After a string of disappointing fantasy TV shows – like the cancellation of The Wheel of Time, the mixed reception to Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and The Witcher‘s shift away from its source material – one animated fantasy series is proving hugely popular with viewers. Its success shows that strong storytelling, well-developed characters, and exciting action are a winning combination that never goes out of style. While many live-action fantasy franchises are struggling, this series is a standout hit on streaming platforms.
The second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is currently airing and proving to be a hit, consistently ranking high on streaming charts. New episodes are released weekly on Crunchyroll, and fans are once again captivated by this popular fantasy series. Currently, Frieren is the third most-watched show on the platform. However, it’s facing strong competition this season from the latest season of Jujutsu Kaisen, which is in first place, and Hell’s Paradise in second. These two shows, along with Chainsaw Man, make up what fans are calling the ‘Dark Shōnen Trilogy’.
Released in 2023 by the renowned animation studio Madhouse, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End quickly gained popularity. Based on a manga by Kanehito Yamada, the series centers around Frieren, an elf who is a powerful mage and can live for centuries. After defeating the Demon King with her team, Frieren spends years traveling aimlessly, as time passes quickly for her. However, when she begins a new adventure with a young apprentice mage, she starts to value her memories and truly live in the present.
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ Makes a Simple Change to the Fantasy Story
Have you ever thought about what happens after the heroes save the day in a fantasy story? Frieren explores that idea. The story begins with the heroes returning from their battle against the Demon King, then fast-forwards many years. While Frieren remains unchanged, her human companions have grown old.
Frieren struggles with her distant memories, which creates internal tension. She desires to focus on the present and cherish her relationships. Each episode generally tells a self-contained story, but current events often trigger recollections of her long past. This is a fresh idea, and the anime Frieren delivers it exceptionally well.
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ Is the Highest Rated Anime of All Time
Aniplex of America/Netflix
The anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, which premiered in 2024, quickly became the highest-rated series on My Anime List, surpassing Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Remarkably, it has stayed in first place ever since. Now, Frieren has accomplished this twice – both Season 1 (with a 9.28 rating) and Season 2 (with a 9.15 rating) hold the top two spots, while Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has a rating of 9.09.
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You can watch new episodes of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End every week on Crunchyroll. The complete first season is available to stream on Netflix.
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2026-03-19 02:03