Why does Freya like Bell Cranel so much in Danmachi? Explained

Freya's obsession with Bell Cranel has been one of the most intriguing narratives in Danmachi. Ever since the Goddess of Beauty laid eyes on Bell in Orario, she developed an intense desire to be with the boy. Slowly, her desire formed into an obsession, leading to a catastrophic event in Orario, where she altered everyone's memory to make Bell hers.

The Goddess abandoned her pride, honor, and code, just to be with Bell, as seen in the Goddess of Fertility Arc. Even though Bell belonged to the Hestia Familia, she wanted the boy and could go to any extent to satisfy her desire. So, why does Freya like Bell Cranel so much in Danmachi?

According to Fujino Omori's light novel series, Bell Cranel's transparent soul is the reason behind Freya's obsession with the boy. She could go to any extent to preserve the boy's kind and transparent soul. Freya's feelings were so strong that she was willing to leave the Lower Realm and follow Bell's soul to Heaven if he were to die.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Danmachi light novels.

Exploring Freya's feelings for Bell Cranel in Danmachi

Freya, determined to make Bell hers (Image via J.C.Staff)

One of the most enigmatic characters in Danmachi, Goddess Freya has enamored fans with her mysterious nature. Aside from her enigmatic aura, fans have been curious to know about Freya's obsession with Bell Cranel, the prime member of the Hestia Familia. Even though Bell was from Hestia Familia, Freya wanted to make him hers.

So, why does Freya like Bell Cranel so much in Danmachi? According to the light novels, Freya's interest in Bell formed due to the boy's transparent soul, which had no malice. She believed Bell to be her Odr, her perfect counterpart. That's why, she could follow Bell anywhere, even if it meant leaving the mortal realm and following his soul to the heavens.

Freya met Bell for the first time as Syr when the boy was on his boy to the dungeon. She called him over to return a magic stone that he had dropped on his way. Since then, Freya made boxed lunches for Bell at the Hostess of Fertility, a relatively small tavern located in the heart of Orario.

Freya's feelings for Bell as Syr in Danmachi were marked by constant worry, whenever the boy ventured into the dungeon. One day, she even loaned a grimoire to him. After she witnessed Bell defeat a Silverback, she confessed to the boy that she was smitten with him. However, Bell thought her remark was nothing but a tease.

Yet, Freya, who then assumed the role of Syr, had developed genuine feelings. As time passed, Freya became more and more captivated by the boy. Soon, her feelings formed into an obsession. During their date on the Goddess Festival, Freya as Syr confessed to Bell Cranel her actual feelings.

She told Bell that she believed in slow-burn romance in the beginning. Yet eventually, she realized she could no longer keep her feelings dwelling within her. That's why, Freya as Syr decided to lay down her feelings and reveal them to Bell.

Freya wanted to be absolutely sure of her feelings, which is why she went on a date with Bell at the Goddess Festival in Danmachi. Yet, Bell didn't feel the same. Since he always had feelings for Ais, he couldn't accept Syr (he didn't know she was Freya). The contradictory feelings led to an emotional rejection, which severed their heartstrings figuratively.

Freya's overwhelming obsession with Bell in Danmachi and its effect on Orario

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Freya had initially believed that Bell would accept her Syr persona. Although it was the persona she chose to indulge in role-playing games in the mortal realm like other Gods and Goddesses, soon that persona developed a bane of her existence. Bell Cranel rejecting Syr was not only a rejection of that persona, but the rejection of Freya's feelings.

Interestingly, Freya's obsession was so intense she couldn't take Bell's rejection lightly. Rather, she wanted to end her pretense and initiated her plans to make Bell forcibly hers. Goddess Freya abandoned her honor, pride, and code to charm everyone in Orario in order to brainwash Bell Cranel.

Since she couldn't charm Bell because of his Liaris Freese skill, which is directly related to his feelings for Ais, Freya modified everybody else's memory and erased Bell Cranel's identity as the Hestia Familia member. Instead, the subjects of Orario addressed Bell as a member of the Freya Familia, including the boy's friends at the Hestia Familia.

Freya uses her Charm on everyone (Image via J.C.Staff)

Goddess Hestia remained unaffected by Freya's charm in Danmachi since she was the Virgin Goddess, on whom the Goddess of Beauty's charm doesn't work. However, Freya threatened to kill Hestia and her Familia members, if she tried to tell the truth to Bell.

Freya's frightening reply to Bell's rejection plunged the boy into despair. Her obsession blinded her to Bell's plight. She knew she had to take such a drastic step to brainwash Bell and make him hers. Notably, Freya resorting to charming everyone was against her moral code.

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

As the Goddess of Beauty, Freya had the capacity to win without even lifting her fingers. She could charm a whole army or win over a country with simply her gaze. Yet, it meant she received things without any effort. Hence, she detested using her charms on others without proper reason.

However, her obsession with Bell transcended everything. Even though it pained Bell and the ones he loved (especially Hestia), Freya was willing to force her way into the boy's heart. Undoubtedly, her feelings for Bell had her turn Orario into her little sandbox.

Conclusion

Freya meets Bell in Danmachi (Image via J.C.Staff)

The latest season (season 5) of Danmachi anime has perfectly portrayed Freya and Bell Cranel's chemistry thus far. Freya was convinced Bell was her Odr. Hence, she committed everything act she could do to get the boy to her side, even if it meant breaking her moral code and charming everyone in Orario.

The Goddess of Beauty could also kill anyone to satisfy her desire. Undoubtedly, her actions in Danmachi reveal her intense feelings for Bell Cranel. Whether it was as Syr or as Freya, the Goddess of Beauty's feelings for Bell were genuine since he, possessed a pure soul without any evil. Without a doubt, Fujino Omori has penned an enigmatic character with a dash of complexity.