The greatest fantasy series of all time (according to viewers) is your next binge-watch on streaming. While audiences tuck into the final season of Stranger Things, which releases its finale on New Year’s Eve 2025, a single-season high fantasy show (with a second season right around the corner) deserves just as much love on Netflix. Released in 2023, the show received immense critical acclaim, and was very quickly lauded as one of the greatest of all time. Produced by Madhouse Studio, the series in question is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and every fantasy fan needs to watch it at least once. The first season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is streaming on Netflix. Based on the manga by Kanehito Yamada, Frieren puts a fresh spin on the fantasy genre. While most shows depict the epic quest to defeat the big bad and save the world, Frieren begins its story once the world has been saved. The nigh-immortal elf knows she will far outlive the remaining members of her party, and has an apathetic view to the passing of time. But, when she takes on a new apprentice and gains a new quest to journey North, her view on time, memories, and the present are changed forever. The official synopsis reads:
“The mage Frieren defeated the Demon King alongside the hero Himmel’s party after a 10-year quest. Peace was restored to the kingdom. Because she is an elf, she is able to live over a thousand years. She promises Himmel and the others that she will be back to see them and then sets out on a journey by herself. Fifty years later, Frieren goes to visit Himmel and the others. She remained unchanged, but Himmel and the others have aged and only a little of their lives remain. Later, she witnesses Himmel’s death. Frieren is pained by her desire to have spent more time getting to know people. With that regret in her heart, she then goes on a journey to do just that. On her journey, she meets many people and many events await her.”
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has everything high-fantasy fans could want. All your favorite races and species are thrown into the mix, along with some interesting new ones. The show also blends its existential story with some phenomenal fight scenes (it’s animated by Madhouse, of course they’re going to be phenomenal). The series holds a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a near-perfect 95% user score. But, it’s on My Anime List that viewers have sung the praises of the show. Frieren is the highest rated anime of all-time on MAL, holding a 9.29 rating, placing it above the timeless Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ Season 2 Releases Very Soon

Frieren and Fern about to fight Qual in the Netflix animeAniplex of America/Netflix 

If you find yourself lost in Frieren’s world and are already craving more, then you don’t have long to wait. A second season was inevitable, and Madhouse has been hard at work on the follow-up for the past two years. In fact, Season 2 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is right around the corner.

Season 2 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End premieres on January 16, 2026. However, you’ll have to venture beyond Netflix to find it. The new season will stream exclusively on Crunchyroll in the US.

Release Date

September 29, 2023

Network

Nippon TV, YTV, FBS, Chukyo TV, RNB, FCT, STV, KNB, HTV, YBS, RAB, TVI, YBC, UMK TV Miyazaki, TSB, MMT, TeNY, RNC, NIB, KKT, KTK, NKT, ABS, JRT, Daiichi-TV, FBC, RKC, KYT, KRY

Directors

Kento Matsui, Kota Mori, Takahiro Natori, Morio Asaka, Lim Ka-hee, Taku Kimura, Ken Ando, Hirotaka Mori, Ayaka Tsuji

Writers

Tomohiro Suzuki

Atsumi Tanezaki

Frieren (voice)

Kana Ichinose

Fern (voice)