KONSHUU | Volume 58, Issue 6
MAGIC, FANTASY, AND LIFE’S TRANSIENCE: EXPLORING "FRIEREN: BEYOND JOURNEY'S END" ANGELINA TAKADA
Writer
4th Year, Sociology
Discovering the essence of magic, immortality, and profound philosophy in the captivating anime adventure. What is “magic”? Magic is an ability that is activated by consuming magical power, and it influences events by using mysterious or supernatural forces. There are various kinds of magic, from those used in battle to those rooted in everyday life. It is said that magic is a world of imagination and that whatever cannot be imagined cannot be realized. If you are a fan of fantasy, enchanting worlds, captivating storytelling, and a touch of magic, “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” is a must-watch anime that will take you to a realm of wonder and imagination! It is written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe. Evan Call composed a soundtrack that enhances the anime’s atmosphere and emotional resonance. The drawings and music are breathtakingly beautiful. The animation and art style elevate the story’s magical elements, bringing the spellbinding landscapes and mesmerizing spell effects to life.
The story follows Frieren, an immortal elf, departing on a quest that transcends time. After her party of heroes defeated the Demon King, they restored peace to the land and returned to lives of solitude. Generations pass, and the elven mage Frieren faces humanity’s mortality. From the perspective of immortality, the series prompts contemplation on the ephemeral nature of life and the mysteries of magic. The anime beautifully explores the consequences of immortality, the fleeting nature of life, and the profound impact of magic on the characters’ destinies, as well as offering a profound and philosophical adventure that explores the intricacies of life and of magic. Frieren’s encounters with each character and their magic add depth to the narrative, and create emotional moments that resonate with us.
Delving into the price of immortality, the transience of life, and the profound impact of magic on characters' destinies, Frieren’s themes weaves a poignant tale. The stories of various characters Frieren encounters add depth to the narrative, leaving a strong impression on the audience. The vivid drawing and animation that shows the magic, landscapes, and effects cannot be understated.
Frieren’s opening theme song is「勇者」(Yusha, “Hero”) by YOASOBI. YOASOBI was formed by the composer Ayase and the vocalist ikura. Ayase writes songs based on short stories. Their debut song「夜に駆ける」(“Into the Night”/Racing into the Night) was released in 2019. In 2021, they released their first EP “THE BOOK” and the second EP “THE BOOK 2”. The music duo became a sensation. Frieren’s ending theme song is “Anytime Anywhere” by milet. She also sang the first episode’s ending theme song “bliss”. “Anytime Anywhere” by milet conveys a beautiful message that states: “I want to feel you in my heart every time, everywhere. I want to be in your heart. I always want to feel at ease without any promises. No matter how many times I am to be reborn, I want to meet you. Even if I was reborn as a flower, I want to bloom next to you. Even if I become a star in the sky, I want to be around you. I am more happy than anything to be able to think of you and sing about you now. No matter what time of day, no matter where you are, I want to stay close to you with this song”. The music pairs with the story and animation to make it even more meaningful, special, and personal. “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” is an anime with magic as its central theme, which is the essence of compelling fantasy and action. This beautiful work admirably combines a beautifully realized fantasy world with a heart-touching story, in order to create a heart-touching journey of astonishment and emotion.
