I think reading this manga as an old person gives a different set of feelings than someone with their lives still ahead of them. I picked it up in my 64th year, and having lost family and friends over the past few years the melancholy feels very realistic. I'm enjoying the hell out of the manga and expect to enjoy the anime, too.
@@timdunnusa I sometimes get doubted or disbelieved when I say that I watched the original Astroboy, Speed Racer, 8 Man and others when they were first on US television, I actually had a 45 record with the Astroboy theme song, etc. I got back into anime big time in the 90's, which still makes me "old school". Unfortunately I only have one other person in my age group that has even heard of anime, much less is a fan.
It's crazy, back when I was a kid. No adults were into these sorts of nerdy things. But now that I've gotten older Ive met several people in their 60s who are gamers or anime lovers, etc. I'm glad to see the things and stories that bind us together as humans are starting to crumble to old stereotypes like age.
@@bombomos I do know a cosplaying family where the main players are a couple in their 70's, and the husband often cosplays as "Old Man Logan" from the comic book. I like that most of the younger fans are more accepting than a lot of my peers, but we old fans are used to being on the fringe, and we like what we like. The best aspect of Japan's approach with anime and especially manga is that they don't ignore or denigrate fans as they get older, and they don't assume manga are "just for kids only". I'm a sucker for rom-coms, especially the ones with older protagonists, like "Wotakoi" and "ServantXService". There literally is something for everyone which is why it's becoming more popular than US-produced comics and animation (although DC is getting pretty good at it).
Me too. I was questioning why nobody got married, not even the Hero. One would think that it would be a big deal not just for him but his people for him to leave an heir, but nope.
I love how its subtly implied that the hero Himmel loved Frieren but she was to oblivious at the time to notice. He even passed away w/o marrying anyone else or having kids
Also, rather than her simply being too oblivious to notice his feelings (which is definitely true), it goes quite a bit deeper than that. It's pretty much shown from Himmel's actions that he intentionally didn't pursue her directly with words, because he knew exactly how little of her lifespan his relationship with her would be able to last, and did not want to burden her with that. He did go pretty hard on the non-verbal displays of affection, though. Probably because he knew her well enough to know that she wouldn't be able to understand them.
@@altrivotzck6565 yet he gave her the lotus adorned ring. In flower language mean "eternal love". He fall in love with Freiren when he was a little boy, and kept his love to the death.
This manga has the best portrayal of demons I've seen. They only evolved to look and sound like humans in order to hunt humans more efficiently but can't understand human emotions and ethics no matter how hard they try. They are predators through and through. Love it
@@manumudgal4988 perfect anime until the last 2 episodes where it was rushed and left without a finish unfortunately 😞. Would u reccomend reading the manga?
One thing I like about this manga is how it shows how much impact the hero and his party had on future generations. For the heroes, they did the equivalent of a random side quest to kill a few monsters or something. It's even brought up occasionally that they should focus more on slaying the demon king instead of taking so many detours. For the villagers and their descendants however, they owe their village and lives to the heroes making the simple decision to pause their journey and help them out.
@@steplu2916I think it's kinda like that, but not entirely. Like Goblin Slayer, Frieren also does many different "quests" throughout her journey with her new party. But Frieren as a story relies more on Frieren's nostalgia with her old party. Everywhere she goes on this journey, she is reminded of her old journey while, at the same time, making new memories with her new party. So in a sense, we are watching two different stories, one where we know the ending and the other where the ending is yet to be determined. It also creates opportunities for Frieren to view her old journey in a different light, most notably with the hero Himmel, where she learns how much he meant and changed her, romantic or otherwise (yet to be determined) But yeah, Frieren doesn't have those . . . grisly themes that Goblin Slayer has 😅
Frieren gives a pretty fresh take on "evil" demons honestly. In most other stories, demons are basically just bad people with extra steps. And in those stories, there will always be instances where the authors try to make the readers empathize with them. Even in dark fantasy like Berserk, the Apostles still retain some human emotions and can have regrets and such, making us readers empathize with them. In Frieren, it's just "Nope, we can't understand the demons, and neither can they understand us, the only path we can cross is that of mutual destruction."
yes, exactly. Western based high fantasy is a truly iconic part of anime history but the last decade has turned the settings and characters into a shallow skin that dozens of lazy shows simply wear as a costume with no soul. Frieren is such a refreshing call back to the real heart of the genre that used to be take more seriously.
Geoff, i need you to know that watching your videos is very bad for my free time. You've yet to lead me astray in a recommendation, so i keep reading and watching them all I really appreciate the videos, and you being a fellow Canadian gives me a strange sense of pride. Hope you keep enjoying what youre doing for many years to come!
Im so glad more people are reading this manga and that it’s getting an anime adaptation. Frieren just feels so good to read. It’s deep and thoughtful, the story is more classic fantasy instead of the overplayed video game style fantasy, which makes it just a breath of fresh air overall. Absolutely love it
Frieren feels so ethereal to read, like trying to grab the wind. Years go by in pages, Monents last chapters. Time feels so nonsecnicle and chaotic but rather than being confusing or sudden it feels so natural, like you're actually viewing time though the eyes of an immortal. Honestly, it's one of the best, most poignant mangas out there and I hope this anime captures it so well.
Frieren at the Funeral is the way fans translated the title which given the whole setup of the two hero team members passing on definitely has a special feeling.
Rather than "the way fans translated it" it's more like "what the actual subtitle in Japanese directly translates to". I don't mind the localized subtitle, though. It turns it from a subtitle that sets up the vibe of the series into a subtitle that sets up the plot of the series. I'm fine with either.
Honestly, Frieren at the Funeral is kind of giving "elf on the shelf"... I prefer the subtitle that they went with, it sounds more epic. Although, Frieren at the Funeral is pretty catchy.
One other thing to sell the series, I believe that Frieren is set to be voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki, who also voiced the lead Chise Hatori in the Ancient Magus' Bride, and Anya Forger in Spy X Family. So we should have a VA with proven emotional, and comedic chops.
@@Rivershield There are two main characters who have a bit of romantic tension, but I would say romance is far from a main focus of the story of Frieren. (Edit: fixed a grammar mistake/dropped word)
Frieren has a lot of quiet moments like Berserk, there are lots of scenes with no dialog, just characters in the moment. Which might throw off a few people. But yes, this is a very good series.
Quiet moments are something that most fantasy anime either struggle or neglect to do. But, Mushoku Tensei showed it's very possible to do very well, so there's every possibility this manages it too.
@@RabblerouserGT "netflix quality" define netflix quality. Do you mean good like violet ever garden and vinland saga or do you mean terrible like seven deadly sins.
Nice use of the Champion's Ballad as background music for this one. The emotions behind the music from BotW when Link is remembering his old, departed friends is extremely relevant to Frieren's journey.
Just the description you gave of the demons as a villain, a race of intelligent, rational beings that just have such a RADICALLY different view of the world and morality than us, that's a great but hard way to do a villain. If it's well done, that alone is VERY promising for both the manga and the anime.
Frieren is one of those beautiful pieces of fiction that make you think - a lot. The demon's are so unlike anything in our own material world - they use both the bad, and, even more terrifyingly, the good, as tools against humans to prey on them. They use lies and communication, again, as a tool to prey on humans, but in a completely inhuman way. They feel less like beasts and more like something cosmically intangible, like a black hole that sucks in all light and matter to keep becoming larger and larger - there's no ill intent in the destruction of everything that would come into it's orbit, but simply the forces of gravity playing out
Frieren gives a pretty fresh take on evil honestly. In most other stories, demons are basically just bad people with extra steps. Even in dark fantasy like Berserk, the Apostles still mostly retain some human emotions and have regrets and such, making us readers empathize with them. In Frieren, it's just "Nope, we can't understand the demons, and neither can they understand us, the only path we can cross is that of mutual destruction."
THIS IS MY FAVORITE ONGOING FANTASY SERIES! I love and relate to Frieren's character, adore the characterization of the demons and love how nonchalant the expressions of everyone is
@@npclucario7005 Is he even a villain XD. We pity him so much while knowing there is nothing to save. It is incredible! The author really knows how to portray evil whithout falling in a black and white universe, I love it!
@@orelliaorellia142 at the very least an antagonist, but either way he's my favorite, it's so painful to see him try so hard to understand humanity but fall short every time
I've read the manga. The story is touching and bitter sweet. The characters themselves are not grim or gloomy; quite the opposite, they are goofballs in their own way and their eccentricities make the character relationships and dynamics quite entertaining. The lessons or the conclusions to the mini-arcs are hopeful and warm. At the same time, there is always this tone of melancholy and sadness because time passes by, too fast for everyone else aside from the elf. Its a good read and is definitely going to be a great watch. Thank you for shining the spot light on it.
I heard Garnt review this like a year or so ago and I've been buying volumes physical since. It's fantastic. I love how Fern slowly become part of a found family that helps Frieren realize the hero and her friends were so important to her and to break her walls down
I love that everyone is going to have Frieren on their radar. I’ve been in love with it since I read the first chapter, got the volumes on my shelf. Thanks for spreading the word!
Next volume (in English) releases next month!! It'll be tricky, but I hope to buy it on release day. Might have to wait till I get back home in December though...
Watching this video nearly made me cry. It really reminded me of what I love about Frieren, Mr Basement your script writing is immaculate and heart-touching! I think I'll go reread Frieren now :''DD
Got turned onto this series by Gigguk about a year before the animation announcement. It's been #1 on my watchlist for this coming Fall season, and it's nice to hear more folks finding out about it.
That review by him is all I've seen of this manga. Seemed interesting, but strikes me as something that I'd find too depressing to actually read or watch. Might be like how some people said the main character from Bocchi The Rock was too relatable for them, which made it too difficult to actually watch.
This is the only thing I know is coming next season (though, this season is almost over). (Googles what's upcoming, gives it a skim...) I see five I know, others I am curious about. All of the five are the next season of something. Two peak my excitement more then Frieren... but at this point, I'm boarder-line obsessive over what's going to happen. So it overshadows the others by a mile.
Frieden's realization about human lifespan - on an emotional level - reminds me of a character I have. In his case, he's a human necromancer who uses magic to keep rejuvenating himself (when he doesn't mess it up and wind up a lich for a few years before managing to pull together the monumental effort to revive from that state). And he'd long, long ago chalked up "human life is short" as a thing he just accepts, so he doesn't get surprised (even if he does mourn, sometimes) when humans grow old and die while he continues on. It's when an _elf_ he knew when the elf was a child is getting so old that his old age is starting to make him slow down and really look _aged_ that it hits him with surprise. He's always held up elves as "living a very long time," so while he intellectually knew he would still outlive any elf if he kept up what he was doing, the fact that, at nearly 1000 years old, himself (in a setting where elves might live to be 800), he was also leaving elves behind...finally hit him with surprise as well as a little sadness.
Sortove like the difference between losing dogs and humans, you get used to seeing young dogs grow old and die, but the passage of time doesn't really hit you until you start seeing significant ageing in humans.
@@garethbaus5471 Indeed. And for Frieden, it's probable that, until she joined the Hero's Party for that quest, her close ties were only with other elves. Sure, she might meet a human or few, even make passing acquaintanceship with them as she stays in town for a day or two, does some shopping, etc. And when she comes back through town a mere hundred or so years later and there are different humans there, and some of them are the children of a human she met before, that's a passing point of interest. "Oh, I met your father, once." But they're still just passing acquaintances, so it doesn't _hit_ you. She knew, intellectually, but the brevity of her encounter and the brevity of their lives was on the same mental and emotional scale. It might be a bit awkward if you hear that the waitress you had at a restaurant last time you were in town passed away, but you are probably not emotionally invested enough to do more than offer condolences to the living who miss her. You had one encounter with her, no matter how friendly, and maybe it's a pity you can't have her wait on you again, but if she'd just moved on to college (or from college), that would also be the case. It's when Frieden winds up forming close ties with her mortal friends, and then neglects to stay in touch in the same way that she probably does with her close elven friends and loved ones, that it becomes an issue. Because with her fellow elves, they can renew their acquaintanceship or even friendship by meeting up again 300 years later, and just spend a decade or so catching up. But she probably made some sort of special effort to be back in the Hero's life "quickly." And he became an old and frail man, an eyeblink from death, in so brief a time. That's going to hit so differently. All of which is just me long-windedly agreeing with you on the difference.
This is definitely up my alley. This show has my vibe an interesting plot involving solid villains, a contemplative look at the familiar, and a very broad perspective.
God I love this manga! It's like a DnD adventure or a high fantasy video game where you beated the final boss and then wander doing side quest a hunting secret bosses. The characters are so well written and all the plot around time, history war, peace, etc, is so well wrapped up! I love it!
I love this manga and its portrait of demons, also the feeling of a vast history and world, the south hero who was the real hero of this era, the monk elf that was an hero of such and far past that no one rememer, the legendary sword waiting for the future hero who would save the world, the evolution of the magic, macht... So much things The only thing that make me worry its the lack of expressions in our characters, not for me i dont mind, but the people that doesnt know thw story yet
I've been following Frieren for a while and I'm real excited to see you get into it! It's got a lot of the same vibes i love from Witch Hat Atelier and other character-driven fantasy, and the art is gorgeous enough to carry through any slow parts. Definitely one of my faves and I'm looking forward to the anime
I'm SO glad to see you give the manga a spotlight! I started it last year, was moved to tears from just the first chapter and I've been madly in love with it since.
I absolutely adore this manga and its very melancholic and contemplative vibe. Can't wait to see some of my favorite scenes beautifully animated and then have a complete emotional meltdown.
As someone who caught onto this manga when it just started being serialized, seeing it grow to this level inspires a degree of pride in me that I've never felt before.
Frieren hit me completely off guard. Given how many generic game-esque fantasy manga there are in the world I decided to ignore it for a long while, but eventually I decided to give a try and I was sucked in completely. It has some of that thoughtfulness of a Kino's Travels or Mushishi, but can also do breezier stories with lovely character interactions of a Flying Witch, and then hit you with life-and-death action scenes that are reminiscent of Hunter X Hunter. I'm just happy non-manga readers who've never heard of Frieren will have an opportunity to see it.
thank you for covering this one geoff, my brother and i have been reading it together and it's really like no fantasy i've read recently. the atmosphere, worldbuilding, and character writing is so refreshing. it's funny that you used botw music in this-- that's been my main reading soundtrack!
Yesss!!! I'm so excited you got to partake in this Masterpiece! I'm equally excited by the mostly stacked names attached to the making of the adaptation!
Its is a refreshing trope-braking that elves arent just a "sexdoll with tits and pointy ears" but we follow the story from her perception of time flow... Ep1 hitted like a truck. After Oshi no Ko I wont say it will be a braking heartwrenching scene, but it will fuel the melancholy and will scratch some existential itch, but the same time with some upbeat nihilism. Not sure if I should make a SPOILER, since this IS the core team of the whole story: Some people and traditions are long forgotten, while Frieren experienced those statue erections first hand. Generations passed for humans, and all they know is "someone who made some great effort". Its a tradition now to keep a festival on the same day of the year, because only a few elderly able to even recall what happened... Its a duality that your actions can be forgotten and remembered the same time... The multiple timelayers give some interesting stories to tell. The first demon generals defeat was shockingly good. I laughed hard when the new group arrives to a city that is under a blockade and Frieren casually walks to the inn, requesting a room and a job so she can stay for a couple of YEARS! While the two human member of the party wants to solve the quest, because they cant afford to settle down... :D The amazing uplifting stories that the party who defeated the demon-king wasn't even a group of chosen ones. SPOILER REALLY NOW: It was such an amazing twist that Hero-Himmel could not even pick up the demon-slayer-chosen-one-legendary blade... And I am all ready for the mimic-jokes XD
I will be one hundred percent honest. I've been watching anime for over ten years. This was my first manga I've EVER read. (maybe I've peaked at other for a few pages... but I didn't *read* them) I got up into the early 90's chapter wise, in May 2022. What you said about it being hard to put down, TRUTHS my dude. I remember just wanting to look at it, a few pages, just a peak. The premise was interesting enough to grab my attention. But for me to want to read it on a five inch (12 cm for the rest of the world) screen, it was good. I'd read it after work, when I woke up and fell asleep on it a few times, late into the night. And so, it became the first manga I've ever bought as well (next volume comes out in October!!!). (I wanted it to be my first manga to anime experience, but Oshi no Ko beat me to it, so I'll just consider that a trail run since only the first volume had been released in English at the time, then the second while it aired. Even the third, released last month so bought but not read yet, doesn't reach the end of the anime. Volume four in November.) Between what you said about demons being alien and evil, I strongly have to say alien. They appear evil, yes. But due to their nature in this story, they literally can't be evil. That's something my mother says a lot, that demons aren't evil, yet do thing humans would say is evil. So, demons are evil? No, and it's so well done. In that, I'm remembering and referring to the demon in the 80's, chapter wise, into the 90's. It dived so much into that demon. I would hope the anime gets to him, but know it will need a season 2 for that most likely. By my best estimate, up to volume 6 of the manga will get adapted (a bit difficult to always discern, but going off the first ep 2 hour special, I assume the first two volumes into that episode, then three episodes per volume if totaling 12 episodes). It will be an amazingly fun ride to see all this in color (one of my biggest problems getting INTO manga, no color). Why haven't I gone back to it? It was hard to put down. I saw myself nearing the end of what had been released. Every week a new chapter was translated, posted, and knew I'd catch myself in a fit of needing to know what NEXT!! However, I ended right as the backstory of the demon finished. Right before the big battle with said demon. Right at the top before the peak climax. And so, I was calm. What was said had been spoken, much like the end of a conversation before the start of a new one. I didn't feel plagued by the need to worry, fret, and hunger to go forward. Excited for the anime. When you started talking about people and what they worked on, I had one anime for each of them. One Punch Man, Violet Evergarden, Bocchi, Sonny Boy and Overlord (minus newest season, to change after I watch HunterxHunter, so around December or so). Was stone (cause I know nothing) until you said Violet. What I can tell by your enthusiasm, it will be a good anime, with visuals, music and script all awesome. On a side note, Frieren is kind of alien as well, though a different variety then demons. I feel they do the long elf life quite well, with small things such as human life, or adventuring requirements, being so short lived. I remember her complaining about not being able to keep up with all the changes when they when to go take the first class mage test (I believe that will be animated, so very fun there). If my mother didn't hate manga/comics, I think she'd like this story. (She can't get behind the picture paints a thousand words. If it got a light novel, I'd hand it to her in a heart beat.) I think I'll be someone who has the manga open as I watch it. Not... sure (cause subs).
So, funny thing I noticed about the original party's names: Frieren = German word for "freezing" (as in, you feel cold, not freezing water). Eisen = German word for "iron". Himmel = German word for "Sky" or "Heaven". Heiter = means "jolly".
I’m excited for your reaction to the later chapters with the Demon Macht who’s one of my favorite villains of all time. Also hoping for a main channel vid once the anime comes out.
I’m really looking forward to this one. “Frieren” has this blend of world building, stand out characters, emotional beats, slow life AND epic fights, deep lore… it’s a total package and set to be one of my top anime’s ever. Vinland saga good.
God I love this manga, it can make my whole day when there's an update. As far as the demons go, it's tempting to think of their use of speech as a Chinese Room / super advanced form of ChatGPT, but there IS something there, some sort of element that could be considered emotion / discretion...and honestly that makes it all that much more bizarre. At one point a character suggests that humans and demons are the product of convergent evolution, like sharks and dolphins. Forms and needs very similar to the other, but utterly alien to each other.
I'm so glad it was Madhouse that adapted it. They're not as prolific as they used to be a decade or so ago but IMO they're still the GOAT of animation studios. So many times when watching even just a simple scene of Frieren and Fern walking through the woods the animation quality was so good that I thought to myself "They're just showing off now"
Feck (and you too YuPoop xD) you Geoff... I knew I shouldn't have watched the video knowing that the manga is ongoing. Most of the Sunday went away catching up with it xP
When I read the manga I would cry often just by reading "28 years have elpsed since Hero Himmels passing...". Time is such a powerful character in the story,
I've been tiptoeing around that manga for some time. As a German native speaker it's quite hard to stay in the flow when _all_ the characters are named like 'Freeze', 'Sky', 'Cheerful', Iron', 'Far', 'Strong', etc.
I quit the Manga after a few chapters. Great story, but the names are just painfull. At least take names that have that meaning and not the literal words.
This video is the reason I checked out the Frieren anime and I'm glad I did. It's every bit as good as Geoff said it was. I'm reading the manga now, I'm about halfway through Volume 3. I'm getting the paperback volumes from my library.
This is intresting. For one yeah, it would be nice if Isekai was not the only flavor of fantasy on offer in anime. As a long time fan of fantasy. It's cool to get a story from the perspective of an elf. Rather than humanity. To humans in many fantasy settings. Elves can seem aloof and unconcerned with the affairs of the world. To an elf. Humans can be the proverbial candle that burns twice as bright, and half as long. With such short lives, that they can never gain a broad perspective on the world they live in. Rarely do we get to see this from the eyes of an elf themselves. I'm definitely gonna check this one out.
Oh hey I too also was torn away from TotK and read this to 3am after convinced halfway through your video. Funny coincidence! It’s good. Just…good. Feels like To Your Eternity as you mentioned but there’s times that just feel like it’s high-fantasy Kino’s Journey with a traveling party, which is great (without the 3 day limit though…how often does “we’ll be here for 3 months” come up in this, I swear hahaha)
So glad more and more people are talking about this Monga. I have been following it for years now. It is gorgeous. It is lovely. It is heart-wrenching.
Yes!! I discovered this earlier in the year, and it has quickly become one of my very favorite ongoing stories. I'm so glad you're bringing attention to it!
Just binged the anime the last 2 weeks, having to wait for the last episode 2 days ago. I haven't felt this way about an anime for a long time. I'm still young but I already have regrests and family I'm not spending enough time with. It hits so hard, and I'm so glad I watched this now rather than 10 years ago when I was a teen. This is going to be an anime of the decade, and some people are going to need a few more years to truly realise that.
A spiritual successor to Record of Lodoss War. If it is possible, I believe it. I have not kept up much with anime or manga for sometime. Good to know Mad House & an amazing team is bringing this to life
If you want another manga with excellently-written large passages of time, check out "Enough of This Slow Life! I Was Reincarnated as a High Elf and Now I'm Bored"... yeah that title certainly comes from a LN alright. This series is like Frieren where it will jump huge amounts of time and shows just how decisions made reflect back years later, except it's "currently" happening rather than happening mainly before the story starts. This series and Frieren somehow create a much more convincing passage of time than any other series I've read, so I'd recommend that to anyone who bothers to read this.
I love the manga. I've been caught up for ages, and still eagerly wait for more in spite of the very slow release times. One of the many things I really adore from the early chapters, is seeing Fern growing up while traveling with Frieren. I love watching Frieren trying to understand Fern as in terms of Fern's own life, Frieren has helped raise and mentor her since childhood. It really sells Frieren's growth from how quickly she dismissed the 10 years on the first adventure at the start as she now tries to do better this time, understanding that while this may be a drop the ocean of her own lifespan, it is precious to those she's sharing it with.
I wasn’t even a quarter through the video before I pulled up the manga to start reading. Finishing the video, of course, but man do I wanna start reading NOW
Daaaaamn. This aged beautifully. I was excited when I started Frieren, then more so when this came out, and now, I am so happy to be in the midst of the MASSIVE success of the anime. Manga readers got that mega validation for their good taste now that everyone everywhere remarks on the power of pasto pastels and lengthy lives in great media.
When I initially encountered this series, you had to buy the volumes and it was incompleate so I just left it alone. Glad to see that it's now available for subscribers!
Frieren is current my favourite manga of all time. The impact the first chapter had and the strong themes it carries from there, it speaks to so many of us. However as equally excited as I am for the anime for it's stacked staff and story, I feel one major thing it will lack is it's immersion. Reading frieren was such an experience as each page travels you years ahead. It's as if as a reader, you are in control of their lives through a flip of a page or a scroll through the phone. Being in that control of their journey is completely different than just watching their journey. Regardless, I am still every excited and I'm sure my qualms will be thrown out immediately once the anime airs
Well, Geoff, you were right. That opening four-parter was maybe the best anime début I've seen in years, and I know that whenever I rewatch it alone, I am going to be bawling my eyes out.
I rarely comment on your channel. I'm all of 4 minutes in, and you've sold me. The very simple premise of this, an effectively immortal person trying to come to grips and understand the - to her - extremely, horrifying transient beings around her, is something that speaks to me. Maybe because I've lived my own life as an outsider, maybe not...I don't know. But, thank you. If nothing else about this channel, this work, has given you a sense of personal connection and fulfillment, please take it here. Here's to many more years, furendo. Cheers.
Thanks to this video, I went out recently and picked up volume 1 of Frieren. THEN one week later, I picked up volume 2 of Frieren. AND THEN ... well you get my drift, yes? Admittedly, I did not get very "teary - eyed" about the story thus far, BUT, I instead found my self putting down the story in mid - read and staring thoughtfully at nothing for minutes at a time, contemplating what i just read; the EMOTION, and realization that "Yeah, I've Been There too" washing over me. The manga style is wonderful, and usually peaceful. The dialogue is also easy to follow and appreciate, so I don't see how any competent animation production team and studio can "EF" things up even a little, unless they get lazy and indifferent in their job. In which case EACH AND EVERY member of the team and STUDIO (MAPPA) will wake up in the middle of a dark and stormy night to find a small dark shadow with glaring, pitiless double pupil eyes looming over their awake, but paralyzed bodies, ALL AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE WHOLE NIGHT.
Frieren has been my favorite manga since the day it came out. There really just is not anything like it, an incredibly human story that accomplishes a difficult balancing act of its pacing, with riveting action to fill in the gaps between these characters just living their lives in this wondrous world. I am incredibly excited for the anime adaptation, and am happy that some of the best out there will be working on it to do it justice.
I came across this Manga at the start, and since it was a rec from r/Manga or something similar i just thought it would have taken hold in those circles and was big enough that everyone knew about it. Like, I'm a little shocked that the KY moment didn't reach your ears when it happened. I'm glad you found it. You've got me hyped for the anime now too.
I remember starting this series as a recommendation from Chibi a few years back & was blown away by the story. It became one of my favorites so when the anime was announced I was really hyped, can’t wait!
God I'm so glad you made a video about this. I remember reading this when only a couple of chapters were out and getting really into it. Can't believe I forgot about it, truly a great premise for a fantasy manga.
I think reading this manga as an old person gives a different set of feelings than someone with their lives still ahead of them. I picked it up in my 64th year, and having lost family and friends over the past few years the melancholy feels very realistic. I'm enjoying the hell out of the manga and expect to enjoy the anime, too.
I feel ya. So often, I'm on some anime Discord or otherwise online gathering and age comes up...
@@timdunnusa I sometimes get doubted or disbelieved when I say that I watched the original Astroboy, Speed Racer, 8 Man and others when they were first on US television, I actually had a 45 record with the Astroboy theme song, etc. I got back into anime big time in the 90's, which still makes me "old school". Unfortunately I only have one other person in my age group that has even heard of anime, much less is a fan.
It's crazy, back when I was a kid. No adults were into these sorts of nerdy things. But now that I've gotten older Ive met several people in their 60s who are gamers or anime lovers, etc. I'm glad to see the things and stories that bind us together as humans are starting to crumble to old stereotypes like age.
@@bombomos I do know a cosplaying family where the main players are a couple in their 70's, and the husband often cosplays as "Old Man Logan" from the comic book. I like that most of the younger fans are more accepting than a lot of my peers, but we old fans are used to being on the fringe, and we like what we like. The best aspect of Japan's approach with anime and especially manga is that they don't ignore or denigrate fans as they get older, and they don't assume manga are "just for kids only". I'm a sucker for rom-coms, especially the ones with older protagonists, like "Wotakoi" and "ServantXService". There literally is something for everyone which is why it's becoming more popular than US-produced comics and animation (although DC is getting pretty good at it).
Me too. I was questioning why nobody got married, not even the Hero. One would think that it would be a big deal not just for him but his people for him to leave an heir, but nope.
This aged incredibly well.
Oracle Geoff casually parting the veil and gazing into the future to declare this anime of the year before it even came out.
I love how its subtly implied that the hero Himmel loved Frieren but she was to oblivious at the time to notice. He even passed away w/o marrying anyone else or having kids
Yeah, I very much so got that same impression.
Also, rather than her simply being too oblivious to notice his feelings (which is definitely true), it goes quite a bit deeper than that. It's pretty much shown from Himmel's actions that he intentionally didn't pursue her directly with words, because he knew exactly how little of her lifespan his relationship with her would be able to last, and did not want to burden her with that.
He did go pretty hard on the non-verbal displays of affection, though. Probably because he knew her well enough to know that she wouldn't be able to understand them.
@@altrivotzck6565perhaps because of that he doesnt want her to feel sadder when he is gone.
@@altrivotzck6565 yet he gave her the lotus adorned ring. In flower language mean "eternal love". He fall in love with Freiren when he was a little boy, and kept his love to the death.
@@nurlindafsihotang49 I think she realized it a little after his death and that's why she wished she got to know him better.
This manga has the best portrayal of demons I've seen. They only evolved to look and sound like humans in order to hunt humans more efficiently but can't understand human emotions and ethics no matter how hard they try. They are predators through and through.
Love it
you should watch claymore. incredible show and apparently an even better manga. The monsters also have emotions
@@NBA_4LIFE Claymore deserve a remake.
@@manumudgal4988 perfect anime until the last 2 episodes where it was rushed and left without a finish unfortunately 😞. Would u reccomend reading the manga?
Lodoss War by Ryo Mizuno and Akihiro Yamada has amazing art regarding that. In fact I see this anime as the story of Deedlit
@@NBA_4LIFE berserk's younger sister as they described it
One thing I like about this manga is how it shows how much impact the hero and his party had on future generations. For the heroes, they did the equivalent of a random side quest to kill a few monsters or something. It's even brought up occasionally that they should focus more on slaying the demon king instead of taking so many detours. For the villagers and their descendants however, they owe their village and lives to the heroes making the simple decision to pause their journey and help them out.
So it's like goblin slayer minus the torture,rape and warcrimes
@@steplu2916 I guess. I haven't watched or read Goblin Slayer so I can't comment.
@@steplu2916I think it's kinda like that, but not entirely.
Like Goblin Slayer, Frieren also does many different "quests" throughout her journey with her new party. But Frieren as a story relies more on Frieren's nostalgia with her old party. Everywhere she goes on this journey, she is reminded of her old journey while, at the same time, making new memories with her new party. So in a sense, we are watching two different stories, one where we know the ending and the other where the ending is yet to be determined.
It also creates opportunities for Frieren to view her old journey in a different light, most notably with the hero Himmel, where she learns how much he meant and changed her, romantic or otherwise (yet to be determined)
But yeah, Frieren doesn't have those . . . grisly themes that Goblin Slayer has 😅
I really like this manga. It's got immaculate vibes, good action, fun characters, melancholy as hell, very enjoyable
The vibes are impeccable. The combination of melancholy and dread with fun and camaraderie makes it an instant modern classic.
Space jam dvd
Space jam dvd
I only want to know one thing: does it has romance?
@@Rivershield If it does it’s not prominent enough for me to remember
Frieren gives a pretty fresh take on "evil" demons honestly. In most other stories, demons are basically just bad people with extra steps. And in those stories, there will always be instances where the authors try to make the readers empathize with them.
Even in dark fantasy like Berserk, the Apostles still retain some human emotions and can have regrets and such, making us readers empathize with them. In Frieren, it's just "Nope, we can't understand the demons, and neither can they understand us, the only path we can cross is that of mutual destruction."
Because of so many isekais I have began to forget what actual pure fantasy animes are like😢
yes, exactly. Western based high fantasy is a truly iconic part of anime history but the last decade has turned the settings and characters into a shallow skin that dozens of lazy shows simply wear as a costume with no soul. Frieren is such a refreshing call back to the real heart of the genre that used to be take more seriously.
Coming from the future: you were right
This video aged exceptionally well.
Geoff, i need you to know that watching your videos is very bad for my free time. You've yet to lead me astray in a recommendation, so i keep reading and watching them all
I really appreciate the videos, and you being a fellow Canadian gives me a strange sense of pride. Hope you keep enjoying what youre doing for many years to come!
Im so glad more people are reading this manga and that it’s getting an anime adaptation.
Frieren just feels so good to read. It’s deep and thoughtful, the story is more classic fantasy instead of the overplayed video game style fantasy, which makes it just a breath of fresh air overall. Absolutely love it
Frieren feels so ethereal to read, like trying to grab the wind. Years go by in pages, Monents last chapters. Time feels so nonsecnicle and chaotic but rather than being confusing or sudden it feels so natural, like you're actually viewing time though the eyes of an immortal.
Honestly, it's one of the best, most poignant mangas out there and I hope this anime captures it so well.
Frieren at the Funeral is the way fans translated the title which given the whole setup of the two hero team members passing on definitely has a special feeling.
The true title given to Frieren by the demons is also Frieren the gravedigger, not Frieren the killer. Which also has a great double meaning.
yeah I wish the double meaning had been preserved in the official translation
Damn, given that the german word "Frieren" means "freezing/shivering with cold/being cold" that title is a whole new sentence
Rather than "the way fans translated it" it's more like "what the actual subtitle in Japanese directly translates to".
I don't mind the localized subtitle, though. It turns it from a subtitle that sets up the vibe of the series into a subtitle that sets up the plot of the series. I'm fine with either.
Honestly, Frieren at the Funeral is kind of giving "elf on the shelf"... I prefer the subtitle that they went with, it sounds more epic. Although, Frieren at the Funeral is pretty catchy.
One other thing to sell the series, I believe that Frieren is set to be voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki, who also voiced the lead Chise Hatori in the Ancient Magus' Bride, and Anya Forger in Spy X Family. So we should have a VA with proven emotional, and comedic chops.
She also voiced Vivy, so she definitely is a good choice for a character who long outlives all the people they once knew….
Can you tell me if it has romance?
@@Rivershield There are two main characters who have a bit of romantic tension, but I would say romance is far from a main focus of the story of Frieren.
(Edit: fixed a grammar mistake/dropped word)
@@nadirku is it the girl apprentice and the Young warrior?
@@Rivershield yes
Frieren has a lot of quiet moments like Berserk, there are lots of scenes with no dialog, just characters in the moment. Which might throw off a few people.
But yes, this is a very good series.
Quiet moments are something that most fantasy anime either struggle or neglect to do.
But, Mushoku Tensei showed it's very possible to do very well, so there's every possibility this manages it too.
This is the strongest possible recommendation you can give a manga, to me anyway
I've read Blame. This sounds fine 😁
Taking bets on what streaming service is going to land on.
It LOOKS Netflix quality, but aren't most Netflix anime mentioned as such early on?
@@RabblerouserGT "netflix quality" define netflix quality. Do you mean good like violet ever garden and vinland saga or do you mean terrible like seven deadly sins.
That "Well, he directed Bocci the Rock so..." literally made me laugh. You're right, no other credentials needed.
Nice use of the Champion's Ballad as background music for this one. The emotions behind the music from BotW when Link is remembering his old, departed friends is extremely relevant to Frieren's journey.
Just the description you gave of the demons as a villain, a race of intelligent, rational beings that just have such a RADICALLY different view of the world and morality than us, that's a great but hard way to do a villain. If it's well done, that alone is VERY promising for both the manga and the anime.
Frieren is one of those beautiful pieces of fiction that make you think - a lot. The demon's are so unlike anything in our own material world - they use both the bad, and, even more terrifyingly, the good, as tools against humans to prey on them. They use lies and communication, again, as a tool to prey on humans, but in a completely inhuman way. They feel less like beasts and more like something cosmically intangible, like a black hole that sucks in all light and matter to keep becoming larger and larger - there's no ill intent in the destruction of everything that would come into it's orbit, but simply the forces of gravity playing out
Eldritch horrors
they are demons in every sense of the word
Frieren gives a pretty fresh take on evil honestly. In most other stories, demons are basically just bad people with extra steps.
Even in dark fantasy like Berserk, the Apostles still mostly retain some human emotions and have regrets and such, making us readers empathize with them. In Frieren, it's just "Nope, we can't understand the demons, and neither can they understand us, the only path we can cross is that of mutual destruction."
@@letmecommentstupidyoutube1338 Actually if anything in this story, humans are the eldritch horrors to demons.
@@sleepylion9788
Eldritch moral values beyond human comprehension. Episode 7 made me physically say 'holy shit, that's insane'.
THIS IS MY FAVORITE ONGOING FANTASY SERIES! I love and relate to Frieren's character, adore the characterization of the demons and love how nonchalant the expressions of everyone is
Macht is my favorite villain of all time by far
@@npclucario7005 Is he even a villain XD. We pity him so much while knowing there is nothing to save. It is incredible! The author really knows how to portray evil whithout falling in a black and white universe, I love it!
@@orelliaorellia142 at the very least an antagonist, but either way he's my favorite, it's so painful to see him try so hard to understand humanity but fall short every time
Damn, he was definitely right.
I've read the manga. The story is touching and bitter sweet. The characters themselves are not grim or gloomy; quite the opposite, they are goofballs in their own way and their eccentricities make the character relationships and dynamics quite entertaining. The lessons or the conclusions to the mini-arcs are hopeful and warm. At the same time, there is always this tone of melancholy and sadness because time passes by, too fast for everyone else aside from the elf. Its a good read and is definitely going to be a great watch. Thank you for shining the spot light on it.
it's awesome how, in spite of how much this video hyped the show, it still blew past expectations it and every other video set for it
I heard Garnt review this like a year or so ago and I've been buying volumes physical since. It's fantastic. I love how Fern slowly become part of a found family that helps Frieren realize the hero and her friends were so important to her and to break her walls down
Next volume next month. Got through to about chapter 93 on the web last year in May. That will finally be in paper (in English).
I love that everyone is going to have Frieren on their radar. I’ve been in love with it since I read the first chapter, got the volumes on my shelf. Thanks for spreading the word!
Next volume (in English) releases next month!! It'll be tricky, but I hope to buy it on release day. Might have to wait till I get back home in December though...
Watching this video nearly made me cry. It really reminded me of what I love about Frieren, Mr Basement your script writing is immaculate and heart-touching! I think I'll go reread Frieren now :''DD
Update. Shows a banger
Got turned onto this series by Gigguk about a year before the animation announcement. It's been #1 on my watchlist for this coming Fall season, and it's nice to hear more folks finding out about it.
That review by him is all I've seen of this manga. Seemed interesting, but strikes me as something that I'd find too depressing to actually read or watch. Might be like how some people said the main character from Bocchi The Rock was too relatable for them, which made it too difficult to actually watch.
This is the only thing I know is coming next season (though, this season is almost over).
(Googles what's upcoming, gives it a skim...) I see five I know, others I am curious about. All of the five are the next season of something. Two peak my excitement more then Frieren... but at this point, I'm boarder-line obsessive over what's going to happen. So it overshadows the others by a mile.
Frieden's realization about human lifespan - on an emotional level - reminds me of a character I have. In his case, he's a human necromancer who uses magic to keep rejuvenating himself (when he doesn't mess it up and wind up a lich for a few years before managing to pull together the monumental effort to revive from that state). And he'd long, long ago chalked up "human life is short" as a thing he just accepts, so he doesn't get surprised (even if he does mourn, sometimes) when humans grow old and die while he continues on. It's when an _elf_ he knew when the elf was a child is getting so old that his old age is starting to make him slow down and really look _aged_ that it hits him with surprise. He's always held up elves as "living a very long time," so while he intellectually knew he would still outlive any elf if he kept up what he was doing, the fact that, at nearly 1000 years old, himself (in a setting where elves might live to be 800), he was also leaving elves behind...finally hit him with surprise as well as a little sadness.
Sortove like the difference between losing dogs and humans, you get used to seeing young dogs grow old and die, but the passage of time doesn't really hit you until you start seeing significant ageing in humans.
@@garethbaus5471 Indeed. And for Frieden, it's probable that, until she joined the Hero's Party for that quest, her close ties were only with other elves. Sure, she might meet a human or few, even make passing acquaintanceship with them as she stays in town for a day or two, does some shopping, etc. And when she comes back through town a mere hundred or so years later and there are different humans there, and some of them are the children of a human she met before, that's a passing point of interest. "Oh, I met your father, once." But they're still just passing acquaintances, so it doesn't _hit_ you. She knew, intellectually, but the brevity of her encounter and the brevity of their lives was on the same mental and emotional scale. It might be a bit awkward if you hear that the waitress you had at a restaurant last time you were in town passed away, but you are probably not emotionally invested enough to do more than offer condolences to the living who miss her. You had one encounter with her, no matter how friendly, and maybe it's a pity you can't have her wait on you again, but if she'd just moved on to college (or from college), that would also be the case.
It's when Frieden winds up forming close ties with her mortal friends, and then neglects to stay in touch in the same way that she probably does with her close elven friends and loved ones, that it becomes an issue. Because with her fellow elves, they can renew their acquaintanceship or even friendship by meeting up again 300 years later, and just spend a decade or so catching up. But she probably made some sort of special effort to be back in the Hero's life "quickly." And he became an old and frail man, an eyeblink from death, in so brief a time. That's going to hit so differently.
All of which is just me long-windedly agreeing with you on the difference.
This is definitely up my alley. This show has my vibe an interesting plot involving solid villains, a contemplative look at the familiar, and a very broad perspective.
God I love this manga! It's like a DnD adventure or a high fantasy video game where you beated the final boss and then wander doing side quest a hunting secret bosses. The characters are so well written and all the plot around time, history war, peace, etc, is so well wrapped up! I love it!
I love this manga and its portrait of demons, also the feeling of a vast history and world, the south hero who was the real hero of this era, the monk elf that was an hero of such and far past that no one rememer, the legendary sword waiting for the future hero who would save the world, the evolution of the magic, macht... So much things
The only thing that make me worry its the lack of expressions in our characters, not for me i dont mind, but the people that doesnt know thw story yet
I've been following Frieren for a while and I'm real excited to see you get into it! It's got a lot of the same vibes i love from Witch Hat Atelier and other character-driven fantasy, and the art is gorgeous enough to carry through any slow parts. Definitely one of my faves and I'm looking forward to the anime
I'm SO glad to see you give the manga a spotlight! I started it last year, was moved to tears from just the first chapter and I've been madly in love with it since.
I absolutely adore this manga and its very melancholic and contemplative vibe. Can't wait to see some of my favorite scenes beautifully animated and then have a complete emotional meltdown.
As someone who caught onto this manga when it just started being serialized, seeing it grow to this level inspires a degree of pride in me that I've never felt before.
Frieren hit me completely off guard. Given how many generic game-esque fantasy manga there are in the world I decided to ignore it for a long while, but eventually I decided to give a try and I was sucked in completely. It has some of that thoughtfulness of a Kino's Travels or Mushishi, but can also do breezier stories with lovely character interactions of a Flying Witch, and then hit you with life-and-death action scenes that are reminiscent of Hunter X Hunter. I'm just happy non-manga readers who've never heard of Frieren will have an opportunity to see it.
This is actually my first ever manga. Can't say I've read many since. But this was my first.
thank you for covering this one geoff, my brother and i have been reading it together and it's really like no fantasy i've read recently. the atmosphere, worldbuilding, and character writing is so refreshing. it's funny that you used botw music in this-- that's been my main reading soundtrack!
Yesss!!! I'm so excited you got to partake in this Masterpiece! I'm equally excited by the mostly stacked names attached to the making of the adaptation!
Its is a refreshing trope-braking that elves arent just a "sexdoll with tits and pointy ears" but we follow the story from her perception of time flow...
Ep1 hitted like a truck. After Oshi no Ko I wont say it will be a braking heartwrenching scene, but it will fuel the melancholy and will scratch some existential itch, but the same time with some upbeat nihilism.
Not sure if I should make a SPOILER, since this IS the core team of the whole story:
Some people and traditions are long forgotten, while Frieren experienced those statue erections first hand. Generations passed for humans, and all they know is "someone who made some great effort". Its a tradition now to keep a festival on the same day of the year, because only a few elderly able to even recall what happened...
Its a duality that your actions can be forgotten and remembered the same time...
The multiple timelayers give some interesting stories to tell. The first demon generals defeat was shockingly good.
I laughed hard when the new group arrives to a city that is under a blockade and Frieren casually walks to the inn, requesting a room and a job so she can stay for a couple of YEARS! While the two human member of the party wants to solve the quest, because they cant afford to settle down... :D
The amazing uplifting stories that the party who defeated the demon-king wasn't even a group of chosen ones.
SPOILER REALLY NOW:
It was such an amazing twist that Hero-Himmel could not even pick up the demon-slayer-chosen-one-legendary blade...
And I am all ready for the mimic-jokes XD
But do you remember WHY she keeps getting stuck in mimics? (read in sing-song voice) Has to do with magic...
I will be one hundred percent honest. I've been watching anime for over ten years. This was my first manga I've EVER read. (maybe I've peaked at other for a few pages... but I didn't *read* them)
I got up into the early 90's chapter wise, in May 2022. What you said about it being hard to put down, TRUTHS my dude. I remember just wanting to look at it, a few pages, just a peak. The premise was interesting enough to grab my attention. But for me to want to read it on a five inch (12 cm for the rest of the world) screen, it was good. I'd read it after work, when I woke up and fell asleep on it a few times, late into the night. And so, it became the first manga I've ever bought as well (next volume comes out in October!!!).
(I wanted it to be my first manga to anime experience, but Oshi no Ko beat me to it, so I'll just consider that a trail run since only the first volume had been released in English at the time, then the second while it aired. Even the third, released last month so bought but not read yet, doesn't reach the end of the anime. Volume four in November.)
Between what you said about demons being alien and evil, I strongly have to say alien. They appear evil, yes. But due to their nature in this story, they literally can't be evil. That's something my mother says a lot, that demons aren't evil, yet do thing humans would say is evil. So, demons are evil? No, and it's so well done.
In that, I'm remembering and referring to the demon in the 80's, chapter wise, into the 90's. It dived so much into that demon. I would hope the anime gets to him, but know it will need a season 2 for that most likely. By my best estimate, up to volume 6 of the manga will get adapted (a bit difficult to always discern, but going off the first ep 2 hour special, I assume the first two volumes into that episode, then three episodes per volume if totaling 12 episodes). It will be an amazingly fun ride to see all this in color (one of my biggest problems getting INTO manga, no color).
Why haven't I gone back to it? It was hard to put down. I saw myself nearing the end of what had been released. Every week a new chapter was translated, posted, and knew I'd catch myself in a fit of needing to know what NEXT!! However, I ended right as the backstory of the demon finished. Right before the big battle with said demon. Right at the top before the peak climax. And so, I was calm. What was said had been spoken, much like the end of a conversation before the start of a new one. I didn't feel plagued by the need to worry, fret, and hunger to go forward.
Excited for the anime. When you started talking about people and what they worked on, I had one anime for each of them. One Punch Man, Violet Evergarden, Bocchi, Sonny Boy and Overlord (minus newest season, to change after I watch HunterxHunter, so around December or so). Was stone (cause I know nothing) until you said Violet. What I can tell by your enthusiasm, it will be a good anime, with visuals, music and script all awesome.
On a side note, Frieren is kind of alien as well, though a different variety then demons. I feel they do the long elf life quite well, with small things such as human life, or adventuring requirements, being so short lived. I remember her complaining about not being able to keep up with all the changes when they when to go take the first class mage test (I believe that will be animated, so very fun there).
If my mother didn't hate manga/comics, I think she'd like this story. (She can't get behind the picture paints a thousand words. If it got a light novel, I'd hand it to her in a heart beat.)
I think I'll be someone who has the manga open as I watch it. Not... sure (cause subs).
So, funny thing I noticed about the original party's names: Frieren = German word for "freezing" (as in, you feel cold, not freezing water). Eisen = German word for "iron". Himmel = German word for "Sky" or "Heaven". Heiter = means "jolly".
I just read a comment about someone saying they was German and the characters had these names. OUCH!! They couldn't get into it because of that.
I’m excited for your reaction to the later chapters with the Demon Macht who’s one of my favorite villains of all time. Also hoping for a main channel vid once the anime comes out.
I’m really looking forward to this one. “Frieren” has this blend of world building, stand out characters, emotional beats, slow life AND epic fights, deep lore… it’s a total package and set to be one of my top anime’s ever. Vinland saga good.
I haven't read the manga, but the anime has been slaping very hard for 5 episodes
God I love this manga, it can make my whole day when there's an update. As far as the demons go, it's tempting to think of their use of speech as a Chinese Room / super advanced form of ChatGPT, but there IS something there, some sort of element that could be considered emotion / discretion...and honestly that makes it all that much more bizarre. At one point a character suggests that humans and demons are the product of convergent evolution, like sharks and dolphins. Forms and needs very similar to the other, but utterly alien to each other.
I'm so glad it was Madhouse that adapted it. They're not as prolific as they used to be a decade or so ago but IMO they're still the GOAT of animation studios. So many times when watching even just a simple scene of Frieren and Fern walking through the woods the animation quality was so good that I thought to myself "They're just showing off now"
Hahaha. What a convergence. I just read this last week around when this video came out. An amazing series.
Feck (and you too YuPoop xD) you Geoff... I knew I shouldn't have watched the video knowing that the manga is ongoing. Most of the Sunday went away catching up with it xP
Man, that background Zelda music just hit so well.
When I read the manga I would cry often just by reading "28 years have elpsed since Hero Himmels passing...". Time is such a powerful character in the story,
I've been tiptoeing around that manga for some time. As a German native speaker it's quite hard to stay in the flow when _all_ the characters are named like 'Freeze', 'Sky', 'Cheerful', Iron', 'Far', 'Strong', etc.
I quit the Manga after a few chapters. Great story, but the names are just painfull. At least take names that have that meaning and not the literal words.
Ehhh??? Did it really translate that way?
Holy shit! The anime is the embodiment of perfection.
this is genuinely the most a single piece of media has moved me in a really long time, it was kindof scary tbh
I'm so glad the anime studios started funding fan favorites mangas , without only considering if it's marketable or not .
This video is the reason I checked out the Frieren anime and I'm glad I did. It's every bit as good as Geoff said it was.
I'm reading the manga now, I'm about halfway through Volume 3. I'm getting the paperback volumes from my library.
... 4 months later, and there is more to this adaptation than the story. And that ED is hitting ALL THE FEELS.
Episode 7's introduction of Demons is what really sold me on the show's writing, much better than whatever Demonslayer is doing right now.
This is intresting. For one yeah, it would be nice if Isekai was not the only flavor of fantasy on offer in anime. As a long time fan of fantasy. It's cool to get a story from the perspective of an elf. Rather than humanity. To humans in many fantasy settings. Elves can seem aloof and unconcerned with the affairs of the world. To an elf. Humans can be the proverbial candle that burns twice as bright, and half as long. With such short lives, that they can never gain a broad perspective on the world they live in. Rarely do we get to see this from the eyes of an elf themselves. I'm definitely gonna check this one out.
Oh hey I too also was torn away from TotK and read this to 3am after convinced halfway through your video. Funny coincidence! It’s good. Just…good. Feels like To Your Eternity as you mentioned but there’s times that just feel like it’s high-fantasy Kino’s Journey with a traveling party, which is great (without the 3 day limit though…how often does “we’ll be here for 3 months” come up in this, I swear hahaha)
So nice to have an intro for me, feel very included
I binged it in the last week before the last episode. It's the most epic and easily watch ever. 12/10 😊👍
So glad more and more people are talking about this Monga. I have been following it for years now. It is gorgeous. It is lovely. It is heart-wrenching.
This is one of my favorite manga, and frieren herself is one of my favorite characters of all time
Between this, Dungeon Meshi, and Witch Hat Atelier, I'm finally excited for fantasy anime again.
Yes!! I discovered this earlier in the year, and it has quickly become one of my very favorite ongoing stories. I'm so glad you're bringing attention to it!
Just binged the anime the last 2 weeks, having to wait for the last episode 2 days ago. I haven't felt this way about an anime for a long time. I'm still young but I already have regrests and family I'm not spending enough time with. It hits so hard, and I'm so glad I watched this now rather than 10 years ago when I was a teen. This is going to be an anime of the decade, and some people are going to need a few more years to truly realise that.
Bro was 10 step ahead of everyone
A spiritual successor to Record of Lodoss War. If it is possible, I believe it. I have not kept up much with anime or manga for sometime. Good to know Mad House & an amazing team is bringing this to life
If you want another manga with excellently-written large passages of time, check out "Enough of This Slow Life! I Was Reincarnated as a High Elf and Now I'm Bored"... yeah that title certainly comes from a LN alright. This series is like Frieren where it will jump huge amounts of time and shows just how decisions made reflect back years later, except it's "currently" happening rather than happening mainly before the story starts. This series and Frieren somehow create a much more convincing passage of time than any other series I've read, so I'd recommend that to anyone who bothers to read this.
That title made me laugh.
I love the manga. I've been caught up for ages, and still eagerly wait for more in spite of the very slow release times. One of the many things I really adore from the early chapters, is seeing Fern growing up while traveling with Frieren. I love watching Frieren trying to understand Fern as in terms of Fern's own life, Frieren has helped raise and mentor her since childhood. It really sells Frieren's growth from how quickly she dismissed the 10 years on the first adventure at the start as she now tries to do better this time, understanding that while this may be a drop the ocean of her own lifespan, it is precious to those she's sharing it with.
i love to see her trying to respect and understand time from human point of view through Fern.
3 minutes in, and you've convinced me to pick this series up. Sounds like an amazing premise.
I wasn’t even a quarter through the video before I pulled up the manga to start reading. Finishing the video, of course, but man do I wanna start reading NOW
Daaaaamn. This aged beautifully. I was excited when I started Frieren, then more so when this came out, and now, I am so happy to be in the midst of the MASSIVE success of the anime. Manga readers got that mega validation for their good taste now that everyone everywhere remarks on the power of pasto pastels and lengthy lives in great media.
Your description made me cry and so now I've subscribed and I'm about to start reading it.
When I initially encountered this series, you had to buy the volumes and it was incompleate so I just left it alone. Glad to see that it's now available for subscribers!
Frieren is current my favourite manga of all time. The impact the first chapter had and the strong themes it carries from there, it speaks to so many of us.
However as equally excited as I am for the anime for it's stacked staff and story, I feel one major thing it will lack is it's immersion.
Reading frieren was such an experience as each page travels you years ahead. It's as if as a reader, you are in control of their lives through a flip of a page or a scroll through the phone. Being in that control of their journey is completely different than just watching their journey.
Regardless, I am still every excited and I'm sure my qualms will be thrown out immediately once the anime airs
You gonna watch ep one as it drops? Hope to hear an update on your opinion in two and a half weeks.
Well, Geoff, you were right. That opening four-parter was maybe the best anime début I've seen in years, and I know that whenever I rewatch it alone, I am going to be bawling my eyes out.
Sounds like a great story that I won't be able to read due to the severe existential dread and subsequent panic attacks it triggers 🙃
I'm saving this for when I want to have a really good cry.
I rarely comment on your channel.
I'm all of 4 minutes in, and you've sold me.
The very simple premise of this, an effectively immortal person trying to come to grips and understand the - to her - extremely, horrifying transient beings around her, is something that speaks to me. Maybe because I've lived my own life as an outsider, maybe not...I don't know.
But, thank you.
If nothing else about this channel, this work, has given you a sense of personal connection and fulfillment, please take it here.
Here's to many more years, furendo.
Cheers.
I love when TH-camrs talk about Frieren. It’s interesting hearing their insights.
By far one of my favourite reads of the past year. Frieren is goated
Geoff, how could you put this on my radar? I've read the first volume and cried bittersweet tears after every chapter. 😭 What a solid rec, thank you!
Great video! Also appreciate the superb selection from the botw ost used as background music. Really fits the vibe of this manga well
He’s probably in the Zelda rabbit hole with the rest of us currently lol
Thanks to this video, I went out recently and picked up volume 1 of Frieren.
THEN one week later, I picked up volume 2 of Frieren.
AND THEN ... well you get my drift, yes?
Admittedly, I did not get very "teary - eyed" about the story thus far, BUT, I instead found my self putting down the story in mid - read and staring thoughtfully at nothing for minutes at a time, contemplating what i just read; the EMOTION, and realization that "Yeah, I've Been There too" washing over me.
The manga style is wonderful, and usually peaceful. The dialogue is also easy to follow and appreciate, so I don't see how any competent animation production team and studio can "EF" things up even a little, unless they get lazy and indifferent in their job.
In which case EACH AND EVERY member of the team and STUDIO (MAPPA) will wake up in the middle of a dark and stormy night to find a small dark shadow with glaring, pitiless double pupil eyes looming over their awake, but paralyzed bodies, ALL AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE WHOLE NIGHT.
"A - This manga schlaps" sold me immediately.
Frieren is such a quality, thoughtful series. i love the theme so much.
Way to just name drop two of my three favourite fantasy anime... now I've gotta check this out.
You're too late, it's already my favorite. But glad to see you proving once again, you're a man of good taste. Cheers!
discovered the manga a month ago, the validation of all the things I love about it was much-needed, thank you
Frieren has been my favorite manga since the day it came out. There really just is not anything like it, an incredibly human story that accomplishes a difficult balancing act of its pacing, with riveting action to fill in the gaps between these characters just living their lives in this wondrous world. I am incredibly excited for the anime adaptation, and am happy that some of the best out there will be working on it to do it justice.
I came across this Manga at the start, and since it was a rec from r/Manga or something similar i just thought it would have taken hold in those circles and was big enough that everyone knew about it. Like, I'm a little shocked that the KY moment didn't reach your ears when it happened. I'm glad you found it. You've got me hyped for the anime now too.
Thanks for getting me hooked on a manga that's now on hiatus 😢
I remember starting this series as a recommendation from Chibi a few years back & was blown away by the story. It became one of my favorites so when the anime was announced I was really hyped, can’t wait!
This isn't the first time I've heard high praise for Frieren and that's why after this video I now have the first 4 volumes on their way to me.
i absolutely loved this series, the manga has such good vibes, the anime adaptation has great music, animation and va.
God I'm so glad you made a video about this. I remember reading this when only a couple of chapters were out and getting really into it. Can't believe I forgot about it, truly a great premise for a fantasy manga.
Just finished the anime and it might even be pushing favorite anime in general for me.