Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Premiere - Why Is This Anime So Good!? - Anime

We’re 3 days away from the Season 2 premiere of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Let’s get caught up on the story so far (no, not the band), this is the backstory for Frieren. Based on the manga by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe: New episodes are days away and, trust me, despite the dragons, untrustworthy opponents, and narcolepsy, YOU SHALL BE SOOTHED!

For the new Frieren acolytes or epic fantasy fans, we start at the end of your typical fantasy adventure. When the legendary Hero Party, Frieren the elf Mage, Himmel the Hero we didn’t deserve, Heiter the Corrupt Preist, and Eisen the Dwarf Warrior (front-liner) just casually defeated the Demon King like it’s Tuesday (oh wait, it is Tuesday), but, instead of rolling credits the story jumps fifty years later when Frieren realizes her friends are varying degrees of mortal. Himmel has gone from kawaii to bearded elder (still cute though), and his death comes at Frieren fast—don’t worry, Himmel lives on in flashbacks. But our girl starts feeling feelings she never knew existed.

The decades might as well have been days for her, but now she’s feeling the passage of time in a different way: Regret.

Making the most of the time she has left with Heiter and Eisen (sometimes after being tricked), Frieren embarks on this beautifully introspective journey to understand what it means to love others in real time. Enter her new squad: Fern, Heiter’s war-orphan apprentice who becomes Frieren’s magical protégé and sister-friend, and Stark, Eisen’s anxious warrior trainee who’s got skills but zero confidence. Together, they serve us the chosen family vibes and emotional growth we’ve been seated for since episode one—while tackling demon armies, self-doubt, and the specters of the past.

The whole first season is basically a journey into the heart of being present in the moment, saying what you really mean, mortality, memory, AND learning how to give others what they need even when you don’t understand why they need it: Because you love them. Ooh, Frieren, the elf maiden you are.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
Episode 1 – “Shall We Go, Then?”

This animation by MADHOUSE Inc. is just so pretty—you can see it in the characters’ eyes. It’s a style and color palette that really suits the tone of the story, with animation that’s a little looser and less sleek, slightly messier than the manga illustrations.

You’re going to enjoy the first episode, but there’s more to talk about thematically than plot-wise. “Shall We Go, Then?” is truly slice-of-life, fishing, foraging, falling, drinking, bathing, misunderstandings, magical crystals, and the recognition of your own value. We’re back on the road with Frieren, Fern, and Stark, and like I said, this is one of the most soothing anime series out there.

It’s a show about regret, but not about wallowing in it. That’s because Frieren didn’t understand the depths of her emotions in her prior life with The Hero Party. She missed out on what it meant to truly love and be loved as a friend and as a lover (poor Himmel).

She won’t make that mistake twice. Fern allows her to be an elder sister while opening herself up to being cared for. Physically, by having her hair styled or sleeping in Fern’s lap. Figuratively, by giving and receiving both gifts and praise. Stark’s self-doubt and lack of confidence allow her to encourage him and demonstratively show he has her trust. Often by sharing stories of her adventures with Himmel, Heiter, Eisen, and other friends she met along the way. Frieren’s new party gives the life she’s living meaning, right now. Her life is endless, but she’s learning it’s too long not to cherish those who will be gone like a flicker of flame.

So yes, she has her regrets about what she didn’t know and the things she didn’t say, but now she’s able to give those things to Fern and Stark. And because of her and their side quest beyond the heroic journey’s end, Fern and Stark learn to give those things to each other, too. This is cozy epic fantasy at its peak.

Y’all, why is this anime so good!?