Frieren Fans Need to Read This Fantasy Series (With an Anime on the Way)

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Without a doubt, the anime series “Freiren: Beyond Journey’s End” stands out uniquely among others. Based on the manga created by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, this Madhouse adaptation is often considered one of the best anime productions ever made (it currently holds the number one position on MyAnimeList). The story revolves around the protagonist, Frieren, as she embarks on a multi-decade journey along with her new companions Fern and Stark, heading towards the North. As Frieren discovers more about her past travels, it is revealed that she was one of the world’s saviors.

Enthusiasts of the series have tirelessly sought another anime or manga that stirs similar emotions, yet their efforts have proven fruitless. In a genre overflowing with action, romance, and isekai series, it’s rare to find something as uniquely captivating as Frieren. However, don’t despair! We’ve found the closest fantasy manga resembling Freiren – it’s called Witch Hat Atelier, and an anime adaptation is on its way.

Witch Hat Atelier Is a Must-Read for Freiren Fans

Initially, “Freiren: Beyond Journey’s End” and “Witch Hat Atelier” may appear dissimilar due to their distinct tones and storylines. While it’s accurate that their plots vary significantly – the first being a deep exploration of character development, and the second following the classic hero’s journey as a young witch learns magic to save her mother – delving deeper reveals that both works have layers beyond their initial appearances.

Atelier, penned by Kamome Shirahama (a past comic book cover artist for Marvel and DC), is the story being told. First published in 2016, this series continues, boasting 85 Chapters at the time of writing. The setting revolves around a magical fantasy world where only select individuals possess such abilities. The narrative follows Coco, a young girl with aspirations to become a witch. In a mishap, she unintentionally learns magic and petrifies her mother into stone using a forbidden spell. To save her mother, Coco is now forced to delve into the mystic arts.

In simpler terms, both Freiren and Witch Hat Atelier initially appear to follow common tropes in anime and fantasy genres, but as you delve deeper, they offer intricate explorations that challenge these very same tropes. Frieren is celebrated for its innovative approach towards anime and fantasy stereotypes, crafting a distinct universe and narrative. Similarly, Witch Hat Atelier achieves this through its magic system. The series introduces the trope that only those born with magical abilities can use magic, a notion often seen in the genre. However, the background of this rule and the broader world of Witch Hat Atelier unravel into an extensive tale of mystery and conspiracy.

In Witch Hat Atelier, the key to magic is surprisingly straightforward, yet it has been concealed from the public to safeguard against the potential perils of magic. This is one example among many ways this series subverts common fantasy themes, much like Freiren does.

Witch Hat Atelier Might Rival Freiren In Terms of Beauty

As a devoted fan of Freiren, I’m not ready to claim that Witch Hat Atelier surpasses it. However, the animation in Witch Hat Atelier has potential to outshine Freiren in one crucial area: visual aesthetics. This is significant because Freiren is renowned for its exceptional animation, lighting, composition, framing, and camera movement. If BUG FILMS can effectively translate Kamome Shirahama’s vibrant manga designs into animated form, Witch Hat Atelier could challenge the ranks of the most stunning animations ever made. Given their acclaimed work on Zom 100, even with its production delays, they might very well achieve this feat.

The animated adaptation of “Witch Hat Atelier” has been under development for quite some time. A sneak peek was given last April with the unveiling of its first poster, and ever since then, enthusiasts of the original manga have been eagerly anticipating its broadcast this year. In August, a trailer premiered, which left fans thrilled at the high-quality animation and music. The upcoming series has only fueled their excitement for its release later in 2021. However, an official release date has yet to be announced, but fans are hopeful for some fresh news in the near future.

You can stream “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” on both Netflix and Crunchyroll, while you can read “Witch Hat Atelier” via the K MANGA app or by purchasing the tankōbon volumes that have been published.

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2025-04-11 00:11