Netflix added Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End to its U.S. catalog earlier this month, marking a significant acquisition for the streaming platform as it continues to expand its anime offerings beyond Crunchyroll’s industry-leading collection.
The critically acclaimed 28-episode first season follows elf wizard Frieren decades after her adventuring party defeated the Demon King. When an old friend’s funeral prompts her to embark on a journey of self-discovery, the series explores life after the traditional hero’s quest has ended.
Unlike conventional action fantasy anime, Frieren examines the aftermath of world-saving heroics — questioning what happens when a hero’s purpose is fulfilled but their life continues.
Since its 2023 premiere, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has shattered industry records. The series dethroned longtime ratings champion Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on MyAnimeList, achieving an unprecedented 9.31 score compared to Brotherhood’s 9.10.
Critics have praised the adaptation for its exceptional animation quality, character development, musical score, and thoughtful exploration of mortality themes while maintaining moments of genuine humor.
“It’s painted with gorgeous, inviting splendor but can’t be reduced to simple escapism, thanks to its touching rumination on mortality and the short time we have with our loved ones,” wrote Kambole Campbell in IGN’s review.
Fans can anticipate Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End season 2, which is scheduled to premiere in January 2026. The manga series that serves as the source material remains ongoing.
Anime superfans know that Crunchyroll is the streaming service to beat for anime, but in recent years, Netflix has become a viable alternative. Many of the biggest anime eventually make their way to Netflix, as was the case at the beginning of this month when Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End made its long-awaited debut on Netflix in the US.
“Decades after her party defeated the Demon King,” reads the synopsis, “an old friend’s funeral launches the elf wizard Frieren on a journey of self-discovery.”
Frieren is not a traditional action fantasy show. While most series like it focus on warriors trying to save the world, Frieren starts after the world-ending threat has been vanquished. What does the hero do after their life’s work is complete, but life has only just begun?
Premiering back in 2023, Frieren took the anime world by storm. For years, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was the highest-rated series on MyAnimeList, with a seemingly unbeatable overall score of 9.10. Frieren not only stole its crown but took a commanding lead with a score of 9.31. Universal acclaim would be a vast understatement.
The 28 episodes of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End season 1 will truly take you on an emotional journey unlike any show you’ve ever seen, animated or otherwise. Some have even gone as far as to call it the best anime adaptation ever made, praising its animation, character development, score, thoughtfulness, and sense of humor.
“It’s painted with gorgeous, inviting splendor but can’t be reduced to simple escapism, thanks to its touching rumination on mortality and the short time we have with our loved ones,” said IGN’s review from Kambole Campbell.
Thankfully, the story’s not over yet, either. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End season 2 is coming in January 2026, while the manga it’s based on is still running.
