Anime Review: Frieren, The Important Value Moments of The Life

    

source image: imdb.com

        Anime with storylines that focus on nostalgia are rare. Most of them only show flashbacks that, in my opinion, are not timed appropriately, thus disrupting the intensity of the story. One such nostalgic anime is Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. When I first watched it, wow! This anime truly deserves to be called a masterpiece by everyone.

    Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is an anime that aired in 2023, telling the story of an elf woman named Frieren who is reminiscing about her adventures defeating the demon king with the hero group Himmel. She travels back to remember her 10-year adventure with a new party consisting of two people, Fern and Stark. The three of them travel the same route Frieren took with the Himmel heroes 80 years ago. The anime, adapted from the manga by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, teaches many life values during the journey. One of the valuable lessons I highlight in this anime that should not be missed is that we must cherish every moment in life with all our hearts. While we are still alive, we must not miss moments that may seem unimportant, but still need to be appreciated. That is what Frieren faced in her story. During her journey, she did not understand the true meaning of life. All she knew was that humans lived shorter lives than her, so Frieren always saw her human friends die one by one due to their limited lifespan.

    Frieren has a slow and measured storyline. Calm scenes such as sunsets viewed from the balcony of an inn, small village festivals, or casual conversations conveyed more through silence than words are used rather than dramatic battles or huge revelations in the episodes. This anime encourages viewers to pause, observe, and think alongside its main character. This pace is purposely chosen to follow Frieren's journey of enlightenment, as she progressively realizes the value of shared moments and relationships.

    A good anime is one that has character development. Frieren was initially flat, not cold, but clueless. Her extraordinary longevity inadvertently created a barrier to forming bonds. By embarking on her new journey with Fern and Stark, she began to understand things she had not previously realized about her friends. Some moments that show Frieren's character development are when she makes small gestures and has small, dynamic interactions, or when she stops for a moment to remember what Himmel once said. These moments eventually form a strong and consistent picture of her emotional maturity.

    The supporting characters in this anime further enhance the story. Fern, who always appears calm with her subtle sarcasm, and Stark, who is expressive and innocent, make their interactions very funny and heartwarming. Their dynamic combine Frieren's introspective personality, infusing the journey with youthful spirit and fun. Furthermore, each new village, mage, or demon they encounter adds something significant to the underlying themes of legacy, magic, and memory. Even supporting characters are given enough complexity to make their stories impactful.

        Visually, the quality of this anime is very pleasing to the eye. Starting from the colors and tones, which make this anime enjoyable to watch. Not to mention the animation quality, which is very smooth and pleasing to the eye, perfect for animation lovers. Studio Madhouse delivers smooth fight sequences when required, but the true artistry lies in the subtle motions, like beautiful scenery in background, firelight dancing across a campground, eyes melting during a moment of empathy. The soundtrack excellently compliments this style, combining soft piano and orchestral tones to heighten the anime's introspective ambiance.

Despite its slower pace, in my opinion, Frieren is never dull. Instead, it derives strength from restraint. The anime trusts its audience to appreciate emotional moment, thematic depth, and patient character development. This type of anime is rare and refreshing. While some shonen-influenced arcs introduce structured magic systems and traditional battles, even these sequences prioritize emotional stakes over spectacle.