The Anime That REVIVED An Entire Dying Genre

[@ReoRayearth27]

What’s so bittersweet about this show is that Himmel, knowing he was a finite human in love with an elf who would long outlive him, commissioned statues of himself and the party everywhere they went so she wouldn’t feel lonely after their passing.

[@followthewhiterabbit884]

He was in love with her? I am at epsidoe 7 and I am not sure If it's romantic love or the love between real friends.

[@blablubb4553]

@@followthewhiterabbit884 Nope, nothing romantic ever hinted at in the show. Just a deep friendship at best. Also not likely to be romantic, because Frieren herself states about elves in their world that they do not really have an urge to reproduce (aka have sex) or form romantic relationships, which is why her species is slowly dying out after being decimated during the demon wars.

[@goodboi1725]

@blablubb4553 gonna have to burst ur bubble, its a manga spoiler. They make it abundantly clear that Himmel had feelings for her, though the fact that she first encountered him when he was a child would’ve ruined his chances anyway, let alone being human with his short lifespan.

[@followthewhiterabbit884]

Maybe Himmel loved her, but Frieren didn't? It sounds like that's the case. I assume when you live as long as Frieren it would be too hard to have a romantic bond with someone who lives just 80 or 90 years. And he wouldn't be a suitable partner for the first 20 years. The elves die out, but I am curious If they could make children who are half elves and half human. It's so strange to hear all this german words as the names of people and places. I don't know If you two speak german, but nobody there has a normal name. I am very curious how the mangaka decided the names. For example: Himmel = Sky Eisen = Iron Fern = Far away

[@goodboi1725]

@@followthewhiterabbit884 learning the meaning of these names and how they translate into each character's personalities is great. I love Himmel's just bc it reflects on his heroic attitude, his ambition, the legacy he gives for others to follow, and goofy ego. For Frieren in relation to her relationships, if elves don't even have the drive to reproduce with each other, it makes sense they'd suck in romance in general. They already have to live with the reality that they will outlive many of their companions, afterall.

[@Niel_albatrozz]

I dont view Freiren as depressing but rather bittersweet

[@chetzek3237]

agreed

[@lucyheartfilia8600]

If you want something depressing, watch To Your Eternity

[@dropchat5935]

​@@lucyheartfilia8600I watched the first episode thinking the mc was cute. Finished the whole season 1 bawling my eyes out.

[@UmActshuwally]

Platinum End's ending really gave me depression. They did everything just for nothing. Spoilers Only thing that lasted after the death of God and the disappearance of life were the creators of God, who longed for death.

[@faieziabubakar207]

Agree..she is reminiscing her memories while also moving forward

[@shozzu]

I cried not because it's "depressing" I cried because of how beautiful the moments are

[@Matthew-fjop127]

Real

[@blyatt]

I cried for the same reason. Definitely doesn’t make you a b*tch to tear up at something so touching.

[@Matthew-fjop127]

Chad comment

[@1Neck913]

@@blyatt FR I WATCHED IT TOO

[@pickolas5664]

I mean PERSONALLY im not a little bitch soooo…

[@itsmeazzy4488]

When I heard Frieren was getting an anime adaptation, my heart dropped. Not because of excitement but because I was scared. Frieren has been my favourite manga series of ALL TIME. I was scared that it would be HATED by the community. But to see the series I love reading being loved by many, made me feel so happy

[@JoseNunez-h9b]

Cap 🧢

[@ExtrangHero]

Where to you read it? Can you spill the sauce please :)

[@mdraj5655]

We should thank studio madhouse for that. Last time they were this passionate about a series was OPM S1

[@Thiccness_Is_Delicious]

​@@ExtrangHerodon't pirate it buy the volumes support good work thus we get more of if 😊

[@Lynn.-_-.]

​​@@ExtrangHero Amazon? Bookwalker?

[@chillout7984]

Frieren's animation style and (sometimes) storytelling gives Violet's Evergarden vibes. But while Violet's story is very emotianal and dramatic, Frieren's is very calm and somewhat... nostalgic I guess. Absolutely love this anime!

[@darylmcnaughton748]

Eyyy im not the only one that felt that.

[@bread6052]

Might be because there may be some staff also working on Frieren. The staff roster is packed with insane names like the composer. Evan Call made the music for both Violet Evergarden and Frieren

[@KevinWarburton-tv2iy]

I mostly loved the art style in Frieren except I think they did Eisen dirty. He looks like Cousin It from the Addams Family LOL

[@unromanoarecareanaveragero8275]

I initially thought about that too, but after watching both animes I completely disagree. The only thing these two anime might have in common is that fact that the main characters go on a journey to understand human emotions, and also their suitcases, but that’s about it.

[@jonmichaelgalindo]

Violet Evergarden and Frieren are on the official list of "Anime That Will Impress Your Girlfriend", which is, of course, of utmost importance to every anime fan.

[@CrimsonCharan]

Well, therein lies the problem... Most anime fans don't have girlfriends. Yes, I'm counting myself among them, but honestly? I don't really mind not having one.

[@jonmichaelgalindo]

@@CrimsonCharan Well, contentment is a virtue, but...

[@jag3444]

bro thinks anime fans have gfs

[@salimpradhan3248]

@@jag3444 lol. I am here thinking of my anime waifu

[@IAMDEMIURGE]

​@@jag3444 i have a gf ☺️☺️

[@tox_anituber]

This anime is honestly such a breath of fresh air. Most fantasy shows out now are trashy isekai.

[@ReidoFutebol98]

so true

[@whosdkk]

ngl i like shitty isekai

[@Tokkidance]

I like trashy isekai though, but I also loooove Freiren

[@LacalosXnone]

Trashy HAREM isekai. I really don't know why most of isekai , good or bad, Will head to Harem way. some of them is good until they introduce harem vibe. this is really annoy me.

[@gtc239]

​@@LacalosXnoneI also don't get their tendency to purchase slaves... Like god damnit what the heck.

[@TheKueiJin]

Considering how long ago Frieren met her master, as well as how much she aged, 10 years would mean a weekend for her, at best.

[@TheKueiJin]

And speaking of imagine how it would be... Met some folks for a weekend and had... something with them, something worth cherishing. But couldn't exactly put it into words so i spent the week afterwards trying to sort my feelings. Only... it's not a week... is it? It's been a lifetime for them, and I just... needed to think! How would I have known that it was such a long time for them?! How am I supposed to work through this in such a short span of time so i can show you that it did mean a lot to me? And the show proceeds to show us, through Frieren, a method of working through the finer points in life. How much something very little, very fragile, and extremely furtive, can be the event that forever changed your life.

[@Martinez-sn5qf]

Frieren is 1000 years old at the very least, so that 10 year adventure is the equivalent of two weeks.

[@TheKueiJin]

@@Martinez-sn5qf why would you say that? The way she met her master suggests it's been far more than a millenia from then to the present... Also the joke about her being more than 20,000 years old xD ?

[@wor2xfs250]

​@@Martinez-sn5qfA summer escapade, poetic no?

[@Shellseawing]

@@TheKueiJin in the newest episodes it confirms she's older than a thousand. But that's only since she began her training as a mage. I'd say she's at least 2000 by now

[@dukai7880]

In one of my psychology classes during uni I learned to "add life to years, not years to life". And I think that this anime embodies this phrase pretty much. To value the moment and the time spent. It is not so important to live long, If you have a valuable life, an exciting and one you can look back, then that has far more weight than any meaninglees doing-nothing-days. And this often reflects in your memories: Time flies by during a trip with your friends but are more memorable than a weekend doing nothing special and it passing much slower but in the end you don't really remember what you did after.

[@rika8285]

i agree with what you said. thank you! ill keep that in mind :")

[@dj_koen1265]

well said

[@ouromov2895]

It's so well paced and told. It's slow pace done in the right way and observes the story from such a new angle. Not just telling us "Oh I've lived for blabla bla years and have to seen my friends die" it SHOWS you this.

[@uwuvomoh7314]

I watched BJE on YT and someone said "This show made me realize on why our dogs are so excited to see us after a long day of work/school. Maybe our concept of time flows different from theirs, maybe they've known us more than we know them, and maybe the time we've spent with them was not really as short as we thought it was. We may not have pointy ears, but we sure are elves for our beloved pets." and I couldn't recover ever since.

[@LilyUnicorn]

Leaves dog alone in a house all day*. *is shocked that it is excited when someone comes by.

[@soonersciencenerd383]

i love elves.

[@FOOTEAH]

fucking crying

[@WhiteWolfos]

My cats throw a meowstrorm whenever I leave over 5 minutes.

[@Alagachak]

"For generations, he has guarded over my family. Since the days of my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather he has kept us safe. For so long we thought him immortal. But now I see differently, for just as my fur grows gray and my joints grow stiff, so too do his. He did not take in my children, but gave them away to his. I will be the last that he cares for. My only hope is that I am able to last until his final moments. The death of one of his kind is so rare. The ending of a life so long is such a tragedy. He has seen so much, he knows so much. I know he takes comfort in my presence. I only wish that I will be able to give him this comfort until the end.”

[@kotarojujo2737]

It's rare for any fantasy media to touch topics about elves' immortality, existential crises, and their views on death. I think only Tolkien did that. Most fantasies or isekais only depict elves as just another long lived immortal beings with pointy ears, and that's about it. So its really fresh in the air that this anime kinda touch that topics.

[@danielgwynne7266]

You just haven’t read enough western fantasy then since it’s done quite a bit there though the best example of it I have seen done ever is in malazan book of the fallen with the tiste andii who are a slight variation on elves. The best fantasy story ever btw

[@danielgwynne7266]

Best story ever I mean

[@lijhay2889]

​@@danielgwynne7266 I don't know what kind of "western" fantasy you're talking about if it's a story made in the "west" or a fantasy manga that's based in the west... you know, the medieval era ones. I've read quite a lot of isekai and just pure fantasy manga but I don't remember anything about elves' immortality being discussed and some of them made elves' lifespan around 750 years to 5000. BTW I'll read the recommendation you gave since it looks interesting

[@danielgwynne7266]

@@lijhay2889 western fantasy is just fantasy novels made in the west like, wheel of time, asoiaf, book of the new sun, second apocalypse, the first law, sword of kaigen, cradle and a lot more

[@whitewall2253]

@@danielgwynne7266 Everyone has to read Elric of melnibone, Its unrelated to the topic at hand beyond being western fantasy but still.

[@sarethdarva]

In a medium dominated by youth and youthfulness it’s a breath of fresh air to have a protagonist who is-despite her appearance-much closer mentally to middle aged or even senior adult, facing the issues that older people have (seeing one’s friends and family gradually passing, retracing memories and seeking to honor them). I get the feeling people will appreciate this show over time, once you have treasured but increasingly long ago memories. It’s also refreshing that it doesn’t dwell too much on regret or wallowing in nostalgia, but is about how Frieren continues to move forward with her new party while teaching them and honoring her old comrades. And her age and experience lead her to be calm, disciplined, and knowledgeable about many dangerous and difficult situations (which is what we are seeing in the current arc). You can actually see why she was part of a world-saving party-she’s extremely competent and mature. The emotional tenor of this show is so rare and so welcome in anime.

[@summerycast7936]

Yes though I also find her adorable with how she troubles her companions with something as simple as getting up in the morning. That and betting on a .1% chance of a mimic chest not being a mimic. Never too old to be child-like from time to time.

[@maggie5126]

The most heartbreaking part of Frieren is the way they portray love. While it’s not a conscious thing for her, every moment she makes a choice that Himmel would make, it feels like love. Romantic or not, I really believe that Frieren loves Himmel. She sees him in so many things, and frequently deviates from her norm to push into understanding him. So often the things she’s imitating were Himmel loving others (or even the world) and by doing it she’s slowly showing that love herself even without understanding it fully.

[@LionOfGondor]

As a dnd player this show hit me way hard. That first episode brought up ideas of what my past characters are doing, how they are and where in life are their friends. It had me think of my first character an elf who had humans and a dwarf as friends, similar to Frieren. Seeing the elf recognize the shortness of human life hit me and had me think of all my friends and began to just cry for a while week. LOVE THIS SHOW

[@coolmanidk]

what you think Your Characters Is doing now..... sorry just askin😅

[@LionOfGondor]

@@coolmanidk he got close with an angel who helped our party in the big battle and they went off sent to another world, we said modern earth and now he’s working at a cafe, is roommates with that angel and is hopeful he can go back to his world at some point

[@coolmanidk]

@@LionOfGondor huh Thats... Pretty wholesome actually.

[@coolmanidk]

Also damn pretty cool you Get to play Dnd Cuz In my place no one even know what Is it

[@UNKNOWN12714]

I feel like the anime showed the passing of time really well actually, and the story feels so smooth and "easy" to watch. Really well written story imo

[@keiichimorisato98]

The manga does it really well as well with the simple act of the reader physically turning a page, you experience what Frieren experi3nces when it comes to the passage of time.

[@sugoish9461]

I even managed to get my senior dad - who has never once had any interest in anime or any shows I've watched (he's actually never sat down to watch an episode of a show together longer than a 10min video once or twice, in my life) - to watch the first episode, and his first question after it was over was what the time was (if we had time to watch another episode)!! It's just so beautiful, and I'm so so so happy that he liked it so much, and I hope I can find time soon for watching the 2nd episode too :D

[@khamsin5218]

update us pls @@sugoish9461

[@lijhay2889]

@@sugoish9461 What a sweet father - son(daughter maybe?) bonding time I'm kinda jealous since my dad left us and I just don't like being close to my mom(for personal reasons)

[@guaiyaxs8570]

That part where Freiren pops out of no where and tells Eisen "hey im here to hang out".. like she only saw him last week but in fact the last time they saw each other was 30 years ago.. she doesn't understand time, she's an elf which makes her age slower and she's so MELLOW AND CHILLED!! If you haven't watch, please go watch, the animation style is breath taking 😊

[@MessengerOfMonolith]

What makes it even better was she used "asobi" or something like that in Japanese

[@fatitankeris6327]

​@@MessengerOfMonolithPlay, but meaning hang out.

[@Korvi-Kun]

For me, footsteps, wind, and other ambient noises amazed me. I had never seen any studio put so much work into details like these, which aren't obvious until something decent, like Frieren, comes up and shows you what actual quality audio design sounds like.

[@keiichimorisato98]

Check out the anime Monster, it's also a Madhouse production. The audio design is top notch and super immersive.

[@iandiangelo]

I really though it was raining outside then I realised it was just the waves noises on the anime.

[@superplaylists1616]

Yes, I love it when anime go all out on sound effect. The feet tapping the wood or horses galloping is very pleasing, almost asmr-like. It can feel sooo satisfying and elevates the viewing experience.

[@namo2403]

Unironically thats why i don't watch shows involving actors as often as i did in the past anymore since its kind of odd how "quiet" those shows are. Background soundtrack, onomatopoeia, wind, anime characters stepping on grass and twigs, breathing .etc i feel that since anime is well... animated and not recorded unlike tv shows, alot of tv shows feels like they have the actors record it and thats what you are shown unlike anime where they have their vfx team staring at a silent video and manually adding in every sound effect you hear in each and every scene

[@Edelgard-and-Claude-simp]

Near ufotable quality

[@Mistyswirl]

"hardly anything bad happens" also "but i've only watched 4 episodes so far" me: "huhuhu"

[@dareka9425]

I initially avoided Frieren because I thought it'll just be about an elf walking around through her long life. When I finally gave it a watch...I was blown away by it. I've watched a number of similarly-themed anime like Kino's Adventure and Girl's Final Tour but I ended up giving up part way because they were far too long. Frieren on the other hand gets right into the feels and keeps twisting it with every episode. And it helps that the characters are so interesting. Frieren may be the main character and yet Himmel is the one who drives her story forward. He was portrayed to be very vain due to the statues he commissioned in every place that they saved. And yet...they turned out to be memory points for the future and probably for a dear friend who will outlive him.

[@spiceforspice3461]

Both of those anime are like 13 episodes how were they too long?

[@user-lv8dn8gw9z]

​@spiceforspice3461 depends on how engaging a story is 1 episode can feel like 2 if the story is boring but 1 episode can also feel like 5 minutes if the story has you engaged

[@Darkgnome]

As an over 40 years old, I guess I, kind'o, understand this anime better. The older you get, the more regret you will have for not knowing some people more. Who were more important for you than you realise. Not spending more time with them, how much you will miss them and there is no turning back. I don't live thousands of years but feel the soul crushing drama of the anime. The older the audiance, the deeper these feelings will be.

[@pongangelo2048]

If you're gonna watch more anime, I suggest Studio Ghibli's movies.

[@justawanderingsoul8643]

Yeah, I get that. I'm only 27, but I lost my grandpa last year and my grandma's dementia shut her down years ago. All the days I could've spent at their house, all the places we could've gone, all the things we could've done, it's all impossible now. Huh, I guess I'm kinda like frieren that way.

[@casbb]

I'm 27 next week but I think I would've related to this anime even a few years back. As long as you are able to empathize or at least have came across similar experience be it in real life or through consuming such kind of entertainment media I think you'd get the message. Heck, we the current young pros grew up watching Ghibli movies as children and we loved them. What more can a first-hand experience do to someone, I'm sure it stirs you up and take you on quite a journey in the memory lane.

[@KennethArriola]

I'm turning 45 this year, and maybe age does play a role in my being so emotionally attached to this anime. This is so heartbreakingly beautiful.

[@maryam.m]

The way you described this anime sounds exactly like my experience of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Calm, ambient, wistful, and a bit sad. I'm looking forward to watching Frieran sometime :)

[@astronomicalidiot7442]

as someone whos fav game is botw you git it down to a t

[@GwenP00L3]

Exactly. Nostalgia

[@RealFakeBox]

Until you hear piano

[@plipplop728]

Whoa, that is surprisingly close description.

[@spring6066]

Exactly! One of the reason i love both of these media so much

[@harrgoth5792]

One of the small details that I've always enjoyed from this series is how every location/time card whatever you wanna call it dictates how many years since the hero's death. Basically cementing how much his death affected her.

[@kahogod]

I lost few of my friends because of Covid-19, i still cherished their memories in my mind & my Birthday. and this story is really warm my heart.

[@NickGamer20050]

4:00 is one of the most relatable things I've heard so far

[@simple__sigma3287]

Fr

[@reezwave]

It really is mind-blowing that we get Mushoku Tensei this Summer, Frieren this Fall, Delicious in Dungeon in Winter 2024, and then back again with Mushoku Tensei 2nd cour in Spring 2024. A year-long full of Fantasy Greatness😌🍷

[@Gecko3456]

MT is hot garbage don't even compare this disgusting shit to Frieren and delicious in dungeon.

[@SagaEf]

*REJOICE, FRIEREN IS A 28 EPISODE CONTINUOUS 6 MONTH AIRING*

[@Dragonstorm35]

Don’t forget tensura in spring

[@LacalosXnone]

Delicious in Dungeon in the same time of Frieren? My life is now complete.

[@luizhenriquemurbackwiedmer7669]

There is also Mahoutsukai no Yome

[@rynnziolkowski4642]

This anime absolutely makes me cry and I am not one bit ashamed about it. I demand to be isekaid to that world so I can give that girl a damn hug

[@tranquilclaws8470]

And then one day you too will pass, and she will remember you for it.

[@rynnziolkowski4642]

@@tranquilclaws8470 I intend to consume a GMA bomb to transcend the system and become a goddess

[@pierrotzzz]

"Corrupt priest"

[@Iluvatar196]

​@@tranquilclaws8470and you'll be just another bittersweet memory for Frieren, reminding her that she will always outlive her friend and acquaintances.... Fuck me, that's why I dont get characters in fiction wanting immortality

[@dandywaysofliving]

​@@Iluvatar196losing what's lost but keeping yourself is the path they followed. It brings up the concept of acceptance and change if u can ignore the warped being trying to achieve said goal. It'd be crazy to see a part 2 that takes place near her death Saying that even those who outlive come to pass I'd say more but I'm being lazy dx

[@thegreywanderer8427]

This anime also isn't just about the tragedy of long lived fantasy elves, but it can be also seen as an allegory of the pain of the long lived widowers(mostly women) who often have to spend even entire decades alone after their life partner dies. One of my own grandmothers has now lived more years alone than she got to spend married to her loving husband and father of their four children(of which she has had to bury one already and the second one soon as well). But that was her adventure of a lifetime, without which none of us nine grandkids(and all her grandgrandkids) of hers would be here. The demon lord each of us have to defeat is the absence of love, as love creates the future through our descendants.

[@renren2740]

You mentioned about widower reminds me of the manga Ch 30. And it mad me in pain again ❤😢

[@Luxembourgish]

Makes me think of the first friend groups I made in an MMO as a child, then never saw them again and can only look back to cherish the memories.

[@yuuto7225]

This is actually my first time seeing an anime where characters seems to have actual emotions... Idrk, this anime have something else in it. ❤

[@blackman7186]

You are such an excellent writer yourself, i just wanted to get that out on the table. I love how you write the scripts of these scripts, so humorous, so serious, so emotional, so unique.

[@karu]

hey thanks so much :) i really appreciate it

[@ade1174]

I am very happy to see a fantasy world without someone being reincarnated into it, and Frieren pulls it off masterfully. I feel like I'm looking at paintings with how detailed some of the backgrounds are. Plus, the music adds to the ambience. It isn't overly grand and makes the little daily moments of the show feel like just that.

[@chaous2000]

Right??? Im so tired of most fantasy anime being isekai. Like, wth cant we just have a fantasy anime set in that world without the reincarnation or teleportation schtick. There has been a couple the last couple years, but not NEARLY enough.

[@jakob3044]

@@chaous2000 I wouldn't say most fantasy anime are isekai. I assume you are specifically talking about a medieval fantasy setting, in which case I don't expect that to change within anime anytime soon. It's easier to write, easier to understand as a reader, easier to pitch to an audience, and to a producer. Maybe it's not trendy anymore, but since most series are adaptations the original works need to have been out for a while to garner such attention, and I haven't heard of any new stand-outs among that specific subgroup as of late.

[@chaous2000]

@@jakob3044 No, that isn't what i meant at all. Isekai is specifically when the MC is either reincarnated or teleported to a new planet (moving forwards or backwards in time *on the same planet* doesnt count as isekai), regardless of the setting. What i've been tired of seeing is almost all fantasy in the last decade *being* isekai. We get almost no pure fantasy anime nowadays free from the isekai branding. And no, the fantasy setting doesn't matter to me as fantasy is fantasy. Next time before assuming incorrectly, ask for clarification.

[@cisuminocisumino3250]

​​​​​@@chaous2000Most Fantasy anime is not isekai. Animated fantasies in the last decade included isekai but they were not mostly isekai either. The best thing to do is to skip the isekai genre and focus on fantasy alone.

[@chaous2000]

​@@cisuminocisumino3250 Id be willing to bet if i went back and checked every fantasy anime in the last decade, more than half would be isekai. It isnt that i dont like isekai, it just has been way overdone and polluted with absolute *garbage* isekai. Pure fantasy anime, like frieren, are way too far and few between the Isekai.

[@DZ_biensucre_ausucre]

i like telling my friends how traumatasing frieren is so they spend the whole show waiting for something bad to happen

[@xamerukyoyo593]

I find your genius terrifying, but at the same time you blessed them a beautiful show

[@boaofdeath]

Whoa hold on there Satan.

[@Nameless_shr1mp]

Evil, evil man you are

[@TheInfernalLuminary]

I cried, even on the most recent episode in fact. The show hits close to home with me even though I'm only 20, I always think about how I will outlive my parents and my grandparents and even my older siblings or friends. Then I think about how I will die before my younger friends and family, which adds another layer of anxiety and dread. A lot of people talk about how the show expresses the value of making good with the time we have in our lives, but it also brings the subject of existential dread and how easily one can suddenly cease living, that in particular, really hits home. I agree with everything else you said, it is a beautiful work of art, reminicent of a nostalgic painting or story you would hear before bed. I do understand that my point of view is specific to me and I am not trying to judge anyone for not crying, rather, I am trying to express that there are lots of potential reasons why many would find it to be emotional enough to cry over.

[@harueko]

Nice use of "Lover's Oath" at 3:22

[@tamago6836]

Fr i wasn't expecting to hear it lmao

[@Asmaa_deine_sama]

I know.. I love this melody so much~! Genshin really cooked😂❤

[@timt7330]

I've been reading the manga and watching this Anime. I truly enjoy a good "Dungeons and Dragons-type fantasy" anime without including "video game logic/rules" to tell a story I love how this story is told, in part, as a journey of reflection, but at the same time, including new adventurers.

[@Twoseconds001]

Frieren gave me hope in life the writing is just too wholesome

[@realdragon]

What writing? There's barely any writing in it

[@Twoseconds001]

@@realdragon are you talking to me?

[@realdragon]

@@Twoseconds001 Are there other people under your comment that I'm not seeing?

[@handlerone5172]

If Isekai wasn't so popular, especially in Japan, we'd see less of them and more of this. The power fantasy of leaving a mundane world into a brand-new, exciting one, having magical powers, and being surrounded by powerful men and women that are all attractive is exactly what an anime-loving teen would want (target audience of anime btw). Reincarnated as a Slime I think is the best example of such a power fantasy.

[@DrEgonCholakian]

Isekai's 9/10 read like a sh*tty self insert uplift fanfic. Which I guess that makes sense due to most of them originating from a internet forum.

[@nick11crafter]

​@@DrEgonCholakian Yea thats exactly what they are for, they are the literal embodiment of "my life is too boring" put to film. Its all self insert, depth-free characters because thats the point. The same way Master Chief from Halo was literally made to be a self insert for the player by having no backstory or depth of his own. It actually makes way more sense that this is a dominant genre in Japan where issues like depression and lack of purpose in ones life, or general monotony are standard aspects of life.

[@cisuminocisumino3250]

​​@@DrEgonCholakianit's okay to not to like power fantasies but it's a bit hypocritical to use "self insertion," as an argument. most authors self insert themselves in their characters regardless of the genre, so that's a bad argument from the start.

[@DrEgonCholakian]

@@cisuminocisumino3250 Dude a majority of Isekai's do play out in a similar fashion to someones crappy self insert uplift fanfiction. That sort of story is extremely prevalent on internet forums too, Which just so happens to be where most of these stories originate from.

[@cisuminocisumino3250]

@@DrEgonCholakian I get what you're saying, I just don't see why it's a problem given the fact that most stories contain self inserts. I'm not sure why self-inserts become a problem when it's a power fantasy. For example, when Kishimito wrote Naruto, he created Naruto as a reflection of himself, Naruto was what kishimito wanted his childhood self to be in terms of "Never giving" up in life, cause in real life he always gave up easy. Writing in many cases is an expression of the authors dreams, inspirations and inner most desires.

[@SmashTheAdam]

this show and maquia gave me the same feelings, an immortal character eventually outliving everyone they know and love (i know frieren isn't immortal but you get my point) , and it still hurts just as much as maquia, just the idea alone of knowing someone and having to see them slowly but surely dying for all eternity (or at least a very long time in frieren's case) is really painful. seriously though, if you haven't watched Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms then go watch it right now, it's an absolutly beautiful movie, and probably my favorite anime movie ever, yes even better than your name in my opinion

[@seeuonshchekavytsia]

Okay wow. This definitely goes to my after-exam watchlist. It kinda reminded me of Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash with the vibe. They both explore the theme of appreciating your time together with other people. But Frieren feels more about the past and the melancholy of a long life, and Grimgar is about living here and now even through mundane things because as a human you don't have long to live and explore. So yeah definitely watching it :)

[@dangerlovesong6932]

I love this show for this season it's like maquia combined with wandering witch anime it didn't bring me to tears but a heavy heart carries on even after an episode ❤

[@timothymutuma1249]

I watch mainly slice of life and iyashikei. You should give more of them a chance, shonen is such a small part of anime.

[@kitokity]

Bittersweet is a good term to use. I've reached the age now that I've had a few friends and classmates pass away, so I can relate to this anime at a gut level. (yeah, a 64yr old anime watcher, sue me) I get the whole retracing your old times thing, and I get the whole "You can never go home again" thing. This anime really resonates with me for that reason.

[@pohylious]

haha old geezer

[@rootintootinputin5898]

7:27 Love the piece of music 'The Voice In My Heart' from Violet Evergarden, both this an Frieren are comparably good and are both favourites of mine. I also love that Evan Call did the music for both series

[@Coulastreded]

Frieren may not have much action but that episode where they fight the frieren clone..... Just the way they walk up to each other while holding the staff near their waists with the flashy red background, it is the most beautiful and epic sequence that lives rent free in my head

[@cobitomama3686]

Honestly, one thing about the anime is how VIBRANT THE FREAKING COLORS ARE, its honestly beautiful, it feels like i am looking at one of those display vids on tvs in shops, Honestly 10/10 anime till now Edit: I too have a fucked heart because of jjk

[@stephenvoss6092]

Frieren creators: Ok whats our budget? Producers: (writes ridiculously big number) ? Artists: (giggling like schoolgirls)

[@Rocket_browser]

There is also another anime like this its called "To your eternity" its also bitter sweet and I love its calmness but its not sad as this one tbh but its more calming and telling us that even after our death the world will continue.

[@skyfeelan]

3:53 I cried twice, the first time when reading the manga and second time due to this video (you reminded me of the times when I read it marathon, like a book) (I still read it whenever new chapter dropped)

[@TheAster24]

0:45 "I've never seen-" He had to get that image SOMEHOW...

[@shadow13r17]

you pulled out the lovers oath song and i was gone. I havent even watched the show and known the characters yet you got me crying.

[@CantabileLove]

This anime feels like playing the chill, relaxing and sometimes farming games with some lofi in the background, and i'm in love with that.

[@navanithkrishnan7177]

Man you said something that i have been thinking about for an while that is how both fantasy and adventure genre are basically dead and how isekai completely repalaced it ,the frustrating part is that no one really realize it or talks about it exept for someone who watched when there was anime that actually focus on adventure ,fantasy element instead of it mixed with the run of the mill isekai story of defeating the demon lord

[@yuuichi4356]

In my opinion, Frieren: Beyon Journey's End is really worth watching. The thing I liked most about it is the opening. The anime definitely has some negatives and the drama in it is good, but it didn't hit me that hard, so it is difficult to judge it from now, but from the start I can say that the anime is really good, but it isn't that great, for me.

[@Gadgetmawombo]

Well if you think its not got enough fights and stuff, it sort of becomes that at points. And the fights are solid too, but alot of it is still gonna be wandering and reminiscing about "the good ol days".

[@miyoko8380]

You're done putting Guizhong's lullaby into this. Perfect choice, I must say.

[@tofermartinez4114]

It is an anime that makes you enjoy what it happening in the moment, instead of anticipating the next big event. And that is the same lesson that Frieren learned after losing Himmel. Enjoy the time you have, get to know the people around you, and slow down to admire and appreciate the scenery.

[@CermentStorm62]

Who here a manga reader

[@christianacquasanta1472]

I'm at vol 10 the last one translated here And maaan the late volumes pack such a freaking punch I'm like, why does it feel such sadness about this evil dude :) I can't wait the 1st page of vol 11 !

[@josephsoliman5243]

Here

[@lunagrace2872]

Here. Started reading about 5 months ago and I feel in love with it. It gives me the same chill nostalgic vibes like Natsume and Tsurune. And I’m so happy that this manga has been adapted so perfectly so far.

[@hiruto4688]

Im anime watchers

[@purebottle]

oh thank god there's some of us here

[@StormWolf01]

I've been reading the manga for a while. As a man in his late 30s, this is the kind of manga/anime i like. It is more seinen than shounen. It tackles interesting topics. If you are interested, the original name of the manga is "sousou no frieren". I recommend it. Though, if you are in your teens, you might not resonate with it.

[@lucyheartfilia2015]

So goddamn true. I just can't get into any sort of adventuring anime or isekai but the first 15 minutes of this anime just pulled me in and I felt like I was right beside Frieren, watching as her story unfolded. This is definitely one of the top ten 2023 anime.

[@ReelRai]

Frieren made me think about my dog and the time we spend together a lot more. Now I try to do something really special with him at least every week, because while a week is not a long time to me, it is quite a big part of his life.

[@SirLagsAlot]

really took the phrase "The real treasure was the friends we made along the way" too literal (I cried at the end of the anime, it's so wonderful and beautiful)

[@SpopySpider]

Frieren's journey feels like such a personal intimate journey and it fully encapsulates a feeling of privilege of being able to witness the most private personal moments of her old journey her old colleges, but also watch her grow new relationships with the younger generation. Personally it's what I consider peak elven fantasy, I absolutely adore the series slow pace.

[@DuongPham-bd2vr]

6:27 love the watatsumi island ost 🥺❤

[@anepicotter4595]

I saw the Gigguk video on frieren and immediately bought the entire manga series that was available on amazon at the time (I think only 3 volumes). When I heard they were adapting it, I just about crapped myself. I’ve been waiting on the edge of my seat ever since for it to air and that first day when they aired multiple episodes I nearly cried. It’s everything I wanted and more. The simple emotion of it. Exploring a beautiful world with an ageless yet in some ways still child like elf and her new companions. Perfect

[@junie5753]

putting lover's oath as bgm at that one part was perfect i almost cried just from that

[@kurtkiamco4929]

Holy s&!+ when guizhong’s lullaby played i cried.

[@He-Who-Died]

3:36 Okay i need to watch that anime before I continue this video.

[@fang4853]

Its also about adventure with her new group. It definitely didn’t make me cry but between the art style and music and buildup its perfect. Consistent and doesn’t feel drug out or rushed. Props the the studio for making this masterpiece cant wait to see the future episodes.

[@Haizou]

I wanted to forget evergarden and discover and rewatch everything but this anime is probably the closest I can ever get to it lol

[@Kai-p5t2e]

It’s so sad I cried even though I only knew the hero’s for one episode, this anime was so good at telling a huge story in small time

[@brokoblin6284]

2:10 "At the funeral, Frieren-" so close, he almost said the thing lol

[@Delusional675]

It feels weird to see my video shown by a channel I've been watching for a while. Great video as always!

[@Nostripe361]

Isekais are my guilty pleasure. I love them most of them ; even the trashy ones. Still frieren is a personal favorite and honestly one of my favorite stories of all time. Been reading the manga for years I think one of my favorite parts of the show is that there is no “true” antagonist. Each arc feels self contained and any combat is simple and quick in a almost more realistic fairytale way

[@100xPoneis]

I thought the exact same thing when I was watching this anime, "ok now the villain is probably going to destroy the whole city", "there's definitely demons coming" but they never came lol

[@orelliaorellia142]

Oh, they will come. And it will be epic.

[@redcr33perproductions]

JJK ruined a lot of minds

[@LIL_PRO_GAMERXD]

I love this Elf so much. hahaha, Frieren ist one of the most sympathic Characteres out there. the show startet up so good and keeps up just that, being good.

[@shmafoo]

It's for sure my favourite anime of this ending season. I just love the interactions between the characters, the character development, the story. It's so refreshing that this isn't just constant battles yet it still manages to make my hairs stand up in certain moments (like Aura vs Frieren). I just want more of this.

[@ato_0261]

6:02 wait... yeah, why does the solar dragon had such a book in the first place?...kinda sus🤣

[@MochasStuff]

6:33 ayo he did not just outed me out like that

[@manofcultura]

I like isekai. But pure fantasy is definitely gonna have more longevity. I also encourage people to try out faraway paladin. It’s an isekai technically but the whole story plays out as pure fantasy with very little tropey, I’m Japanese therefore I will introduce Japanese culture, etc…

[@yebgarganera1842]

damn bro I teared up when I the guizhong music started playing.....that`s foul. Great video brotherman

[@hollowserpent6165]

thius is one of my favorites from the winter season this year honestly. absolutely have fallen in love with this anime and they really make you get to know the characters. i feel like i have bonds with these charaters great 10/10 anime imo

[@tenou213]

Not sure if they'll get to it this season, but when you see what the Demons they slew in their heyday were like - that's chilling. Almost as chilling as realizing how rare Elves are - and how each of them is a centuries-old badass with a terrible sense of time. And yes, Frieren is absolutely the most skilled mage most of the world is likely to see with literally one exception.

[@stephenvoss6092]

Why do you think the demon king wanted to kill all the elves?

[@shadoweclipse69]

SO far the anime has been amazing hope it continues like this

[@AtelierOfWeebs]

The battles on this manga are well earned, meaning you won't see them often, so you enjoy the journey

[@someaddictedidiot2186]

Little german class for all of you: Frieren - (to) freeze Himmel - heaven heiter - bright (happy) Eisen - iron

[@sirpotatoe0017]

😮

[@GegoXaren]

I like that Frieren can only think about Himmel... Everything revolves around Himmel... It's like she realises, far, far to late, what she actually wanted. (I might be over-analysing, but that is what I get from watching it).

[@KingJH0510]

Honestly the fantasy aspect of frieren is good, but its not the main point of the story I call frieren a drama story that is told in a fantasy setting The human drama between and within each character is the meat and potatoes of this story, while the fantasy aspect creates an pathway for the story to be told Its quite similar to mushoku tensei but a lot more drama and a lot less fantasy

[@lorenzomeulli750]

As if Fantasy stories can't be drama. There is a difference between having focus 100% on the magical element and having it be important but not the main focus, and also from just having it there for kicks and no feeling of wonder and magic in it. Frieren is the second category: it's not a story about the fantastical element but about the people living in the world where that element exists, and which are in turn defined by it. This doesn't make it less fantasy. An enormous amount of fantasy is written like this. I mean, one of the single most praised fantasy that's not just of Tolkien or Sword and Sorcery origins - Mistborn - starts like this in the first book and evolves into having the fantastical element as focus by the second book, as the story evolves from a rebellion against the Evil King© to war and a quest to save save the already once destroyed world. It was just a matter of focusing another side of the story

[@DrEgonCholakian]

No shut in loser protagonist, No stupid videogame system and no f*cking harem. It's kind of sad that that is all it takes for me to enjoy a fantasy anime these days.

[@GrokNZ]

frieren isnt drawn by the same person doing the writing, like Berserk is where kentaro Miura did both. The writer for frieren is kanehito Yamada and the illustrator is Tsukasa Abe.

[@orelliaorellia142]

And they rock both honnestly. Long live their collaboration !

[@curseyou_bayle]

Ive watched 8 episodes so far and it made me cry multiple times. Its so beautiful, so bittersweet and so painful. Its about the passing of time, loss and nostalgia. Something we all experience and something that hits everyone hard.

[@Furluge]

3:59 - Give it time. It'll make more sense when you're older. It doesn't matter how much time you've had with a loved one. At a funeral you'll always feel like you didn't have enough time and you wasted the time you have. It doesn't even matter if you know that will happen in advance, if you do everything write and you make the effort to spend more time with them and try to spend that time well, when they're being being laid to rest you'll still likely feel like it wasn't enough time and you didn't spend the time you had as well as you could have.

[@Ryeanimates]

Damn this deep asf rip to bro wish he could of saw it again sad that she ages so slow😢 actually unique asf 😢

[@karu]

rip

[@TheDanteBoots]

If AI made an anime. Completely soulless 0/10

[@eldhomarkose8330]

What?

[@dexershere]

not a dying genre in the slightest to be honest

[@SlimeyZockt]

I did cry at the first episode. I have experienced this myself despite being quite young. I think there is a certain sadness when you can relate to that exact level. You somehow still having your entire Life before you while they are lying in the ground. You didn't spend much time with them, but they changed your life forever. You will always carry them in your heart. What I so love about this anime is that they start of with that and do a fantastic job. The whole series is about remebering and making new memories with others, in short: moving on. For people who have gone through all that and are still going through I think this resonates alot. Of course not everyone will cry, I just cry very fast ;) Also I just really despise badly written isekai, since you could have just made a normal fucking fanatsy world, but noooo, the character needs to have been from our world despite not having any fucking advantage from it other than on how to talk. Bruh. Konosuba did that so well

[@FelicityUwU]

I know the algorithm doesn't like it when you don't watch to the end, so I'm sorry I'm not finishing your video. It was just so well made and beautifully worded that you've sold me on watching it from only half the video, and I'm going to go watch it now. I hope this comment appeases the algorithm in the stead of my viewing. God bless! ❤

[@Yinksman]

Who knows the name of the piano background music used from 5:00?

[@Navarein]

Piano.

[@Ditto_3]

to me, frieren is what a fantasy anime should be, most other ones focus on the action, the adventure, the girls, and the way overused storyline. Frieren however, focuses on the world itself, the ways that world differs from our own, the way other species differ from us humans. Most other fantasy anime tend to stick a humans personality into another type of body and be done with it, frieren doesn't do that. In frieren, we see just how uncaring empty elves are, due to their lifespan, but the species that I think is actually the real masterpiece in this anime are the demons. It portrays them as not just powerful human like creatures, but as creatures that are just so different from us that I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes.

[@johnsamuel4905]

I wonder if she will will live to modern times or even surpass it to the space age or somethin. Space bounty hunter magic elf sounds cool enough

[@mikoikho]

YOU PUT THE VOICE IN MY HEART IN HERE OMG

[@PockyOni]

Amazing vid u got a new sub