By Meghan O’Keefe

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a must-watch for fans of high fantasy and poetic animation. The anime series opens at the end of a thrilling quest to defeat an evil simply known as “the Demon King.” While most of the heroes in this particular fellowship immediately recognize the profound mark their years adventuring together have had on themselves and the world, the group’s mage, thousand-year-old elf Frieren, doesn’t see the big deal. Years later, though, as the humans in the party begin to perish, Frieren finds herself haunted by the memories she made and the memories she didn’t. With the help of her own protege Fern and young warrior Stark, Frieren embarks on a new adventure to retrace the original group’s steps in the hopes of discovering more magic, helping more people, and ultimately reconnecting with the souls of a friend she’s lost. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is solemn, beautiful, and profound.

Photo: Crunchyroll