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Jan 14, 7:39 AM
#1
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Jul 2025
14
Ever since I first watched Frieren, Stark has always been a favorite of mine, with his cowardly yet charismatic and even relatable personality alongside his many moments with Fern, making him a really fun character to watch.

Which is weird, since I've disliking Zenitsu since the release of Demon Slayer and it wasn't until the Infinite Castle movie that I entered the gray zone where I don't hate him but I still can't say that I like him either.
Jan 14, 7:52 AM
#2
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Oct 2025
1
Megawak76 said:
Ever since I first watched Frieren, Stark has always been a favorite of mine, with his cowardly yet charismatic and even relatable personality alongside his many moments with Fern, making him a really fun character to watch.

Which is weird, since I've disliking Zenitsu since the release of Demon Slayer and it wasn't until the Infinite Castle movie that I entered the gray zone where I don't hate him but I still can't say that I like him either.

I think it's plausible that you like Stark and not Zenitsu. I particularly find the construction of his "cowardly" archetype better than that of Zenitsu. I am no expert, but that is my opinion.
Jan 14, 7:53 AM
#3
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Feb 2021
324
It’s because both series’ handle their cowardice differently. Stark overcomes his cowardice by taking action, whereas Zenitsu’s whole gimmick is that he only locks in when he’s unconscious.

Similarly, their actions outside of their cowardly moments are also distinct. Stark is, as you said, charismatic and relatable. He feels very human, as do many of Frieren’s characters. As for Zenitsu, outside of combat, he’s oftentimes either mad at someone, lusting for Nezuko, or finding some other way to be “comedic”. It doesn’t land for everyone.
Jan 14, 7:54 AM
#4
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May 2025
58
stark can actually do things unlike zenitsu, he doesn't always cry until the movie ofcourse where he finally locks in
Jan 14, 7:56 AM
#5

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Aug 2022
2721
Megawak76 said:
Ever since I first watched Frieren, Stark has always been a favorite of mine, with his cowardly yet charismatic and even relatable personality alongside his many moments with Fern, making him a really fun character to watch.

Which is weird, since I've disliking Zenitsu since the release of Demon Slayer and it wasn't until the Infinite Castle movie that I entered the gray zone where I don't hate him but I still can't say that I like him either.

Zenitsu’s just super annoying for like 90% of the show, he has good moments and a funny dynamic with the crew but Stark is honestly a way better character imo in almost every regard
Jan 14, 8:40 AM
#6
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Jan 2022
1222
The difference between Stark and Zenitsu is that one has no dick and the other is a straight up pussy.
Jan 14, 8:47 AM
#7
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Nov 2023
50
They both portray fear differently. For Stark, it is quieter and more internal, making it feel more realistic, while for Zenitsu, it is used for comedy and more exaggerated, hence why he is viewed as more annoying. Stark acts consciously despite his fear, showcasing his courage and ability to move forward. With Zenitsu, he only acts bravely when he is in a state of sleep, which makes his character feel less rewarding compared to Stark.
AsmodeusXDJan 14, 8:50 AM
Jan 14, 8:52 AM
#8
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May 2024
104
Ripperdoc said:
The difference between Stark and Zenitsu is that one has no dick and the other is a straight up pussy.

One has no dick, one has a pussy
Jan 14, 9:51 AM
#9
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Jan 2022
1222
strikeguysAlist said:
Ripperdoc said:
The difference between Stark and Zenitsu is that one has no dick and the other is a straight up pussy.

One has no dick, one has a pussy

yes yes yes yes yes
Jan 14, 11:36 AM
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Mar 2025
14
There is a guy on yt who made a whole analysis between Stark, Zenitsu, and Usopp from One Piece that’s really good and worth a watch. Channel is pey talks anime
Jan 14, 12:03 PM
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Feb 2021
1340
Zenitsu is 95% screaming and crying, and Stark is 5% screaming and crying, so there is a huge difference.
Jan 14, 12:39 PM
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Nov 2018
326
Zenitsu is an icon. Stark is an nobody NPC Character
Jan 14, 1:29 PM
Febon The Felon

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Oct 2023
347
Stark's character is more realistic in comparison and has depth, unlike Zenitsu who's just a random ass goofball from the Hall of Mediocrity.
Re:Zero is Peak Fiction
Jan 14, 10:45 PM

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May 2017
428
I feel the same way. Stark is way better written and has a much more tolerable personality. Zenitsu is just obnoxious and despite having stopped being cowardly in the final arc, I feel like that development has been way too abrupt and I still dislike him overall.

I'd also like to throw in Usopp from One Piece as a cowardly character that's a middle ground for me. i initially disliked him but with time, I started to grow on him.
Jan 15, 12:56 AM
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May 2023
1
AshsRowlet said:
There is a guy on yt who made a whole analysis between Stark, Zenitsu, and Usopp from One Piece that’s really good and worth a watch. Channel is pey talks anime

yeah I think you are talking about pey talks anime I have seen his video too.
Jan 15, 1:14 AM
Mad scientist

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Aug 2020
262
Stark is a good character, though a coward. Zenitsu is a bad character with one incredibly annoying trope and a bigger coward than Stark.

Also Stark isn't wining and screaming every time he's on screen. Zenitsu is one of the reasons I stopped watching DS, couldn't stand him but Stark I can stand and actually like as a character as well.
Jan 15, 1:23 AM

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Oct 2013
10565
Not gonna lie, comparing Stark to Zenitsu is insulting to Stark. The only thing Stark does worse than Zenitsu, in terms of character traits, is being totally annoying - and that's actually a positive for Stark.

Also, Stark is not necessarily a coward, at least not in the classic way. His cowardice is depicted in a pretty realistic and relatable way. Zenitsu, on the other hand, feels neither realistic nor relatable in any way.
Jan 15, 10:02 AM
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Sep 2022
225
stark alone is better than all of Demon Slayer
Jan 16, 3:04 AM
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Jun 2016
18
AshsRowlet said:
There is a guy on yt who made a whole analysis between Stark, Zenitsu, and Usopp from One Piece that’s really good and worth a watch. Channel is pey talks anime

And that guy is goated
Jan 16, 6:07 PM
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Sep 2021
1
Because they are different, they both start of as reminders of the world they live in, they live in a dangerous, scary damn world, and their fears are justified at first, but Stark grows despite his fear, he kills monsters and starts to learn his strength and that maybe, just maybe, he is superior to his fear. And that even if he is scared and wants to run away, he learns to value himself more and to act when actually necessary instead of running off.
Zenitsu however, keeps being a coward throughout the whole show, he never grows, the only moment we see of him acting despite his fear is when Inosuke tries stabbing Tanjiro's box in the early episodes, and afterwards he goes back to being a coward who can only take action when he is asleep, which is a cop out to character growth.

Theres a fantastic video on this exact topic called
"The difference between afraid and annoying" by the channel "Pey Talks Anime", he makes fantastic analysis videos and his Frieren analysis series is fantastic, highly reccomend watching his vids
Jan 17, 7:49 PM
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Oct 2020
4
frieren stans try not to s**t on other anime.. challenge failed
Jan 19, 8:01 AM
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Dec 2025
4
Ive seen both anime and I can tell you. Zenitsus ONLY character development was Simping 3% less. Stark isnt a coward his reactions to things are perfectly reasonable and honestly relatable:
The only time zenitsu is serious is when he’s asleep which isnt that cool. Stark is one of the strongest characters we’ve seen and takes action. Zenitsu is a piece of shit whom no-one likes. This is insulting to stark
Jan 21, 2:11 PM
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Dec 2025
4
Flick_on said:
Zenitsu is an icon. Stark is an nobody NPC Character

No starks a good character zenitsu pisses of everyone within a five mile radius
Jan 21, 2:24 PM
Japan's defender

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Aug 2017
12508
I like both characters so I'm happy.
BANZAI NIPPON. Nippon is the Land of freedom. Nippon is the Land of Peace. Nippon is the Land of Justice and Prosperity.

In Nippon, we trust.

We love Nippon, we love Anime. Anime love us, Nippon love us. 日本

I believe in freedom of expression.
Jan 21, 2:27 PM

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Sep 2011
34002
Both characters only really share superficial similarities in shows that could not be farther apart stylistically. Stark is absolutly better but thats cause hes in a series thats character focused versus one that more aimed at fun fight sequences where zenitsu personality fits and works with.

Immahnoob said:
Jizzy, I know you have no idea how to argue for shit,

tokiyashiro said:

Jizzy as you would call yourself because youre a dick The most butthurt award goes to you And clearly you havent watched that many shows thats why you cant determine if a show is unique or not Or maybe you're just a child who likes common stuffs where hero saves the day and guys gets all the girls. Sad taste you have there kid you came up to me in the first place making you look more like a kid who got slapped without me even knowing it and start crying about it to me

Jan 23, 5:38 PM
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Dec 2023
29
the difference is stark is afraid but still acts, not a coward. Zenitsu is a coward who only acts subconciously.

stark has the attributes of a hero, he helps people in his spare time, gets along with children and reflects. sometimes he does dumb shit too though 🤣 hes well written, hes a proper character.

Zenitsu has the attributes of a class clown, hes one dimensional and isnt well written hes not a bad character just not that good.

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