The world has changed to a more fast-paced environment. People are hustling, and no one has time for slow burners anymore. This is why Shonen anime with non-stop action sequences have become so famous. But Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, an anime known for its slow pacing, has somehow made it to the top of the My Anime List.
While there is a small section of fans who do complain about the pacing, everyone else is happy to tag along, and even those who complain find it hard not to follow the series. So what exactly makes the series so unputdownable?
Is it the reminder of just how fleeting human lives are? Or is it the calming and relaxing tale of Frieren? Let’s discover what makes Frieren‘s pacing so admirable.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End provides a rush-free story in a fast paced world
Frieren is told from the perspective of an almost immortal elf whose lifespan is thousands of years. She is in no rush for anything at all, unlike humans with their minuscule lifespans. She can take her time with everything she does and not be burdened with the concept of a ‘time waste.’
Thus, the story itself takes a no-rush route to show the journey of the elf. It shows what a slow and relaxed life could be like, something that is only a luxury to humans. And that is probably why the anime is so popular. Fans get a glimpse of a life that they all desire.
Even when Frieren is on a journey to suppress demons or reach a far-off city, she takes plenty of breaks and detours in between. She stops to shop on her way and takes little trips unrelated to the main story. The series shows small celebrations and has an almost Ghibli-like take to romanticize daily mundane tasks.
Frieren‘s slow pace makes the story even more enriched
Frieren prioritizes the emotional journey of the characters and especially the protagonist, over the constant battles. As an elf, she can seldom understand human emotions, but as she spends thousands of years with them, she slowly realizes what she herself feels. The theme of morality and the value of relationships are highlighted in the story.
Rather than an adventure series, it is more about appreciating the small things and moments of life. The slow pacing also helps the anime develop its characters to their fullest extent. It creates an engaging show, letting fans take their time to connect with the characters and the story.
Every episode of the anime has bits of different tales. The anime consciously deters from its main goal to make sure that viewers are not always worrying about an impending danger. It is the story of the aftermath of a great journey, giving Frieren plenty of time to discover everything around her just because she is curious.
A great example is her obsession with chests in her quests. These treasure chests are almost always a trap, and there is a rare chance of their being actual treasure in them. Yet Frieren takes her time to explore every single one of them that she comes across. How many humans would be able to do the same, despite knowing it might be a waste of time?
Frieren anime is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
