Stark

Stark is a young warrior who joined Frieren's journey as the apprentice of the dwarf hero Eisen, though he spends most of his time doubting he deserves the title. He's easily frightened, quick to admit it, and prone to hiding behind bravado that fools no one — especially not himself, or Fern.

The show's great trick with Stark is making cowardice sympathetic rather than comic relief alone: his fear is treated as real, and his willingness to act despite it is where his courage actually lives. Kobayashi plays the panic and the follow-through with equal conviction, so the payoff never feels like a costume change.