Review of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
WHY THIS STORY IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL STORY IN MAL HISTORY Storytelling through parallelism is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to tell a story. This one does so through flashbacks. I've seen comparisons to Kimi no Tabi. This isn't anything like that. Kimi no Tabi was dull and dredged on for its entire run. It's a vibe type of anime for sure, like Lain. However, this is about growth and reflection. It's about learning from the past to become better, meaning to live in the present and not take it for granted. I don't think Frieren gained masterpiece status with fans because it's thebest story ever told. The anime hasn't even finished telling the full story. I think it gained masterpiece status because it's emblematic of our time, where everyone's overwhelmed and in a rush to be somebody, or do something great, when all the great things are how you choose to interact with what comes, and come what may.
We struggle with that, and seeing a character who was previously shut down you might say, feels relatable. Unravel the past not just to let go but to move on knowing you can cherish what it teaches you in every new moment you inhabit, and that's what makes this show such a hit.