The Objective Greatest Anime of All Time Has Been Officially Crowned, And It Breaks Every Rule
1 week ago
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Custom Image by Hannah Diffey
Published Apr 4, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT
Branson is a Senior Writer for ScreenRant. Anime has been a major part of his life since he was able to raise his hands in the air for a Spirit Bomb. As a journalist, Branson focuses heavily on listicles and op-eds detailing the industry's greatest shonen series.
There are a ton of great anime series out there that follow all the rules masterfully, but there's only one anime series that's out right now that's amazing because it breaks all the rules that other franchises follow.
Within two seasons, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End has made a decent claim for one of the best anime series ever made, competing against titans of the genre and franchises that have shaped the art form permanently.
Frieren Focuses on the Journey
When other anime franchises focus on the destination, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End focuses on the journey. Technically, the journey is already over for Frieren. The series revolves around the titular mage as she realizes that the true value of her journey wasn't the destination but the relationships and bonds she forged along the way.
Frieren's life is darker than it looks. As an elf, she's going to live for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years. She's going to outlive every human she meets by some margin, making it hard for her to create true bonds with most people. Her time with Himmel the Hero changed her perspective, and now she's dedicating herself to meeting him once again.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is one of the most tragically beautiful fantasy anime ever, but it was not always that way.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End could fit into a number of subgenres: slice-of-life, comedy, shōnen, and more. At its core, however, it transcends these genres and presents something entirely unfamiliar to anime as a whole.
It's a story of redemption, but not revenge or vengeance like most stories focusing on correcting the errors of the past. Frieren is looking to grow as a person, and with Stark and her adopted daughter/student Fern, she just might.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Is Immeasurably Chill
There are few anime series quite as chill as Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. At times, it feels like a lofi music video playing in the background, lulling the viewer into a space somewhere between reality and dreams. That's not all Frieren offers, however, as there are plenty of moments filled with some of the best action in anime, and that's what makes the calm moments so valuable.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End feels so comfortable because it juxtaposes its calmness against ferocious action. Stark has slain his fair share of dragons, while Frieren and Fern have taken on mages so powerful even Frieren had to put some effort in.
Most series simply can't marry the two emotions. High-flying shōnen series filled with the best fights in anime are great at displaying gigantic battles but falter when it comes to slower moments. On the flip side, slow-paced series just don't know how to kick things up a notch, as they're almost too good at keeping things mellow.
No Other Anime Feels Like Frieren
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End has taken the world by storm for a number of reasons, and the fact that no other series feels quite like it is a major factor. It's a simple sentiment that shouldn't be taken lightly, as even some of the best anime series ever made feel like derivatives of each other at times.
Some stories feel like they've been told before. Great romance anime series usually have a hard time creating something that feels unique, and battle-heavy shōnen anime face the same struggle. For a series to be truly its own, it has to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and, somehow, forge its own path at the same time.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is both relaxing and invigorating, action-packed and laid-back, goal-driven but journey-focused. It doesn't focus on one singular concept more than another, and it's ability to blend multiple themes and feelings together at once places it into its own league in the realm of anime.
What Will Be the Anime to Finally Take Frieren's Crown?
Madhouse
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is currently the highest rated anime series of all time on MyAnimeList.com. It has won a ton of awards, broken several records, and made a name for itself as a truly original series. While it's certainly taken anime's crown, its reign won't last forever.
Some of the other notable series that have worn the crown include Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Attack on Titan, and Steins;Gate. These series have all done the same thing as Frieren in that they transcended the art form of anime and created projects so undeniably good that even non-anime watchers wanted to experience them.
For another series to take Frieren's place, it will have to do the same. It might not evoke the same feelings as Frieren or any of the other series mentioned, but it will have to do something no other franchise has done before. We have great modern-day shōnen franchises, amazing romance anime, and a ton of solid sports series too, so what's next?
There's no telling what's next for anime post-Frieren, but we have a feeling it's going to be great. Like every great anime series, Frieren: Beyond Journey's Endhas shown creators and viewers alike what's possible. It's an amazing, refreshing, breathtaking series that has become a wonderful addition to the art form, and we can't wait to see the series that finally takes its well-deserved crown.
Custom Image by Hannah Diffey
Madhouse
English (US) ·