reality which projects him as a member of the Freya Familia. As Bell slightly loses his composure, Hedin counterattacks and holds Bell to the ground. He tells him not to be arrogant just because he scratched him. However, he refuses to fight further since the time is over.

Meanwhile, Hermes is conflicted about his memories. He feels caught in an eternal loop. Hermes asks his Familia members whether he has given them any messages to pass on. Eventually, Hermes figures out that his memories have been altered. However, he doesn't want to probe much into it without knowing its roots. Else, he fears he will be put under the spell again.

Hermes in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Seeing no other choice, Hermes wants to play one final card. He shouts Asfi's name in the middle of Orario. The girl, who can stay invisible, relays him a message.

Hermes follows it to reach Hestia, who forcefully makes him purchase a pack of potato fries. After eating them, Hermes finds a note in the pack. The note tells him to make a hearth out of Orario. Danmachi season 5 episode 8 ends with Hermes realizing what he must do.

Conclusion

Hestia and Hermes in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Danmachi season 5 episode 8 chiefly focused on Bell Cranel, who kept believing in himself and realized his feelings were true. Although unaware of Freya's charm, he is at peace knowing that his memories of Ais and others weren't a curse.

On the other side, Freya was distressed. Bell's firm resolve dismantled her plans and made her second-guess her actions. Besides that, the episode displayed Hedin Selland's fury, who put Bell through a wringer.

Last but not least, Ais Wallenstein's brief appearance in Danmachi season 5 episode 8 had the most impact. Overall, J.C. Staff delivered a decent episode with plenty of action and drama.

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Edited by Apratim Chakraborty