Danmachi season 5 episode 10: Hestia Familia leads the allied force against Freya Familia as the War Game begins

Danmachi season 5 episode 10, titled War Game, came out on December 12, 2024, on ABEMA Premium in Japan. The episode witnessed Hestia accepting Freya's proposal of a War Game to decide Bell Cranel's fate. To keep the fairness in the War, Hestia was allowed to form an allied force with other Familia in Orario.

Since Freya's actions detested everyone, a majority of Familia joined Hestia in the War Game. Undoubtedly, Danmachi season 5 episode 10 set the stage for the next mini-arc and commenced the War Game between the Hestia Familia-led allied force and the Freya Familia.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Danmachi season 5 episode 10.

Danmachi season 5 episode 10: Hestia Familia accepts Freya's War Game challenge

Freya, as seen in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Picking up the events from the previous episode, Danmachi season 5 episode 10 begins with Goddess Freya declaring a War Game against Hestia. She conditions that if she wins, she will take Bell. On the contrary, if she loses, she'll go back to heaven or do whatever Hestia commands her to.

Hestia disdainfully says Freya has no right to make such a proposal, especially after what she did to everyone in Orario. However, Freya reminds her of her position as a top-ranked Familia in Orario. In other words, at worst, she will incur a penalty.

As long as the Three Great Quests remain incomplete, the Guild won't dare to dissolve Freya Familia. Freya further says that she's willing to wager her status, influence, and Familia to obtain Bell. She adds that Hestia is welcome to form a faction with other Familia in the war; she will fight back with nothing but her own Familia.

Hestia asks Bell's opinion. Just then in Danmachi season 5 episode 10, Bell Cranel tells Freya that they will accept the challenge only under one condition. If he wins, he wants to meet the real Freya. Although the Goddess of Love is taken aback slightly, she accepts his proposal. Hestia then formally takes on the challenge.

Following that, the narrative for Danmachi season 5 episode 10 shifts to Orario, where the news of the War Game spreads like wildfire. According to their conversation, Freya Familia will take on an allied army. Apparently, everyone is upset with the Freya Familia for their Goddess' deeds.

One of them wonders whether Loki Familia is on the allied army's frontline. However, Danmachi season 5 episode 10 reveals the Loki Familia has been officially banned from participating in the War Game. The Guild won't allow a War, where Orario's two strongest Familia are pitted against each other.

Hestia, as seen angry in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

Thus, a Denatus is formed to lay out the showdown's rules, so the allied army has a chance at winning the war. Hestia is seemingly angry because Loki Familia not joining the forces will hurt their cause. However, Takemikazuchi, Hephaestus, and others urge her to calm down and assure her that they won't abandon her.

Following that in Danmachi season 5 episode 10, Hestia asks Loki whether they can borrow Ais Wallenstein's assistance until the War Game starts. However, Loki reveals Ais has been prohibited from aiding Bell and the Hestia Familia.

The narrative for Danmachi season 5 episode 10 changes to a cafe, where Royman from the Guild firmly tells Finn that they can't afford to have Loki and the Freya Familia crush each other in the War Game. However, Finn remains adamant, mentioning how no one in his Familia will be content with the decision.

Royman then hands over the hilt of a broken sword in a crystallized object to Finn and says the Guild will provide information about the area down on the 60th Floor, the Thalia Glacier. However, in exchange, Loki Familia must pull out from the War Game. Finn sighs, as he wonders whether it's another part of Goddess Freya's schemes.

Hedin, who is behind him, snaps at Finn for rudely accusing Goddess Freya. He reveals the Goddess of Beauty proposed the battle with the full intent of defeating every Familia in Orario, including Loki Familia. However, Finn sides with the Hestia Familia. Even though his Familia can't compete in the War, he plans to assist Liliruca with strategies.

Danmachi season 5 episode 10: Bell Cranel ascends a level, the preparations for the War begins

The narrative for Danmachi season 5 episode 10 switches to Hestia's manor. Liliruca, Eina, Haruhime, Mikoto, and even Welf apologize to Bell for not recognizing him. The boy says that he needs their strength more than their apologies since he won't be able to defeat the Freya Familia on his own.

Just then, Goddess Hestia returns from the Denatus and reveals the War Game's details. According to Danmachi season 5 episode 10, the War Game will be a Hide and Seek game. The Gods will hide while the Children will seek them out; whichever side finds the other will win the war.

Hestia arrives with the War Game's rules (Image via J.C.Staff)

Bringing any harm to the Gods is prohibited, but the Children can fight and obstruct each other. Hestia says more information about the war game will be shared in the future. Welf decides to prepare as many Crozzo magic swords as possible since they would need them in the war.

Likewise, Liliruca enters the library and tries to come up with strategies. However, she doesn't know where to start. Just then, Finn appears. The Loki Familia's leader assures Lily that she won't have to worry about the strategy, as he will personally train her as a strategist in an otherwise hopeless battle.

The Tione sisters aid Bell (Image via J.C.Staff)

Elsewhere, the Tione sisters become Bell's training partners to shape him up for the battle. The War Game's preparations begin in full swing, as the allied forces proceed with their plans. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Ganesha Familia won't participate in the War but rather oversee the event to ensure every rule is followed.

Amid the positive vibes in Orario, Hermes feels no matter how much the allied forces bolster their forces, it's pointless without the Loki Familia on their side. It is also revealed that Hermes Familia won't participate in the War. Hermes asks Asfi whether it upsets her.

Hermes in the episode (Image via J.C.Staff)

However, Asfi feels Hermes's decision is wise given the circumstances. Yet, she thinks he won't be able to stop Aishia from participating. The Messenger of Gods says it's not a problem since the Guild Registration lists her as belonging to a fake party.

Meanwhile, Danmachi season 5 episode 10 switches to Hestia's manor, where the Goddess updates Bell's status. She congratulates Bell as the boy ascends to level five. As a result, he acquires a new skill called Vanadis Tevere, which boosts his charm resistance. Besides, Bell's Escape ability has increased in strength, boosting his speed whenever he's being chased.

Hestia informs Bell about his chances (Image via J.C.Staff)

During their conversation, Bell asks Hestia about his chances of victory. Even though Hestia isn't a War Goddess, she feels at his current level, Bell can't defeat Freya's children. Yet, Bell wants to take on the challenge. Elsewhere, Allen enters Freya's room and asks why she decided to keep Ais away from Bell.

Freya says it's because training with Ais could potentially make the boy stronger than he is now. However, deep inside, Freya knows she did it out of jealousy. Downstairs in the hallway, Hogni laments he couldn't train with Bell anymore. Even though he developed an attachment for the boy, Hogni vows to cut him down in the war if he gets the chance.

Freya, as seen jealous (Image via J.C.Staff)

Elsewhere in Danmachi season 5 episode 10, Heith can't fathom why Horn isn't waking up, even though she healed her wounds. She suspects it probably has something to do with Horn keeping the Vana Seith spell on to prevent Syr's identity from being lost.

The narrative then switches to the Hostess of Fertility, where Lunoire and Chloe urge Anya to join them in the War. However, Anya doesn't respond to them, as she lies on the bed, facing back. Anya feels she's powerless to stand up.

Just then, she observes Allen entering the room. Meanwhile, the Amazonian sisters' training helps Bell Cranel to adjust to his new level. Bell earnestly expresses his gratitude to them.

Danmachi season 5 episode 10: The War Game kicks off

Liliruca and the allied army (Image via J.C.Staff)

The day of the War Game finally arrives. The Ganesha Familia hosts the event and informs everyone about the rules. According to Danmachi season 5 episode 10, the allied army will have a territory on the east side of the Orza City ruins, while the west side will belong to the Freya Familia.

Each God will hide somewhere in their respective territory while the children will seek them out. Yet, although the name of the War Game implies it's a Hide and Seek game, the members from opposing Familia can fight and obstruct each other. As such, the game will turn into a battle royale.

The War Game's setting (Image via J.C.Staff)

Moreover, each God will wear a flower. If it gets stolen, the said God's Familia will be disqualified from the game. Danmachi season 5 episode 10 then shifts the focus to Liliruca, who gives a resonating speech to rouse everyone's morale. She later reveals to Bell how Finn helped her come up with the speech.

Meanwhile, Bell wants to talk to Liliruca about something that may happen in the War, which the episode doesn't reveal. Likewise, Cassandra informs Liliruca and Bell about a dream she had. She says the wind will blow in their favor.

Freya, as seen in the War Game (Image via J.C.Staff)

Somewhere on the western side of the ruins, Goddess Freya wears a unique flower on her chest and sits on a throne. She feels the War is the only way left to claim Bell Cranel. Danmachi season 5 episode 10 ends on a fascinating note, as the Ganesha Familia commences the War Game.

Conclusion

Danmachi season 5 episode 10 was a cinematic exposition, focusing on the beginning of the War Game. The highly anticipated episode perfectly captured the essence of Fujino Omori's light novel, highlighting Orario's distress at Freya's actions. The episode saw Orario unite to stand against Freya in the War Game. J.C. Staff did a fabulous job of knitting the fragmented scenes into a coherent episode.