Review of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

This anime is a masterpiece. In every respect, it is majestic and powerful, saturated with beauty and craftsmanship in every regard. An anime like this one is a precious treasure, one that only comes about very rarely, and one that will stay with you for the rest of your life, representing a high watermark of storytelling that will forevermore serve as an example of just what anime can achieve as a medium when everything comes together just right. As of the time of this writing, Frieren is the 200th anime I've watched, and has earned its place as one of the exceedingly few that Ihave given the prestige of a perfect 10. In short, it is a work of absolute genius, in every sense of the word. It is difficult to begin anywhere with a title such as this, when everything about it is so incredible, but I'll begin here with the story. Frieren handles its masterful storytelling in such a uniquely potent way that it lands among the absolute greats, nearly inimitable in its impact and excellence. It is immediately apparent that, this story, about an eccentric elf who has outlived her adventuring party learning more about the human condition by starting another one, feels like a strong return to form in terms of fantasy. It feels classic and timeless, mastering all the pieces that make the famous fantasy epics of the past work so well. It feels hopeful, and adventurous, and exciting, and above all offers up a refreshing take on the defeat of ultimate, objective evil. How Frieren handles the problem of demons is intelligent and all-encompassing, championing the concept of the good and proclaiming without any reservations that the destruction of evil is always righteous. It eschews the played-out modern trope of 'misunderstood demonkind' and 'grey morality', instead championing heroism, strength, and persistence in the face of deception, lies, and uncertainty. This aspect alone would be more than enough to declare the story this anime's strongest aspect, but there is still so much more to it. Beyond its flawless execution of fantasy's most important and timeless themes, it adds unique and engaging aspects that deal with the most profound aspects of the human experience. There were many moments where it moved me to tears. This story takes on so much, and yet deals with all of it with such impressive skill. Be it Frieren's reckoning with her near-immortality in the context of the human relationships which mean so much to her, or Fern's grappling with belonging and what it means to be a mage and practice the craft she loves so much, or Stark's challenges with cowardice and fear when he has so much potential and how his friends bring out the best parts of him as a person and as a warrior, this anime is emotionally intelligent on a level that I have only rarely seen before. This anime understands what it means to be a person, what it means to grow. Even beyond its epic narrative, even beyond its sense of adventure, this story captures so much of the human experience, so much of the soul of man. Even the little things, like helping villagers clean a statue, or telling a story to your friends around the bonfire, or even taking in the sights and sounds of a new place, this anime gets it, and even if this were the only great part about this anime, it would still deserve every ounce of praise that it is getting now. But, indeed, there is so, so much more to say about Frieren.

The art is every bit as impressive as the story, and stands out from its peers with a degree of aesthetic mastery that is rarely seen in a given season. It is colorful, and interesting, and vibrant, and detailed, but beyond all of this, it has vision for the world it portrays. The world of Frieren feels alive and full of history. The architectural styles, which change between regions as they head north, are so carefully imagined, depicted down to the slightest cultural detail, that it's clear this anime was given nothing short of complete and total love during the entire length of its production. On the other hand, the fight scenes are so richly executed that every hit, every blow, feels like it has weight, like it punches through to the screen so that you can feel it in your chest. This is not even to mention that Frieren has one of the richest and most indulgent color palates I've ever seen, and even some of the smoothest and most impressive animation in general. Beyond the fantastic art style, the animation itself is smooth and seamless, animating the finest details like hair physics, eye movements, and light filtering through leaves with a dedication and mastery that will give you chills.

The sound, like everything else in this anime, gets similar praise from me. The soundtrack is soaring and orchestral, with so many layers of emotion and majesty that are rare, not just in anime, but in general. It is suited to every possible moment, from the most jubilant highs, to the most melancholy lows, and even the quiet moments of peace, where nothing in particular is happening. No matter what, this soundtrack wreathes the entire anime in excellence, and is overall one of the best scores in anime. The sounds of life, too, are detailed down to the minutia, from the rustling leaves, to the squelching of mud, and even all the moving parts involved in the grand cacophony of a pitched magical battle. The sound is an honored companion to the art and story, especially when the voice work is considered, which is characteristic, unique, and emotional from start to finish. It even earns its place as one of the few anime for which I prefer the dub, given just how impressively well-cast everybody is in this regard.

The characters, too, are incredible. They feel like they're the ones driving this story, as it is their adventure, and that feels right. I was consistently impressed by this show's characterization, as though I immediately fell in love with our main cast, I was skeptical about every new person added in, especially in the second half, but I was blown away by how this anime manages to make every character, no matter how recent or how secondary, feel complex and interesting, to the point where I found myself invested in them and their stories as well. This is a genuinely impressive feat, and one that should be celebrated by all and emulated by other anime looking to do the same. Of the cast, my favorites are the main adventuring party of Frieren, Fern, and Stark. Their relationship just feels so genuine and familial, and they way they build each other up is both inspiring and moving. Overall, Frieren is an actual masterpiece, a work of art that is on par with the absolute greats of history. I absolutely recommend it, and, going further, will say here that it is a necessary watch for anyone who calls themselves a serious enthusiast of anime. It will become a part of you, and stay with you for the rest of your life. Frieren really is that amazing.