Frieren: Beyond Journey's End was one of 2023's biggest anime hits, even though it’s quite different from the usual anime that typically becomes a hot topic in the fandom. Or perhaps its success was precisely because it stands out from almost everything anime fans are used to watching.
In any case, the enormous success of Frieren left fans waiting for more, and they were happy when the second season was announced. Still, while Frieren is great, there is another series fans should keep an eye on, and it might still be released this year.
Best Arcs In Frieren: Before Journey's End Manga, Ranked
This Frieren: Beyond Journey's End list of the best Arcs in the Manga will take readers through the best moments in the series.
Frieren Is One of the Best Anime of All Time
Even though the manga is still in serialization, Frieren is considered by many to be a masterpiece. It's usually hard to determine what makes a successful series so good and so effective in making the audience feel connected with the story. That said, when it comes to Frieren, it's impossible not to credit its nostalgic and sad vibes for at least contributing to its success.
We only traveled together for a mere ten years.
— Frieren
While Frieren is still a story about moving forward, it also discusses loss, grief, and all these "bad" feelings that are natural and normal for every human to experience. As the story advances, Frieren herself starts to realize how important Himmel was to her, but not in a way that prevents her from moving forward, and it's hard not to feel connected with such a message. Therefore, while many anime make their way to the top with action and great battles, Frieren shows how simplicity and sensibility can be powerful storytelling tools.
Frieren Season 2 Is Coming Next Year
There's still a lot of information to be revealed about Frieren Season 2, but it has already been announced that the new episodes will be released in January 2026. Additionally, Tomoya Kitagawa is replacing Keiichiro Sato as director. Kitagawa worked on Season 1, writing a few storyboards and directing some episodes (according to MyAnimeList, episodes 2, 8, and 25). Tomohiro Suzuki remains as the head writer.
As the manga progresses, it puts Frieren in new lands where she meets new characters, so those not up to date with the story might be surprised to see a few different things in the next season. The new director might take advantage of these changes to explore a few new things in terms of animation. However, the series will probably keep working to be as faithful as possible to the original story.
Frieren Fans Will Love Witch Hat Atelier
|
Manga title |
Witch Hat Atelier (Tongari Boushi no Atorie) |
|
Serialized since |
July 2016 |
|
Written by |
Kamome Shirahama |
|
Volumes |
14 |
|
Magazine |
Morning Two (Kodansha) |
There is another anime that Frieren fans should look forward to in the near future: Witch Hat Atelier, a fantasy manga that has amassed a large readership, including many who also enjoy reading Frieren. While Witch Hat Atelier usually has some positive vibes and cute characters, it also deals with a few dark themes.
Witch Hat Atelier is a manga written by Kamome Shirahama, in serialization since 2016, with 14 volumes so far. The series revolved around Coco, the daughter of a dressmaker who dreams of one day becoming a witch. However, after meeting a real witch, Coco ends up casting a spell that turns her mother into stone. She then embarks on a journey to learn witchcraft and undo the spell.
When Will the Witch Hat Atelier Anime Be Released?
The Witch Hat Atelier anime is officially set to be released in 2025. However, only a few details have been released so far. Bug Films, the same studio behind Zom 100, will handle the animation. Zom 100 had great animation but lots of production issues, so fans are a bit worried about how the studio will handle Witch Hat Atelier. Ayumu Watanabe (Summer Time Rendering) is in charge of the direction.
Crunchyroll has already announced it will stream the series as it airs in Japan, but since little information has been released, it seems there is a high chance that the series will be postponed to 2026. In fact, there have been alleged leaks claiming that the anime was postponed, but they remain to be officially confirmed.
While the possibility of a delay is disappointing, it might be better for the production to postpone the anime than to try to make it on time at the cost of the health of the staff.
In the US and Canada, Frieren is available to stream on Crunchyroll, subbed and dubbed in English and other languages.
- Release Date
- September 29, 2023
- Network
- Nippon TV, YTV, FBS, Chukyo TV, RNB, FCT, STV, KNB, HTV, YBS, RAB, TVI, YBC, UMK TV Miyazaki, TSB, MMT, TeNY, RNC, NIB, KKT, KTK, NKT, ABS, JRT, Daiichi-TV, FBC, RKC, KYT, KRY
- Directors
- Kento Matsui, Kota Mori, Takahiro Natori, Morio Asaka, Lim Ka-hee, Taku Kimura, Ken Ando, Hirotaka Mori, Ayaka Tsuji
- Writers
- Tomohiro Suzuki
Cast
-
Atsumi TanezakiFrieren (voice) -
Kana IchinoseFern (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is an animated adventure-drama series based on the manga series created by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe. Following her parties' victory against an all-powerful demon king that threatened to destroy their world, Frieren, an elf, attempts to find her place in a new world with an undetermined future fifty years later.
- Seasons
- 2
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Producers
- Naoki Iwasa, Shoichiro Taguchi, Ayuri Taguchi, Yuukou Itou
- Japanese Title
- Sousou no Frieren
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Kanehito Yamada
- Number of Episodes
- 28
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Creator(s)
- Tsukasa Abe, Kanehito Yamada
- Executive Producer(s)
- Katsuhiro Takei, Kazutaka Yamanaka, Atsushi Takahashi, Mikito Bizenjima
