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September is going to be a sad day for isekai anime fans, as this 2014 series, which only ran for one season, will be leaving Hulu next month. No Game No Life follows two siblings who were sent to a world where all matters, disagreements, and conflicts are decided through games. Although it aired only 12 episodes, it was popular among anime fans, receiving a MyAnimeList score of 8.04. Now, fans have only a few weeks left to watch this show on Hulu before it is removed from the library.

No Game No Life was animated by Madhouse, known for their work on the 2006 Death Note anime adaptation, as well as the 2008 Stitch! series,...

Sailor Moon, the 1992 magical-girl anime by Toei Animation, was among the pivotal titles that paved the way for the '90s anime boom in North America. However, despite the anime's incredible success on Cartoon Network, many Western publishers rejected Sailor Moon because they believed it would only appeal to girls.

Stuart J. Levy, the founder and former CEO of Tokyopop, was interviewed by AnimEigo, the oldest licensor and distributor of anime titles and Japanese cinema in North America. The one-hour interview, released on AnimEigo's YouTube channel, explored Levy's wide-ranging career in the anime and manga industry, which coincided with the boom of anime and Japanese entertainment in the U.

While fans are already hyped for Season 2, a prequel series for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has surprisingly been announced for release in 2026. Much like how Jujutsu Kaisen offered fans a prequel to its original storyline with the movie Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Frieren is also doing something similar. However, this is not an anime announcement, though.

New Novel Announcement: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End ~Prelude~

Loved the anime? Under the supervision of Kanehito Yamada, writer of the original manga, comes five original short stories! Join Frieren, Fern, Stark, Lawine, Kanne, and Aura in brand new adventures! pic.twitter.com/ZtuvveI0YS

— Yen Press (@yenpress) August 23, 2025

Titled Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End...

Freiren: Beyond Journey's End began in the most unique way possible - at the end of the final battle, and the country entered a new era of peace thanks to a group of heroes. While the show and the manga give various flashbacks to what unfolded in that 10-year-long quest, an upcoming prequel manga is set to come out in 2026.

Yen Press announced on social media the release of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End ~Prelude~, written by Mei Hachimoku (under the supervision of Kanehito Yamada). The Japanese version first came out in 2024, and the English release date is scheduled for 2026. The news was first announced during a panel at Anime NYC during the weekend,...

If you've been on the lookout for a new anime series that gives you that same feeling that Death Note gave you some years ago, look no further. During this weekend's Anime NYC, global distributor Remow announced that a new adaptation of the Shinobu Kaitani manga Liar Game is coming to our screens. The anime series is coming sooner rather than later: a 2026 release window has already been announced, but specific streaming dates are yet to be unveiled. The announcement came with a teaser that you can check out in this article.

First released in 2005, Liar Game is a story that, much like Death Note, challenges viewers' perceptions and intelligence...

Only a few months remain until Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2 airs, and the Hero Party's mage makes a magical return through this latest Funko figure. Frieren comes back in style with a flower crown in this latest GameStop exclusive figure set to come out this year. This marks the fourth Pop! figure based on this elven character, proving that this series still holds strong despite losing to Solo Leveling for Anime of the Year.

The Frieren in a Flower Crown Pop! Plus Figure features Frieren sitting on a piece of stone surrounded by flowers, while wearing a flower crown. This is in reference to a scene in Season 1's second episode,...

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End official prequel series is finally coming to the U.S. The long-awaited release was revealed on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Anime NYC 2025, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

The official Frieren prequel, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End ~Prelude~, was confirmed for a North American release by publisher Yen Press. “After the legendary elf mage Frieren is forced to confront the cruel passage of time, she sets out on a journey to fulfill the last wishes of her friends and get to know the world a little better,” the series' description reads. “Under the supervision of Kanehito Yamada, writer of the original manga,...

An anime adaptation has officially been unveiled for Shinobu Kaitani’s Liar Game manga, a psychological thriller that ran from 2005-2015 in the pages of Weekly Young Jump magazine. A teaser trailer and visual accompanied the news, as well as our first look at the main staff behind the production, which is currently slated for 2026. Yuzo Sato ( Kaiji: The Ultimate Survivor ) serves as chief director of Liar Game , with Asami Kawano (episodes of My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 ) directing and Tatsuhiko Urahata ( Hajime no Ippo ) writing series composition and scripts. Kei Tsuchiya ( Trillion Game ) is on board as character designer and Kisuke Koizumi is sound director for the Madhouse production.

If you have been excited about Sakamoto Days ever since its return last month, you will be glad to know that the anime series has saved the best for the last arc. Today, during Anime NYC 2025, Netflix unveiled a new mid-season trailer for the show that highlights an event that fans have been on the lookout for: the Jcc Transfer Exams. Episodes continue to roll out weekly.

In case you are not familiar with it, the Jcc is a school for assassins and, in order to have access to the location, Sakamoto (voiced by Tomokazu Sugita in the original Japanese and Matthew Mercer in the English dub), Shin (Nobunaga Shimazaki...

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has many standout moments, but it’s the Ring Scene from episode 14 that has truly convinced me that Frieren is just a Ghibli movie in anime format. While watching it, I couldn’t help but feel my breath catch. This quiet exchange between Frieren and Himmel carries emotional weight that is often found in Ghibli works.

Just like a Ghibli movie, Frieren allows the space for the audience to linger, and because of its episodic format, it creates moments that a one or two-hour film can never include.

Frieren‘s Ring Scene Perfectly Captures the Ghibli Magic Frieren’s ring scene is a Ghibli-esque scenario | Credits: Madhouse

Ghibli movies have always felt like moving paintings. Every frame bursts with lush and vibrant backgrounds. The scenes are unhurried, and everything takes its own time to play out. Even the most mundane objects get their own screentime, creating...

The upcoming Wandance anime, based on the manga by Coffee, released its main visual today, showing all the characters of the series in their one dynamic dance poses. Alongside the visual, an advanced screening was announced for the anime. Wandance Anime Main Visual Ahead of Wandance ’s premiere in October, the series will have two pre-screening events at Shinjuku Piccadilly in Tokyo on September 27. One at 3:45 pm, where the stage event will be held after the screening, and another at 6:05 pm, with the stage event ahead of the screening. Lead voice actors Koki Uchiyama, Hina Yomiya, Ayaka Suwa and Toshiki Masuda will be making an appearance alongside dance cast member Kaita. Related: Wandance Anime Turns Up the Music in 1st Trailer Michiya Kato ( Bubble visual effects supervisor) is directing, writing and working on VFX on the series at Studios Madhouse ( Frieren: Beyond Journey's End ) and Cyclone Graphics with...

The director of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Keiichiro Saito, recently shared his thoughts on the anime industry and his aspirations with respect to it. In talks with Mantan Web, Saito explained how trends might have biased the international audience of anime. Takashi Nakame, who has worked on popular projects like Your Name, echoed Saito’s thoughts and shared his own insights.

Both Saito and Nakame have been selected for the Global Anime Challenge. It’s a project aimed at the development of anime creators by having them interact with international studios and animation environments overseas. Interestingly, the vision the Frieren director has for the industry might already be on its way to fulfillment, and Frieren is a prime reason why that is the case.

Frieren Director Shares His Views on Trends in the Anime Industry Frieren in a still from the anime | Credits: Studio Madhouse

Saito and Nakame spoke about...

Frieren‘s Himmel might look like a refreshing hero at first glance; however, he is a tragic figure whose inner struggles are revealed ever so rarely, forcing him to align with one of the worst anime tropes. He embodies the ‘comic relief’ character, who is designed to hide their pain and regret under a heavy mask of lighthearted jokes.

It is a manipulative trope, and one that reduced Himmel‘s emotions to make him look like a perfect hero. He might not be making jokes as much as a traditional comic relief, but he is still serving the same purpose. He makes Frieren and the audience feel better while hiding everything he goes through. His inner struggles are revealed very briefly through the shifting perspectives.

Frieren Gave Himmel a Jolly Facade to Hide His Turmoil

A comic relief character typically provides comedy in order to break down tense situations. However,...

Solo Leveling is losing its popularity, according to Crunchyroll's streaming charts. After winning Anime of the Year in this year's anime awards, the popular series may be losing its touch, especially when Season 3 has yet to be greenlit. It won't be long until Solo Leveling, starring Aleks Le, will be dethroned on Crunchyroll's Top 10 charts.

According to the Top 10 Shows on Crunchyroll on August 8, 2025, Solo Leveling is ranked at #9 in the global charts, sitting between Kaiju No. 8 and Welcome to the Outcast's Restaurant. Solo Leveling received plenty of praise during the first quarter of 2025, with its distributor Kakao Entertainment and Sony declaring it the most-watched show on the platform. While the franchise's future seems bright, with the announcement of a live-action adaptation in the works, Q2 2025 has shown that Solo Leveling is on the verge of being dethroned. One example is Takopi's Original Sin, which managed to break...

At this point, we're more than used to Disney's tendency to revisit some of its classic stories from a different Pov. From Maleficent to The Descendants, we've seen several interpretations of their most famous fairy tales, but one type of adaptation is yet to hit our screens. This week, the company revealed when we can expect to see Twisted-Wonderland — the anime series that unites a slate of iconic Disney villains in a boarding school setting. The series will debut on the platform on October 29.

In the universe of Twisted-Wonderland, talented students are recruited to develop and practice their magic skills at Night Raven College. In it, they learn that the school was once ruled by The Great Seven — the major villains that became legends: the Queen of Hearts, Scar, Ursula, Jafar, the Evil Queen, Hades, and Maleficent. Their legacy inspired the creation of different dormitories whose occupants followed in their footsteps.

Frieren and Maomao are often seen as two of the most well-written female characters in anime, and that is indeed true. But don’t you think it’s unfair to judge every other female Mc in their shadow? Even a more grounded character like Kaoruko from The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity can be just as entertaining to watch. She deserves as much love as Frieren and Maomao.

While it’s true that Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and The Apothecary Diaries have set a standard for female MCs in anime, that doesn’t mean every other female lead needs to be as cool and composed for fans to appreciate them. In fact, if you look at it from a broader perspective, you might notice that it’s more common for someone like Kaoruko to exist in real life than Maomao or Frieren.

Kaoruko’s Simplicity Makes Her More Human Than...

This article references controversial topics such as bullying and self-harm, which may be triggering to some readers.

Takopi's Original Sin, a six-episode anime adaptation of Taizan 5's titular manga series, has garnered a great deal of attention since the debut of its final episode. While much of this attention can be attributed to its dark subject matter, Director Shinya Iino asserts that the series is often misrepresented as a tragedy when it is truly "a story of redemption" designed to uplift viewers' spirits.

In a recent interview with Mantan Web, Iino addresses the controversial nature of his anime series, which delves into heavy topics such as bullying, familial abuse, and even suicide. These are all issues that nine-year-old protagonist Shizuki Kuze is forced to deal with in some capacity. Takopi, who arrives on Earth from his home world of "Happy Planet," resolves to help the eternally morose Shizuka using a...

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End has become a streaming hit once more on a platform outside Crunchyroll, and no, it's not Netflix. This fantasy anime that lost to Solo Leveling for Anime of the Year has left a mark on HBO's streaming charts. It seems this show is now available on more streaming platforms, making it more accessible before Season 2 comes out in 2026.

According to FlixPatrol, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End ranked at #15 on HBO Max's Top TV Shows on August 2, 2025, worldwide. Looking deeper into the rankings, the countries that are streaming this anime series are mainly those located in Latam, like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, just to name a few. And while this region can access Crunchyroll, it's fascinating to see that this show is available outside the anime streaming giant.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 1 aired from September 29, 2023, until March 22, 2024, comprising 28 episodes that covered the first four-story arcs from the manga.

It’s quite unfortunate that the Takopi’s Original Sin anime only had 6 episodes. Otherwise, it had the perfect stage set to go head-to-head against Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. After all, if you compare narrative superiority here, it’s only fair if a series like Takopi gave Frieren the competition it deserves, not some power fantasy action Shonen.

Despite anything, watching an aura-farming series getting the better of Frieren truly hurts as a human. Does it not? Just like Frieren climbed the popularity charts with its nuanced narrative storytelling only, Takopi’s Original Sin managed to do the same with its traumatising storyline. No over-the-top action or exaggerated character tropes were needed, only peak writing.

Takopi’s Original Sin Had the Narrative Edge Over Other Anime

Takopi’s Original Sin has undeniably broken records with its only 6-episode runtime. Quite like Frieren, it also didn’t have much hype or anticipation,...

As the world waits for the return of the near-immoral elven mage Frieren, the hero of the titular Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, the original season has a new streaming home for those looking to relive the beloved elf’s adventures before the second airs in January 2026.

For much of the world, the anime series has been streaming on Crunchyroll, followed by Netflix in the U.S. as of March 1, 2025. However, for Spanish-speaking viewers in Latin America, Frieren and her adventures, including her new party members Fern and Stark, are now available to watch on HBO Max for the first time. Per FlixPatrol, this introduction has seen the series land in the global top 10 on HBO Max's streaming charts, at a time when it has long since disappeared from Netflix's top streaming rankings.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Becomes Streaming Hit Once Again on HBO Max Image by Yéred García Oseguera

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End...

Frieren season 2 has already been announced, and while there’s a long time before the sequel can be streamed in January 2026, anticipation is at an all-time high. Producer Yuichiro Fukushi has spilled some exciting details about season 2 at Anime Expo 2025. By the looks of it, the upcoming sequel is shaping up to be much more than a simple continuation.

Season 2 will bring new characters, fresh journeys, and new side quests for Frieren. Everything that fans love about season 1 will still be present, but coupled with new elements and plot twists.

Frieren Season 2 Will Be Like a Warm Hug With Fresh Adventures

Season 1 of Frieren ended with the First Class Mage Exam arc, in which Fern became a First Class Mage. Now, the team can successfully head north without getting stopped. The next arc is the Post-Exa Travels arc, also known as the Continued Northern Travels arc. The team will continue...

Jujutsu Kaisen’s manga may not have gotten the best ending, but its anime keeps on winning. Stand proud, Jujutsu Kaisen fans, you’ve won. Gege Akutami’s manga has set an unprecedented feat. Despite having no concrete updates about its third season, Jujutsu Kaisen has been crowned the world’s most in-demand anime by Guinness World Records.

This is made more impressive by the fact that this is the second consecutive year that it has been given this achievement (post via theanimeflow/Instagram). This shows the series’s ability to maintain its relevance even without new content, and makes it a titan in the industry.

Jujutsu Kaisen’s Record-Breaking Triumph Ryoumen Sukuna (in Itadori’s body) talking to Jogo | Credits: Studio Mappa

Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen is a story that revolves around the life and adventures of Itadori Yuji and his friends at the Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High.

Everyone is celebrating the premiere of Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze , from fans to manga artists! Last week, Tsukasa Abe ( Frieren: Beyond Journey's End ) drew a princely portrait of Kazuki. This week, it's the whole family's turn! Manga artist Miyu Morishita pens the latest offering, featuring Yu and the Three Emperors. Morishita is currently best known for supernatural high-school comedy Tsumiki Ogami's Not-So-Ordinary Life , about a human boy acclimating to school life with (among others) a laid-back werewolf girl. Check out the new art: Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze Art by Miyu Morishita Related: Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze English Dub Reveals Cast & Crew, Release Date Shogakukan publishes the original Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze manga by Aya Hirakawa—which kicked off in December 2021—in Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine. Tadahito Matsubayashi directs the TV anime at animation studio P.A.Works. Takayo Ikami provides the series composition,...

Season 2 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endis officially set to change direction, taking fans to unfamiliar lands and exploring deeper character dynamics, according to series producer Yuichiro Fukushi. With a new party and unexplored regions lying ahead, the story promises to expand its focus on characters, along with magical battles and internal growth.

At Anime Expo, Yuichiro Fukushi confirmed in an exclusive interview with Screen Rant that each character’s mindset will gradually change and shift during their journey. As Frieren faces new challenges, viewers can expect more than just action, as the emotional core of the series will grow stronger in the second season, scheduled to premiere in January 2026.

Frieren Season 2 Will Look Different From Season 1 Season 2 Promises a Fresh New Journey for Frieren

Season 1 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End concluded with Fern passing the First-Class Mage exams, allowing their party to continue their journey to the northern lands,...

No one really prefers a live-action adaptation of their favorite anime. And maybe, this is the only thing where almost the entire fandom can agree on. Not to say there’s no potential in such adaptations, but generally, the track record with live-action anime has been so disastrous so far that it’s hard to place our hopes on it.

However, as fans, our opinions might not carry much weight, since the industry continues to churn out horrible live-action anime adaptations time and time again. And as a matter of fact, there’s a chance that some of your favorite series listed below might also be getting theirs sooner than you can imagine. Surely, none of you would want to see this become a reality—and as for why, you’ll understand once you read on.

1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Despite being comparatively new, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has earned...

Crunchyroll will launch a new monthly movie program across North American theaters following the highly anticipated release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle. This upcoming theatrical event will feature a specially curated list of anime movies and sneak peeks at promising anime shows.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Crunchyroll announced its new theatrical initiative, Crunchyroll Anime Nights, set to begin this fall. The anime streaming giant will distribute a new anime movie across theaters nationwide on the third Monday of every month. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved will be the first film of this initiative, screening on Oct. 20, 2025. It will be followed by Overlord - A Celebration of the Anime’s 10th Anniversary, set for Nov. 17, 2025. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, AMC Theaters, Regal, Cinemark Theaters, Harkins Theaters, and Landmark Cinemas are among the over 225 theaters that will participate in Crunchyroll Anime Nights this October.

After being pushed back to a January 2026 premiere, Sentenced to Be a Hero is back on the move. Today, the upcoming anime adaptation of the dark fantasy light novel series announced three new additions to its cast. Joining the series will be: Norgalle Senridge voiced by Yoji Ueda (Eisen in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End ) Tatsuya voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Inosuke in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ) Tsav voiced by Jun Fukushima (Kazuma Satou in Konosuba -God's blessing on this wonderful world!- ) Norgalle Senridge Tatsuya Tsav Related: Sentenced to Be a Hero Anime Reveals New Trailer and Visual, October 2025 Release Ascii Media Works publishes the original Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004 light novels in Japan under their Dengeki no Shin Bungei imprint. Rocket Shokai writes and Mephisto illustrates the series. An English language version of the series is also available from Yen Press.

Despite having the Mc’s name in the title itself, Frieren has never been the main focus of the series! Now, this is a pretty bold approach—one that not many series take. Especially in anime, we often see the main characters as the highlight of the show. All we care about is what they’re up to at every second of screentime and constantly root for them.

But it’s totally different in Frieren’s case. She’s essentially a narrative tool the author uses to illustrate the other core elements of the show. And this is exactly what pushed this anime to its inevitable success. After all, this kind of intricate, character‑driven narrative approach is truly hard to pull off. Which is also why, despite Jujutsu Kaisen‘s massive popularity, the show would feel empty if you exclude Gojo from the scene.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End...

October can’t come any faster for fans of Overlord who are about to enjoy the treat of their lives. The anime is an adaptation of the light novel series written by Kugane Maruyama, illustrated by so-bin and which began serialization online in 2010. It comprises four seasons, each with thirteen episodes, produced by Madhouse, and which last aired in 2022. About a year before then, the series was moved to Crunchyroll, where all episodes are now streaming and, most recently, through which it has been scheduled for a highly anticipated home media release.

Cbr reports via a press release that Crunchyroll has announced its new lineup for October, with a slate of upcoming home media releases, including Overlord. The isekai anime will get a new Blu-ray steelbook for Seasons 1-3 through the Crunchyroll store on October 21. Other anime added to the slate are Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf,...

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is back in Weekly Shonen Sunday this week... but that's not all manga artist Tsukasa Abe has been up to! The artist that makes up half of the team behind the hit fantasy manga has also shared some new art of one of this season's most princely anime heroines: Kazuki Mikadono of Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze . Check out the celebratory artwork in Abe's unique style: Kazuki Portrait by Tsukasa Abe Related: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Manga Resumes in Weekly Shonen Sunday on July 23 Shogakukan publishes the original Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze manga by Aya Hirakawa—which kicked off in December 2021—in Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine. Tadahito Matsubayashi directs the TV anime at animation studio P.A.Works. Takayo Ikami provides the series composition, Yusuke Inoue provides the character designs and Masaru Yokoyama provides the music. Crunchyroll currently streams Dealing with Mikadono Sisters...

If you’re looking for your next song of the summer, look no further because Saint Blonde are here to help you. The alt-rock quintet have delivered yet again with their brand new single “Gimme My Flowers,” a song that is guaranteed to be in your rotation for the rest of the year. Balancing supremely catchy melody with intense lyrical content, Saint Blonde are making dance tunes for the thinking person. Alongside this new single and video, I was given the exclusive chance to speak with singer Hunter Fitch about the new single, where it could fit within the world of anime, and when he realized he truly loved anime. Note: Band photo credit goes to Elina Carrasco/Rasco Media. Tell us a bit about your new single, “Gimme My Flowers!” Hunter Fitch : “Gimme My Flowers” is a middle finger to the fair-weather well-wishers who only show up once...

Warning: Contains spoilers for Frieren: Beyond Journey's End chapter #141.At long last, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endhas finally ended its longest hiatus yet. For the past few years, Frieren has had a habit of going on sudden hiatuses for unknown reasons; sometimes, it will simply take one week off, but other times, it will be on break for multiple weeks at a time.

Hiatuses have unfortunately become the norm for Frieren, and its latest one has been absolutely devastating as it’s not only lasted six months, but came about when the series had entered its biggest arc to date. Fortunately, that’s now behind the series, as Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has officially ended its lengthy hiatus and returned with chapter #141, and for anyone who’s read it, it’s clear that Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End hasn’t lost a step in the slightest.

Frieren Is Already Teasing A...

It's no secret that Frieren: Beyond Journey's End found success following the release of Season 1 in September 2023. The show received 20 nominations at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards and won four of them, including "Best Director" and "Best Drama." Meanwhile, it was highly praised by fans and critics on Rotten Tomatoes and MyAnimeList. So, as fans wait for Season 2's release, Hot Toys released a brand-new figure based on anime's beloved mage elf.

The Frieren Cosbaby figure is currently available for pre-order on various third-party sites like ToyFanZone, with a listed price of $45. This figure features a chibi-style Frieren sitting in a purple chair, drinking tea and reading a grimoire. While this figure lacks extra accessories, interchangeable parts, or podiums, compared to other Frieren figures, this cute and adorable variant should be enough for those who want something simple yet heavily detailed.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End has released a handful of figures...

Okay, hold on a second. Let’s talk about those little blue flowers that keep popping up in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. You know, the ones. Those tiny little flowers Frieren leaves on Himmel’s grave like it’s no big deal, except it totally is. Because if you zoom in a little, they look suspiciously like Forget-Me-Nots.

And if that’s true? Well, Himmel wasn’t just the golden retriever of the party. He was romantically unhinged most politely and heartbreakingly as possible. This guy didn’t just save villages and kill demons; he left behind a literal floral love letter for a girl who might not even process human emotion for another 80 years.

Himmel’s Real Legacy Was Never Just the Statues

Let’s get real here: Himmel was always so much more than the flashy hero with the good hair and charming smile. He was patient,...

Frieren‘s arcs are beautifully structured and have the perfect balance between action, character development, slice-of-life moments, plot progression, and independent exploration. Each of these elements is important for the series, since Frieren not only focuses on magical battles but also on the whimsical side-quests of the protagonist and her group.

Frieren has only received one season so far, but it consisted of 28 episodes. The anime has adapted six arcs already, with six more to go. However, the manga hasn’t ended yet, which means there might be more arcs to come. At the moment of writing this article, Frieren‘s ongoing arc is the Foundation Festival arc. Here are the remaining arcs in chronological order:

Arc 6: Continued Northern Travels Arc Arc 7: Divine Revolte Arc Arc 7: The Golden Land arc Arc 8: Goddess’s Mountain Arc Arc 9: Imperial Territory Travels Arc Arc 10: Foundation Festival Arc

So,...

Ever wondered what Frieren was really up to before she met Fern? Especially during the time skip, from her leaving Himmel’s hero party to the current timeline. Well, she did meet old Himmel after the first 50 years, but that was only for a brief moment. We never got to see what she was doing the rest of the time and probably never will. It may not have been important for the plot, but what about Frieren?

The series constantly reminds us that Frieren is so unaware of the passage of time, to the point that 70 years may feel like nothing to her. But how true is it? This brings up the topic of how much being an elf really does affect oneself. Sure, elves are known to live for years beyond humans’ imagination, but Frieren also had a promise to fulfill. So she couldn’t simply forget the past.

Millions of anime fans worldwide have been deeply moved by Madhouse's ambitious TV adaptation of theFrieren: Beyond Journey's Endmanga by Kanehito Yamada (story) and Tsukasa Abe (art). However, the series' production has substantially impacted director Keiichiro Saito's capacity to work.

During a recent interview conducted by Anime News Network at Anime Central 2025, several prominent anime creators sat down to discuss Japan's Global Anime Challenge -- a new government-sponsored program designed to further expand and globalize Japanese animation. While addressing the current issues facing modern creators, Saito touched upon his own experience directing Frieren, which debuted in September 2023 and went on to become a major global hit. Notably, it also received a nomination for "Best Anime of the Year" at Crunchyroll's 2025 Anime Awards. Unfortunately, Saito has had to deal with burnout in the aftermath of the anime's success. "Ever since Frieren ended, I haven't been able to work as I used to,...

Whether you’re an anime fan or not, Dandadan is the perfect anime series that deserves to be on your watchlist. And to everyone’s surprise, people truly are giving it a try. It has climbed up the popularity charts like no other anime in recent times.

Breaking records? That’s a walk in the park for Dandadan. It has even become the 4th most-watched non-English series in the world as of now. And this is something not to be taken lightly.

Dandadan’s global popularity has the potential to bring the anime industry back to its former glory. ‘Former glory’? Isn’t it popular enough already? Well, the animation industry as a whole, yes, but in recent years, the competition from other non-Japanese-originated anime is also progressively increasing. So it may be a bit hard to keep up. (Source: Tudum by Netflix)

Dandadan: Savior of the Japanese Anime...

Recently, Japan unveiled a new government-sponsored program designed to further expand anime's global footprint. However, anime producer Takafumi Nakame does not believe that it is equipped to bring about the type of reform that is needed to make the industry a lucrative career option for the next generation.

The "Global Anime Challenge," or Gac, was developed to channel critical foundational resources for Japan's most profitable global commodity. Gac project sub-leader Hiromi Hasegawa describes it as an "initiative to help grow and sustain Japanese anime production and culture as the country's key industry." Consequently, the Gac is eager to facilitate an infrastructure that is "nurturing" and supportive towards up-and-coming animators. In a recent interview with Anime News Network, Nakame joined Frieren: Beyond Journey's End director Keiichiro Saito and several other Gac members to discuss the group and its newly announced projects.

Your Name Producer Says Anime Industry Problems Can't Be Solved...

After a hiatus of about half a year, the fantasy manga Frieren: Beyond Journey's End will resume serialization in the 34th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine , scheduled to release in Japan on July 23, 2025. The manga previously went on hiatus in January. Shogakukan additionally revealed in a press release, as well as on the Frieren X (formerly Twitter) account, that the manga series has reached a milestone of over 30 million copies in circulation worldwide. Kanehito Yamada writes and Tsukasa Abe illustrates Frieren: Beyond Journey's End , which began in April 2020 with 14 volumes released in Japan to date. Viz Media publishes an English-language version of the series. Crunchyroll currently streams the TV anime adaptation of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End , which continues with a second season in January 2026 . Crunchyroll describes the series as such: After the party of heroes defeated the Demon King, they restored peace to the land and returned to lives of solitude.

Starting July 18, 2025, fans of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End can take part in a live-action fantasy adventure in Tokyo’s Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. The event runs until September 23 and lets players physically explore a dungeon while accompanied by Frieren characters. However, it’s important to know this isn’t a dedicated Frieren theme park or pop-up. It’s a limited-time collaboration with Dungeon ∞ Spiral, an existing RPG-themed experience that has simply been updated with Frieren visuals and voiceovers.

Dungeon ∞ Spiral first launched in March on the fourth floor of the tower. It offers a physical, team-based adventure where players move through a dungeon setting by completing different challenges. Rather than using controllers or screens, players use their bodies to perform in-game actions like pulling ropes and kicking balls. The adventure is designed for groups of two or three and rewards players with gold medals as they battle monsters and solve puzzles.

‘Frieren’ Frenzy

Sony Music Solutions has unveiled a collaboration between hit anime series “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” and “Dungeon ∞ Spiral,” the live-action role-playing game (RPG) attraction at Tokyo’s Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. Running July 18 through Sept. 23, the partnership allows players to select one of four series characters — Frieren, Fern, Stark, or Himmel — as “Buddy Characters” featuring over 140 new Japanese voice lines with English subtitles.

The physical game experience, which opened in March, challenges teams of 2-3 players to defeat monsters through rope-pulling, ball-kicking, and rhythm-based movement in an immersive dungeon setting. Unlike traditional video game RPGs played on screens, this attraction requires players to physically move their bodies to control their avatars, blending strategic gameplay with real-world physical activity and teamwork.

Players receive limited-edition “Buddy Crystal” acrylic blocks as proof of their character bonds, with premium sets including “Memory Crystal” keychains available to buy. The collaboration extends throughout the tower,...

The good news keeps rolling for fans of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. After entering an unexpected hiatus for half a year, the fantasy manga by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe has finally announced the date of its return.

According to Anime News Network, the 33rd issue of Weekly Shonen Sunday (2025) revealed that the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End manga will soon resume serialization after entering a hiatus in early January. A new chapter of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End will be released in the magazine's next issue, scheduled for July 23, 2025. Before its six-month hiatus this year, Frieren took a two-week break in November 2024, following a four-month hiatus from May to August 2024.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Will End Its Six-Month Hiatus in July

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End's return was previously hinted at by Viz Media, as the English manga distributor listed a new chapter in the critically acclaimed fantasy manga in July.

Warning: Contains spoilers for Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.After a lengthy hiatus, the Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endmanga is finally coming off its lengthy hiatus. In recent years, Frieren has been prone to going on frequent hiatuses that can run for months at a time, and most recently, it’s been on hiatus for over half a year, despite being in the middle of its biggest story arc to date.

Frieren’s latest hiatus has been a tough one, but fortunately, it’s soon to come to an end, as according to reliable manga news reporter Manga Mogura Re on X, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End will officially be coming off hiatus on July 23. This isn’t the first time there were reports of Frieren coming off hiatus, but this latest report feels far more reliable, so fans of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endhave plenty of reason to get excited.

What...

Shonen anime is no stranger to flashbacks and backstories. Anyone who has ever watched a Shonen anime will tell you that it had tonnes of flashbacks and backstories in it, which were tedious to watch, with some of them being fillers.

Modern shonen, however, has transformed these flashbacks into powerful tools that serve to enhance character depth and plot progression. Whether it’s Kuma’s tragedy from One Piece or the Evil Evil’s story from Dandadan, backstories now are filled with emotional resonance and narrative complexity.

Backstories as Narrative Catalysts in Shonen Pain from Naruto Shippuden | Credits: Toei Animation

At the risk of sounding like a bunch of oldies, we’d like to tell you young brats that you are lucky, because the shonen anime of today are exceptional with their backstories. Using otherwise boring and fillerish flashbacks to progress the plot and enhance character complexity is pure genius,...

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a masterpiece in narrative storytelling, to say the least. It weaves some of the most complex human relations into its fantastical storyline, which is simply breathtaking to see. In fact, across all media, there’s one storytelling trope that any writer finds hard to perfectly present to the audience, but Frieren masters it.

It is killing off an important character even before the story properly starts! We often see dead characters in anime who somehow become relevant at a certain juncture during the backstory of some other important character. But their overall contribution to the plot may seem negligible, or even zero. However, Frieren pulled off a masterclass with Himmel’s entire character.

Himmel’s Influence Remains Constant Throughout the Series

Essentially, Himmel is a supporting character in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. But, little to everyone’s surprise, he gives off immaculate main character vibes.

Before Season 2 airs on Crunchyroll, Funko has released its Kaiju No. 8 collection, featuring several figures based on the characters on the show, three of which have a limited Chase counterpart. This collection is scheduled to arrive later this year, so now is a good time to pre-order these, especially when you're after the exclusive figures.

Six products are now listed on the Funko Website, with a price tag of $14.99 each. They include the likeness of Kafka Hibino, Mina Ashiro, Reno Ichikawa, Kikoru Shinomiya, and two different Kaiju No. 8 figures. Both Kaiju No. 8 figures and Mina Ashiro figures have Chase variants, which feature a distinct design that makes them stand out even more. For example, Mina's Chase figure has her using her weapon rather than just holding it, as seen in the standard figure. While they're not available for pre-order on the Funko website, they're now available for purchase on...

2025 is halfway over, and Japanese viewers have weighed in on their top 10 favorite anime of the year (so far). While The Apothecary Diaries topped many of the nation's popularity charts last year, that series and several others have been pushed out of the spotlight by CloverWorks' hit dark fantasy shonen, Black Butler.

Per PR Times, Filmarks -- the largest Japan-based review service for anime, TV shows and movies -- recently unveiled its "Anime Rankings For the First Half of 2025." Limiting included titles to those streamed or broadcast between Jan. 1-June 30, 2025, Filmarks found Black Butler's"Emerald Witch" arc to be the #1 most popular work. Based on Yana Toboso's titular manga, the series follows 10-year-old supernatural investigator Ciel Phantomhive and his demonic butler, Sebastian. The anime's fifth season aired from April 28-June 29. The complete top 10 winners and their respective ratings can be viewed below.

Japan's Biggest Review Site Reveals Most...

In a year filled with anime powerhouses like Solo Leveling and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, few expected a quiet, observant apothecary to steal the spotlight. Yet at the 47th Anime Grand Prix Awards, The Apothecary Diaries’ Maomao did just that, claiming first place as 2025’s best anime character. Her win is a surprising but deeply satisfying result for fans of thoughtful storytelling and unique heroines.

While 2025 saw no shortage of charismatic protagonists, according to Animage Magazine, Maomao stood apart by offering something the typical action hero could not be with her wit, subtle rebellion, and sheer tenacity. In a world where explosive battles often dictate popularity, her cerebral, slow-burn charm proves that intelligence and complexity still resonate with audiences.

Maomao's Victory Signals a Shift in Fan Tastes How a Quiet Apothecary Outsmarted the Anime Heavyweights of 2025 Custom Image by Ana Nieves

Maomao’s rise to the top of the Grand...

Warning: Contains spoilers for Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endseason 2 is coming soon, and fans should expect a far different show from season 1. Following the breakout success of its first season, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End was quickly greenlit for a second season, and while there are already some major staff changes, most notably with a change in director, there’s little reason not to be excited.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End season 2 will be a great show to watch, and that’s especially because of how different it will be from season 1. Frieren was one of many anime to be featured at Anime Expo 2025, and in an interview with series producer Yuichiro Fukushi, it was explained that season 2 will offer a far more expansive look at the world than season 1 did.

Season Two will explore a much broader world than Season One. The heroes' journey expands significantly, and...