The titular character of Frieren is a gifted elf mage who was once a member of a heroic adventuring party that defeated a great evil. The party promises to meet up again in 50 years. That’s just a blink of an eye for Frieren, who doesn’t bother keeping in touch with the rest of her friends. But when she shows up, it’s clear that the rest of them have aged. While they enjoy their little meet up, it ends sadly as the main hero dies the next day.
Even more time passes before Frieren sets out on another adventure, reluctantly taking on a protégé. She treks through places she’s seen before, and comes across villages she once saved, only to find she’s a distant memory now now. It’s something that she’s accepted, having already lived for hundreds of years; no matter how legendary, all heroes fade, even when they insist their greatness will spare them this fate.
That could be a real bummer, but the show emphasizes that just because time is fleeting, that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed. Frieren has outlived all her friends and she will definitely outlive the two young heroes in her current adventuring party. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth getting to know them and enjoying the time she has with them.
That elegiac edge is what makes Frieren so special, but even without the existential overtone, it’s a damn fine fantasy show with interesting world-building and some gorgeous animation. The back half of the first season really dives into the world’s magic system, but in a way that still tied into the overall themes of the show. Frieren was there when humans started using magic, and she’s seen how it has evolved over time. So, showcasing the new generation of mages’ powers juxtaposed with Frieren and her protégé Fern highlights the inevitability of rapid progress.
Nearly a year after I finished the first season, I’m still thinking about Frieren. It’s a show that gets under your skin and really sticks with you, one that uses everything at its disposal to drive home its big ideas.
All episodes of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End are out on Crunchyroll now. New episodes will arrive next January.
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