They don’t call Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Anime of the Year for no reason. It lives up to the hype and standards in many ways, especially with the characters. There’s adventure, action, drama, romance and complexities that are woven within the plot, but there’s a catch.
While it is a landmark anime celebrated for animation and characters, it has its fair share of upsides and downsides. It ties in well with the criticism associated with the series that most fans overlook. However, it is the imperfect perfections that make it stand out on the whole, and here’s why.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a visual masterpiece
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End isn’t a mere anime, but a riveting tale of the journey of an elf. It’s compelling, engaging, and gripping in every sense. But it isn’t often that we come across fresh perspectives now, is it? Well, this is exactly what it does, and it most certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
The thing with popular anime is that people overlook it mainly because of the hype. One reason is that most series do not live up to the hype and the aura. Not this one, especially with how Madhouse chalked up their brilliance in animation and much more.
One of the reasons why Kanehito Yamada’s series is well appreciated is the animation. Madhouse as a studio is top-tier in their game, considering their previous roster of works. But there is something so unique and beautiful about the series that lies in each scene.
And that has to do with the layers of each character, especially Frieren. No matter how powerful or fluent she is with magic, she is rather aloof and detached. This does have to do with her being an elf, but it changes throughout the series.
As an elf who has a long lifespan, she takes the fleeting moments for granted. It changes after Himmel and Heiter’s death, where we witness a different side of her. The sunshine and the gifts, as well as small gestures, show how much friendships have impacted her, as @notanerdinsta pointed out.
It would be an understatement to call it a visual masterpiece, considering how well-written the characters are. The rich lore and world-building are commendable as well. The series does lack in one particular aspect, which makes it perfectly imperfect.
The perfect imperfections in Kanehito Yamada’s series
Like most Shonen anime, Frieren has its fair share of flaws and imperfections. In particular, the series is painfully long, mainly in the beginning. It is well-paced, no doubt, but the expanding on each element is something not most weebs are fond of.
We live in an era where people expect a series to be well-paced, fleshed-out, and done seamlessly. But that isn’t how it is supposed to be, especially when it comes to Yamada san’s manga. The lore is what makes it appealing, and it has to be meticulous. Madhouse surely didn’t skimp on that one.
There are fights as well as character growth and development. On the whole, there are also comedic moments that make it wholesome and top-tier. But it is the initial episodes that are the testing point, and it is all about patience with this one.
Overall, the series is offbeat because there’s a serene and calm undertone to it. But that doesn’t discount the stakes involved. There are some well-done battles, but for that, fans need to buck up and stay glued to their seats. By the end of it all, the series is all about faith, hope, and patience.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is available for streaming on Netflix. The manga is available for reading on Viz Media.
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