The anime DanMachi or Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? doesn’t just offer the thrilling adventures of Bell Cranel, but also presents captivating deities like Freya, the Goddess of Beauty. Her powerful presence and actions intrigue fans, raising the question: why is Freya so obsessed with Bell? This article delves into Freya's character in the anime DanMachi, her obsessive nature towards Bell Cranel, and the impact it has on the story and Orario.
Getting to Know Freya and Her Astonishing Beauty
Freya is inspired by Norse mythology, where she is known as the goddess of love, beauty, war, and fertility. Since living in the world of gods, Freya has been renowned for her extraordinary beauty. As the leader of the Freya Familia, she stands out even among the gods for her exceptional looks. With long silver hair, fair skin, and violet eyes (in the anime), Freya emits an allure that captivates everyone. Her appearance is often adorned with enticing attire, enhancing her incredible charm. However, her beauty isn’t her only appeal; her strength and unique abilities as the Goddess of Beauty make her truly remarkable.
Freya possesses the power of Charm, which enables her to captivate the attention of gods, humans, and even monsters. With this power, she can stir desire or even make someone completely submit to her will. Freya's charm is so immense that she could potentially bring the entire city of Orario under her influence with just a glance. She also has the Discerning Eye ability, which allows her to see the colors and glows of souls. Through this, Freya can assess an adventurer’s potential from afar, selecting those who possess exceptional promise. In Bell’s case, his transparent and pure soul deeply captivates Freya.
Before descending to the mortal realm, Freya lived in the heavens with other gods. However, her life there wasn’t always smooth. Various conflicts arose, and Freya was one of the few deities who couldn’t merely stand by and watch. She often employed her Discerning Eye ability, which is one reason why she’s so selective in choosing her followers in the mortal world; to her, only truly unique and radiant souls are worthy to stand by her side.
Freya hadn’t initially intended to leave the heavens, but at one point, she accepted a challenge from Hera at Zeus’s request. This challenge required Freya to descend to Orario, a city in the mortal realm, to help nurture adventurers with exceptional potential. Freya accepted, though she had to part with some of her Familia members as part of the agreement. Through this experience, she learned about strength, loss, and the cost of achieving one’s purpose. This led her to become more ambitious and willing to use any means necessary to fulfill her goals.
Freya's Obsession with Bell Cranel
Freya sees Bell Cranel as more than an ordinary adventurer; to her, he’s a pure soul with extraordinary potential. From the first moment she saw him, Freya became fascinated and has been closely watching Bell’s every move. This obsession isn’t a mere attraction but a compulsion to “possess” Bell as an adventurer she shapes herself, a figure she doesn’t want anyone else to claim.
Freya doesn’t just want to see Bell grow; she feels compelled to test him, shape him, and make him stronger, even if it means putting his life at risk. This is evident in Bell’s battle against the Minotaur, where Freya indirectly orchestrated events for Bell to face the monster. This fight nearly cost Bell his life, but his triumph over the Minotaur brought him rapid growth, much to Freya’s delight.
Freya’s obsession with Bell also leads to conflicts with other goddesses, such as Ishtar, who also shows interest in Bell. When Ishtar attempts to abduct Bell and seduce him with her charm power, Freya doesn’t remain passive. In one of her most dramatic moves, Freya intervenes directly, attacking the Entertainment District and crushing the Ishtar Familia. Ishtar is then sent back to the heavens following her devastating defeat at the hands of Freya and her Familia. This shows that Freya won’t allow anyone, even another goddess, to claim Bell as theirs.
In her attempt to get closer to Bell without revealing her true identity, Freya often disguises herself as a girl named Syr, who works as a waitress at the Hostess of Fertility. Under the guise of Syr, Freya can interact with Bell more personally and without arousing suspicion. Through this character, Freya reveals a softer side not often seen in her role as a goddess. However, as Freya’s obsession with Bell grows, Syr’s presence gradually fades, nearly disappearing beneath Freya’s escalating desire.
Since descending to Orario, Freya has learned about ambition, love, and conflict firsthand, enriching her feelings, especially as she becomes involved in Bell’s life. Freya sees Bell as someone who can free her from the eternal monotony often experienced by the gods, making Bell her version of “Odr,” a term in Norse mythology that refers to a soulmate or eternal lover.
Freya's obsession with Bell has far-reaching effects, not only on Bell but also on the balance of power in Orario. As the center of her attention, Bell often finds himself in life-threatening situations, as Freya’s presence sparks tensions with other gods. The conflict between Freya and Ishtar, which resulted in the destruction of the Entertainment District, is a clear example of how Freya's obsession can impact Orario’s social and economic structure.
Furthermore, members of Freya Familia also feel uncertain due to her excessive focus on Bell. Typically, anyone who catches Freya’s attention joins her Familia. However, Bell is an exception, which causes jealousy and discontent among her loyal followers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Freya’s obsession with Bell Cranel isn’t just an ordinary attraction. As the goddess of beauty and love, Freya sees Bell as a unique figure. In him, she finds a rare sense of hope and purpose not often found among mortals. Her intense desire to possess Bell makes her willing to face significant risks, even among the other gods. Ultimately, their relationship isn’t merely one-sided affection; it adds a compelling dynamic that alters the lives of both. This mystery will likely unfold as the story progresses, but Freya’s obsession will remain an integral part of her character and the world of DanMachi.
References: DanMachi Fandom.