#its the frieren meme

[angeljas]

theyre learning how to flirt

[redcamellia13]

TBHk and Sousou no Frieren Similarities

Actually, I think this is my first non-TBHk post! Don't worry guys, TBHk is still my main obsession but! I had something to discuss with the Frieren community. Excuse me for a moment.

Hello, Sousou no Frieren community! This is sort of embarrassing to admit, but I genuinely cannot remember Four Eyes' name. (Yes I genuinely refer to him as four eyes.)

I'm dead serious. In order to look up fanfics of him x Ubel, I resorted to searching "ubel x" and praying that pulled up the guy I needed it to.

You know, he wears glasses, does the cloning magic, and I'm pretty sure he's a first class mage.

Flashbacks to my TBHk first read in which Natsuhiko does the blood thing and I was talking about it to my friend.

Because I couldn't remember his name. So the convo went a little something like this:

"Hey, so, you know cat mouth guy?"

"Who?"

"You know, wavy brunette, cat mouth, cats really, really like him...?"

"No. Wait, actually... do you mean Natto Beans?"

Anyways, did anybody remember his name still? Cause I sure as hell don't. I had to Google it for this post.

[brucebocchi]

brief reviews of all the manga i read while i was procrastinating from finishing my anime reviews

instead of actually watching a lot of the new anime that's coming out this season, and also instead of writing the anime reviews i had been planning to write for the previous three and a half months, i read a ton of manga in my downtime. here's what i read:

kindergarten wars: action romcom? say fucking less. it nails both sides of that dichotomy very well, though i'm still waiting for a little more commitment to the romance side. it gets surprisingly heavy at times and those emotional beats pack some serious punches. this is gonna make a banger of an anime one day.

blue box: save for dungeon meshi and maybe frieren, this is my favorite manga i've picked up so far this year. a damn good slice of life romance and a damn good sports manga at the same time. i'm beyond excited for the anime this fall.

hirayasumi: god, this rips. cozy as fuck, sweet as all get out, but doesn't shy away from portraying its characters as jealous, selfish people when things don't go their way. the art has a lovely sketchy vibe to it; almost gives off "grown up skip and loafer" vibes, and how appropriate that the scanlation group handling it also does skip and loafer! already bought the first volume.

kagurabachi: i hated the memes surrounding this manga when it debuted and never once found them funny, but i eventually gave in and picked it up while it's still relatively new. it's solid! i can see this continuing to improve as the mangaka finds more of a voice. some really excellent splash pages and i can see this being adapted into a really good-looking anime somewhere down the line.

the way of the househusband: it's pretty one-note as gag manga go, but it's a very funny note. seeing an ex-yakuza tackle daily mundanity with the exact intensity you'd expect is always great. it can get a little repetitive, and it even lampshades its running jokes, but it still works most of the time. the art is OUTSTANDING in this too.

telework yotabanashi: i already talked about this when i finished it and it's a short one but it's worth mentioning. kintetsu yamada can do no wrong. i adored sweat and soap so i knew i was gonna like this one, and i was right! very satisfying despite its length and a very lovely story for a very specific moment in time.

tales of wedding rings: yes, the anime drove me halfway insane until i dropped it, and i went ahead and read the manga anyway. it's decent as trashy isekai go. the story goes in a slightly unexpected direction and it's very slowly approaching the finish. the surprising thing was that all of the nudity in the anime was anime-original; the manga doesn't really lean into full-on nudity until a major story climax (lol) and from there the floodgates burst open (lol). my complaints from watching the anime still stand, and the anime still looks like dogshit (especially compared to the source material), but i'll finish it out.

i also read nozoki ana but uh, we're not gonna talk about that today.

[rayroseu]

MASTERLIST previous masterlist

──★ ˙ other socials

twitter bluesky ko-fi

──★ ˙ tags

#lian arts (all my artworks)

#lian notes (theories and general text posts)

#lian inbox (asks)

──★ ˙ all artworks (only on 2024)

˖⋆࿐໋ january

new year doodle for @/kitwasnothere

new year doodle for @/ceruleancattail

(meme) sweet dreams twst ! (malleus)

i am happy because everyone loves me (lilia)

happy birthday malleus (with meleanor)

veil (with malleus and citrine (my oc)

˖⋆࿐໋ february

meleanor in the guest room (with crowley ssr)

doodle for @/malleleothreesome

happy valentines (with kid!malleus and lilia)

draconians (meleanor and malleus)

the conflict between cosmic magicians (with crowley, malleus, grim)

you are just as guilty (knight of dawn)

˖⋆࿐໋ march

meleanor in summer vacation

meleanor at her funeral

random animations (malleus and meleanor)

˖⋆࿐໋ april

maleficia's introduction (with shroud parents)

quick sketch of saeran

doodle of the boop trend

meleanor sketch

knight of dawn sketch

leona and jamil for @/twst-charity

elegy (with yuu and malleus)

meleanor and dylla

because i want you to live a long and happy life

assumptions about malleus and his tsum

˖⋆࿐໋ may

malleus and gargoyle

happy mother's day (meleanor)

happy birthday silver (with lilia)

crossover (marcille, malleus, and frieren)

commission for @/windalchemist001

˖⋆࿐໋ june

the princess and her little generals (meleanor, lilia, and levan)

baby malle is great at camouflage (with meleanor)

˖⋆࿐໋ july

no artworks at this time !

˖⋆࿐໋ august

tetekore merch but its knight of dawn and silver

tetekore merch but its general lilia and baul

˖⋆࿐໋ september

hc where lilia's cottage sometimes gets flooded

reduced to sketch form meme (with yuu, sebek, and silver)

meleanor with the broken mannequin trend

do you like stars trend (with lilia and malleus)

step back lilia (with meleanor)

thank you sketch (malleus)

dont look (meleanor)

we got unconditional love (silver, sebek, malleus, and lilia)

skully

knight of dawn with feathers (sketch)

˖⋆࿐໋ october

meleanor in playful land

bocca della verita (malleus)

mystictober: domestic life (saeran)

mystictober: favorite character (saeran)

˖⋆࿐໋ november

meleanor tries out gao gao dragon kun

a night to reminisce (malleus and maleficia)

maid au (knight of dawn and meleanor)

malleus gatekeeping lilia

dont fight all alone in the rain (meleanor and malleus)

scarletella sketch

˖⋆࿐໋ december

knight of dawn tries out lilia's cooking

alien stage au (meleanor and knight of dawn)

scarletella sketch

knight of dawn in pomefiore

2024 ART SUMMARY

layout credit @/roaringdrago

[lordsovorn]

People I wanna know better tag meme

Thanks for the tag @uncontrol-freak :)

Last song?

...there's something special in listening to a song specifically when it's accompanied by a meme. no, I did not play the game. no I never listened to the song before

Before that was Silent Hill 2 "Promise", "All I want for Christmas is you but there is a metal pipe sound effect on every chord change", a 3-hour long ambience of Amnesia: The Bunker's Safe Room and a mash-up of MGR's "Red Sun" with Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi"

I have diverse music tastes

Favorite color?

Yellow, all kinds of yellow! Soft purple, deep black in second places (non-binary flag lol)

Currently watching?

Metal Gear Rising memes by L Void. History videos (about Timbuktu, punitive psychiatry in USSR, the cult of Isis, for example). Oh, and Frieren, and just binged Dungeon Meshi manga (wasn't terribly impressed by the anime, but the memes drew me in, and oh boy was it worth it)

Last movie?

Hmmmm, I barely watch movies honestly. Midsommar, back when I gave several horror movies a go somewhere in early autumn?..

I enjoyed it, the camerawork and framing are incredible, musical tone is surreal and it's quite tasteful in presenting its violence, and the story is provocative in an interesting way. I'm not sure about my judgement given how little experience with movies and horror movies I have, but it was an interesting experience for me.

Sweet/Spicy/Savory?

Spicy!

First comes to mind because I love spicy cocoa, but...

..but also can I have everything please I love food I love having taste buds

Relationship status?

"Izutsumi by herself"

I'm ace and probably aro, so not even sure how to apply that question to myself. Open to collecting more humans :)

Current obsessions?

Amnesia: The Bunker. I can't stop thinking about the knuckle-walking monster with broken silhouette lines, about the lighting choices, about how good BARRELS feel to tilt and shove, and how the game gives you so many sensible instruments (running, revolver, door locks) and then goes "well, about that..."

Last thing you googled?

Khazarian Khaganate. I wanted to show a friend a map of Khazarian Khaganate to visually illustrate a spontaneuos history lesson about the Pan-Eurasian Steppe and the fall of Kyivan Rus.

Selfie or another pic you took?

I don't do many selfies, I don't look good on my phone's camera. I have this self-portrait from spring of the last year though! My hair is even longer now, heh

...

Tagging @sabbitabbi, @onkazhaba, @ggauroras, @nylmoth, @beachboogeyman - if you want, of course :)

[augerer]

Nine People I'd Like to Get To Know Better Meme

Tagged by @loreofcardigan.... a while ago but i'm finally getting around to it. answered some of these back when i was tagged but uh unfortunately there hasn't been that much change since then because i've been e.g. so busy at work.

Last Song: What Happened to Us? by Shura. love that song, how wistful and reflective it is on the passage of time and growing up + that sweet smooth melody line. I only really like two Shura songs (that one and what's it gonna be) but i play them on loop.

Favorite Color: Blue.

Currently Watching: sousou no frieren

Last Show/Movie: oh man... probably the cdrama destined? technically i dropped it like five episodes from the end for no real reason but i was really invested for a second there. perfect example of heterosexuality in that its about the guy pining and suffering while the girl tortures him for his crimes.

Sweet/savoury/spicy: out of these three spicy, but what i'm really known for is liking sour foods.

Last thing you googled: "why is beautiful soup named that". as in, the python package. i'm an R girlie though.

Tagging: @upswings @girderednerve @ismenes @cvsette @raisinchallah @sioirsebhan @insaneclownpussi @aurorean @gibbousmoonwrites

[multitrackdrifting]

when i think about how its almost been half a decade since the pandemic (and reminder, in australia we were in intermittent lockdowns for almost two years) i feel like that frieren meme where she blinks and the year is over

[animehouse-moe]

I think you're being a bit too harsh about the Kagurabachi "hype" lol. A lot of people KNOW it's pretty generic- the community began hard trolling about the previews being the next "it" WSJ manga before the 1st chapter even officially came out. Most of the high scores and praise are coming from a sense of being ironic. The meme (and therefore the series too) just became extremely popular because it parodies/makes fun of Shonen Western fandoms on social media. So the less you take the Kagurabachi "hype" seriously, the more you're going to have fun with it.

I agree and disagree in regards to that last point. Kagurabachi has only ever been "alright". If you want something to fill the time, I suppose it's alright. But just look what's debuted around it. Mama Yuyu has a strong art style and character design, a creative story with an idea that it executes upon, and arguably the best paneling and layouts we've seen from a new manga within the last 5+ years. Two On Ice completely trounces Kagurabachi in terms of the quality of art, character designs, and its ability to convey movement. Stories are incomparable since they're entirely different, but even then I'd still say Two On Ice shows more potential for being able to give readers something.

I do agree with my being harsh, especially since it can be rude and dismissive of the effort that the mangaka has put into their work, especially since it's something I'm certainly unable to beat them at. I think one of the best parts of Kagurabachi is its environment art, personally. It's just that we don't get to see that too often.

Now, in regards to first piece about it "being a meme" and that it's not actually popular or well regarded. Yes and no. A lot of people do still take it as a joke, the issue is the fact that people see the joke of it being "the greatest ever" and buy into the series being good because of it. I think you're potentially a little... lax (?) about the idea of it being generic? It's hard to explain, but let me provide a little anecdote from people that I know, that I've talked to.

I just witnessed a conversation in a Discord server (via a friend) where people were trashing on the Frieren anime. Even though they echoed some of my complaints with the manga, bagging on what's visually the greatest anime of the season hands down is just sort of mind boggling.

But that's the tip of the iceberg. I know people out there that will watch every harem series. People out there that will religiously commit to isekai series, and have said "I don't care if doesn't look good". I know of people that will refuse to watch Cloverworks series because of The Promised Neverland but can't tell you which series are from Cloverworks.

Until you really come across it, it can be really hard to understand. But in my experience, the average animanga fan is borderline insane in how they approach media. Rhyme and reason in the way that someone like you or myself see it doesn't register on their radars. So where there's hype, whether it's ironic or not, people like the ones I mentioned will flock to it in a genuine fashion. Hopefully that helps explain my harshness on the popularity/reception of Kagurabachi.

[monmuses]

★ What fandom do you consider welcoming? ☆ What are some the perks with the fandom you’re currently in?

the hella sweet munday meme - accepting!

unironically? some of the nicest people ive met come from some really small fandoms im in! one of them is the Raggedy Ann & Andy fandom, and there's quite a few there! i got to interact with some folks on Tiktok and got to share some fun facts, and they just have a lot of fun knowledge and just overall sweetness from people makes it extremely welcoming! same with the Jekyll & Hyde fandom, or just the Gothic Literature fandom because it is full of crazy nutjobs that are there for the fun of it.

as of recently, ive considered myself apart of a few fandoms, like the Mouthwashing & Frieren fandom. one of the many things that i really like specifically with Frieren is that people don't go crazy on the power-scaling nonsense like most isekai anime treat their characters. there's a level-headed amount of media literacy where people talk about the message of the anime and appreciating how natural and slow the anime is; its not overstimulating and is honestly a picture perfect show in my eyes. you can enjoy it and it's worthy to rewatch.

with Mouthwashing, the humor while respecting the events of the game is just off the charts. i love it. one of my favorite running bits in the fandom is NO ONE refers to Jimmy as "Jimmy". a lot of the names ive seen people call him has been: Jambalya, Jpeg, Jaundice, Jorkin It, Jisappointment, Japarty, Java Script, Jimmy Felon ............ you get the gist.

but i really like the Mouthwashing fandom. some of the best memes & literary analysis responses toward the game's story are from this fandom, and it's amazing to see people pick apart the game's details and its characters. it's awesome, and it's up my alley when it comes to a community & being an artist!

[guidingstarmira]

🌼 - to give your muse a piggyback .

misc action memes 🌼 - to give your muse a piggyback .

She isn't entirely sure what she expected this to feel like, especially with the name of it being 'piggyback', since as far as she was aware a pig was an animal that souls usually consumed to continue living. So when she gave Fern that long hard confused stare, its how she found herself on Fern's back for said action. She had declined at first, not wanting to cause any discomfort, but when Fern mentioned having done so for a 'Frieren' before and it wasn't that much of an issue.

Mira makes sure to keep her arms warped around enough to keep a hold of Fern, but not to be a discomfort to her. She hopes that Fern's clothing is also enough to keep the chill away that comes from her body as she let's herself begin to relax in the moment as Fern walks around. It's a weightlessness of it's own, yet isn't at the same time. Perplexing thing. Mira's chin moves to rest on Fern's should as she takes in the scenery around them.

"This is.. Pleasant, thank you for this Fern."

[void-soda]

Seen any good anime recently?

Well, I haven't watched the anime, but Frieren is very fun. I've enjoyed the manga a lot.

I rewatched FMA:B again, plan to make my partners watch it with me soon.

I just picked up JJK, because the Gojo memes won me over.

I can't say its good yet, but I started watching Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha. Its fun for sure

Lucky Star, Ouran High School Host Club, are ones I'll always reconmend if you want light hearted comedy.

Started watching the newest season of My Hero Academia. Its stupid and I love it, can't wait to see more bullshit later.

I know I wanna pick up Mysterious Disapearances for "plot" reasons.

Oh. Watch Heavenly Delusion if you can, it's fucked up (affectionate) and I love it. I do have to mention there's a bit of fucked up shit in the last few episodes, so stay away if you're not a fan of S.A.

That's about all I got. You guys got any reconmendations for me?

[endless-season]

9 Fandom Peeps to Get to Know Better

tagged by @defeateddetectives /o/

3 ships you like: *looks into void* do I even have 3 proper ships

1) MikoIzuTotsu (Suoh Mikoto x Kusanagi Izumo x Totsuka Tatara) - K

And no one was surprised. I MEAN ITS BEEN OVER TEN YEARS. BUT A GOOD CHUNK OF THOSE TEN YEARS WERE DEDICATED TO HOMURA TRIO (well technically... the real answer is Totsuka Tatara however we will ignore that for the sake of this meme). Get yourself two others who will go through it all with you thick or thin. Get yourself a leash i mean what. Get yourself a Kusanagi-san! Settle down in a bar and raise i mean gather a gang family!

2) Qin Jiu x You Huo - Global Examination

Felt obligated to include them since I'm currently trying to drag ppl to read this lmao. Also bc i have no ships to answer with, help. BUT THE CHEMISTRY! I mean, this is probably the first time I clearly see what people mean by the word ~ chemistry ~. Qin Jiu is such a chaotic menace, You Huo is such a chaotic menace, they are similar but also different and then put them together and everyone suffers, it's beautiful *wipes tear*. But they are also so so so soft together (i was going to say, in private.... but also in front of people's salad so!!!) *clutches heart*. The author, 木苏里 just does a create job exploring the two throughout the story, READ GLOBAL EXAMINATION! THERE'S ALSO AN ONGOING MANHUA THAT COVERS LIKE A THIRD. DO IT. and then send me liveblogs pls and thanks.

3) H-h-help... ships... are hard... I... don't ...

first ship ever: IzuTotsu (Kusanagi Izumo x Totsuka Tatara) - K Shamelessly links to that post where I sobbed over everything #Actual Marriage Goals The trust! The intuitive understanding! The communication! (sorry Mikoto, your grunting fails you) The ~ G o S s i P i n g ~ ! The mutual support and comfort ;_;! The domesticity of it all! The quipping and doting! The we're all in this (this = Mikoto doom but with matching wing tattoos) together! The seemless division of labor haha

last song you heard: i turned on my playlist when i saw this question so that by the time i finish answering the meme and come back to this question, i will have an answer… Anyways, so the answer is…. ~ wHAT A coINcindENce ~ Dark Night Fireworks, Lucien's season 1 theme from MLQC.

favourite childhood book: Uh........ idk.... Deltora Quest? Alex Rider series? If manga counts then maybe Detective Conan? lmao.

currently reading: I’m Not Shouldering This Blame (这锅我不背) Current novel in my danmei binging spree. 40 chaps in, enjoying it so far. Synopsis gives a pretty good idea of what to expect. Hordes of book transmigrators trying to derail or benefit from knowing the plot, military dealing with the supernatural mess and notifying MC and ML who are supposedly the villains, MC... just trying to work in peace cmon, ML... just trying to seduce MC cmon.

currently watching: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Just finished it over the last few days hence why there's a few posts in my queue. It’s nice and chill. I admit I was eyeing Himmel the moment he appeared in the first episode and didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his instant transformation / flashforward to old bald man. Was pleasantly surprised to see him appearing constantly in flashbacks haunting the narrative ethereal dead wife style lmao.

currently consuming: I waited for dinner to write this! Was lazy tonight so just a bunch of easy to prep in 5 min sides. Rice, Prawn dumplings, Chilli Bamboo (Fu Chi brand), Century Egg + Tofu + Pork floss, Smashed cucumber salad that I managed to ruin :/

currently craving: A reason to live A shiny new satisfying fandom obsession... Motivation and energy and wisdom to adult... A yakult and WangLaoJi... ... ...... *walks to fridge and grabs yakult and wanglaoji*

---

A rare meme where I'm gonna actually tag!!! See what ppl are up to and eating these days >:)

@qserasera @chiaki-c @nervous-sheep @alice-chan-chan @jelly-cooperation

@laxmiree @caesurables @pu-san @vanishing-apples @dijeh

@ittybi @ellie-winthrope @bloomingmitsuri @a-justaway-is-just-a-justaway @constastan

As usual feel free to skip if tagged or do even if not tagged :> Edit: why is tagging not working *squints*

[deeeeeeenotawolff]

I HAVE BEEN SUMMONED

last song: he knows you know - marillion

fave colour: purple (#8888f8)

currently watching: Voltron (GIANT ROBOT, WOOOH), Star trek TOS (some episodes are good most are bad and overall too much misoginy), just finished sousou no Frieren (its great)

sweet/spicy/savoury: sweet (but also kinda depends)

last google: well, i've got an extension that continuously generates semi-random searches so my computer's last search is "biggest digital ever", however (to the best of my knowledge as extention messes up search history) the last thing i've searched was "inductive coil and wireless LEDs", because imma stick the coil around my ear, turn the LEDs into earrings then have light up earings

relationship status: single

current obsession: these hannibal boop memes

no pressure tags: @birdioio @zerkwastaken @decimadeathing @eelthekruppe @vampire-bat-boy @wawwior @songforaname and anybody else (im really sorry if i've forgotten somebody)

thank you @andrwminward !! 9 people you’d like to get to know better

last song: kill her freak out by samia 🩵🩵

favorite color: green !!!

currently watching: women’s d1 ncaa swimming and diving champs 🫶

sweet/savory/spicy: SPICY !! yay

relationship status: single but maybe not for much longer !?!

current obsession: honestly not much rn. working on some new ocs and continuing a fic

last thing you googled: how is college diving scored

no pressure tag: @fromjannah @bnsfrailway @grieving4theliving @mildew-dread-mold @speciouspessimism @littlelesbianlegend @declanshole @likeconcorde and anyone else who wants to 💖

[recentanimenews]

VIZ Media Announces Complete Demon Slayer Manga Box and More

  VIZ Media made a ton of announcements on Twitter earlier today, including a book by Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding mastermind Hideo Kojima, a complete Demon Slayer manga box set, a new collection of short manga by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, and more. Here's a rundown of what's on the way from the publisher this fall.

  Hideo Kojima's The Gifted Gene and My Lovable Memes book:

  Announcement: Hideo Kojima, creator of Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid, explores the influences and inspirations that shape his work. The Creative Gene drops Fall 2021. pic.twitter.com/VKL6yXtK79

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Deserted Island Diary manga series:

  Announcement: Animal Crossing: New Horizons-Deserted Island Diary, a new manga series featuring your favorite villagers, debuts Fall 2021. ???? pic.twitter.com/wo5CXHR5xn

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  One Piece Box Set 4, which packs in volumes 71-90:

  Announcement: ????‍☠️ One Piece Box Set 4 is dropping Fall 2021! Set contains volumes 71–90, which make up the Dressrosa, Zou, Whole Cake Island and Reverie arcs. Plus exclusive bonus gifts! pic.twitter.com/J6mVrRcNnj

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  The Demon Slayer Complete Box Set includes all 23 volumes plus bonus items:

  Announcement: Demon Slayer Complete Box Set drops Fall 2021! Relive Tanjiro and Nezuko’s epic journey, which includes all 23 volumes of the series, plus exclusive bonus gifts! pic.twitter.com/twHWeZQtVf

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  My Hero Academia: Ultra Analysis: The Official Character Guide:

  Announcement: My Hero Academia: Ultra Analysis: The Official Character Guide drops Fall 2021! Learn everything about My Hero Academia’s heroes and villains. Includes 288 pages of content! pic.twitter.com/K4BVmiftbA

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  One Piece Pirate Recipes: 

  Announcement: One Piece Pirate Recipes! The recipes that power the One Piece crew, brought to you with flair and style by Chef Sanji. Available Fall 2021. pic.twitter.com/xqOufwCEKM

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  Kaiju No. 8 Vol. 1:

  Announcement: Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 1 comes crashing into stores Fall 2021! pic.twitter.com/Of0nrtON12

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  Akira Toriyama's Manga Theater:

  Announcement: Akira Toriyama’s Manga Theater, a collection of action-packed short stories from the famed creator of Dragon Ball, drops Fall 2021. Will be released as a single hardcover edition. pic.twitter.com/loy2I8qZJK

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  Fullmetal Alchemist: A New Beginning light novel:

  Announcement: Fullmetal Alchemist: A New Beginning is available Fall 2021. Complete your Fullmetal experience with this Winry-focused light novel never before published in English! pic.twitter.com/vbJ529xFn3

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Vol. 1:

  Announcement: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Vol. 1 releases Fall 2021! For immortal elf Frieren, the adventures are over. Now a new adventure begins: figuring out what to do with the rest of her life! pic.twitter.com/74KyPd4Ngo

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  Sanrio PomPoms:

  Announcement: Sanrio PomPoms releases Fall 2021! Make fun pompoms of @HelloKitty, My Melody, and all your favorite @Sanrio characters. pic.twitter.com/gAGssIm6nV

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  Mao Vol. 1:

  Announcement: Mao, Vol. 1, releases Fall 2021! Rumiko Takahashi’s latest work takes us back to a Taisho era Japan infested with demons, and only an exorcist named Mao can end them! pic.twitter.com/vqOxyhppR0

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  My Love Mix-Up Vol. 1:

  Announcement: My Love Mix-Up!, Vol. 1 releases Fall 2021. Boy loves girl. Girl loves other boy! Then other boy thinks first boy loves him! ???? pic.twitter.com/s0gaWqpNxj

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  Rosen Blood Vol. 1:

  Announcement: Rosen Blood, Vol. 1 makes its debut Fall 2021! After an awful carriage accident, Stella awakens in a gothic mansion in the presence of four impossibly gorgeous vampires! Oh my ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/64FTQ23HoL

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  Pokémon Journeys: The Series Vol. 1:

  Announcement: Pokémon Journeys: The Series, Vol. 1 drops Fall 2021! Ash is back and traveling the world with Goh in all new adventures. pic.twitter.com/Kr9WwadFa5

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  Pokémon Pocket Comics: Sun & Moon: 

  Announcement: Pokémon Pocket Comics: Sun & Moon drops Fall 2021! This new comic series contains puns and gags galore. pic.twitter.com/3oPRGXey9J

— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 19, 2021

  BURN THE WITCH Vol. 1:

  Announcement: Burn the Witch, Vol. 1 releases Fall 2021! Tite Kubo’s exciting expansion of Bleach, takes place in the western branch of Soul Society, Reverse London. Includes a special slipcase! pic.twitter.com/4axsX1EAkZ

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  Deserter: Junji Ito Story Collection

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Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his brand new comic, MONSTER FLIGHT, at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.

  By: Joseph Luster

[centrally-unplanned]

The issue I have with the current trajectory is that lack of "arc" for their flashbacks; there is nothing wrong with the story of someone who was just in love with someone, didn't realize it at the time, and due to elf lifespan timey wimey ball reasons takes a century to realize it. The issue with that is that Himmel is hardcore throwing down game on this chick, like fucking hell. He has been holding a torch for his loli mommy dream gf for literally a decade, chases her down, and then takes every occasion to bat eyelashes and slip in some kinetic escalation. I understand there is another part of their quest, but the story we see is this kid maneuvering his way into intimate side chats with the obvious love of his life while their other two companions snicker on the sidelines like perfect wingmen.

If that is the story you give us, it doesn't really make any sense for that not to go anywhere. The character presented would absolutely escalate, he is always escalating, except in the obvious way any actual human being would escalate. His engine is all rev no gas, at some point you gotta hit the pedal! And this applies from a storytelling standpoint - the first half dozen flashbacks are cute establishment, but now its like...the same flashback each time. We get it now, and its kinda weird actually that they had so many moments like this and not others. Its the fucking costco hotdog meme but its canon; you can't emotionally flirt over every single thing, you need arc.

If they wanted to do this no-burn arc between the two, then I think you do that by just having a more natural relationship develop organically. Make her a tsundere, make em fight a little bit, they can have awkward moments but then become friends+. Have Frieren fondly recall moments to Fern that aren't romantic at all, and Fern is confused, but it will be recontextualized later by their closeness. Like the current episode had a scene about the flowers and their beauty between the two, but they already had an episode about that. Its the same beat!

There are a dozen other ways to do it obviously - my point is that this path is okay (ish), as long as there is another shoe to drop on it. If there isn't then I think its really a wasted opportunity.

If I was writing Frieren I would have had our titular elf and Himmel have hooked up at the tail end of their adventures and had it go very awkwardly, almost certainly because Frieren was unable to handle the level of intimacy being demanded of her at the time given her default incel status. She very obviously would not be ready relationship at that time, and additionally I buy that elves essentially move on a slower timeline with these things and figuring out her feelings takes decades (which seems to be what did happen in canon).

Obviously 10% of this is me being on my typical bullshit of Let Adults Have Sex Jeeez, but the other 90% is that the story just really needs to add depth to their relationship and that depth should probably be pathos. Their bond is simultaneously nothing but birds and (literally) flowers, but also stuck in the status quo; they adventured together for years after all, time affects things and they should develop. Given that, and given that Frieren just left and didn't see him for half a century (and he didn't seek her, almost as important), I think both his and her character would be served by having more complexity behind that absence. Like I get that its "time", like oh she is an elf and doesn't appreciate these things. But like she can do math, she knew his lifespan. Give me a bit more of a solid reason why she was unable to voice these things.

Which idk maybe we will get something, lets see!