But what if I told you that there’s an anime that has some of the qualities of these niche stories, but it is ironically so popular? Ladies and gentlemen, meet 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.'
I wrote the following in my X account earlier, on the 17th of February, 2024:
*****
I finally caught up with the latest episode of 葬送のフリーレン. I like it very much, but it's not exactly something I would expect to be popular, let alone get the no 1 ranking (for the time being) at MAL.
For many of its episodes, it is slice of life on a fantasy setting.
Episode 1 started at that point where many fantasy series are at the denouement. The Great Enemy is dead. The heroes are just there to revel in the quest. Fast forward several years later, the main hero is dead, but the protagonist, who lives longer than humans, feels that 'there is nothing new under the sun.'
Its gimmick is present action then flashback, back to present action, then even more flashbacks: rinse and repeat. This allows this anime to explore several themes regarding human nature, e.g. of regret and the passage of time. The original adventurers, long dead, continue to live in Frieren's memories, and their previous interactions, as shown in flashbacks, have a bearing on whatever problems or situations her company are facing.
Except possibly for the latest arc (episodes 17 to present) and the end of episode 10, it does not have explosive battles usually associated with fantasy (though there are battles executed cleverly). Even though action is de-emphasised, it has a subtle emotional depth that is a joy to watch. It reminds me of modernist, stream-of-consciousness novels. Whilst this anime has good show-don't tell, the emotional effects from it is similar to what these modernist novels achieve through their tell-don't show approach, where plot if any is subordinate to the expression of beautiful prose as well as the emotional effects that such prose induces.
Since Frieren the anime sacrifices action in favour of emotional moments (accompanied by insights to human nature and life lessons), had I been ignorant of its popularity, I would have thought that it is something that critics would praise and a minority of fans would love but leave the vast majority of anime watchers cold. Not that I don't like that it's popular, but as a matter of fact I am well pleased that so many people like it.
*****
I still agree with what I wrote, and I will add some points.
1. Other than Frieren being a story that is supposed to be niche yet popular, it has perfect storytelling complemented by superb animation. I would’ve given it a 10 just on its writing alone, which means I consider the animation as just the cherry on top, contrary to bitter critics who would like to pretend that Frieren ‘is carried only by animation.’
2. Many consider the second half of the anime, the examination arc as its weakest because it deviates so much from its contemplative and slice-of-life-like episodes and resembles battle shounen.
Point taken because the battles in other battle shounen trumps the battles in Frieren. Also, at the beginning of this arc, Frieren has established that its strength is not in the exhilarating battles but in how it contemplates several themes of human nature such as its own version of Pascal’s Wager.
That said, I enjoyed this supposed-to-be-weak arc too. The tone may have shifted but it still retains its gimmick of flashbacks, though it was more toned down. Furthermore, it proves that it can display some awesome battles when necessary.
I understand that those who liked the first half of Frieren might have liked it less in the second half. On the flip side, those who were weeded out in the first half because, for them, a good anime is synonymous with battles, would have liked the second half.
Mais c'est la vie. It’s hard to please everyone even if, as far as I’m concerned, Frieren did both halves perfectly.
3. Speaking of which, I still think episode 10 is at its peak.
Since we saw in episode 26 a glimpse of how Frieren is so powerful and can be so awesome displaying her full power, it is reasonable to believe how epic and Earth-shattering episode 10 could have been had the anime resorted to a standard battle.
Yet, this anime chose to execute things differently. Frieren’s effortless victory over A displays wisdom. It is peak storytelling as well as an illustration of stuff from ‘The Art of War.’
These quotes are particularly relevant:
• ‘The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.’
• ‘If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.’
4. Episode 26 is peak animation. Madhouse went all out in animating this particular battle.
In conclusion, Frieren deserves to be given 10 ratings resulting in its being no 1 anime in MAL for the time being.
It is particularly enjoyable if you have so many life experiences under your belt, including regret.
May Frieren continue to be no 1 until the time a new anime will have surpassed it in its richness of themes.
