Frieren: Beyond Journey's End has just achieved a historic milestone in the anime world in January 2026. The second season of the series, which premiered on Crunchyroll on January 16, reached a score of 9.33 on My Anime List (MAL), surpassing its own first season and becoming the highest rated animated production of all time. This record places the work of creators Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe at the absolute top of the ranking, ahead of established giants like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Steins;Gate. The achievement is a direct reflection of the immediate impact of the new season's first episode, which captivated the global fan community.
The story, already acclaimed, continues to follow the elf mage Frieren, a character over a thousand years old. After defeating the Demon King alongside the hero Himmel, she embarks on an introspective journey to better understand humanity and the bonds she formed. The new season promises to deepen this melancholic and philosophical narrative, which resonates strongly with audiences by exploring themes like time, memory, and regret. Thus, the overwhelming success in the first hours of airing confirms the anime's status not only as a commercial success but as a cultural and critical phenomenon.
A Record That Redefines the Top
The feat is even more impressive when looking at the historical ranking. With its score of 9.33, the second season of Frieren has dethroned productions considered pillars of the industry. Just below it on the MAL ranking are Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc (9.11), Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (9.10), and Attack on Titan (9.05). This qualitative leap—the improvement in rating compared to its own first season (9.28)—demonstrates that the production team managed not only to maintain but to elevate the narrative and technical quality that had already captivated fans. The positive reception seems unanimous, solidifying the series as a landmark for the 2020s.
The season premiered globally on Crunchyroll, with new episodes released every Friday. This weekly release model, common in streaming, has kept discussion and audience engagement high, fueling the series' prominent position. Meanwhile, the global anime community follows the news with enthusiasm, actively participating in discussions on social media. The question remains: can Frieren maintain this leadership position throughout 2026? The answer, for now, seems to be a resounding yes, thanks to a deep narrative that continues to enchant and move viewers around the world.