Denken

Hero Overview

Denken is a major supporting character in the adventurer manga and anime series Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. He is a former second-class mage and a former mage of the Imperial Army. He attempted to acquire more power and wealth to supporting the state of his beloved wife, but was too late as she died before Denken could. Subsequently, he met Frieren and Fern when he decided to take the First-Class Mage Exam to become a first-class mage in order to be eligible to return to his hometown, which was taken over by the Golden Land.

He is voiced by Jiro Saito in Japanese and by Ben Philips in English.

Appearance[]

Denken is an elderly man in his late 70s, but still maintains the brown color of his hair despite his extensive age. His hair is parted at the back. He has a handlebar mustache along with a long beard that completely covers his chin and mouth. His typical attire is a dark purple-colored mage robe with a long white collar over his shoulders and a golden chain in the middle that supports the cloth.

Personality[]

Denken is a calm, cautious, and analytical man who was desperate and ambitious to seek power for the sake of his wife at the time. Since then, he has been greatly impacted and haunted over the memory of his wife's demise, Denken initially avoids revisiting his hometown until stirred by cherished recollections. His determination to safeguard his hometown fuels his quest to vanquish Macht.

Notably, he actively pursued Richter outside the confines of the First-Class Mage Exam. He stands out among mages for his preference for collaboration over individual action, actively seeking allies and fostering negotiation. In contrast to counterparts like Frieren, Denken prioritizes the application of magic over relentless power acquisition. As an esteemed imperial mage, he is renowned for his sharp and ruthless political acumen, establishing dominance in power struggles within the Imperial Capital. Despite his reputation, Denken exudes a charming disposition, adept at forging connections even in the face of initial resistance from others. Denken's fondness and warmth towards young adults such as Laufen, Fern, and Stark reflect his longing to fill the void left by not having children or grandchildren, showering them with affection before parting ways. He proves himself as a capable leader, showcasing meticulous analysis and calmness under pressure. He quickly discerns Frieren's strategy during the initial exam phase and efficiently orchestrates his team.

Despite encountering resistance from others, he successfully assembles a team for the subsequent phase. Denken's patience and resolve shine as he patiently awaits Frieren's analysis for three years the solution of the demon's Diagoldze magic before preparing to confront him. Denken's enduring friend, Lernen, commends his talent and unwavering support, even after Denken's expulsion from the Imperial Army. Serie recognizes Denken's enduring fervor, enabling him to progress in the Mage Exam. Denken's willingness to resort to physical confrontation to advance in the exam underscores his unwavering determination. Consistently seeking challenges beyond his capabilities, he confronts Frieren, devises strategies against Serie, and challenges Macht.