Frieren, Apothecary Diaries, & Their Strong MCs | How To Write Strong + Quiet-type Characters

Frieren from Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

Frieren and Apothecary Diaries are banger shows with interesting themes and very likeable characters; and a big part of their success is owed to the fact that their strong main leads are straight-up hard carrying their shows.

Unlike many “strong characters” portrayed by a number of Hollywood movies and TV Shows, these two don’t really have a loud, tough, and overpowering personality and they often keep things very lowkey. Despite their quiet and low-energy nature though, we notice that they still have the greatest and most meaningful impact on the rest of the cast and are powerhouse characters who carry the themes of their shows.

What makes these characters so strong?

Maomao from Apothecary Diaries

What I like about Frieren from Beyond Journey’s End and Mao Mao from Apothecary diaries is the fact that they are not your traditional damsels in distress. In fact, they are the ones who end up saving actual “damsels in distress” in their own stories. Both of them are strong individuals who know what they want, have their own principles and can stand up for themselves. All of this without being obnoxious or annoying.

"I am not in danger, Fern. I am the danger. A mage opens up her door and gets Zoltraak'ed, and you think that of me? No. I am the one who knocks!" -Frieren (maybe)

In her World, Frieren is not often in Danger because oftentimes, She Is The Danger. What more could you expect from an OG who was part of the crew who took the down the world’s demon king.

Frieren, an elf who has lived for a Millenia, has her useful hobby of collecting and learning spells. Overtime, the accumulation of her knowledge and experience made her very OP and she had all the time in the world.

Switching up, Mao Mao from Apothecary Diaries proves that she can adapt to different situations and effectively analyse different scenarios. Unfortunately for her at the beginning, she was kidnapped by some thugs and was sold to the Imperial Palace to be a servant but her stoic outlook in life coupled with her inquisitive nature and expertise with Medicine, Poisons, and the Human Body, have managed to save herself and her friends from the unending perils in court.

What can we notice about the way these two characters were written? Well for starters, the authors of each story made sure to give them technical skills and abilities that can aid them in their adventures.

1. Technical Expertise & Skills

These two have the talent but more importantly, they have the drive to hone their skills and put in the work to master their craft. They were strong in a way that they are knowledgeable in their field and are at the top of their game. They know what they’re doing (most of the time) and they can easily take the lead, teaching and helping other people who need their guidance. They also offer great value to the community whilst having the capabilities to take care of themselves and the people around them.

But their technical skills and leadership are not the only reasons why these two characters are considered as powerhouses. They’re also formidable because they are people who can show…

Maomao making meds

2. Grace under pressure (Mental & Emotional Strength)

Both Frieren and Mao Mao can rise up to the occasion. They can perform. They can get things done.

Mao mao grew up in an environment where women were heavily objectified and she was then put in a dangerous place, too strict that, one crucial mistake could cost her her life. Knowing the disadvantages she faces in her environment, she was a Quiet-type in a sense that keeping a low profile to stay out of trouble was her default policy. But when problems arise, she proves to everyone that she doesn’t crumble. She bravely stands up to the challenge. She tries her best not to break down when things don’t go her way and she has the grip to control her emotions and in clutch situations, having the ability to keep calm and collected can be considered as a superpower. Mao Mao tries to look at things objectively and doesn’t easily jump to conclusions and her calm mind, expertise and logic help her to solve the issues within court which in turn, saves other people and improves her quality of living.

Both characters were written to perform well under pressure and don’t shy away from the challenge. And this calmness and emotional control are heightened by their experience from the suffering and pains they felt in the past. This type of mental fortitude didn’t just come out of nowhere, but rather it is a product of overcoming difficult things in their past. Their courage and for a lack of better term, fighting spirit are also reasons why we consider them as strong individuals.

Another medal on their uniform comes from their capacity to hold themselves accountable for their actions. What separates them from the typical Mary Sue is the fact that these two characters have their own sets of flaws

3. Flaws, Self-Awareness & Accountability

From time to time, Frieren could be very detached and uncaring and one of the themes of her story is her learning how to establish and maintain deep and intimate connections and relationships with others, learning from her mistakes and regrets from her past. She could get slightly inconsiderate when it comes to other people’s time and has the tendency to be lazy and to lack initiative.

For MaoMao, her Achilles’ heel is her obsession and almost uncontrollable desire to pursue her hobbies. She was a cat that’s too curious. A person too smart for her own good. Another weakness of hers was that she’s very weak at things that she’s not interested in and can get very ignorant in certain areas about human relationships.

But despite being flawed, these two characters acknowledge their weaknesses and make sure to improve themselves so they wouldn’t end up living a life filled with regret. And what do you call individuals who examine themselves and persevere to do better despite their flaws, well we know them as strong individuals.

The final reason why we know that these two are such great characters is because they have the strength not just to carry themselves but also they have the power to uplift others.

4. Positive Impact and Influence

Frieren keeps her apprentice Fern under her wing, Training her to be a powerful mage that could keep up with her. She served as her guardian and keeper; taking her safety as her own responsibility. Mao Mao wasn’t stingy with her gifts and expertise. Her knowledge was able to save lives. She also tries her best to stand up for her friends, colleagues and benefactors. These two are strong in a way that they carry other people on their shoulders. They defend those who are dear to them from people who wish them harm and they look out for others, pushing them forward in life.

In conclusion, Frieren and Mao Mao may are excellent strong characters of the quiet type because of their overall impact to the story. They are individuals who can take care of themselves. They form good connections with others but still they are their own person. They have their own technical expertise and strengths and they put in the work to master their craft and master themselves, offering great value to the community and the people around them. They bravely face challenges and rise up to the occasion, standing up for what they think is right. They have their flaws but they strive to do better. And on top of everything, they have the extra strength to uplift other people, protecting and leading the people who are close to them.

These two ladies perform their part very well in their amazing, well-written, and well-animated stories. They’re a big of part of the reason why I think both shows are strong contenders for Anime of the Year.

What do you think about these two shows and these two strong leads?

Lemme know in the comments down below if you also enjoyed them.