From Julian's shelf
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Reading note
Why it is on my shelf
A personal reaction from wherever I currently am with this manga.
Frieren is one of those series that makes quietness feel like the whole point. It has this strange pacing where you’re frolicking through the woods in a magical medieval fantasy world, solving little problems here and there, almost with Mushishi vibes, and then suddenly the whole thing shifts into a massive demon battle where heads are flying, Frieren is a total badass, and everyone is rooting for Fern. I understand why some people bounce off it as slow, but the people who love it are absolutely obsessed. What captured everyone’s heart, I think, is this endearing, beautiful grandma elf lady at the center of it all. It feels stereotypical and completely new at the same time, hiding in plain sight. Frieren made a huge dent in the current anime moment by creating a new kind of staple. It almost feels like reinventing bread.
Premise
The adventure is over but life goes on for an elf mage just beginning to learn what living is all about. Elf mage Frieren and her courageous fellow adventurers have defeated the Demon King and brought peace to the land. With the great struggle over, they all go their separate ways to live a quiet life. But as an elf, Frieren, nearly immortal, will long outlive the rest of her former party. How will she come to terms with the mortality of her friends? How can she find fulfillment in her own life, and can she learn to understand what life means to the humans around her? Frieren begins a new journey to find the answer. (Source: VIZ Media) Notes: - Winner of the Grand Prize at the 14th Manga Taisho Awards. - Nominated for the 25th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. - Placed 3rd at the 7th Annual Next Manga Award.
Genres Adventure · Drama · Fantasy