Frieren’s triumph at the 11th Anime Trending Awards, securing Anime of the Year with 10,280 votes, showcases how this thoughtful fantasy series has resonated with viewers worldwide. Under Keiichiro Saito’s direction and featuring Atsumi Tanezaki’s enthralling performance, the show masterfully balances faithful adaptation with creative storytelling. From its emotional score by Evan Call to its nuanced character development, Frieren’s success points to an exciting new standard in anime excellence that you won’t want to miss exploring.
You can chalk up much of the show’s success to its dream team of creators.
With Keiichiro Saito (yes, the same genius behind *Bocchi the Rock*) in the director’s chair and Evan Call (the mastermind who brought you *Violet Evergarden*’s tear-jerking scores) handling the music, it’s no wonder the series hits all the right notes.
Add in Atsumi Tanezaki’s stellar performance as Frieren, and you’ve got yourself a winning combination that’s harder to beat than a boss fight in Dark Souls.
Tanezaki breathes life into Frieren with a performance so captivating, it makes defeating a Souls boss feel like child’s play.
What’s particularly impressive is how the series has managed to capture both critical acclaim and fan hearts while staying true to Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe’s source material. The show’s dominance was clear when it clinched victory with 10,280 total votes.
You might say it’s done the impossible – pleasing both die-hard manga fans and newcomers alike.
In an industry where adaptations often feel like they’re walking a tightrope between faithfulness and creative freedom, Frieren’s balanced act shows you can have your cake and eat it too.
