By: Peggy Sue Wood | @pswediting

Sousou no Frieren is a fantasy series that follows the journey of Frieren, a powerful young elf-mage who has lived for over 1,000 years. Once a member of the famed heroes’ party, she now spends her time searching for unique magic as part of her hobby. At the beginning of her journey, she has already defeated the Demon King with the former heroes’ party, and what lies ahead for her is a near-eternity of life. As the members of the hero’s party start to pass away, Frieren realizes that the short time she spent with them was significant in their lives, even though it was a brief passing moment in her own. This realization sets her on a journey to retrace the steps of the heroes’ party, keeping promises that were perhaps long forgotten by the people they were made to and reflecting on memories that have outlived much of the human population that surrounds her.

Frieren’s story is unique in that she is not burdened by the weight of her long life, though her tale does explore the toll that such a lengthy existence can take as centuries go by and one realizes that a short time for oneself has been ages for another. The depictions of Frieren and other characters of different species set this series apart from others in the same genre as the creator(s) make distinctions between the different species and how they think or feel due to their different lifestyles, cultures, and lifespans.

Although the pacing of the episodes may be slow and reflective, similar to the source material, the story also includes engaging action scenes and comedic moments, if those pique your interests. Remember that it is, after all, a journey through a fantasy world. Overall, I think those that watch will find it a compelling story with beautiful artwork and nuanced characters, as I have found in the manga. Which leads me to believe that Sousou no Frieren will be the must-watch show of the season.

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Copyedited by: Katherine Cañeba | @kcserinlee