The demon lord has been slain, and the heroes has brought the world back to peace. But, what if you outlive everyone to see how the world that you saved turn out? Step into Frieren's shoes, a more than a thousand years old elf mage of the hero’s party.
The typical fantasy genre in anime often follows a classic formula. The hero comes about, grows stronger, and eventually defeat the villain. This format has been the bread and butter of fantasy story-telling, not only in mainstream anime, but also in the more mainstream media. But, this manga put the audience on a unique vantage point to see how the story unfolds. Sousou No Frieren follows the story of an elf who joined an adventurer party. However, Frieren’s journey takes the readers to the aftermath of the so-called finale of the fantasy genre. This is a unique way to bring nostalgic feeling to the readers.
Critics and connoisseurs alike say that Sousou No Frieren has a long and slow-paced story. Although it is true that the manga isn’t as action-packed as other fantasy titles, the sense of adventure Sousou No Frieren brings makes up for it. The manga has a deep insight into the characters’ emotional turmoil as they faced many life challenges. In a way, their contemplation in some chapters are eerily similar to a real-life crisis many people have. From questioning mortality, one’s perception of time, and knowing someone who is close and important. Frieren, in a lot of ways, is an adventure both to the fantasy world and the very complicated human emotions.
Sousou No Frieren Takes You Into A Fantasy Adventure And An Emotional One
The world of Sousou No Frieren takes place on a fictional continent with wide forests and mountain ranges across its geography. Frieren’s return to the Royal Capital after 50 years of miscellaneous travels was welcomed with bad news. One of her old companions, Himmel, died just shortly after her arrival. Frieren was overwhelmed with guilt and grief, regretting that she didn’t know more about Himmel. She then embarked to a place which said to be the resting place of souls to give Himmel a proper goodbye. Losing someone dear is one of the worst thing in the world. On top of that, Frieren’s somewhat ignorance to how short a human’s lifespan put her into a deep regret. A storyline like this is what makes a good manga. The manga intimately explores internal struggles of the characters instead of showcasing only the physical battles.
When Fifty Years Feel Like Fifty Days
Have you ever wondered what kind of twisted effect of a near immortal lifespan can do to someone? For instance, people like Legolas in LOTR, Paarthurnax in Skyrim, and Kanna in Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, all of them are basically living relics among mortals. This is what Sousou No Frieren story is all about. While mere humans like HImmel, for instance, wanted to leave his legacy after the hero’s party defeated the demon king, Frieren couldn’t see the point at first. The elf mage Frieren was basically immortal compared to her comrades. She thought death was just something that happen naturally, and it didn’t bother her much. Her grim backstory later will explain how she got this perception. Additionally, her long lifespan as an elf actually skew her perception of time. For her, fifty years might feel like fifty days. Her nearly immortal life might seem like a blessing. However, the story really shows how it can be a curse, especially if that long life goes without anyone to share with.
One Of Must-Watch Anime in Fall 2023
Reading the manga is enough to bring readers into a crying fit because of its bittersweet story. So, it was absolutely a wonderful news when the teaser for the anime adaptation came out. Since its first release, the manga received positive response and won several awards. At the end of this summer, the anime adaptation is finally close to release and its teaser absolutely pampers fans with gorgeous animation. Additionally, it is revealed that Atsumi Tanezaki, the voice of Anya in Spy X Family, will be the VA for Frieren. The anime will begin airing on early October 2023. Suffice to say, the anime adaptation will be a high quality one with a great story, talented VAs, and breathtaking animated scenes.
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