Atsumi Tanezaki, Kana Ichinose, and Chiaki Kobayashi Appear at the ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ Season 1 Special Screening Event [Event Report]

Additionally, it was announced that voice actress Ayana Taketatsu, who plays Aura, will appear for a stage greeting during Chapter 2: The Guillotine Aura Arc, to be screened on Saturday, October 11. Though Aura appears for only three episodes, she is immensely popular; the cast eagerly posed questions to Taketatsu about her role.

Tanezaki directly asked, “How did you feel about playing such a hugely popular character, one who has inspired so many collaboration products? Did you expect she’d become so popular?” Ichinose commented, “I’d simply like to ask what kind of magic is her favorite. If Aura could use any daily-life magic, which would she choose?” Her question garnered supportive voices from the audience as well. Kobayashi added excitement by saying, “I’d like to ask Taketatsu-san about her personal favorite character, or which role besides Aura she’d like to try playing.”

The discussion shifted to Frieren’s overseas popularity. Looking back at Anime Expo in Los Angeles in July, Kobayashi shared his excitement: “So many local fans came out to see us. The 8,000-seat venue filled up instantly—the love for Frieren among American fans was amazing. It made me truly happy to feel that Frieren’s appeal had crossed Japan’s borders to be loved worldwide.”

Moreover, Ichinose and Kobayashi are scheduled to attend Anime Festival Asia in Singapore this November. Ichinose commented with anticipation, “I’m really looking forward to seeing how the fans in Singapore are excited about the series.”

Finally, the broadcast information for Season 2 of ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ was revealed! It was announced that the new season will air every Friday at 11:00 p.m. in Nippon TV’s “FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT” timeslot, beginning on January 16, 2026. With Frieren returning to Friday nights just as in the first season, the audience erupted in applause. Alongside the announcement, the Season 2 key visual was unveiled—depicting Frieren, Fern, and Stark within a space filled with countless crystals. The cast members shared their thoughts on the visual as well.

Tanezaki commented, “Since all three are pictured together again, I wonder if there will be more stories centered on the three of them? Or maybe not? I hope fans who came to the event are looking forward to it.” Ichinose said, “There’s a sense of dynamism in the image. Fern is grabbing Stark by the neck, and I hope people take note of that moment and consider what it might represent.” Kobayashi also expressed his anticipation: “When I read the original manga, moments like these spark, ‘So this is what it looks like!’ or ‘It’s so big!’ I think we may get to see even more such exciting scenes this season.”