8 Anime Series Better Than Frieren

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has quickly become a standout anime series in recent years. The first season, with 28 episodes, was a hit with fans, and the recently released second season is already proving just as popular. While some fans are calling it the best anime ever, there are other series that arguably excel in certain areas.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Number of Seasons: 3
Main Character: Yuji Itadori

Both Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 and Frieren season 2 are popular with fans right now, but many viewers find Jujutsu Kaisen‘s storyline more gripping at the moment.

I’ve been completely hooked on anime lately, and it’s amazing how different shows can hit you in different ways! While Frieren is a really beautiful, slower story – sometimes it feels like a cozy slice of life – Jujutsu Kaisen is all about the action. Seriously, the current arc, ‘The Culling Game,’ has some of the most thrilling fights I’ve ever seen, and everyone’s talking about them! Though they’re pretty different, both shows do involve battles against powerful foes. Frieren features fights against really scary demons, while Jujutsu Kaisen centers on Sorcerers battling these things called Curses.

One Piece

Number of Episodes: 1155
Main Character: Monkey D. Luffy

A big part of what makes the Frieren series enjoyable is its focus on adventure. Frieren and her companions are always on the move, discovering new places, and meeting interesting people – sometimes even adding them to their team. The series One Piece shares this adventurous spirit, but it really takes it to an even grander scale.

For over thirty years, Luffy’s journey through the incredibly expansive world of One Piece has taken him to countless islands, where he’s encountered a diverse cast of characters and battled numerous foes. Few series match One Piece’s impressive worldbuilding and sense of adventure – even the highly acclaimed series Frieren doesn’t quite compare. And the One Piece anime continues to improve, with the exciting Elbaf arc scheduled to premiere in April 2026.

Delicious in Dungeon

Number of Seasons: 1
Main Character: Laios Touden

Currently, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a very popular anime, taking place in a classic medieval fantasy world. However, it’s not alone in this genre; Delicious in Dungeon is another series with a similar fantasy setting and overall feel.

This anime gained popularity around the same time as ‘Frieren’ and is also a huge hit. Like ‘Frieren’, it’s full of exciting adventures and features characters you’ll quickly fall in love with – some even think it surpasses ‘Frieren’ in certain areas. If you enjoy characters with elven heritage, you’ll definitely appreciate this story, as Marcille and Frieren are widely considered the best elf characters currently available. Plus, ‘Delicious in Dungeon’ is confirmed to return for a second season, with a likely release sometime in 2026, though an official date hasn’t been announced yet.

The Apothecary Diaries

Number of Seasons: 2
Main Character: Maomao

Both Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and The Apothecary Diaries premiered around the same time and have gained attention as standout anime with strong female protagonists.

Although Frieren is widely popular, many fans actually prefer Maomao as a main character. Despite having fewer action scenes, Maomao’s cleverness and captivating story have really resonated with viewers. The Apothecary Diaries is considered one of the best stories in recent memory, and fans are eagerly anticipating the third season and a new movie, both scheduled for release in late 2026, to see more of Maomao’s mysteries unfold.

Demon Slayer

Image by Madhouse

Number of Seasons: 4
Main Character: Tanjiro Kamado

I’m absolutely hooked on Demon Slayer – it’s seriously taken the anime world by storm these past few years! They’ve already released four amazing seasons of the anime, plus two incredible movies. Honestly, when you look at everything, it’s clear Demon Slayer is blowing most other anime out of the water right now. It’s just that good!

Both Demon Slayer and Frieren center around fighting demons, but Demon Slayer explores the complexities of those demons in more depth. While Frieren generally portrays all demons as purely evil and something to be destroyed, Demon Slayer shows that some demons were once human with tragic pasts, and others, like Nezuko, can overcome their natural urges. This gives Demon Slayer‘s depiction of demons a more layered and sympathetic quality.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Number of Episodes: 64
Main Character: Edward Elric

When people discuss the best anime ever made, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is almost always mentioned. While Frieren recently received higher ratings from fans on MyAnimeList, most anime enthusiasts still consider Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood the better series.

I’ve noticed that even years after it finished airing, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is still incredibly popular – people are constantly talking about it. It’s really become a classic for a lot of anime fans, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. What makes it so good is the story; it’s beautifully crafted with no loose ends, making it a fantastic experience from start to finish. I think a lot of viewers really connect with Edward’s journey to fix his brother’s body – it’s a genuinely emotional story.

Chainsaw Man

Number of Seasons: 1
Main Character: Denji

Both Chainsaw Man and Frieren are recent anime releases, but they approach storytelling in different ways. Frieren generally sticks to familiar territory, while Chainsaw Man is much more willing to experiment. The two series are quite distinct – Chainsaw Man is set in the present day, and Frieren takes place in a fantasy world. However, both stories share a common element: demons.

Chainsaw Man has a really interesting take on its devils, which are all based on what humans fear. The series features intense fights against these devils, like the one seen in the recent Chainsaw Man movie focusing on Reze. A second season of Chainsaw Man is expected to be released either this year or in 2027.

Black Clover

Number of Episodes: 170
Main Character: Asta

Magic plays a central role in Frieren, with characters like Frieren using it to fight dangerous demons. While the magic in Frieren is well-done, other anime, like Black Clover, feature even more elaborate and interesting magic systems.

Black Clover was once a hugely popular anime, and fans will be excited to hear it’s coming back in 2026! The series tells the story of Asta, a boy born without magic, as he strives to become the greatest Wizard King and achieve incredible power.

2026-01-24 14:36