Forum - View topicFrieren: Beyond Journey's End (TV) (w/ index).
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Blood-
 Bargain Hunter Posts: 25599 |
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Don't have much to say expect for the obvious: damn, this show is so freakin' good. What an absolute pleasure to watch.
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Edjwald
 Posts: 3510 |
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Yah, I think this one would be a gem no matter what era it was produced in. Kind of fitting that it would have a timeless quality I guess.
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smurky turkey
Posts: 4997 |
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Agreed, it is a show so good that it is something truly special. While some episodes I like more than others, I have not seen a single episode that I would call less than great yet. That includes this week with a first half that felt very eerie/creepy and a second half that was pretty emotional.
Edit: having watched that mimic scene like ten times now, I am addicted to the munching mimic. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 3443 |
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#15
An episode of two halves: one showing Sein at his best in a battle situation and the other focusing on Stark in a very surprising manner. The two halves are so different that it's a wonder the episode gets the combination right without one half overpowering the other. I had wondered how Sein was going to fight in this party: I got my answer and more. For all his flaws and sexual preferences, when it comes down to business he's definitely useful to this party. We viewers even learn more about the branch of magic he specializes in, its unique traits and peculiarities which even mages like Frieren are at a disadvantage at. Without Sein, the party might well have spent either years in a comatose state or eventually ended up as demon plant fertiliser. Comparing him to Heiter is difficult, since they have very different talents and skillsets. It appears Heiter is the better spellcaster overall thanks to his huge mana reserves, whereas Sein is the more talented healer who can fight in a pinch but is better off supporting his teammates. The second half of the episode came out of the blue, focusing on Stark when he's unwillingly roped in to help a noble family with a pressing issue. The party's quest northwards has moments like these where they spend months at a time doing things which would be the antithesis of a fantasy RPG, and this is a fun one as source material fans will likely swoon over the way Fern and Stark were dancing in the ballroom (3 months for Stark and one month for Fern to get that result is impressive!). Frieren doesn't do much beyond stuff her face with confectionary and indulge in her favourite habbit of reading grimoires, while Sein indulges in his usual vices. There's even time to look into Stark and Orden's backgrounds, which was a surprise finding out their common origin. Bearing in mind where Stark was coming from, the episode reinforces what we know about him and what kind of a person he is turning out to be after over a year of travelling as Frieren's vanguard. Another nice one-off episode very much in the vein of this franchise. But how much longer will this state of affairs last? They are halfway to the city of magic to take the exam they need to get at least one mage to grade one, which will remove the barriers to travel which afflicted them earlier in the season. Will we see the next major arc start this year or in 2024? |
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ACｘS
 Posts: 1226 |
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I know I am incredibly late to this show, but I just watched the first episode. I can see why many people have claimed that this might be one of the best shows of 2023.
This is Madhouse at its finest. It doesn't produce as many shows as it used to be years ago, but whenever it does, it comes up with a masterpiece. I was blown away by the sheer cinematography and storytelling right from the first episode; I could feel like I'm in for an epic generation-spanning journey. I sense similar strong vibes of To Your Eternity and Kemono Souja no Erin. I didn't pick up this show earlier because I simply didn't have the time, but now that most shows of Fall 2023 is over, I have spare time to watch this one and I will take my time to do so. I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 3443 |
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#16
Considering this is the last episode before the next major story arc adaptation, it makes sense the animators aren't going big on visual effects and are letting the characters move the episode along with dialogue. That said, the themes in this episode aren't to be taken lightly since the overarching theme of longevity amidst a world of predominantly shorter lifespans is examined through the lens of memory. Anyone who has seen dementia first hand will recognise plenty in Dwarf Voll. Stereotypically senile, and both he and Frieren recognise that he has not longer to live. The value of having people who remember you as friends for much longer than anyone else can be understated, but Voll remembered something of his wife after the week spent with Frieren and company and if he retains memory of even that fleeting dream then his remaining time is all the better for it. Frieren loses another of her old acquaintances, but it's another step in her long journey towards learning about the world around her using her longevity to it's fullest. The second part looks at Sein and his missing friend. Again there's the theme around memory, this time on how individuals want to be remembered after their relatively brief lives end. Kraft had the same dilemma, and he's been alive longer than Frieren and feels the experience of oblivion more acutely. His statue inspired Sein and Gorilla, with the latter hoping that abandoning his real name for a moniker and some legendary feat will buy him immortality the statue of Kraft and his long dead fellow adventurer failed to do for Kraft. Frieren knows this fate will eventually befall her when humans forget the significance of Himmel's statues, but that time is a long way away and Frieren can still avoid that fate should she choose to work towards that. With the road forking for Sein and the others, it is likely the magic exam arc will just focus on Frieren and Fern while Stark does something to occupy himself waiting for them to finish. Sein has a very cold trail to follow, but follow it he must and the other three will have to make do without his talents for the foreseeable future. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 3443 |
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#17
I was wrong, THIS episode is the last one before the magic exam story arc starts. It's a quiet open to the second quarter as well, with the major highlight being Sein's (temporary?) departure from the party to pursue his old friend in a different city. It's surprising to think he was only with the party for five episodes, and that the party would not have made it this far if he hadn't joined them back in his home village. Frieren is used to farewells, so she sees him off knowing it won't be permanent and that they might cross paths again, just like they could with Kraft. Sein for his part leaves with many fond memories of his brief time with the "three kids" he occasionally had to babysit and mediate, and I for one am hoping we viewers do see him again in some capacity before the quarter ends. The second half seems more like a time filler, as the remaining trio struggle towards their destination in winter. They lose more time again as Fern comes down with a cold, and the episode then takes its time to squeeze in a few more flashback and some character development for Frieren. Comparing Frieren in this episode to the one we saw in episode one, she certainly has changed as she wouldn't have taken so much trouble to give Fern aid if she had not known her as long as she did. The years spent with Fern are still a blink in the eye for Frieren, but she's making progress towards her stated goal of learning more about the shorter-lived beings she dwells upon (starting with Fern and now Stark). At least viewers who complained a YOASOBI number is wasted on this kind of series have something else to compare the first quarter with. Animation is very different from the first opener and has a lot of characters who are most likely making their bow in the next arc. The song itself is pleasant, but the YOASOBI number appeals to me more. Reusing the first quarter ED's song but with the second verse and using something akin to claymation is a surprise move, but it gives off a similar vibe to the first quarter ED's animation so it's all good. Next week's episode title is the starting gun, but it leaves one important question for casual viewers to think about. Fern is officially a third grade mage, but she's allowed to take first grade exams without passing the second grade as a prerequisite? Never mind Frieren, whose circumstances are very different and the invigilators might have something to say about someone like her taking the first grade exam together with less experienced humans. |
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ACｘS
Posts: 1226 |
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17:
New year, new OP. Hot take: I didn't like the first OP. Might sound like a travesty when the whole world seems to be loving YOASOBI, but I never thought the song fits mood of the show. The second OP works well enough, but nothing I would comment much. But keeping the same ED, now that's a huge relief. milet's song embodies the show itself, and the new visuals fits it to a tee. Don't ever change it, please. Oh yeah, the story. I knew that Seins will split from the group; I just didn't think it would be that soon. He's a great addition to the group's camaraderie, although honestly I never felt like he's integral to the group itself. I don't mind that he left; people come and go in this show, after all. And apparently, we will meet a lot of new faces too, judging from the new OP. Just to sum up the whole show so far since binging it from episode one, I think it's the most underrated show of 2023 (if it's a total of 28 episodes, I consider this show belonging to last year). Everyone in the universe talked about Jujutsu Kaisen; very few talked about this one. I'm glad I didn't miss one out after all. |
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smurky turkey
Posts: 4997 |
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I am a bit sad to see Sein go. It makes sense since his goal is finding Gorilla, yet he was a fun and sensible character to have around. He may show up again someday together with Gorilla.
As for Frieren as a show being underrated. I see it barely mentioned on some sites while getting the number one anime of all time rank with lots of discussion on others. I have no idea how popular it really is overall. |
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zfunk
Posts: 546 |
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I am with Sein, why don't those two just date already. Speaking of I am excited for all these new characters. I wonder if one of those girls is going to aggressively flirtatious with Stark and that will get the ball moving.
Odd that we have no new ending song, just a new version of the old one. |
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yuna49
 Posts: 3804 |
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I think Stark should have gone with Sein. What use is Stark going to be at a magic school?
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zfunk
Posts: 546 |
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I wonder if demons are allowed to take this exam.
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smurky turkey
Posts: 4997 |
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Considering the nature of demons that would probably be a really bad idea. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 3443 |
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#18
At long last, the long awaited first-grade mage exam arc begins. It's not very exciting for an opening, but that's the whole point since the exam is multi-stage and it looks like it's going to occupy the majority of this quarter's airtime. There are a lot of Youtube videos on the candidates taking the exam, so interested viewers can have a look. A few of them are named, while some are outright dangerous like Ubel. As far as Frieren is concerned, at least one of Fern or Frieren has to pass in order for the trio to proceed on their ultimate goal. Considering what we know about Frieren, there's no reason why she wouldn't pass, but Fern's lack of self confidence is another matter of contention. For someone who picked third grade to sit for because it was the closest date she could wait for, passing it with a top score at the youngest age in history along with her combat record suggests there's no reason why she won't pass either. She doesn't even realise it, but she' more well known than Frieren is amongst the invigilators which is the episode's biggest irony. Kraft's cameo is a short one, but I didn't see that twist coming. I'm hoping this isn't all we see of him, but he's going in the other direction from Frieren's party so if he gets another cameo it will be a long way off from now. As for Ubel, I suspect she's going to play a role in this exam if she was expelled previously for killing the first-grade invigilator at her previous attempt. In a departure from this franchise so far, this episode caters to the fans with its visuals. If it's not the camera angle when Frieren is lying on Fern's lap, it's the outfits of the female candidates sitting this exam. Unlike the more conservatively dressed Frieren and Fern, they have much more revealing outfits. The camera angles for this episode are also very unlike the usual shots we've had to date. Frieren's teammates for the first stage of the exam are a riot. They fight and quarrel all the time, leading to Frieren breaking a new record for the duration she holds her funny faces. Unlike Fern, they use different spells for offence and work surprisingly well together when required. Unfortunately for Frieren, they don't have Fern's battle experience nor her technique at rapidly casting spells so Frieren has her work cut out for her if she wants to pass to the next stage. After all, the requirements are to capture a bird which is durable and has a top speed of over Mach one and for all party members to survive with said captured bird by the time limit. PvP is allowed, so mages like Ubel will most likely make their move to get rid of other candidates during the duration of this stage since the invigilator did not impose restrictions beyond staying within the test area. Fern is partied with Ubel, but I dont think they'll go on a PvP raid as Fern isn't interested in taking that risk when she wants to pass the exam just as much as Frieren. As for Stark, he needs to find something to do during this arc. He can't just sleep in a library all day. He can train at least, but if the action is all on the candidates it would be a shame as he's earned his place in this story by merit and relegating him to the sidelines would be such a waste. |
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ACｘS
Posts: 1226 |
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18:
I don't know why, but the idea of a sparrow being able to break the sound barrier is hilarious. Imagine: a small, innocent bird that can produce a sonic boom. Lawine and Kanne are adorable. Such different energy from Fern, and they are getting along just fine. But of course, the white elephant in the room is Ubel. She's only a third-class mage because she killed a first-class mage (that's a red flag... how is she allowed to retake this test?). Same vibe as Hisoka from Hunter x Hunter: just bad news. How is Fern going to fare around her? |
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