The team working on the television adaptation of Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe’s manga “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” (Sōsō no Frieren) has exciting news to share. Two new cast members have been revealed, adding to the anticipation surrounding this upcoming anime.
What makes this announcement even more special is the anime’s premiere date. It’s set to kick off with a special two-hour episode on September 29 at 9:00 p.m. JST (8:00 a.m. EDT). What sets this premiere apart is that it will be the very first television anime series to debut in NTV’s “Kinyō Roadshow” slot, which is traditionally reserved for feature films. Following this landmark premiere, subsequent episodes will continue to air in NTV’s new anime timeslot in October.
For fans eager to dive into the world of “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” Viz Media holds the manga license and provides the following synopsis:
The adventure may have concluded, but life goes on for an elf mage who is only just beginning to grasp the true essence of living. Elf mage Frieren and her valiant companions have emerged victorious against the Demon King, ushering in an era of peace. However, Frieren’s destiny sets her on a different path, one where she will outlive her former comrades by many years. As she grapples with understanding the meaning of life through the eyes of those around her, a friend’s funeral, decades after their triumph, forces Frieren to confront her own near-immortality. In a quest to fulfill the final wishes of her comrades, Frieren embarks on a new journey, setting the stage for a fresh adventure.
The anime adaptation of Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe’s manga, “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” continues to expand its cast:
- Nobuhiko Okamoto as Himmel
- Hiroki Touchi as Heiter
- Yōji Ueda as Eisen
- Kana Ichinose as Fern
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Stark
Steering the anime ship is director Keiichirō Saitō (known for “Bocchi the Rock!”) at Madhouse. Tomohiro Suzuki (known for “ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.,” “One-Punch Man,” and “Boogiepop and Others”) is the mastermind behind the series scripts. Character design is handled by Reiko Nagasawa (known for “takt op. Destiny”), and Evan Call (known for “Violet Evergarden,” “Josee, The Tiger and the Fish,” and “Muv-Luv Alternative”) is responsible for composing the music.
Fans of catchy anime themes are in for a treat as YOASOBI performs the opening theme song titled “Yūsha” (Hero), while milet takes the mic for the ending theme song, “Anytime Anywhere.”
Originally starting as a manga in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine in April 2020, “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” has garnered attention and acclaim. It has received accolades such as the New Creator Prize at the 25th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2021 and the 14th Manga Taisho Award in the same year.
Moreover, it secured nominations for the Best Shōnen Manga category at Kodansha’s 45th annual Manga Awards in 2021 and the 46th awards in May 2022. Impressively, the manga also earned a spot on the American Library Association’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) list of the top 10 2022 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List.
As the anime prepares to take viewers on an epic journey, these updates and cast additions have certainly heightened the excitement surrounding “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.”
