When I first watched Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End , I was instantly captivated. As a lifelong fan of high fantasy, it was impossible not to be swept away by a story that evokes the very best of the genre — though this one begins precisely where most of those stories end. But what happens after the grand adventure, especially when you're an immortal elf for whom a human lifespan passes in the blink of an eye? That’s the initial hook of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End , a series that, with just its first episode, strikes an emotional chord with its characters, even with those who leave us almost immediately. RELATED: Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025: Your Ultimate Guide Adapted from the manga by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, and brought to life by the brilliant team at Madhouse, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End belongs to a rare breed of anime that brush up against perfection. And while that may sound like hyperbole, how else can you describe a story that makes you feel so much across 28 episodes? It's nothing short of a masterpiece and has definitely earned its spot as a nominee for Anime of the Year . What comes to mind when we talk about anime? For some, it’s epic battles. For others, magical worlds and thrilling adventures. Some think of romantic comedies full of misunderstandings, while others prefer heartbreaking dramas. Maybe it's the comfort of a cozy slice-of-life, or maybe it's just a story's unmistakable aesthetic and narrative style. But what happens when a single work manages to encapsulate nearly everything anime and manga can be as a form of artistic expression? Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End begins as a meditation on the value of time and shared experiences, urging us to appreciate those around us. It does this within the familiar frame of a classic fantasy tale reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings as we follow Frieren, a millennia-old elf. RELATED: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and the Beauty of Age At first, the story seems to meander without a clear overarching plot. But in truth, Frieren is on a journey of personal discovery, retracing the steps of her adventure alongside Hero Himmel, Priest Heiter, and Dwarf Warrior Eisen. As I said, the story begins where most of these tales end. Frieren's journey with Himmel, Heiter and Eisen is already over when we meet them with our lead elf not fully realizing what she had until it was gone. RELATED: What Watching Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Showed Me About My Grief The big draw of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is that you get all of these emotional beats in the very first episode. This level of reflection feels like it belongs at the end of the story, but for Frieren, this is just the beginning. Now, Frieren embarks on a new journey with her apprentice Fern, the cowardly (but impossibly strong) Stark and, briefly, the sardonic Priest, Sein. Together, this new group delivers the full gamut of emotion and experiences anime can elicit, picking up where that phenomenal first episode left off. They're all led by the titular Frieren herself, who might be the best representation of this encapsulation of anime archetypes. Despite her years of experience, she’s a clueless girl who can’t dress herself in the morning, yet also a wise mentor and "Frieren the Slayer"— a petite, deadly mage of unimaginable power… who still manages to fall for the same mimic trap over and over again. If Frieren "fails" at anything, it's being the heroine of a romance. She's so emotionally dense that she never even noticed someone professing eternal love to her. But worry not! Our two teenagers have the romantic comedy side of things covered (though Frieren and Himmel, via flashbacks, also have some amusing moments). Fern, with her adorable pouting, and Stark, always oblivious (but somehow aware that he’s probably guilty of something), make for a perfect rom-com duo. And Sein? Well, he speaks for all of us when, in utter frustration, he yells that they should just start dating already! The fact that there's room for this level of comedic charm is a testament to how good Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is. The same anime that left many speechless with its introduction has room for love and mimics. A story with this much substance would be quite the challenge to animate; after all, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is an award-winning manga capable of selling a million copies in just one month . To do it justice, it needed a studio of equal acclaim, and Madhouse stepped up to the challenge. The same studio that gave us Death Note , Hunter x Hunter (2011), the first season of One-Punch Man and Overlord (just to name a few) returned to their peak form with a series that radiates elegance, emotional depth, and exquisite attention to detail. This anime is poetry in motion, and we owe that to the expert direction of Keiichiro Saito ( BOCCHI THE ROCK! ). The script, written by Tomohiro Suzuki ( One-Punch Man ), masterfully balances the manga’s introspective tone with moments of action, while Reiko Nagasawa’s character design and animation direction perfectly capture the manga’s visual identity. All of this is accompanied by an extraordinary score by Evan Call, a soundtrack capable of making you feel everything from the soft morning breeze rustling through the trees to the tension of a life-or-death duel. RELATED: Which Party Member From Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Are You? Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is a team effort through and through, and its animators deserve all the praise. The fluidity of every sequence — be it mundane moments like sewing, elegant ballroom dances, or explosive magical battles — is cinema-worthy. From subtle expressions to jaw-dropping imagery, Madhouse nails it all. This anime marries a profoundly human story with expert, passionate craftsmanship, seamlessly shifting between serenity, hilarious misunderstandings, soul-searching introspection and jaw-dropping action. It’s a masterclass that captures everything that makes anime great. To me, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is one of the closest to perfection in this medium we love so much. Frieren's story will stay with you long after you finish an episode, and that’s why it deserves its spot as an Anime of the Year nominee. And the best part? This journey is far from over.
