Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Review: We Are Not Fairy Tales, We Really Existed

Prairie Grown Reviews is reader-supported. When you purchase something through our links we may earn an affiliate commission.

Where do I even start? Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is an experience like no other. When I first heard about this show, I found out that it was mainly a character driven show. And in most cases, that can either be a hit or a miss. There’s never an in between. If it’s a miss, it’s slow and boring. But if it’s a hit, it’s on another level. I’m happy to report that Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is one of those rare hits, and probably one of my favourite anime of all time.

So where do I start on such a masterpiece? Well, I guess I can first talk about the opening. For Frieren, the opening is sung once again by YOASOBI. And if that name sounds familiar, they are the ones responsible for singing the openings for Gundam: The Witch from Mercury and Oshi no Ko. For this anime, they sung Yusha, or Hero, and this song is a great one. The song is beautiful, and the lyrics resonate perfectly with the show’s themes of memory, time, and loss. It’s more than just a catchy opening; it’s a fitting prelude to the journey that follows.

Opening aside, let’s talk about Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. So the main premise of this story is about Frieren, a mage who was part of the Hero’s Party, which defeated the Demon King and brought peace to the world. Now, in typical shows, the main plot would be the journey to defeat the Demon King, but Frieren takes a different approach. Instead of focusing on that story, Frieren is about the events after this magical journey.

At this point of the story, Frieren is over 1000 years old. To her, her adventure with Himmel the hero, Heiter the priest, and Eisen the dwarf was but a sliver of her whole lifespan. This sets up that interesting perspective. For the other three characters, this was a life changing adventure, but for Frieren, it was just another weekend. What also adds to this disconnect is that Frieren is a very powerful mage, which trivializes the journey. At the end of their journey, they witness a meteor shower that happens every half a century. After that celestial event, the party disbands, but promises to meet once more for the next meteor shower.

The story of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End starts after the party meets together for the last time. After once last adventure to see the meteor shower, Himmel dies of old age. It’s not until Himmel’s funeral, that she realizes that she has lost, and she regrets not learning more about Himmel before his death. All around her, her friends are growing older and dying, but Frieren is still the same as she was half a century later.

I think what makes this story such a fun one to enjoy is that you get to watch Frieren slowly open up to those around her. This story once again follows another journey, where Frieren takes Fern, an orphan that Heiter raised, and Stark, Eisen’s apprentice, to the far north, the place where souls rest. This time, she hopes to understand and honor the friends she has lost.

The biggest strength of this kind of story is that it is 100% focused on the characters and their relationships with each other. In video game terms, essentially the main quest is over, and all we’re doing now are the side quests. When watching the show, you can feel that. These side quests become the focus of the show, immersing us in the day-to-day lives of Frieren and her new companions. Frieren’s slow emotional growth mirrors her long lifespan; it’s a gradual awakening to the preciousness of human life, something she’s only beginning to understand.

Another aspect that this anime excels is how they develop the characters. Frieren’s current journey to the north parallels her adventure with Himmel all those years ago. And now, as they retrace her steps, we get flashbacks to those days. Having both these storylines moving in parallel is a great way to not only build Frieren’s character, but it also enhances and builds the world around them.

Honestly, my favourite part of the story was just learning more about the world of Frieren. With another video game comparison, it almost feels like you rushed through the game a first time, and on a second playthrough, you’re actually taking the time to talk to NPCs or learn more about the lore of the world.

The biggest tell of Frieren’s development has to be her understanding the actions of Himmel all those years ago. As the viewer, we already know how much Himmel loved her and cared for her. And it feels good knowing that Frieren is slowly learning that as well. On that same note, I do love how slow her development feels.

In the context of the world, it makes sense. Frieren is old compared to her companions, and as such, her development should be slower relative to those around her. The fact that learns about the preciousness and limits of human life is already amazing in such a short timeframe.

Besides Frieren herself, Fern and Stark also balance out the dynamic. I think what I enjoyed the most about their dynamic is that all three are pretty much kids in a way. Although Frieren is much older than the other two, she has childlike tendencies. Fern, being a teenaged girl, has her moments where she acts out when things don’t go her way.

She’s experiencing new emotions and doesn’t know how to handle that. Stark, on the other hand, is a coward to the core. And though he has his brave moments, it takes a good amount of effort from himself to be the brave person Eisen knows he is. The main trio is charming in their own ways, and their interactions feel natural.

Although Frieren focuses on its main trio, the side characters add a lot of depth and variety to the story. As new characters join the journey during different arcs, they bring fresh energy and unique perspectives. The supporting cast is surprisingly well-rounded, adding layers to the narrative without feeling like filler.

The final thing I want to mention is the animation, since this an anime after all. And on a quick note, the animation is beautiful and breathtaking. For your typical day-to-day events, it’s smooth and fluid. But once we get to the combat scenes, the gloves are off and Madhouse goes off. The battles feel fierce, and you can feel the impact on some of the spells and attacks. It was amazing to watch, and if they ever continue the anime, I will be sure to watch.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is an unforgettable experience. It’s the kind of anime that stays with you, making you laugh, cry, and reflect. The story embodies that classic wisdom about journeys and destinations, focusing on the little moments and relationships that truly matter. If you’re a fan of character-driven anime or love fantasy stories with emotional depth, this is a must-watch. And for newcomers to anime, Frieren could be the perfect place to start.