With the highly anticipated Season 2 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End set to premiere in just over a month, it’s an ideal moment to acknowledge a real-life hero whose actions were inspired by a character from this beloved series. This anime, developed by Madhouse, is based on the acclaimed manga by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, and made a remarkable entry in September 2023, garnering stellar ratings of 100% from critics and 95% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Set against a backdrop filled with magic and mythical creatures, the narrative centers on Frieren, an immortal elf. Her journey is one of rediscovery and connection, as she pays homage to her fallen comrade Himmel by forging new relationships with the heroes he once inspired.
A Real-Life Hero: The Story of Hsu Rui-hsian
On May 21, 2024, amidst the bustling environment of Taichung City Hall Station in Taiwan, a tragic incident unfolded—a knife attack on a train. One passenger, Hsu Rui-hsian, affectionately nicknamed ‘Long Haired Bro’ by local media, displayed extraordinary bravery in intervening during this life-threatening scenario. His actions resulted in him being honored among 17 civilians for his courageous efforts.
Reflecting on his extraordinary choice, Hsu, who works as a fitness coach and powerlifter, cited Himmel’s character as his guiding inspiration. He remarked, “Even if I had to do it again, I’d make the same choice, ” referencing the anime’s ethos (via The Straits Times).
During this unfortunate event, three passengers sustained injuries along with the assailant, but, thankfully, no fatalities occurred. Hsu bravely managed to restrain the suspect, even suffering facial injuries in the process, aided by other courageous passengers who heeded the call for help.
Two weeks post-incident, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen recognized Hsu and his fellow civilians for their remarkable bravery, calling them “heroes.” Each participant received a commendation of up to NT$20, 000 (approximately $640), along with a lifetime pass for free subway travel in Taiwan.
In an expression of gratitude, Mayor Shiow-yen stated on Facebook, “I sincerely thank Hsu Rui-hsian, ‘Long Haired Bro’, and the 16 brave heroes from Taichung Metro. In the face of danger, their selfless actions safeguarded fellow citizens.”
Expressing the need for community solidarity, she added, “Protecting our city requires cooperation between law enforcement and its residents. Thank you for being our strongest allies. The city government is committed to enhancing security measures for the safety of our community.”
In a show of deep connection to Otaku culture, Hsu chose to wear a Monster Hunter haori and displayed the bloodstained shoes he wore during the incident at the ceremony, aiming to shed light on a culture often subject to misunderstanding. Despite needing to pause his powerlifting training for an upcoming event due to his injuries, Hsu expressed no regrets about his heroic action.
This impactful phrase uttered by Hsu, along with his courageous act, continues to resonate within the anime community, inspiring fans globally. The Daily Dose of Anime account highlighted this riveting story just last month.
In response to Hsu’s actions, fans across social media reflected on the profound influence that fictional narratives can have on real-life behavior. As one fan remarked, “It’s remarkable how fiction can inspire us to be our best selves, whether it’s through literature, movies, folklore, or even anime.” Another user echoed, “That’s exactly what Himmel the Hero would do, ” while yet another highlighted the positive impact of anime, stating, “People may claim anime is a bad influence, but here’s a guy saving lives because of it.”
Don’t forget, the exciting second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is set to premiere on Crunchyroll on January 16, 2026!
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