The Highest-Rated Anime Ever Returns, And It Leads With Its Greatest Strength

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Winter 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible season for anime, with both highly anticipated sequels and exciting new shows. Fans are especially thrilled to see the return of what many consider the best anime of all time, now with a second season that proves its quality. The season started strong with Sentenced to Be a Hero, offering a fresh take in a genre often filled with similar stories. Plus, Season 3 of popular series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Oshi no Ko premiered to much excitement. But the biggest news might be the return of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, with its second season exceeding expectations and solidifying its place as a standout series.

Since it first aired, this anime has consistently received top ratings from fans on popular platforms like AniList and MyAnimeList, even surpassing highly-regarded series like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The second season has taken things to the next level, quickly becoming the highest-rated anime of all time on MyAnimeList. Although it’s too early to make a final judgment based on just one episode, the season’s strong start captures the essence of what makes the series so beloved and confirms its place among the greatest fantasy adventure anime ever created.

Frieren Debuts Season 2 With the Qualities That Made Fans Love It

Season 2 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End picks up with Frieren, Fern, and Stark continuing their travels towards Aureole. The first episode doesn’t jump into big action or complex backstory; instead, it focuses on the simple, everyday difficulties and surprises of being on the road. Some viewers might see it as a standalone episode, but this simplicity is actually central to what makes the series special, and it’s beautifully highlighted by the characters’ interactions. The episode consists of two short stories, beginning with the group facing a challenge that temporarily strips them of their magical abilities after they stumble into a cave filled with magic-blocking stones.

The cave is filled with monsters, but Frieren remains completely confident in Stark. When the monsters attack, Stark chooses to retreat, and Frieren respects his decision. This situation echoes Frieren’s past adventures with her old team, where Himmel similarly trusted Eisen, adding depth to their current, straightforward journey. The latter part of the episode takes place at an inn, where the group’s easy camaraderie shines, particularly the sweet, budding romance between Fern and Stark that viewers are enjoying. Overall, the first episode is intentionally calm and subtle in its storytelling.

What makes Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End special isn’t constant action, but its realistic portrayal of a group traveling together. This focus on simple, genuine interactions is what sets the anime apart and makes it feel remarkably authentic, deeply connecting with viewers. In a world full of fantastical anime, this down-to-earth approach is likely why Frieren has become so highly acclaimed, as audiences find themselves more invested in a story that feels real.

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2026-01-19 16:12