Four brave heroes set out to defeat the Demon King, ruler of all demon kind and usher in a age of peace. A noble hero, a brave dwarf fighter, the priest from the church and an elf mage. This… is not that story, for at the beginning of our tale they return from having defeated the Demon King. But what happens once the story is over? and how is it viewed through the eyes of one who to man is practically ageless

I’ll be blunt, Frieren is probably going to be topping people’s best anime of 2024 list. In fact it would top 2023s had it not still been going on as the year ended. That should set the expectation of what I’m writing about.

Frieren begins where most fantasy series would end (and indeed this is pure fantasy not Isekai in any way). We don’t see the great final battle between the heroes and the Demon King, just that they won and are now celebrating. As they do, the once every 50 years meteor shower occurs and Frieren tells them than they should meet up again in 50 years as she knows a better place to see it. Already the way she talks shows that she views the passage of time very differently than humans, further shown by a small montage until the 50 years are passed and when she meets up with the Hero Himmel again, he is an old man. As promised the whole team goes to the spot and you can tell from Himmel’s words this was the last journey he would go on. It is only as Himmel is buried that Frieren breaks into tears, not understanding why. She had after all only known him really for those 10 years they were together to stop the Demon King, humans live such short lives.

From this point on the anime states the date as X years after the death of Himmel the hero.

Later, called by Heiter the priest of the party, she is eventually roped into taking care of the Orphan Fern who has potential as a mage, kept by the promise of books of magic until Heiter’s health ultimately fails him and making Frieren Fern’s caretaker.

The opening four episodes for the most part lack a core quest but show us a lot how Frieren views the world with some excellent story and visual examples that show the passage of time. How what was once extraordinary has become standard or how what was once history is now legend.

Frieren herself is seemingly ageless, and while her age is never stated, the fact we see flashbacks to far earlier than when she, Himmel and the others were questing, and she looked the same as she does now, gives an idea of just how long elves can live.

The show isn’t just beautiful, emotional and thought provoking though, but surprisingly funny. I often describe Frieren at times as a Grandma baby. Its rare you can get a show in short instances which can be heart felt, and meme worthy and yet all fit fine. Fern often shown pouting at her masters seemingly silly actions.

After episode 4 the main journey begins and we’re introduced to Stark who becomes the warrior of the team and like Fern and Frieren is very fleshed out, but then so are even one episode characters. The whole  world is lovingly crafted and realized both in writing and visuals making for a truly great experience

So far, if you must watch one modern anime, Frieren is definitely one of those you could choose and feel you made the right choice.

Rating: 🧝🧝🧝🧝🧝