"He's so hot!" "The ultimate silver fox!" Fans are losing it over the new illustration of the Hero of the South by Frieren artist Tsukasa Abe.

The official X account for Frieren: Beyond Journey's End shared a new illustration by artist Tsukasa Abe, sparking a huge conversation among fans.

The post includes the captions: "[Newly drawn by Tsukasa Abe-sensei]" and "Thank you for watching Episode 30."

The released image features the Hero of the South (voiced by Kazuhiko Inoue) rendered in soft, delicate colors. He sports perfectly groomed hair and a mustache, with an impressive dandy look characterized by a calm yet subtly defiant smile. Every detail—from his signature cloak to the intricate ornaments and the sheer weight of his attire—is captured with exquisite brushwork.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a manga series written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe. Following its 2023 anime adaptation, the highly anticipated second season began airing in January 2026. Set in a world "after" the Demon King was defeated by the Hero’s party, the story follows Frieren (CV: Atsumi Tanezaki), an elven mage who has lived for over a thousand years, as she embarks on a journey to understand humanity. It is a fantasy epic that weaves together memories of past heroes with her new adventures alongside companions Fern (CV: Kana Ichinose) and Stark (CV: Chiaki Kobayashi).

In response to the post, fans showered the creator with praise and gratitude, leaving comments such as: "Sensei’s overwhelming expressive power makes the emotional impact of the anime ten times stronger," "He’s oozing sex appeal," "It’s a shame he only appears for a few episodes," "There are so many compelling sub-characters—I need a spin-off!" "The art is god-tier," "He's the ultimate silver fox," and "I’m so happy to see this illustration right after the broadcast."

(C)Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe/Shogakukan/ "Frieren"Project