Frieren: Beyond Journey's End: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Part 2 continues the animated fantasy epic featuring romantic storyline elements. Created by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Part 2 brings more episodes of the fantasy saga. Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Part 2 features series theme performances by ikura (opening), YOASOBI (opening), yorushika (opening), and milet (ending). Animation production is by Madhouse (Black Lagoon, Trigun). Executive produced by Mikito Bizenjima (Mysterious Disappearances, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon) and Kazutaka Yamanaka (My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen). Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Part 2 continues to be a rewarding anime, providing plenty of fantasy-adventure for fans.

Produced by Ayuri Taguchi (Magical Warfare, One Punch Man), Haruka Aoki, Naoki Iwasa (Hunter × Hunter, Napping Princess), Ruriko Kikuchi (Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood, The Gymnastics Samurai), Shoichiro Taguchi (The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten, Haikyu!! To The Top), Taisuke Shikama (After School Dice Club, Helck), and Yūkō Itō (The Duke of Death and His Maid, Puniru is a Kawaii Slime), Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Part 2 features episodes 17-28 of the series. Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Part 2 features voice performances by a cast including Atsumi Tanezaki, Chiaki Kobayashi, and Kana Ichinose.

The saga continues as Frieren (Atsumi Tanezaki) and Fern work together to take a magic exam while woking on their goal of entering the Northern Plateau. The test is rigorous and dangerous and has earned a reputation for killing more than the students that pass the test. One thing that the test requires is teamwork. Can the elves work together to pass the test?

The lead character adds a lot to the production. Frieren is a compelling protagonist and is someone who is central to the entire series. Frieren finds a role as an elven hero and is put to the challenge while moving forward with determination. The character can’t simply live a normal life as an elf. There certainly is a sense of the character journeying for greatness – of going on an epic arc. The many challenges awaiting the character make things more difficult for Frieren but determination keeps Frieren going.

The series features excellent character designs by Reiko Nagasawa (Overlord III, takt op. Destiny). The designs are well done and add a lot to the production. Nagasawa is a naturally talented designer – a wonderful effort was done with the character design. The end result is a series showcasing creative character designs in spades. The design elements enhance the character storytelling.  

The animation is one of the most beautiful and remarkable things about the production. Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Part 2 continues to offer rewarding animation. The series looks so dynamic and pleasing with regards to animation. Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Part 2 provides impressive art direction by the great Sawako Takagi (Hikaru no Go, Silver Spoon). The animation style remains creative, bold, vibrant, colorful, and energetic. The art style works wonders – from the background animation to the line art. Throughout the series the art adds a significant sense of wonder to the series style and charm.

The cinematography is another compelling aspect of the production. The series cinematography by Akane Fushihara (Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Alderamin on the Sky) is stunning. The visuals are essential to the storytelling. The cinematography is beautiful to behold. The lush visuals enhance the storytelling in spades. The colorful cinematographic style is an important part of the series visual style and tone.

The score composed by Evan Call (Midnight Occult Civil Servants, Violet Evergarden) is wondrous and one of the best components of the series. The score is energetic, charming, and fun. The music adds significantly to the imagination of the series. The score is a beautiful backdrop to the animation and music enhances the storytelling in spades – providing a lot of wonder to the laidback fantasy elements which fans appreciate.  The score is a good backdrop for the journey of these characters.

Written by Tomohiro Suzuki (Boogiepop and Others, One Punch Man), Frieren Beyond Journey's End Part 2 is well written. The storytelling is engaging, creative, and fun. The script has a good concept and it is well executed by the key writer. The writer has fun expanding on the series storyline and building it. Fantasy anime fans will appreciate the blend of genre storytelling with character driven writing. A impressive effort.

Directed by Keiichirō Saitō (Bocchi the Rock!, Monster Hunter Stories RIDE ON), Frieren Beyond Journey's End Part 2 continues to reward audiences with a series that is well worth checking out. The series has a beautiful visual style that the director helps to usher in and explore. The visuals are such a key part of the series charm. The series is beautifully animated and the central director has fun exploring these characters and their world. The anime is visually impressive in spades and Part 2 continues the epic journey.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Crunchyroll, Frieren Beyond Journey's End Part 2 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high- definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. An incredible high-definition presentation. The animation looks stunning on the release. The art is both gorgeous and visually unique. The splendor of the animation and production values is well reproduced with the release. The lush and colorful visual sensibilities are crisply reproduced in native high-definition and look gorgeous here – there are no upscaled from standard-definition shenanigans going on for this series.

One of the qualities that is appreciable about physical media is the superior video encoding provided by the Blu-ray disc format. The Blu-ray disc format can provide higher video bit-rates compared to streaming video services. For enthusiasts wanting the best possible experience, the high- definition experience is superior on disc with the physical option. The difference is one that the most discerning viewers and enthusiasts can appreciate for a satisfying experience.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 (with English subtitles). The release also capably presents the sound direction by Shōji Hata (The Ancient Magus' Bride, DARLING in the FRANXX). The series has a robust sounding soundstage and the track provides excellent clarity and depth. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The score is also well reproduced throughout. The English audio option has a somewhat more immersive sounding 5.1 mix while the Japanese 2.0 might be more limited in dynamics it is still a satisfying option for fans to appreciate. The English subtitles are well done and are free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

One of the advantages of physical media is the lossless audio encoding. The Blu-ray disc format offers lossless audio presentations. For enthusiasts seeking the best possible audio quality experience, the physical format offers a distinct advantage. The detail is even more robust and pleasing overall. The presentation will be especially appreciated by those with high-end sound systems and gear. Enthusiasts with quality A/V equipment will appreciate these sometimes subtle but appreciable differences as can be offered by physical media.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The limited-edition premium version includes deluxe packaging and collectables exclusive to the box-set – from a booklet, to art cards, and more premium collectables contained within – such as limited stickers.

On disc supplements:

Disc 1:

Mini Anime (HD, 14:19)

Special Video: "Frieren: Journey's Memory" / "Travel Memories" (HD, 2:08)

Disc 2:

Promo Video: First Class Mage Exam (HD, 1:53)

Character Promo Videos (HD, 3:07)

Web Previews (HD, 8:20)

Textless Opening Song (HD, 1:32)

Textless Ending Song (HD, 1.32)

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Frieren Beyond Journey's End Part 2 continues to reward fans with an engaging fantasy anime series. The series has beautiful animation and top-notch production values. The series visual sensibilities are both creative and compelling. The Blu-ray release provides a quality high- definition transfer, lossless audio, and a selection of bonus features. The limited-edition version also includes additional bonuses only for the die-hard fans who opt for the premium version. Recommended.