This list may contain spoilers for both the manga and anime adaptation of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.
As the Winter 2026 anime season approaches, the contents of the highly anticipated second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End remain one of the biggest topics on fans' lips. The titular Frieren, Fern, and Stark will continue their difficult journey towards Aureole at the Northern end of the continent, where even more fearsome foes await. After finally reaching the rank of First-Class Mage, Fern is now more ready than ever for what's in store, while the always lovable Stark continues to hone his strength, and Frieren remains as unshaken as ever. The first season of Frieren was nominated for Anime of the Year, and for good reason, with countless viewers quickly becoming obsessed with the title's cast and pacing. The show isn't constant action; instead, it blends beautifully animated battle sequences with peaceful character-driven scenes that can often pull at the heartstrings.
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Set to debut on January 16, Frieren's second season will likely cover the manga's Continued Northern Travels Arc, Divine Revolte Arc, Golden Land Arc, and potentially the Goddess's Monument Arc. While some of the usual suspects will remain in the limelight this time around, there will be plenty of new faces as well, including a major fan favorite villain. The following piece will contain spoilers, so read at your own risk.
Serie
The Massively Powerful Elven Mage Who Is Twice as Old as Frieren
- Manga Debut: Chapter 43
- Anime Debut: Episode 20
Serie didn't get much screen time during Frieren's first season, but she quickly became a favorite amongst fans for her laissez-faire attitude and her incredible control over magic. Having lived an incredibly long life and knowing nearly every spell in existence, it was quickly apparent that Serie was stronger than Frieren in numerous ways, though her true power has yet to be put on full display. Understandably, many are hoping to see the golden-haired elf get more screentime in the second season. The fact that she trained Frieren's mentor, Flamme, means that her story could impact the protagonist more than some may realize.
In the manga series, Serie takes a more pronounced role during the Foundation Festival Arc, which likely won't be adapted until the show's third season. However, more details about the elf are provided during both the Divine Revolte and Golden Land Arcs, meaning that viewers should keep an eye out when Season 2 premieres in January. One particular battle between Serie and the new antagonist, Macht, is sure to impress on the small screen.
Denken
A Slick First-Class Mage with Surprising Ties to the Bad Guy
- Manga Debut: Chapter 37
- Anime Debut: Episode 18
Appearing in the last 10 episodes of Season 1, Denken was the oldest one to choose to take the First-Class Mage Exam, at nearly 80 years old. His reasoning for this will be fully explained in the second season, as will his connection with Macht, a major antagonist set to make his first appearance in the anime as part of the Golden Land Arc.
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While many tuning in to the anime series didn't immediately take a shine to Denken, the full reveal of his backstory may quickly make him one of the most compelling characters in the series. Stern at first glance and boasting incredible wit, he will quickly become important to the larger plot. His ability to conjure tornadoes, hellfire, and arrows of light may also be a major boon against the demons set to take the stage this time around.
Solitär
A Peculiar Demon Who Quickly Becomes Frieren's Enemy #1
- Manga Debut: Chapter 88
Sometimes, the most dangerous demons are the ones who, at first glance, seem the least threatening. Solitär, a Greater Demon who will make her anime debut in Frieren Season 2, has an insatiable appetite for learning more about living beings, with a particular interest in humans, whom she also respects and fears. Her short stature and disarming smile prompt some to underestimate her, when in reality, she is comparable in power to the Seven Sages of Destruction.
Appearing largely in the Golden Land Arc, Solitär quickly becomes a major foil to Frieren, who states that the demon is one of the most dangerous due to her ability to manipulate humans. Despite spending so long studying human emotion and psychology, Solitär knows that she is unable to feel anything herself as a demon, making her all the more terrifying. Fern, Stark, and Frieren will have their hands full trying to take this sweet-faced devil down.
Macht
The New Major Antagonist with a Golden Touch
- Manga Debut: Chapter 77
A new season means a new bad guy, and Macht's cold attitude, empty gaze, and unpredictability make him one of the most frightening in the series so far. Considered to be the most powerful member of the Demon King's Seven Sages of Destruction, Macht has the power to transmute anything into gold, with the material being seemingly indestructible. The demon is also able to use human magic, something rare for demonkind. In fact, his dealings with humans will be a major story beat in Season 2, as he once swore allegiance to a feudal lord.
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A good bad guy is the key to many a successful piece of media, and Macht's appearance in Frieren's next season is sure to be a highlight. Despite his fearsome appearance, his character is wildly multifaceted. While he is capable of unspeakable cruelty, not all of his time among humans has been negative, as his actions have actually saved the occasional life as well. With that being said, plenty of characters will be stepping into the ring with him as Season 2 progresses.
Himmel
The Catalyst for Frieren's Understanding of Emotion (Gone but Never Forgotten)
- Manga Debut: Chapter 1
- Anime Debut: Episode 1
Sure, Himmel may have passed away decades ago, but the swordman will remain a shining beacon in Frieren Season 2. Throughout the first season, flashbacks to Frieren's journey alongside Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen highlighted just how much the elf has changed, and how much the loss of the blue-haired hero impacted the often straight-faced protagonist. Following Himmel's death from old age, Frieren made a vow to spend more time with humans and to get to know them better, feeling as though she had wasted some of the time spent with the Hero Party. Her efforts will continue with each new episode fans get throughout 2026 and beyond.
Himmel may not be the main focus of Season 2, but his appearances throughout will no doubt be impactful, as his very existence serves to push Frieren forward and continues to inspire her to get in touch with her own emotions and cast away her loneliness. Without Himmel, the elf would never have taken Fern as her apprentice, nor would she have allowed Eisen to force Stark into the party as a vanguard. Years after his death, Himmel the Hero will continue to shine.
Frieren
This Formidable Elven Mage Still Has Plenty to Learn
- Manga Debut: Chapter 1
- Anime Debut: Episode 1
Sometimes, background characters steal the spotlight from the chosen protagonist, but not in this series. From the first episode, Frieren's personality stole viewers' hearts, with her consistently calm demeanor able to be both comical and imposing in equal measure. The elf's unimaginably long life forced audiences to confront the idea of how it would feel to watch those you care for grow old and die over and over again, and how it would feel to see the world change and advance in ways that once seemed impossible.
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During Season 1, Frieren surrendered her chosen solitude, taking on the young human apprentice Fern and embarking on a journey to collect spells and revisit locales from her past. This was a huge change for the silver-haired mage, who finally decided to keep her word to Himmel, deigning to learn more about humans. Season 2 will see Frieren continue to evolve emotionally, as her bonds with her party deepen and her promise yields both new benefits and new hardships.
- 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
Cast
-
Atsumi TanezakiFrieren (voice) -
Kana IchinoseFern (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
- Writers
- Tomohiro Suzuki
- Creator(s)
- Tsukasa Abe, Kanehito Yamada
