Danmachi season 5 episode 8 review: J.C. Staff brings out Bell and Freya's contrasting emotions

Under the production of J.C. Staff, Danmachi season 5 episode 8 was released on November 21, 2024. The episode, titled Desires (Bell Cranel), explored the contrasting emotions of Bell Cranel and Freya. The former finally realized his memories weren't a false narrative or a product of a curse. Rather, he regained hope and learned to live again.

Contrastingly, Goddess Freya was torn between her desires and reality. The Goddess of Beauty was met with perplexing emotions, as Bell Cranel refused to submit to her plans. As a consequence of it, she began to distance herself from others and ruminated alone.

Undoubtedly, Danmachi season 5 episode 8 saw J.C. Staff cleverly cover the iconic pages from Fujino Omori's light novel series and breathe life into them. From Ais to Hedin, everyone played as a catalyst to highlight Freya and Bell's contrast in the latest episode, which once again, was an excellent installment.

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

Danmachi season 5 episode 8 review: J.C. Staff highlights Freya and Bell's emotions in a power-packed installment

Evaluating the adaptation, narrative, and the studio's production

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Danmachi season 5 episode 8 further enriched Freya and Bell Cranel as complex characters. However, compared to episode 6 of this ongoing installment, where the Goddess of Love was jubilant to have Bell in her mansion, the latest episode saw her second-guess her decision. Although she never directly expressed it, her facial expressions were enough to tell she was in clear distress.

Freya's obsession with Bell knows no bounds, and this is something the narrative has already established. The Goddess of Beauty turned Orario into her sandbox and played every card right to ensure Bell would become hers. However, she couldn't anticipate the boy's headstrong would thwart her plans.

Bell has already etched many memories with the Hestia Familia, Ais, and even Syr. Those memories, thanks to his Liaris Freese skill, were more powerful than Freya's charm. Deep inside, Freya perhaps realized she wouldn't get Bell. Having said that, she still retained some hope. That's why, she caressed him when the boy came to her at night in Danmachi season 5 episode 8.

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

When Bell slept peacefully on her bed, she could only look at him blankly, unaware of the future. From the onset, Danmachi season 5 episode 8 showed the Freya Familia's struggle to have Bell submit to their plans and the boy's refusal to accept the new reality. J.C. Staff has nicely explored this dichotomy. Hedin Selland, who swore unwavering loyalty to Freya, tried his best to break Bell's morale.

Even though Hedin won against him during the training, he failed to mold the boy into a Freya Familia product. Having said that, they came close to their goals, as Bell Cranel began to question his life's purpose. Stuck in a vicious cycle of monotonous life, Bell wanted to give it up and embrace the new lifestyle, without fighting back.

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

However, fate had something different in store for him. He recalled the crying face of Syr, who happened to be Freya's alter ego and decided not to submit to the new order. Rather, he continued his search for the girl, hoping someone would remember him. The staff working on Danmachi season 5 episode 8 has done well to bring out that sense of desperation from Bell.

Eventually, Mama Mia from The Hostess of Fertiliy instilled in him hope. She used a few cryptic words and advised Bell to stand on his feet and keep believing in himself. Mama Mia knew the reality fully well. Even though she was partially connected to the Freya Familia, she could break the moral code for Bell's sake.

Bell Cranel cries in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

The clouds that obscured Bell's eyes were finally lifted as he realized he must keep faith in his memories. Finally, he decided to meet Ais Wallenstein, the person he admired the most in Orario. The scene featuring Ais and Bell in Danmachi season 5 episode 8 was the peak point of the episode.

The Sword Princess held Bell's hands and asked if he would like to train with her. Even though she was under Freya's spell, Ais could faintly recall her training sessions with Bell, the lap pillows, and her promise on the wall. The scene confirmed that Bell had a special place in Ais's heart. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to remember him.

Bell Cranel, as seen resolute (Image via J.C.Staff)

With emotionally charged background music, the scene truly made the episode all the more special. Bell Cranel dropped to his knees and became teary. He was glad that he met Ais. J.C. Staff Production Studio did justice to the Ais and Bell scene from the light novel series.

While the light novel had more narrative, with Bell's monologue, the anime adaptation had a massive impact because of the voice acting and music. Once again, Ais Wallenstein saved Bell Cranel from committing a grave error, and the boy was glad.

Hedin Selland in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Renewed with confidence about his memories, Bell Cranel sparred with Hedin at the Christening session in Folkvangr. He demonstrated the moves Ais taught him before and managed to land a hit on Hedin. Bell Cranel was firmly convinced he wasn't a Freya Familia member. Danmachi season 5 episode 8 saw the boy radiate under the sun as he recalled his actual identity.

However, the same cannot be said about Freya. The narrative didn't show Freya at all after those initial scenes. Bell's victory cry must have been like an agonizing to her ears. The contrast was perfectly set, with Bell regaining his identity and Freya losing her obsession.

Mama Mia in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

From an adaptation's perspective, Danmachi season 5 episode 8 covered almost everything but the climax of volume 17 of the original light novel series. The production team has done a great job capturing the iconic moments from the light novel and seeing them in a grand light in the anime form. The art style, animation, music, and voice acting—everything was on point in this episode.

Danmachi season 5 episode 8 review: Missed opportunity with Hermes's scene

Danmachi season 5 episode 8 was a sheer masterpiece with a major blemish. The final scene featuring Hermes felt rushed compared to the light novel. The scene didn't have the greatest build-up and was slightly jarring. J.C. Staff could have explained Hermes' plan with more clarity.

Additionally, the scene where Hermes met Asfi was altered in the anime adaptation. In the light novel, Hermes doesn't shout for Asfi but rather meets him in person. Moreover, the way the narrative rushed at the end, with Hestia forcefully handing over a packet of potatoes to Hermes was off-putting. That said, the last moment created some hype for the next episode, which will most likely end the current arc.

Conclusion

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

Danmachi season 5 episode 8 was a beautiful exposition, featuring contrasting elements of hope and despair. Bell Cranel and Freya once again received the main spotlight, while other characters, namely Ais, Hedin, Mama Mia, etc., acted as catalysts. Overall, J.C. Staff did well to bring out the light novel's essence in the latest episode.