Review of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

Humans are frail creatures. Never escaping their final fate, and yet always clinging to their lives and loved ones when the time comes. Maybe it's the brevity of existence is what makes us so eager to leave something unforgettable in this world. A legacy, whether artistically or scientific, will always be one of the most desired goals of mankind. But why leave a legacy if, after leaving this world, nothing else will matter? Humans are indeed frail creatures, aiming for a goal they won't witness. And still so passionate about it. Sousou no Frieren is a story about humans. About how their names can stillecho through time even centuries after their departure. It's also about an elf’s perspective towards them, an elf who attends by the name of Frieren. Several years before our story takes place, she was part of the legendary Hero's Party, that consisted of Himmel, the hero; Eisen, a dwarf; Heiter, a priest; and Frieren, our main character.

After defeating the Demon King, they part ways and decades pass. For the small elf, it was a short time in her long life; but for the other members of the party, their lives were reaching the final point. After meeting each one of them and witnessing the passage of time (as well as their departures from this world), she takes two youngster apprentices under her guard. Fern, a magus in training, and Stark, a carefree warrior - both adopted by Heiter and Eisen respectively. In her journey to find spells, Frieren learns more about the current world and witness the legacy left by The Hero's Party, with an emphasis in Himmel – who has an statue in his memory. In their brief existence, the impact left by his feats are still remembered.

As a contemplative story, Sousou no Frieren brings the viewer to reflections towards immortality, emotional bonds and the impact of a legacy that echoes through time. The elf, who always took their coleagues' presence for granted, starts to understand the importance such brief living beings had on her. As someone who never tried to reflect upon mortality (something strange to her race concept), she learns about her emotions towards the Party and towards her new coleagues. Not only this, but Frieren also understands more and more about Flamme, her master – who became the biggest magus in the world. A magus that, even withholding outstanding power, had as favorite spell the one that made flowers grow, showing the value Flamme gave to appreciating the small things in life.

As a long awaited show, Sousou no Frieren has a top tier production and a great soundtrack. The opening ”Haru" by Yorushika became one of the best themes I have ever heard, and one of my favorites of 2024 already. It is lively and encapsulates the anime's lore and atmosphere nicely. Madhouse really gave us something memorable. The voice acting was well chosen, with a special mention of mine to Nobuhiko Okamoto - Himmel's seiyuu. Personally, this series was one of the few I looked forward to every week and I am glad that I could witness its transmission. It's a series that should be remembered decades later.

Thank you for reading.