On the surface, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End seems like a quiet slice-of-life story set in a fantasy world. An elf mage goes on a journey to heaven so she can speak with her deceased friend one more time. Underneath its simple premise lies a complex web of themes, including the hidden value of grief, the tragedy of closing one’s heart off to others, and the preciousness of our limited time on earth. Read on to see why this manga series and its anime adaptation are one of my all-time favorites. But be aware that there are some spoilers ahead.

A Reversal of the Familiar Fantasy Quest Trope

This story starts, not at the beginning of an epic quest as so many fantasy stories do, but at the end of one. In episode 1 of the anime, elf mage Frieren returns with her companions from their successful quest to defeat the Demon King. The Party of Heroes is celebrated, and the viewer is left to wonder “what now?” as the companions each go their own way.

By the end of the first episode, the leader of the party, Himmel the Hero, has died of old age. His death is a catalyst for Frieren. For the first time, she has regrets about not getting to know a human being.

Later on, in a flashback, we witness a callous exchange between Frieren and the dwarf warrior Eisen. When he suggests she take an apprentice, she coldly replies that it’s a waste of time because humans die so quickly. She also brushes off the ten-year adventure that she shared with her companions, stating that it was not even one one-hundredth of her life.

Yet, at Himmel’s funeral, Frieren’s icy heart cracks. She cries, not for grief over a beloved friend, but for regret over someone she wishes she knew better.

Thus, the pilot episode establishes the core theme (spiritual journey) of this story. Frieren must learn the lesson that human beings are worth getting to know despite – or perhaps, because of – the fleeting nature of their lifespan.

Grief As Proof of Love

We can only speculate as to why Frieren is so cold and unfeeling, but it’s probably due to losses she has suffered. We eventually learn that Frieren’s entire elf village was wiped out by a demon. She was the sole survivor.

Furthermore, Frieren lost her trusted mentor, the mage Flamme. Although Frieren often acted aloof toward her human teacher, we can infer that she did care for Flamme. The loss of the person who saved her life must have cut deeply.

Thus, it’s understandable that Frieren has closed off her heart after repeated losses. She distances herself from her human companions in the Party of Heroes, believing that it’s not worth caring because their lives are so short. Slowly and painfully, she learns the lesson that the fleeting nature of her companions’ lives is the very reason she should care.

Grief is unavoidable, but Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End shows us why it’s wrong to try to avoid it in the first place. Himmel’s death teaches Frieren a lesson that over a thousand years of life could not impart: grief is not an evil to be avoided, but rather, a proof of love. Even the music for the anime reflects this. The song Anytime Anywhere by Milet includes the lyrics (translated from Japanese), “Why does my heart ache so much? Is it proof that I was with you?”

The core theme of this anime is one we all can relate to. Although we will never fathom the soul-crushing loneliness of being an elf among humans, we have all experienced loss. We may temporarily fool ourselves into believing it’s better to be detached from everyone due to the pain of grief. Yet, we will come to learn – as Frieren does when she looks back on her adventures – that there is great joy intertwined with the pain.

Frieren Is Not Melancholy – It’s Poignant

To say this is a melancholy story is totally missing the point. At its core, it embraces the joy of being alive. Frieren must contend with her grief over the loss of Himmel and Heiter, but she also forges new bonds with her apprentice, Fern, and their warrior companion, Stark. As she retraces the steps of her past journey, she cherishes her present adventure all the more.

The heaviness of grief is alleviated by joyful moments painted in vivid emotional hues. Scenes that would be painstakingly boring in the hands of an amateur storyteller become riveting moments that drive home a valuable lesson for both the characters and the audience. We watch Frieren grow through new experiences as well as revisiting old memories in a new light.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is ultimately not about losing the ones we hold dear; it’s about valuing the time we have with them and holding onto our precious memories after they’re gone. The overarching message is to cherish each moment because time is so fleeting. Life is all the sweeter in this fantasy world because of the sadness that coexists with the joy.

The Simple Writing Provides Maximum Emotional Impact

The brilliance of this story lies in the simplicity of the writing. The author relies on subtext and subtlety to drive home the themes. Although there are moments of pulse-pounding action, it’s the simple, everyday moments that advance the spiritual journey. The end result feels much like a fable or, dare I say, “like a fairy tale.”