In Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, time plays a pivotal role in shaping relationships, particularly due to the protagonist’s extended lifespan. The series, created by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe, revolves around Frieren, an elf mage who, unlike her human companions, lives for centuries. As a result, her perspective on life, friendship, and the passage of time differs greatly from theirs.
The Burden of Immortality
The key theme in Frieren is the loneliness that comes with immortality. As an elf, Frieren outlives her human comrades—Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen—who age and eventually die. For them, every moment is precious because time is finite. For Frieren, time stretches endlessly, and this difference creates an emotional distance between her and her friends. She fails to fully appreciate their companionship until it is too late, and when Himmel passes away, she realizes the deep regret of not having cherished the time they spent together.
Learning to Value Time
After Himmel’s death, Frieren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, which becomes an exploration of how time shapes relationships. She begins to form new connections, particularly with her apprentice, Fern, who, like her previous companions, has a limited lifespan. Through her interactions with Fern and others, Frieren starts to learn that relationships gain meaning not from their duration, but from the emotional investment made during the time shared.
This gradual shift in Frieren’s character reflects the growth that comes with understanding human mortality, and it marks her path toward redemption as she seeks to make up for the lost time with her previous companions.
Regret and Emotional Growth
A central element in Frieren is the theme of regret over wasted time. Frieren’s long life initially gives her a detached view of relationships. However, as she revisits memories and places linked to her former companions, she is haunted by the realization that she didn’t fully appreciate their bond. This regret motivates her to form deeper connections in the future, showing that even with an immortal lifespan, the loss of a relationship can be deeply felt.
A Meditation on Mortality
Frieren presents a reflection on how the passage of time, whether short or long, profoundly influences relationships. The series illustrates that time, while often taken for granted, is what gives meaning to human connections. Frieren’s journey serves as a reminder that valuing the people in our lives requires understanding the transient nature of our shared moments.