You’re Not a True Frieren Fan Until You’ve Seen These 10/10 Episodes

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One of the most enjoyable aspects of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is its relaxed pace, letting Frieren the elf freely explore the fantasy world. Unlike action-packed adventures like The Lord of the Rings, this anime prioritizes a slower, more thoughtful experience. It beautifully portrays the challenges of grief and the joy of forming new connections, with monster battles happening as part of the journey. This unique combination is incredibly effective, and certain episodes truly showcase its strength.

I’m completely hooked on Frieren! Every episode is great because the show slowly but surely builds this incredible world and these characters you really start to care about. But honestly, there are six episodes that really define what makes Frieren so special – they’re instant classics. You get everything: brutal but beautiful fights, really clever magic, and these deeply moving moments between Frieren and the people she travels with. They’re just unforgettable.

Season 1, Episode 1: “The Journey’s End”

Himmel’s Loss Hit Frieren Much Harder Than She Expected

Image via Madhouse.

As a huge fan of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, I truly believe everyone needs to see the first episode, “The Journey’s End.” First episodes are so important – they’re what pull you into a story, introduce you to the characters, and set the whole mood. And this one? It does all of that beautifully, with a really gentle but powerful touch. Seriously, if you’re an anime fan, you absolutely need to check it out!

This episode covers a lot of ground, wrapping up Frieren’s quest to defeat the Demon King and dealing with the sad death of Himmel. Frieren realizes she didn’t fully appreciate how quickly others’ lives pass, showing that this anime is about relationships and dealing with loss, not just magic and battles. The episode ends on a brighter note, though, as Frieren meets Fern, a young magic student who promises to be a new companion.

Season 1, Episode 9: “Aura the Guillotine”

The Demons Bare Their Fangs in the Moonlight

Image via Madhouse.

Though Frieren quickly defeats the villains she faces in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, they still manage to be memorable. This is especially true for the episode featuring “Aura the Guillotine,” which many fans consider a perfect 10/10 experience. It powerfully illustrated just how dangerous and bizarre the demons in this world can be. Unlike some episodes of Demon Slayer, this one showed Aura and her followers as cunning, ruthless creatures who clearly see humans as inferior.

The real strength of this moment isn’t about if Frieren will win, but how she reacts to such an enemy. It’s powerful to watch kind and understanding Frieren confront something so different from herself. Frieren is starting to appreciate and cherish human life, while Aura, who also lives a very long time, views humans as easily manipulated and disposable. Aura is essentially Frieren’s opposite, and she’s a more compelling character than even the action itself.

Season 1, Episode 10: “A Powerful Mage”

Frieren Brutally Humiliated the Proud Aura For All Time

Image via Madhouse.

The first episode of Season 1, titled “A Powerful Mage,” is exceptional and shouldn’t be missed. It features a fascinating flashback showing a young Frieren as an apprentice to the human wizard Flamme, which adds depth to her character. For once, Frieren is the one learning, and the lesson goes beyond just powerful spells. Flamme teaches her about magic auras, emphasizing the importance of self-control and subtly, turning what seems like a simple exercise into something truly meaningful.

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Normally, hiding your magical presence isn’t very useful, but it proved incredibly effective against Aura the Guillotine. Frieren cleverly tricked Aura by masking her own aura, essentially outsmarting the demon with her own tactics and showing her the danger of overconfidence. Everyone has vulnerabilities, and Frieren expertly exploited Aura’s arrogance, finding a critical weakness. The result was a chilling victory – Frieren forced Aura to take her own life with her sword.

Season 1, Episode 21: “The World of Magic”

Frieren Broke All the Rules in Sense’s Mage Exam

Image via Madhouse.

Later in the first season, Frieren faced a new challenge – not a monster, but a magical test. Even with her long life of experience, Frieren found the test difficult, and it was even harder for Fern, Lawine, and Kanne. It was entertaining to watch Frieren work with the often-bickering Lawine and Fern, and she proved herself to be a great teammate. The test couldn’t be completed alone, so Frieren helped her companions succeed.

I was completely surprised when Frieren broke the rules and brought the rain pouring into the exam arena – everyone was! It totally changed the battle between Kanne and Richter, allowing Kanne to use her water magic and win. But it wasn’t just about helping Kanne strategically. The flashback showed us that Frieren is the kind of person who naturally steps in to do what’s right, even something as big as saving the world, simply to bring peace. It felt like she did the same for Kanne, quietly ensuring the heroes would ultimately succeed and end the fighting.

Season 1, Episode 26: “The Height of Magic”

Frieren’s Replica Was the Dreaded Boss Battle

Image via Madhouse.

What truly makes “The Height of Magic” an exceptional episode is its focus on the supporting characters. The episode brilliantly showcases their strengths and flaws through a challenging trial involving clay golems mirroring themselves. While the Frieren anime is often captivating due to Frieren’s immense power, it’s important for the story to occasionally shift the spotlight and allow these other characters to shine.

While Frieren is still central to the story, Fern is quickly becoming the most compelling character in “The Height of Magic,” potentially even surpassing Frieren as the emotional core of the anime. Though she lacks Frieren’s centuries of experience, Fern embodies the spirit of a classic shonen hero, and her rapid development is exciting to watch. Even when she struggles and needs assistance, it feels like a natural part of her growth, not a weakness compared to Frieren. This episode also provides satisfying progress as the test-takers successfully navigate the second stage of the dungeon, culminating in a humorous scene of Frieren getting stuck in a monster resembling a classic Dungeons & Dragons mimic.

Season 2, Episode 2: “The Hero of the South”

Before Himmel, There Was Southern Hero

I have to say, the most recent episode of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End really hit the mark – it’s quickly become a favorite of mine! I was a little surprised by the introduction of the Southern hero, wondering if he’d overshadow Himmel, but honestly, it works so well. He’s not a threat at all; instead, he’s like a fantastic parallel to Himmel, showing us what heroes mean to the people in this world. It’s not just about their battles and victories, you know? It’s about the impact they have, the hope they inspire, and the lasting legacy they leave behind – it’s about who they were, more than just what they did.

Figures like Himmel and the Hero of the South aren’t just characters—they’re symbols that remind people of their own strength and the enduring power of good over evil. Statues of these heroes serve as a constant, visible reminder of that hope. The Hero of the South was especially admirable for his selfless nature and willingness to sacrifice himself, offering only encouragement to Himmel. And in a recent adventure, ‘The Hero of the South’ showed fans yet again that while demons may try to deceive humanity, they can’t outsmart the skilled wizard, Frieren.

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2026-02-12 03:08