Frieren crushes Fullmetal Alchemist and makes MyAnimeList history

The Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End phenomenon has just cemented its absolute dominance over the world of Japanese animation. In early February 2026, the series reached the historic milestone of simultaneously holding the top two spots on MyAnimeList, definitively dethroning the legendary Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Since the second season premiered on January 16, the anime has kept growing. With only one episode released, the new season broke rating records and reached an impressive score of 9.28. Meanwhile, the first season keeps the same pace, securing a rare double at the top of the global ranking.

The end of Fullmetal Alchemist’s reign

For over a decade, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was considered the unshakable king of the platform. However, the adaptation of Kanehito Yamada’s manga proved that sensitivity and high-quality animation can win over today’s audiences. That is why the battle now takes place within the Frieren franchise itself, which shares the podium with itself.

Despite the resounding success, the price of this achievement was high behind the scenes. The animation director recently revealed that he struggles to work as before due to the physical and mental toll demanded by the production. Even so, the studio is keeping the weekly release schedule, to the delight of Brazilian fans.

Broadcast details

• Where to watch: Crunchyroll
• New episodes: Every Friday
• Current score: 9.28 (Top 1 and Top 2 on MAL)
• Season 2 premiere date: January 16, 2026

The story follows the elven mage Frieren after the defeat of the Demon King, exploring themes such as the passage of time and mortality. In this way, the anime sets itself apart from traditional action titles by focusing on a contemplative and visually impeccable journey, available with subtitles and Spanish dubbing.