Summary
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endhastaken the world by storm. It currently sits at #1 on myanimelist.com,overtakingFullmetal Alchemist: BrotherhoodandSteins;Gate,two titans of anime that sat on top of the list for over a decade each. It’s ranked at number one for a lot of reasons, one being its art direction and animation. While there are more than enough shows set in a medieval fantasy type of world,Frieren’scharacters bring life and meaning to an otherwise normal environment.
TheFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endmanga volume covers showcase the most important characters wonderfully. Whether they show off the original gang with Heiter, Eisen, Himmel, and Frieren or new characters to the series like Stark, Fern, or the wise Sense, covers pop with color and show off an interesting world withplenty of depth to uncover.
10Volume 7 Sets the Cast Off Once Again
Frieren Can Never Be in One Place for Too Long
The cover of volume 7 showcases Frieren, Fern, and Stark fresh out of their adventures passing the First-Class mage exam. This cover is one of the best becauseit displaysFrierenat its very best: totally normal. While there are more than enough exciting moments throughoutFrieren: Beyond Journey’s End,the series shines through its characters and their relationships with each other and the world around them. Watching Stark face his fears and grow into a brave warrior is peakFrieren,but so is the gang just hanging out.
Through the single image, the cover shows Frieren leading the group listlessly, Stark concerned about something that probably doesn’t matter, and Fern making sure he’s all right. That’s a pretty good description of most ofFrierenin general, whether the three are on the cover of a volume or not.
9Volume 4 Sets a Snowy Sein-filled Scene
The First and Last We’ve Seen of Sein
Sein was one of the most interesting additions toFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endwhen he popped up in chapter 27 of the manga andepisode 13 of the anime. He’s mature, forward-thinking, and an all-around awesome priest. His stoicism is on full displayon the Volume 4 cover, where Sein, Stark, Fern, and Frieren are all set in a very chilly area. There’s snow all around them and Sein couldn’t look less bothered. Fern has her handy briefcase, Stark has his massive ax, and Fern is bunched between the two, probably trying to stay warm.
Since his quick introduction and departure, Sein has only been in flashbacks. He’s a very interesting character who doesn’t just look good on the front of a volume cover. Hopefully, he’ll return to the main series soon, but until then he’ll belooking as handsome and calm as everon the front of the Volume 4 cover.
8Volume 8 Shows Two Sides of the Story
Genau and Revolte Make Their Cover Debuts
While most of the otherFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endvolume covers feel light and whimsical,Volume 8 feels heavy and foreboding.It’s a fresh feeling in the world ofFrierenthat shows two separate scenes at once. On the left, Volume 8 displays Frieren, Stark, and Fern joined by one of their First-Class Mage Exam proctors, Genau, and fellow First-Class Mage Methode. The scene feels incredibly ominous as the group trudges through the remnants of a battlefield.
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On the right of the cover are four demons, with Revolte being the most notable. It’s the first time the demon general has made an appearance on the cover of Frieren, and he’s set to make an impression. Stark and Genau face Divine Revolte head-on in an exciting and climatic battle that perfectly encapsulates the mood of the volume’s cover.
7Volume 6 Dives into the Second Step of the Mage Exam
The King’s Tomb is One ofFrieren’sBest Moments
Getting the First-Class Mage Certification was vital for Frieren, Fern, and Stark to continue their adventure. It was an incredibly difficult task, with the second portion of the exam being arguably the hardest part.Heading into the King’s Tombtook out a sizable portion of the examinees and required the rest to pull out their best skills to survive. The cover highlights some of the most interesting characters from the arc, including Land, Übel, Fern, Sense, and Methode.
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While the colors may look a little muted compared to some of the other vibrantFrierencovers,Chapter 6 displays a defining moment in the series.Fern takes charge and decides that she is the only one capable of destroying Frieren’s clone, and Frieren feels immense pride that her first and only student has progressed so much.
6Volume 3 IntroducesFrieren’sFirst Villains
Aura the Guillotine, meet Frieren the Slayer
The Volume 3 cover ofFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Enddisplays the first villains Fern, Frieren, and Stark face. They’re formidable foes as well, as Aura the Guillotine is joined by fellow demons Dracht, Lügner, and Linie on the right side of the cover. Aura is one of theSeven Sages of Destructionwho serves directly under the Demon King. Her regality is on full display as she sits lazily across a throne while the three demons attending her stand behind her, sure not to take up any of Aura’s spotlight.
The left side of the cover paints an entirely different image. While Frieren may be immeasurably stronger than Fern and Stark combined,she would never lord over them.The three are seen standing together: Frieren has her textbook blasé gaze, Stark looks like he forgot to bring his ax even though it’s on his back, and Fern looks concerned because she has to take care of both of them.
5Volume 12 Brings Back the Original Gang
Heiter, Eisen, and Himmel Couldn’t Have Been Missed More
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endis a unique animein thatthe story begins with an ending. The original group consisted of Himmel the Hero, Warrior Eisen, Priest Heiter, and Mage Frieren and they haven’t been seen together since the very first cover ofFrieren.11 volumes later, Frieren is finally reunited with her original party. The four are together on the front of the 12th cover with Frieren in the lead reaching towards the reader while Heiter shouts something behind her.
While otherFrierencovers show an entire scene, or even two separate scenes at once, the cover of the 12th volume focuses on the original party and doesn’t show anything else. Frieren is looking through some colorful blue and green plants while the rest of her friends wait behind her, reminiscent of all the time she’s spent with Stark and Fern as well.
4Volume 2 Shows Master and Student
Frieren’s Best and Only Student Has Her Moment
The Volume 2 cover ofFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endisgorgeous.It shows Frieren and Fern flying through the night sky above a well-lit city, putting a beautiful color gradient on full display. The night sky is filled with hues of blue and purple while white-dotted stars intertwine. The city below, however, is a glowing red that makes the scene feel festive and joyous. The sky and city are connected by a winding river and a large mountain in the middle of the cover, further adding to the wonder of the world ofFrieren.
This cover isn’t just one of the best looking;it’s one of the most significant.If the first cover ofFrierenshows the reader where the story comes from, the second shows the reader where it’s going. With Fern in tow, Frieren not only has someone to teach, but a reason to teach as well.
3Volume 1 Introduces the Hero’s Party
Himmel the Hero, Eisen the Warrior, Heiter the Priest, and Frieren the Mage
The cover of the firstFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endvolume shows a relatively small scene,and yet so much is on display. The Hero’s Party makes up the front cover of the first volume ofFrieren,with Heiter looking happily into the distance, Frieren looking nonchalant as ever, Himmel looking smug and happy, and Eisen at the end with as many expressions as a boulder. While Heiter and Eisen are on the ends of the group looking away, Himmel and Frieren are looking somewhat towards each other, a small hint towards the rest of the series.
The first cover ofFrierenis one of the best for its art as well. The scene looks calm, cozy, and, ironically, a little bit dangerous. Three perfect descriptors for the world ofFrieren.The series' action is definitely a high point, but it is everyday moments like the scene here whereFrierentruly shines.
2Volume 13 Brings Back Familiar Faces
Long Time No See, Sense
Volume 13 ofFrierenbrings back some familiar faces that haven’t been around the main cast in quite some time. The cover shows Frieren, Stark, and Fern on the right. They look the same as ever, with Frieren looking aimlessly towards the reader, Stark having an expression blanker than a sheet of printer’s paper (reminiscent of his teacher), and Fern bracing herself against the cold. The left side of the cover shows Land and Übel hanging out while the top of the cover brings back the mighty Sense and her fellow First Class Mage Falsch.
Volume 13’s theme is darker than the rest ofFrieren’scovers. It brings a more serious tone to the series thatFrierendoesn’t see much of outside of major fights. It’s a welcome change, and it’s always great to see old favorites back in action.
1Volume 5 Is the BestFrierenVolume Cover
The First Class Mage Exam IsFrierenat Its Best
Most ofFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endis set in the wilderness or outside, making the First Class Mage Exam in the City of Magic Äußerst a dream come true. Frieren, Fern, and Stark go to a huge island and meeta cast of incredibly interesting characters,including the lethal Richter and the wise Denken who appear on the cover. Frieren’s temporary teammatesLawine and Kannealso make the cover. They’re already fighting each other on the cover, setting the tone for what’s to come.
The last two characters who make up the coverare Wirbel and Ehre, two of the strongest mages the series has shown so far. Fern herself said Ehre is one of the strongest mages she’s ever seen and Wirbel has a level of lethality only demons in the world ofFrierenpossess. The cover paints the perfect picture for one of the mostexciting arcs in all ofFrieren.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Cast
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End follows the elven mage Frieren after the defeat of the Demon King. As generations pass, she confronts humanity’s mortality, taking on a new apprentice and striving to fulfill her late friends' final wishes, embarking on a journey to reconcile with life and death.
