Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End - Episode 11 [Review]
Make sure to check out my thoughts on the series’ previous episodes.
After their victory over Aura and her forces, Frieren and her companions enjoy some well-needed rest. Graf Granat expresses his sincere gratitude for rescuing his son’s spirit from Aura’s control, as the town holds a somber ceremony in memory of the lost warriors. Before long, the party departs once more, realizing that to reach their ultimate destination there is something extremely important that must be done.
Paperwork.
It’s revealed that travel without being accompanied by a First-Class Mage is restricted, so the group sets out across the northern lands to a city where Frieren can take the certification and continue their quest. Unfortunately, the harsh environment of the Northern Winter sets in and drives the group to a solitary hut. Seeking shelter, they enter and discover a peculiar guest inside.
I won’t dig into too much more of this week’s episode, as I want to leave the guest for you to discover, but Frieren delivered another great episode this week. We see some more remnants of Frieren’s former companions reflected in her behavior, such as Himmel’s distaste for her “flashier” spells.
I love how Frieren encourages you to slow down and savor every scene. There’s very little of the series that is superfluous - nearly every interaction is either some form of narrative payoff, or setting a foundation for future revelations.
The montages continue to be an enchanting element of the broader story. We know that Frieren and her troop took 10 years on their original journey, and we can begin to understand how that happened. When you get holed up in a cabin for 1-2 weeks due to a severe blizzard, or need to take time to help with a town cleanup after a big battle, time can slip away from you. I appreciate the intentionality and realism in this respect. You don’t “speed run” defeating the Demon King. It comes at the end of a long journey, and these smaller interactions and stories are all vibrant threads that contribute to the narrative tapestry this adventure will eventually become.
Overall, Frieren continues to cast its spell on me, and many other anime fans. Very glad to know it’s running for two cours, so we’re barely halfway through the adventure!
