I would like to clarify that I was someone that would avoid super trendy popular things because I thought recency bias was such a crazy thing and did not wanna follow that. Pretentious, I know. This anime is what stopped that habit. I had no idea it would be THIS good off the bat. This will also be quite short because what's said here has been explained to death already lol
# Self-Fulfillment and Life I make this review today cause I actually sat down and thought about this show. It starts off with this crazy strong hero group, they slay an evil beast yada yada yada very cliche. But, this does not last long. At all. It’s actually insane how little it lasts. It then becomes this entire journey of Frieren and her realizing how she is now will not make her feel fulfilled with life. And through this the whole story revolves around her doing three major things. 1. exploring her past via memories of her old group and revisiting locations and treasures based on that 2. traveling the world to help understand how humans are, how those around her act, and what makes people do what they do (prior to this she wasn’t driven emotionally by much. Her gaining companionship along the way along with the support she gained was her being shown genuine emotion and human sympathy. the more she goes through this, the more she understands.) 3. due to these things, as illustrated at the end of the anime, she gains a feeling of self-importance and self-fulfillment due to this journey and thus, she strives for the future.
Why is this important? Because this is a perfect example of what life is. Textbook perfect example. You have to move forward in the present and live in the moment to appreciate the stuff around you. With that, you dwell on the past and realize what good you had. You appreciate those moments a lot more. This gives you a hope for a better future. It’s a drive that keeps you going. Frieren is genuinely such a such a good character for this. I hate to glaze. But I absolutely adore when characters portray certain aspects of life so well. They don’t try to make it feel subtle as well, you can clearly see her development throughout the anime. It’s not in your face but it’s still clear.
# Quality of Anime This is why MADHOUSE is the goat dude. Ive always stood on this hill. Bias aside, this is their best work objectively by a long shot. The animation is sooooo crisp. The art style is the perfect ratio between clean and unique. The soundtrack on this is elite. There’s none of that super weird ecchi shit that a lot of fantasies have. The action is stellar. You couldn’t tell me a lot of it was from a fantasy. I would not believe you. The pacing is the best, the world building is Made-In-Abyss level (insanely high bar), etc. But what I love the most?? It’s not even that unique. It’s not even a crazy formula that the anime follows. But it absolutely does the best with that formula. It makes every part of the formula feel masterclass. To make something a somewhat complicated concept like life and put it into such a simple formula.. that’s art. I'm also not adding an "understandable criticism" section cause I can't even think of one.
TL:DR this is just a perfect anime. It’s like staring at a diamond; no it’s not your favorite thing you’ve ever looked at, but you cant help but appreciate just how beautiful and perfect it is. No it’s not my favorite anime but I’d be lying if I said I could think of anything wrong with this. It’s such a simple but perfect representation of life, and it brings amazing storytelling, action, and fun with it.
this is just my opinion. I'm aware we think differently and if you think im just overthinking it or am just wrong about something, that is okay because you have probably a good reason to believe that. it doesn't matter in the end of the day if something is good or not if it has had deep personal (positive) value to you. i would love to understand why you disagree (if you do) so please feel free to message
