The second volume of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End was published in 2020 by Shogakukan with Viz Media publishing it to the United States. It is a fantasy manga series written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe.

From the Goodreads description,

“At Eisen’s urging, Frieren and her apprentice Fern head north seeking the land where heroes’ souls are said to rest, which also happens to be the location of the Demon King’s castle. Along the way, they meet Eisen’s apprentice, Stark whose fighting skills may come in handy—though the Demon King is long gone, his surviving minions have unfinished business with Frieren!”

Once again, the artwork is fantastic. We get a glimpse into Frieren’s past and how her adventures with her comrades affect those in the present. From these illustrations, the story flows beautifully. I like how Frieren, Fern, and Stark were designed, but also how new enemies are introduced.

Speaking of which, this story continues to pull me in. Fern and Stark sometimes get frustrated with Frieren’s perception of time. While they see it as humans do, Frieren perceives it as an ageless rate so a year or so is like a day to her. However, when they encounter a group of demons, this causes her to take action. Stark added a new flare to it. He is timid, shy, and claims to be easily frightened, which is why he left Eisen after an argument. It kept it fresh and snappy.

It was an interesting story and Stark’s addition adds to the mix a new perspective for the group. This is a compelling fantasy story and one that explores what happens when the battle is over.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or novel you would like me to review. While you are at it, check out my highlights for Solo Leveling 5 and Shy Volume 2. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

Connect with me on social media. You can support StudioJake on Locals.