"Downcast Face Despite Being in the Center" - Episode 33's ED Card-Style Illustration of 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' Featuring Debt-Driven Mine Labor Becomes Hot Topic

The official X account for the anime 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' has released an image following the broadcast of Episode 33, "Logistics in the Northern Plateau," which has generated significant buzz among fans.

In the aired Episode 33, a storyline was depicted where Frieren (CV: Atsumi Tanezaki) is pressed by the Chairman of Norm Trading Company (CV: Akinori Egoshi) to repay a debt from 80 years ago. Due to insufficient funds, Frieren ends up having to work in the mines for 300 years, being led away with a downcast face, dressed in shabby clothes and carrying a pickaxe. What was released this time is ED card-style Illustration No.33 based on this episode. The artwork is handled by Hiroyuki Kobashi.

In the released illustration, Frieren is depicted in the center, shouldering a pickaxe and wearing a dejected expression similar to the one in the episode. Beside her are Fern (CV: Kana Ichinose), who is holding a bottle and looking somewhat sulky, and Stark (CV: Chiaki Kobayashi), who displays a confident expression, while muscular men are lined up in the background. Particularly striking is the figure of a character striking a pose with their thumb pointed at themselves, creating an image that condenses the comical developments of Episode 33.

'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' is an anime adaptation based on the manga of the same name by Kanehito Yamada (original story) and Tsukasa Abe (artwork). Set in a world "after" the Demon King has been defeated by the hero and their party, it depicts the journey of Frieren, an elf mage who has lived for over a thousand years, as she travels with new companions to fulfill a promise made to her former comrades.

In response to this post, fans have shared reactions such as "Love how she has a downcast face despite being in the center," "She's still striking a pose!!" and "A wonderful illustration packed with information."

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