Review of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (Season 1) – ★★★★★ 9.5/10

It’s been a long time since an anime felt this quietly powerful. Frieren doesn’t rely on flashy battles or loud emotions—instead, it invites you to slow down and reflect, to feel the weight of time and memory. And that’s exactly why I fell in love with it (but don't get me wrong, I loved the battles).

The fantasy world is soft and melancholic, not overly explained, but deeply felt. And as someone who’s been obsessed with elves ever since The Lord of the Rings, this show had me from the very beginning. The way elves are portrayed here—elegant, distant, ageless—carries that same quiet sadness I love so much. Characters like Serie or the monk elf show how differently elves perceive the world, and how isolating that immortality can be. Those little moments where you realize they're still learning how to understand humans hit harder than you'd expect.

Frieren herself is easily my favorite character. I adore her. She’s distant but never cold, detached yet curious. At first, she seems aloof—almost indifferent to the people around her. But as the journey unfolds, you start noticing all the little signs that she does care. She remembers everything, even the smallest gestures. And when she says she “didn’t really know Himmel,” it hurts, because she truly hasn’t realized just how much he meant to her. The way his memory lingers in her—through small habits, offhand comments, or quiet grief—shows that connection more clearly than words ever could. It’s one of the most beautifully subtle parts of the show.
And her relationship with Fern? I love it. Their bond feels so natural, so earned. Fern grounds Frieren, brings out sides of her she’s long buried. And in turn, Frieren helps Fern grow too, even if she’s not always emotionally expressive about it. Their dynamic is comforting and funny and, honestly, one of my favorite mentor-student relationships in anime (I still love Gojo's mentoring more jasja).

Now—why not a full 10?

1. Fern and Stark’s romance – Okay, I know it’s cute and people love them. But for me... it just didn’t land emotionally. It’s not bad, not forced—it just didn’t give me that spark. I didn’t feel anything watching their moments together, which made it hard to care. That said, it doesn’t take up too much space, so it’s easy to overlook.
2. Himmel’s idealization – I liked Himmel a lot, especially early on. But towards the end of the season, the way he’s remembered by others started to feel a bit too perfect. I understand that this idealization is part of the theme—how memories can become myth—but I did find myself wishing we’d seen more nuance or flaws. Still, maybe future arcs or the manga will explore that further.

Overall, Frieren is a beautiful reflection on time, memory, and connection. It’s fantasy at its most gentle and emotional. A story about grief that’s also full of warmth. A journey that doesn’t just move forward—it looks back, and makes you feel every step.