In the realm of Japanese anime, there exists a captivating series titled Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Unlike its often exaggerated and whimsical counterparts, this series takes a more poignant approach. The narrative centers around Frieren, an elven mage, whose long lifespan—spanning thousands of years—allows her to reflect on her past. Frieren was part of a heroic ensemble that triumphed over the Demon King, the tyrant of a nation that preyed upon humans and other races. However, as time passes, Frieren finds herself grappling with the fading memories of her companions, a poignant exploration of grief and the desire to cherish the past.
The series is rich in economic themes, which I plan to explore in a series of blog posts as I revisit each episode. This entry marks the beginning of what I hope will be an enlightening journey—fear not, for I will endeavor to keep spoilers at bay, labeling them when necessary.
In the episode titled Killing Magic (season 1, episode 3), Frieren and her human apprentice, Fern, venture to a village where a formidable general from the Demon King’s army has been sealed for the past 80 years. This general, known as Qual, once wreaked havoc on human forces with a spell called Zoltraak, a magical force so powerful that it rendered human defenses futile. The very mention of Zoltraak instilled fear, becoming the stuff of legends, as Qual’s might was such that only a seal could contain it.
Fast-forwarding 80 years, the seal around Qual has weakened, and Frieren, alongside Fern, sets out to confront him once and for all. Upon recognizing Frieren, Qual threatens her and unleashes his devastating spell. Fern’s shock is palpable as she remarks: “I don’t understand, Mistress Frieren. That was just ordinary offensive magic.” Frieren then elucidates a crucial difference: humans, unlike their magical demon and elven counterparts, have had to innovate to survive. This adaptability, born from necessity, has allowed humans to reverse-engineer the formidable Zoltraak, simplifying it to a point where even novice human mages can wield its power.
This scenario illustrates what Julian Simon refers to as “the ultimate resource”—the human mind. Faced with challenges, humans demonstrate remarkable creativity. When market forces are allowed to operate freely, signaling scarcity and abundance, and institutions are established to encourage and reward innovation, humanity achieves remarkable feats. Consequently, what once seemed impossible can become commonplace.
Thus, we arrive at a critical insight: challenges often sow the seeds of their own undoing (or, as Frieren puts it, “Zoltraak is just too powerful”). When confronted with obstacles, humans tend to innovate and overcome; however, in the absence of challenges, stagnation ensues. As economist Mark Perry wisely noted, “competition breeds competence.” Moreover, this competition not only fosters skill but also paves the way for superiority. Let us, therefore, empower human creativity to flourish.
