Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Volumes 10-13 Manga Review
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Volumes 10-13: A Review
Gold and Time
The mage examination arc concludes, and Denken, accompanied by Frieren, Fern, and Stark, journeys back to his hometown, only to discover it transformed into a city of gold. This sets the stage for a new challenge, one that requires the party to confront powerful demons and unravel complex spells, even manipulating time itself. The translation by Misa and lettering by Annaliese enhance the reading experience, ensuring accessibility and visual appeal.
The Formula for Success
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End continues to deliver surprises and maintain its entertainment value. The series has established a successful formula: each major arc demands a deeper understanding of magic from Frieren and Fern, pushing them against their limitations and forcing them to analyze their enemies' weaknesses. Stark provides steadfast support, and together, they overcome obstacles. These intense arcs are then interspersed with brief, lighthearted adventures, complete with amusing rewards. This cycle repeats, introducing ever more complex and formidable foes.
A Gripping Read
This blend of intense arcs and comedic interludes kept me engrossed, eagerly turning page after page. It's rare to find a series that balances nuanced storytelling with outright absurdity as effectively as this one.
Frieren's Perspective
The effectiveness of this formula stems from the character of Frieren herself. The series largely adopts her perspective, imbuing events with a sense of detached subjectivity. Frieren rarely panics; she acknowledges her limitations and seeks opportunities. Crucially, she trusts her companions implicitly, expending little energy on worry. This allows us, like Frieren, to trust in her party's competence and focus on the "what," "why," and "how" of the situation, rather than getting bogged down in chaotic anxieties.
Echoes of the Past
This becomes especially apparent when Frieren ventures into her own past after dealing with Denken's history. This time slip has the potential for disruption, but Frieren's deep-seated trust in Himmel and Heiter assures her that whatever they learn will not alter the future.
Himmel's Depth
This arc unexpectedly provides insight into Himmel and Frieren's relationship. We typically see Himmel as a goofy narcissist, known for his heroic reputation, but this arc reveals his deeper qualities. We begin to understand the essence of his heroism. This is followed by a similar arc for Stark, revealing his own heroic nature.
Silly Adventures, Profound Moments
The lighthearted stories interspersed throughout these volumes are as enjoyable as ever. Dragons, beasts, curses, and spells are swiftly dispatched, while human relationships receive more attention. In a particularly touching chapter, Frieren encounters statues of Himmel and Flamme that bear little physical resemblance to them. Nevertheless, Frieren recognizes their true essence in that town and finds a moment to connect with them.
A New Kind of Foe
Volume 13 introduces a novel arc, presenting a foe who fights without understanding why, despite dedicating his life to the cause. Like many arcs in this series, I am eager to see what unfolds, even if the events may be predictable. Once again, we find ourselves in Frieren's shoes.
Art and Character
Tsukasa Abe's art is consistently appealing. Each character's appearance perfectly suits their personality, enhancing comedic effects and reactions. Thanks to the anime adaptation, we can "hear" the characters' voices in our heads, delivering jokes with the dry humor of close friends.
The Nature of Demons
The demons are often attractive, rather than horrific, but their inherent inhumanity is consistently explored. Humans and demons struggle to understand each other's magic, or anything else, highlighting the danger of anthropomorphizing non-human entities. The question "If not human, why human-shaped?" is a key theme for both sides of the story.
Clever Tactics and Analytical Monologues
I appreciate the clever tactics used in combat. I'm impressed by the ingenious strategies employed and revealed, and amused by the occasional expository internal monologues, usually from Frieren, explaining the tactics. While helpful for understanding how Fern defeated a demon, these monologues can be a bit humorous.
Beyond a Simple Quest
I initially dismissed Frieren: Beyond Journey's End as a typical quest story. I quickly realized my mistake after watching the anime. Despite the presence of lighthearted elements, there is nothing standard about the story or characters. This series is deeply thoughtful in both its conception and execution. Like Frieren, Stark, and Fern, we are on a journey, learning about others and ourselves along the way.
Overall Grade
Overall: A
Story: A
Art: A
Pluses: Compelling characters, excellent art, engaging magic system, and exciting action sequences all harmonize effectively.
Minuses: The emotional impact can sometimes feel a bit too calculated, but it remains effective nonetheless.
Content Warning: Death, violence, and frequent deaths.
