Frieren’s Creator Got Frieren Wrong: The Shocking Truth

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Summary

  • Frieren anime gained quick popularity with fans, despite doubts from some about its potential success.
  • Weekly Shonen Sunday Editor-in-Chief had reservations about Frieren’s charm, but she became a beloved character.
  • Frieren manga’s success may have been jeopardized if the main character’s personality had been altered to fit a different vision.

In the world of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, there’s a chance that Frieren, our leading character, might not have garnered the same level of popularity she enjoys today. Initially, while the Frieren series gained rapid affection from many, some skeptics doubted its potential and didn’t foresee it achieving the widespread adoration it currently enjoys.

The Chief Editor of Weekly Shonen Sunday initially had doubts that the series would achieve such a widespread success.

Frieren’s Success Surprised Many

Weekly Shonen Sunday Editor In-Chief Thought The Series Wouldn’t Do As Well

The anime titled “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” made its initial appearance during the last months of 2023, marking the start of its first season. This fresh addition to the anime realm swiftly captured viewers’ hearts and gained widespread recognition, primarily due to the captivating protagonist, Frieren, a powerful elven mage.

The manga initially began back in 2020 and continues to run, albeit currently on a temporary break known as hiatus – news that has left many fans feeling disheartened. At present, there’s no scheduled resumption date for the series since its hiatus extended through the end of 2024.

Regardless, enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the second season, as its launch date has already been set.

Although the anime has achieved great success, the progression of the Frieren manga might have faced some challenges. Originating from the minds of writer Kanehito Yamada and illustrator Tsukasa Abe, there was potential for changes in their work, as Weekly Shonen Sunday Editor In Chief, Kazunori Oshima, initially held low expectations for the series.

This is what he said:

Was there any inkling or intuition you had, Mr. Oshima, as you reviewed the sketches and other resources prior to the launch of “Frieren”, that it would become popular?

In other words, Oshima never expected things to progress this much. Even at the initial planning stage, he found it intriguing, but when he was jotting down ideas for the serialization project, he remarked that he wished the elves were a bit more endearing. Given how beloved Frieren has become now (laughs), that comment seems quite off-base. I suppose Ogura must have thought, “What on earth are you talking about?

It appears that Oshima may have had concerns about Frieren’s character, finding it less charismatic compared to his expectations. However, it’s worth noting that Frieren eventually turned out to be the standout character within her own series, earning a great deal of affection and admiration from fans in general.

A significant part of the success of the Frieren series can be attributed to her positive attitude. If her character had been altered according to Oshima’s original concept, the series may not have gained the popularity it enjoys today and could have potentially failed.

Where To Watch Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End?

The Series Is Available To Watch on Crunchyroll

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End swiftly emerged as one of the most popular series in recent years, and for valid reasons. The narrative and characters struck a chord with numerous viewers, and its popularity is set to soar even higher when the second season premieres, and when the manga resumes publication. In the meantime, enthusiasts of Frieren can revisit the first anime season, and those yet to explore this series can delve into it as all episodes are accessible on Crunchyroll.

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2025-03-27 04:24