The long-awaited second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (Sousou no Frieren) is officially set to premiere on January 16, 2026. A brand-new trailer has been released to remind fans that the continuation of the beloved fantasy series is just around the corner.
Once again, the animation is being produced by acclaimed studio Madhouse, known for classics like Death Note and Hunter x Hunter. However, there have been some changes behind the scenes. The new season will be directed by Tomoya Kitagawa, who previously directed episodes 2, 8, and 25 of the first season. With him at the helm, fans can expect fresh visual direction and a deep continuation of the story's emotional core.
The first season of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End premiered in September 2023 and concluded in March 2024, spanning 28 episodes. It quickly became a critical and fan favorite thanks to its touching exploration of time, memory, and what it means to truly live after loss. Many praised its thoughtful pacing and stunning animation that beautifully conveyed the passage of centuries through the eyes of an immortal elf.
The anime is based on the manga created by Kanehito Yamada (writer) and Tsukasa Abe (artist). First serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday in April 2020, the story has so far been collected into 14 volumes, with a 15th volume scheduled for release in December. As of October, the manga’s total circulation has surpassed 32 million copies worldwide, making it one of the most successful fantasy manga in recent years.
In addition to the main series, fans have been treated to several short spin-offs and a light novel side story, offering small glimpses into Frieren’s world and its supporting characters. One special edition of the 14th manga volume even included a short 24-page novel titled Sora ni Hana wo Sakaseru Mahō ("The Magic That Makes Flowers Bloom in the Sky").
The tale begins at the end of a classic hero’s journey. Eighty years after the Demon King was defeated by the hero Himmel, the priest Heiter, the dwarf Eisen, and the elven mage Frieren, the immortal elf now travels a quiet world that has long moved on from its age of heroes. As she says farewell to her old companions one by one, Frieren embarks on a new adventure with her young apprentice Fern to better understand humanity, emotion, and the fleeting nature of life itself.
