Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Manga » ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,’ Volume 2

ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,’ Volume 2

Olive St. SauverBy Olive St. Sauver01/08/20224 Mins Read
Frieren Beyond Journey's End Volume 2 - But Why Tho (1)
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Frieren Beyond Journey's End Volume 2 - But Why Tho (1)

Truly a standout English release debut of 2021, Frieren Volume 2 continues the epic, thoughtful saga of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. The manga with story by Kanehito Yamada and art by Tsukasa Abe began serialization in Japan in April 2020 and has since received multiple awards including the 14th Manga Taishō. The story follows elf mage Frieren, who vanquished the Demon King alongside her fellow adventuring party. Over eighty years have passed, and Frieren lives on as her fellow party members pass on due to age, prompting her to reflect on her life and begin a new journey. The manga is released in English by VIZ Media under their Shonen Sunday imprint. Frieren Volume 2 is translated by Misa ‘Japanese Ammo,’ edited by Mike Montesa, and features touch-up art and lettering by Annaliese ‘Ace’ Christman; with design by Yukiko Whitley.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

After being sent on a quest by her last surviving friend, Eisen, to reconvene with Himmel the Hero’s spirit, Frieren and her apprentice Fern travel North. Eisen has instructed Frieren to seek out his former apprentice Stark, providing a unique adventuring party that consists of Frieren mentoring her friends’ students into the new generation. It further adds to the dynamic of how the series treats generations and time. While this volume doesn’t have years pass in between chapters like its predecessor, the longevity of Frieren’s journeys is still looming. In her own words: ten years is only one one-hundredth of her life, so she is surprised when people talk about the impact of such events. It isn’t that Frieren is heartless, her perspective is just vastly different. She has to be frequently reminded by Fern that while a delay of two years will seem like nothing to her, that is a long time for Fern. After losing Himmel, Frieren is forced to reflect more on mortality and how relationships impact each other. Even in her relationship with Fern, Frieren is still awkwardly learning to show that she cares and appreciates Fern’s presence.

Additionally, Frieren Volume 2 gives even further insight into Frieren. She has long since accepted her place in the world as a wanderer, and this melancholic acceptance of the inevitable death of those around her has led to her seemingly putting guards up. That is why the start of a possible found family as a gift to her from her former adventuring party is so prominent. We learn that in this world elves are near extinct. They are aromantic and asexual, and so Frieren has never felt a desire to find companionship in a romantic manner and start a family. This is likely why even if Himmel had more than just platonic feelings for her (yet to be determined) it never developed into anything. It wasn’t simply that things went over Frieren’s head (although that is partially it as it is how her character is comically written separately from just sexual identity).

All of this excellent (but possibly a tad sad) material may make readers think Frieren Volume 2 is heavy with drama, but that is not the case. All of these previously discussed details and relationship building are masterfully blended in between comedic moments and quite thrilling action. Fern is an absolutely hilarious straight man, and perfectly embodies the apprentice who seems to be taking care of the master instead of the other way around. Additionally, the new character Stark has a lovely background. While happy-go-lucky he is openly a coward in his own eyes, which contributes to his strained relationship with former master Eisen. While there isn’t action on every page when there is it hits fantastically. So much of this series is a slow build and focused on the smaller moments, that when the characters actually unleash their power we are reminded of just how strong they are and how much time (once again back to that lovely theme) they have spent honing their abilities. Frieren is thousands of years old and taught by a master now thought to be a fairy tale. Her quest for unique, silly magic often makes one forget that she could likely level a battlefield if she wished.

All of this is to say that Frieren Volume 2 is another fantastic addition to this must-read series. The way the story handles grief, memories, and generations is masterful. The individual character work is already nearing sublime quality in only the second volume, and bonus points for having a character be openly aromantic and asexual.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Volume 2 goes on sale January 11, 2022 wherever books are sold.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Volume 2
5

TL;DR

All of this is to say that Frieren Volume 2 is another fantastic addition to this must read series. The way the story handles grief, memories, and generations is masterful. The individual character work is already nearing sublime quality in only the second volume, and bonus points for having a character be openly aromantic and asexual.

  • Buy Now with Our Amazon Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Deep Rock Galactic’ – Mining Has Never Been So Fun (PS5)
Next Article So Here’s What Happened – December Episode #32
Olive St. Sauver

Olive is an award-winning playwright with BAs in English and Theatre. At BWT she is a manga and anime critic, with an additional focus on mental health portrayals in media and true crime.

Related Posts

Wolf Girl and Black Prince — But Why Tho

REVIEW: Wolf Girl and Black Prince Volume 1

05/16/2023
hirano and kagura volume 2

REVIEW: ‘Hirano and Kagiura,’ Volume 2

04/25/2023
K-On Shuffle — But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘K-On! Shuffle’ Volume 1

04/24/2023
Skybeams in the Sky — But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Sunbeams in the Sky’ Volume 1

04/24/2023
The Boxer Volume 2 — But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘The Boxer,’ Volume 2

04/24/2023
Run On Your New Legs Volume 4 — But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Run On Your New Legs’ Volume 4

04/24/2023

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5
Anime

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

By Allyson Johnson09/11/2025

The ragtag group faces down the mysterious kaiju in the thrilling and beautifully animated DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here