2024 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for anime enthusiasts. Preorders are now open for “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Part 1” on Blu-ray, a standout show of the year. This highly-anticipated release, featuring the first part of the acclaimed fantasy anime’s inaugural season, is set to launch on December 17, priced at $47.24, previously $70.
The Blu-ray edition compiles the first 16 episodes of “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” Season 1, along with exclusive special features including clean credit sequences and promotional videos. Additionally, it comes with a set of art cards showcasing the beloved main characters.
Based on a popular manga series, the anime follows Frieren, a powerful elf with a lifespan surpassing 1,000 years, who has just completed a decade-long quest to defeat the Demon King alongside heroes Himmel, Eisen, and Heiter. While a decade feels fleeting to Frieren, it is through the passage of time that she gains profound insights into human mortality and the relationships she builds. The narrative is both emotional and enchanting, beautifully brought to life by the renowned animation studio Madhouse.
For fans of the original manga, now is an excellent time to explore the available paperbacks of “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.” These pocket-friendly editions, published by Viz Media, maintain the authentic right-to-left reading format.
In addition to “Frieren,” there are numerous other captivating fantasy manga and anime series gaining popularity. One such title, “Delicious in Dungeon,” follows a group of brave adventurers who must cook and consume bizarre monsters to save a missing companion from a treacherous labyrinth. Its recent anime adaptation is now available for streaming. Furthermore, the complete 14-volume manga series is available for preorder in a deluxe box set, releasing on December 10.
Anime and manga fans can also look forward to classic titles, including the original version of Hayao Miyazaki’s “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” and the manga adaptation of “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.” Additionally, the upcoming release of “Berserk Volume 42” marks a significant return for the beloved dark fantasy series, delivering new material since the passing of creator Kentaro Miura in 2021.
