Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is an odd-one-out anime compared to its fantasy anime counterparts. It’s a slog that rewards patience but also offers up a genre-floating, emotionally resonant story. The idea isn’t so simple: Frieren is an elf mage who, with her human companions, has already defeated the Demon King and driven the world to safety. But while her friends age and die, Frieren knows she’ll live to the end. As she reconnects with her former party members in their golden years, Frieren is forced to confront her own detachedness and lack of attachment to them.
A Fresh Perspective
What makes Frieren so special is its perspective. Instead of following the classic hero’s journey formula, it explores what happens after the heroes have finished their quest and settled into normal life. Flashforwards tells how Frieren’s human companion Himmel tried to teach her to value the now and her friends, lessons she apparently didn’t grasp until it was too late.
Now, with new young mages, she adopts as her own, Frieren seeks to find meaning in life and find peace through self-discovery and redemption, working to make more meaningful connections and accepting that life is short. It’s a bittersweet, private tale of regret, purpose, and mortality.
Storytelling That’s Emotionally Intelligent
Frieren has excellent storytelling that builds up to layers of character depth and nuance over time. Frieren herself is an interesting protagonist—experienced and knowledgeable from her long career, but in many ways emotionally immature. Humor and pathos are found in her attempts to grasp human bonds and adjust to new social situations.
Frieren recalls her time with Himmel and their party vividly. The flashbacks portray the Hero’s immense compassion and how his warmth enveloped everyone around him—even Frieren, despite her blindness. Her own attempts today to live up to Himmel’s example give the story a bittersweet note.
Amazing Animation and Artwork
Frieren’s animation and artwork add to the compelling story. The action scenes are fluid and choreographed with care, giving the fantasy battles added weight and impact. But it’s the quieter character moments and environmental details that really shine – subtle facial expressions, clothing, and weathered items, the juxtaposition of light and shadow in darkened taverns. Equally immersive is the sound design, from the flicker of lantern flames to the rushing of running water.
A Mature Fantasy Tale
Frieren is a welcome break from trope-heavy fantasy anime, where characters are mostly one-dimensional and the fan service is tedious. It forgoes cheap titillation and childish humor for a mature, thoughtful exploration of existential themes and human nature.
Ultimately, Frieren is about enjoying what we have and preserving what we have before we lose touch with others. It’s an intelligent and emotional series that deserves watching by fans of more grounded, dark fantasy.
Although its measured pace will test some viewers’ patience, those who follow Frieren’s contemplative journey will be rewarded. With one of the most original and emotionally charged anime experiences of recent years, it’s stylish without being gimmicky. Imaginative without being disconnected from real human realities, it’s a series that you’ll be thinking about long past the credits roll.
