Frieren: Triumphing Where Other High Fantasy Series Fell Short

Highlights

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End successfully showcases a proper sense of time, something that most high fantasy series fail to do.

In high fantasy series, realism is often neglected in favor of quick storytelling. However, Frieren showcases alternative methods of captivating storytelling. Frieren prioritizes the journey itself over just reaching the final destination, granting viewers the opportunity to relish the sluggish and ordinary aspects of the characters' exploits.

High fantasy, a genre often associated with fantastical tales featuring magic, creatures, and diverse intelligent species coexisting in a shared realm, has seen a surge in popularity due to the rise of isekai stories. However, many of these stories have similar premises with minor variations. Enter Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, a new anime that brings forth a significant narrative element rarely explored in other high fantasy series.

A Sense of Time

Frieren excels at showcasing a crucial element that sets it apart from other high fantasy series - an effective portrayal of the passage of time. While most high fantasy series understand the importance of pacing, they often struggle to convey the true length of events, and this issue only worsens with time. This problem is evident in two specific areas: the characters' journey and the lifespan of long-lived races.

In the initial season of Sword Art Online, the players were trapped in the game for approximately two and a half years. However, if we only focus on what occurs within the game, time appears to slip by unnoticed. Then, in episode 14, the first story arc abruptly concludes. As viewers, we are left feeling that the two and a half years spent in the Aincrad tower did not truly feel as though they had passed.

The same applies to long-lived races like elves. Legends tell us that elves have the ability to live for hundreds, or even thousands, of years while maintaining their youthful appearance. However, often times, their age is merely mentioned in passing to the audience. "See those elves over there? They're 1200 years old."

It's difficult for us to grasp such an extraordinary number because no human in reality has ever come close to reaching even a tenth of that age. We find it much easier to comprehend someone who has dedicated 30 years to mastering their craft, as we can relate to the passage of time within that period. Consequently, the length of their lives becomes nothing more than a random figure to us. There is no sense of awe or surprise when we learn about these races that live for countless centuries.

Realism vs Compact Storytelling

Most high fantasy series opt to avoid providing a detailed sense of time, and this choice arises from the trade-off between realism and efficient storytelling. In order to craft an engaging and action-packed narrative, authors often need to streamline the story by removing unnecessary details. Consequently, they must carefully select which aspects of the story to retain and which to exclude.

It is widely understood that it would take the hero's group a considerable amount of time to travel from their hometown to the lair of the demon lord, especially considering that they mostly journey on foot in typical high-fantasy series. However, this does not mean that the story needs to depict this part of the adventure. On the contrary, it is often more advantageous to omit that portion from the narrative.

Would you rather watch Goblin Slayer and his companion take an entire episode to traverse towns and forests before encountering an enemy in the next episode? Or would you prefer the story to delve into the experiences of a centenarian elf and witness her skillfully dispatch goblins with her bow?

By removing the boring and unnecessary parts, the story would become more condensed and thrilling to follow. Viewers would reach the intriguing moments faster and feel more invested in the story. Thus, it makes sense to prioritize crafting a concise and captivating narrative over strict realism. However, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End challenges this notion by demonstrating alternative methods of storytelling that are equally compelling and engaging.

Why Frieren Succeeds Where Others Failed

Unlike most high fantasy series, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End effectively conveys a strong sense of time throughout its narrative. Rather than solely emphasizing key events and milestones in the hero’s journey, this series places emphasis on the journey itself. The captivating aspect lies not in reaching the destination, but in experiencing the journey itself.

While other series may gloss over or fast-forward through the travel sequences, Frieren allows viewers to indulge in the deliberate and ordinary moments of walking through towns and forests. In contrast to solely showcasing missions aligned with their main objective, this series portrays its characters engaging in menial tasks unrelated to the purpose of their adventure.

In addition, the series introduces the fact that it took the hero's party (Frieren, Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen) approximately ten years to successfully complete their mission of subduing the demon lord. This sets the expectation that their upcoming journey will be lengthy. By frequently alluding to the passage of time in various locations, the viewers can accurately perceive the progression of time within each episode. For instance, when Frieren halts their journey for six months in search of her friend's favorite flower.

Moreover, the series effectively demonstrates Frieren's incredibly advanced age through her interactions with people and places. The dilapidated village they once visited has transformed into a thriving town. The mischievous boy who used to play pranks on her is now an elderly gentleman. The kind and youthful comrades she left behind have aged into cheerful old men. Frieren's true age need not be explicitly stated, as these numerous interactions provide a meaningful understanding of the challenges and experiences that come with living such a prolonged life.

In conclusion, unlike other high fantasy series, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End takes a different approach by not focusing on epic battles against demons and monsters. Instead, it sheds light on the often overlooked aspects of adventure such as exploring new places and engaging in random tasks. This series demonstrates that these elements can be just as thrilling as the act of slaying a fire-breathing dragon. This unique perspective allows the show to effectively convey a true sense of time, setting it apart from other high fantasy series.

You can stream Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End on Crunchyroll.