Forget about dumb isekai and overpowered anime with convoluted power systems, Frieren is the opposite, a calm slow burn slice of life. It's everything you need from a fantasy adventure.
I am editing this review after finishing season 1. It went from being something I really enjoyed to one of my all-time favorites and something I consider a genuine masterpiece. This is a story about looking back by looking forward, about understanding the importance of living in the moment, about the importance of the little moments. Each arc, whether it goes by within a single episode or lasts multiple episodes, is suffused with emotion and impact, with an intentionality that is almost surprising considering how effortless and cozy the show feels. The animation is stunning, especially the visualizations of the magic, and Evan Call's soundtrack is top tier. It has been a privilege to watch Frieren's journey and reflection on her past, obvserving both unfold simultaneously as we learn the way she learns about the importance of small details she originally ignored. Honestly, everyone should watch this beautiful and poignant anime.
Original Review: This is ongoing, but I am really enjoying it. I appreciate how it takes a fantasy setting and the concept of an elf who outlives all her companions to explore how and why relationships between people matter. Using her unique perspective, the story is able to help accentuate humanity from the outside looking in. The side characters also get focus, so we get to see their character growth juxtaposed against the initial companions and Frieren. Sometimes the episodes feel inconsequential or too subdued, but they all have such a gentle and cozy feeling to them that I do not mind.
Fun fact: The names Frieren, Himmel, Stark, Fern, Eisen, Heitel, and Flamme are words taken from the Scandi and Germanic languages (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and German) which represents their character's traits.
E.g., Fri(eren) is loosely translated as "The Free" or "The Frozen" in German, Himmel is "The Sky", Stark (or Stærk) is "The Strong", Flamme is "The Flame", Eisen is "The Iron", Heitel is "The Cheerful", and Fern can be translated as "The Detached" or Remote.
Recommendation : :white_check_mark:
The world-building in this creation is nothing short of breathtaking, with visuals that are a true spectacle for the senses. The voice acting adds a rich layer of depth, bringing characters to life in a way that is truly remarkable. The atmosphere envelops you, the animations are seamless, and the soundtrack is nothing less than awe-inspiring. It's a comprehensive feast for the eyes and ears, a testament to the power of visual and auditory storytelling.
Extra : :heart:
The anime landscape in the West has been forever changed with the arrival of "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End", which has soared to unprecedented heights, becoming the highest-rated anime of all time. This masterpiece has eclipsed longstanding favorites like "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "Attack on Titan".
Amazing show so far, it's from a pov of an elf, a pleasant twist on the usual formula & great animation
Even though only the first half of the first season has been released, this has been such a masterpiece in animation. The slice-of-life story is so well told along with some very well-animated action scenes. This, coupled with the themes of time and treasuring relationships truly makes this one of the best anime shows I've ever watched.
Never thought I'd like this show as much as I do
What an absolute Delight to show was. It had everything you want, and so peaceful at the same time
Show and season 1 rated a 8.7
Easily one of the best anime this season.
Frieren is a veritable ode to travel and the passing of time.
From the very first episode, the quality of the writing, music, characterization, drawing and animation is breathtaking. And fortunately for us, it continues and intensifies right to the end.
What moves me most about this anime is the theme it tackles, the passage of time. For an elf who lives for millennia, the few hundred years of her companions are just a fragment of the life she will have. So it's natural for her not to get too attached to anyone, since from her point of view, they'll grow old and die too quickly anyway.
The reason this resonates with me is that it reminds us of the importance of living life to the full and, above all, that even if we only know someone for a few weeks or a month, the moments we share with that person will add to our life story, however short it may be.
For me, Fieren now stands alongside with Mushoku Tensei and Re:Zero, all three of which are fantasy anime with very human themes.
I recommend this anime to anyone who wants to travel through time with Frieren.
Shout by NoahBlockedParent2023-12-01T01:07:31Z
This Anime is just like watching a beautiful poem unfold and progress. Reminds me a great deal of the famous works of Miyazaki.