For those who are desperately in need of a life-changing story that puts a pep in your step and a tear to your eye, I am delighted to share with you: “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.”
The fantasy anime follows the adventures of an elf over a thousand years old, one of the last of her kind, on her second adventure to the northern lands and the castle of the Demon King. Compellingly, the story takes place after the cliché “happy ever after,” exploring the tale after its supposed end. During the travels with her new party, Frieren tenderly recalls her journey from almost three decades before, grappling with the weight of time as one foot remains in the past while the other continues forward.
Though at first it seems like another slice of life, “Frieren” has more to it than its heartwarming vibes. “Frieren” successfully approaches popular themes of media in such a way that brings an entirely new perspective to the table. Each episode is its own in-depth analysis of the confusing simplicity, and therefore complexity, of humanity.
Its brilliance can be attributed to what I have deduced as the three main aspects, explored below.
Finally, some well-written female characters!
It is no secret that the anime industry is dominated by toxic masculinity, leaving the majority of female characters as one-sided members of the supporting cast that only exist to elevate the male main character. This show not only has a side female character who is more than just an objectified trophy, but one of the most powerful female main characters fiction has seen (and best believe I love how overpowered they both are).
Even though both characters have a romantic subplot, they are never watered down to simply romantic interests. These storylines help build their emotional depth as it pushes them to mature, but never overpowers other aspects of their character.
Fern acts as the deuteragonist of the series, opposing Frieren’s child-like nature with her strict discipline, despite their ages suggesting otherwise. Frieren and Fern are meant to balance each other, highlighting their failings and strengths to make their growth more apparent.
The two girls are rightfully flawed, but wholly enjoyable. Frieren’s nonchalance is broken by her stints of silliness when it comes to collections, and Fern’s seriousness is disrupted by her cute, unconscious mannerisms. They are considered some of the strongest mages in their universe, with unspeakable power and potential, yet they feel incredibly relatable. At the heart of the matter, they are characters that you cannot help but root for.
The exploration of nostalgia and memories
Frieren’s entire journey is meant to honor those whom she had failed to fully appreciate before, along with remembering the memories she experienced with them. Out of all the thematic concepts touched upon in the show, this one sticks out as the culmination of Frieren’s character, learning the real meaning of relationships.
For someone who experiences a lifetime larger than a human’s by tenfold, Frieren fails to consider the significance of human connections, not just out of ignorance but as an unconscious defense mechanism to shield herself from eventual heartbreak. Her detachment from human affairs makes her character development directly tied to understanding her companions, where she failed to do so in the past. Approaching these nuanced themes through the eyes of, essentially, an immortal being creates an even more poignant story.
The anime showcases the legacies of heroes, friends, and teachers, cherished long after death to keep them alive. With the appreciation of the past comes the emphasis on the journey, not the destination. Though it seems cliché, it holds a powerful message to cherish the small matters.
An example of art at its finest
All aspects of craft are perfected in the series, from the music, storyline, and animation. Nothing is more beautiful than watching a show that makes it evident the creators enjoyed making it, and the excessive detail poured into each episode is proof of the power of that passion.
The animation is unique, expressive, and fluid, from fight scenes to heart-to-hearts. The shots throughout the series took my breath away time and time again. (Seriously, during the flower scene, you’ll know it when you see it.) I had to pause and step away for a bit. It masterfully blends space and focus, subtlety and opulence in the cinematography. Combine that with instrumentals that hold tangy hints of medieval influence and a storyline that feels entirely authentic, Frieren, in its mastery, transports you to another world.
It is the pinnacle of what any exemplary artwork should be: transformative and original.
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Every once in a while, you stumble across a piece of art that makes it effectively impossible for one to describe how powerful it is, and this anime is that for me. I encourage everyone to begin watching this touching story, especially as new episodes of season 2 are being released weekly. There is much of the show I could not touch upon, because it holds so many nuances, so to truly experience the masterpiece, I implore all to see it for themselves. I wholeheartedly believe it is one of the best anime out there.
