
The critically acclaimed fantasy anime, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, is back for a second season and continues to be a hit. Originally released in 2023 as an adaptation of Tsukasa Abe’s manga, the show quickly gained international popularity, even surpassing the highly-rated Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on My Anime List. While it’s no longer at the very top of the rankings, some fans debate whether a show truly being surpassed by its own continued success is something to worry about.
The second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End premiered on Crunchyroll on January 16th and is quickly becoming a hit. It’s currently fourth on Crunchyroll’s weekly streaming list (behind Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3), and it’s also breaking records on MyAnimeList. The first season previously topped the MyAnimeList charts with a score of 9.28/10, but the second season has already surpassed that with a 9.31 rating – and only one episode has been released so far! New episodes are available weekly on Crunchyroll.
The anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End picks up after the hero Himmel and his team defeat the Demon King. Frieren, a powerful elf who lives for centuries, must grapple with the fact that her human companions don’t share her long lifespan. As she adjusts to the fleeting nature of human life, she begins a new adventure with Fern, a young apprentice mage. Here’s what the story is about:
After a decade-long battle, the mage Frieren helped defeat the Demon King and bring peace to the kingdom. As an elf who can live for over a thousand years, she promised her companions she’d see them again before embarking on a solo journey. Fifty years later, Frieren returns to find her friends aged and with little time left. She sadly witnesses the death of her friend Himmel, and realizes she wishes she had spent more time getting to know them. Filled with this regret, Frieren sets out on a new journey to connect with others and experience life more fully, encountering many people and adventures along the way.
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ Is a Different Kind of Fantasy Series

Aniplex of America/Netflix
Though it features classic fantasy elements like elves, magic, and dragons, Frieren isn’t just another Lord of the Rings copy. The story takes place in a fantastical world, but offers a completely unique plot. It’s best described as a journey or road trip, following Frieren, Fern, and their companions as they meet interesting and unusual people. Much like a well-crafted Coen Brothers film, all the different pieces of the story come together in a surprisingly satisfying way.
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What truly captivates me about Frieren isn’t just its deeply moving and thoughtful story, but also the incredible action sequences. I was absolutely blown away by Stark’s battle with the red dragon – it’s a real highlight! And the First Class Mage Exam arc near the end of the first season was just as thrilling. Plus, knowing it’s made by Madhouse, you just expect breathtaking animation, and Frieren definitely delivers!

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2026-01-24 23:05