Since the animated adaptation made its debut, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End has become one of the anime this season. It was no surprise that the anime drew so much attention because it introduces an exciting story that doesn't stick to shounen clichés.
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8 reasons why Frieren surpasses other shounen anime
Anyone who follows shonen anime should remember that this genre contains several clichés such as endless training, the power of friendship, among many others. As this trend grows in anime, many works are caught up in abusing it. However, Frieren is one of the animes that shows a certain difference, overcoming these shounen clichés. Therefore, check out this list of 8 reasons why Frieren has this luxury in his story.
1 – A protagonist who doesn’t scream or make a fuss
In shonen anime, noisy characters are common, such as Asta, Bakugo and many others. However, Frieren does not follow this stereotype. As an ancient elf with a unique perspective on life, she acts introspectively and distantly towards humans. Therefore, she is an extremely calm person who is not shaken by the challenges of her journey.
2 – A semi-immortal protagonist
While many shonen protagonists seek power and growth, Frieren is an elf mage who has lived for millennia and has already reached the height of her magical powers. Her story is not a quest for power, but rather a search for silly magic as a hobby. This way, it makes the story fun and interesting without the need for an exaggerated conflict/mission.
3 – A mentor instead of a student
In traditional shonen anime, protagonists often start out as students seeking knowledge and power under the guidance of experienced mentors. However, Frieren takes on the opposite role, she becomes a mentor to Fern , a young apprentice. Furthermore, time with her apprentice also teaches the protagonist several important things, such as the importance of lifespan for humans.
4 – Your journey begins after the end
Shonen heroes usually embark on adventures without experience, but Frieren begins his story after the end of the journey, when the heroes have defeated the Demon King and are returning home. In other words, your adventure focuses on basic things and the protagonist's perspective on human life. Instead of looking for overcoming to defeat a powerful enemy, she lives the daily life of a new and simple life.
5 – Frieren doesn’t need rivals
One of shonen's greatest traditions is the inclusion of rivals for character development. But Frieren offers a journey without antagonists or external competition. She does not need a rival to encourage her goals as the mage does not have great ambitions and is satisfied with a casual adventure. What drives her is her internal search for understanding, without the constraints of time or adversaries.
6 – Time is the protagonist’s enemy without her realizing it
After the King of Demons died, there is no longer any threat to be the “big villain” in Frieren. However, she faces a great dilemma about the short and limited time of human life. As she lives for thousands of years, Frieren discovers that lifespan is very important to humans as they live shorter lives. Her journey teaches how precious the time spent alongside her companions is due to their limited lives.
7 – Follow a calmer pace
While many shounen anime run at a frenetic pace of battles, Frieren prefers contemplation and exploration of the characters' emotions. Although there are battles along the way, the anime stands out for its quiet moments such as a simple conversation or mission. In this way, the characters provide a unique and reflective experience about their lives.
8 – The anime stands out for its small moments
The anime features a protagonist with thousands of years of experience, but despite this, the work values small experiences. For example, watching the sunrise with your apprentice and watching a meteor shower with friends are simple things compared to what we see in other anime. However, these intimate moments carry emotional depth without the need for major battles.
Synopsis:
Soon after the demon king's defeat, the group of victorious heroes returns home, ready to split up. Frieren the mage, Himmel the hero, Heiter the priest, and Eisen the warrior look back on their decade-long journey as it comes time to say goodbye.
manga series written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe. It has been serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday since April 2020.
Do you also think that Frieren is different in the shounen world? Leave your comment below!
