About Genau & Methode
Hopefully I'm not the only one in this world who ships Genau and Methode... 👉👈
There's something about their personalities and their dynamic that spoke to me!!! AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEM!
They didn't start out great. Genau gave Methode the cold shoulder when they first got assigned together, even telling her not to get in his way (despite Methode being very amiable to him). Though I feel like this reaction came from the trauma of losing his partner.
Methode herself didn't seem to be fond of Genau either at first, probably because of his coldness in the beginning. She even wondered why she was chosen to be his new partner (indicating that she might see them as incompatible), the same question that Genau pondered as well. She also saw him as a bad role model, something that Genau affirmed ("Don't be like me").
Despite their rough beginning, Methode still expressed her kindness to Genau. She told him to bring the "injured" one to her despite knowing said person was already beyond saving. She also told him that the village destruction was not his fault. Not only that, but she was also shown to be worried for him (telling him to rest and feeling uneased by his bloodlust).
I do want to point out that Genau was very honest with Methode. He told her about his previous partner and his childhood friend. I mean, for someone who refused to shake her hand, he spoke quite a lot about himself to Methode. So, I think he trusted Methode.
I mean, not only that, but he listened to Methode. I love when Genau and Stark bonded over how they would get scolded for eating late-night snacks.
The anime even added a line of Genau telling Stark that: "I guess you have it rough as well." Which could mean that Genau found Methode to be scary when she scolded him (like Stark to Fern).
(I feel like this scene kinda implies that Genau & Methode have the same dynamic as Stark & Fern) 👀 -> well, not exactly the same since these four characters have different personalities, but I do want to say that they were separated into two pairs who got into battle with the demons. Genau and Methode were able to team up with Stark and Fern, and their great teamwork eventually brought them victory.
We didn't see a lot of Methode's POV, so we couldn't really tell how she truly feels about Genau. However, I love that the anime showed the flashback of when Methode found him after the battle. She immediately rushed to his side, clearly wanting to check on him, before being stopped by Genau himself. He made a gesture, with his badly-scarred hand, towards Stark. She knew immediately that he wanted her to heal Stark first.
I believe it was this moment that Methode's view about Genau started to change. She knew how he felt about his previous partner and how he claimed that he would never do anything foolish (saving someone). Yet, she found him there, lifeless, pointing at Stark who was tightly wrapped with his coat.
We did not see Genau's face when Methode told him about Stark being stable, but it seemed that he was happy/glad. I feel like Methode noticed this as well, hence why she looked so pleased and proud of him. Perhaps this was the moment where Methode finally understood Genau's true character.
No wonder that by the end of the arc, we got this scene of Methode telling Genau to say his gratitude to Frieren's party. She knew that deep down that Genau is a good man, he just simply needs a little nudge in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Genau (who warned Methode to not get in his way when they first met) allowed Methode to tell him what to do.
We didn't see them fighting together or see what they did prior to Frieren's party arrival, but since Methode is a very skilled and versatile mage who is very intelligent, it made sense why he valued her input.
In conclusion, I hope we can see more of them, especially now that Methode had warmed up to him and Genau had reflected on how he perceived himself. I think they made a pretty great (and hot :p) team.
Bonus:
Genau’s VA and Methode VA’s interview
Some similarities between their animations
