"Where is the mismatch? (lol)" trending on social media! "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End" collaborates with the Vermeer exhibition, drawing high praise for the "Girl with a Pearl Earring" style special illustration

On the official Frieren: Beyond Journey's End X account, a specially drawn illustration collaborating with the Vermeer exhibition has been released, sparking a huge buzz.

The series is a story about a journey through a world reminiscent of medieval and early modern Europe, where the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer lived. The illustration beautifully overlays Frieren, who lives for a vast amount of time and continues her journey, with the famous 17th-century painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring," which is still loved worldwide today. Tsukasa Abe, the manga's illustrator, drew this piece exclusively for this exhibition, and original merchandise featuring this illustration is scheduled to be sold at the special exhibition shop.

The released image features a painting-style finish enclosed in a heavy, classic picture frame. Frieren (CV: Atsumi Tanezaki), wearing a blue and yellow turban, glances over her left shoulder just like in the original painting, sporting a quiet expression while wearing a distinctive large pearl earring, all depicted in rich detail.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is a fantasy manga series written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe. Set in a world after the Demon King was defeated, the story follows the protagonist Frieren, an elf who was the mage of the Hero's party. Possessing a lifespan far longer than humans, she sets out on a "journey to know people" triggered by the death of her former companion, the Hero Himmel.

In response to this post, fans flooded the comments with surprise and praise, saying things like "Where is the mismatch? (lol)" and "She actually became the Girl with a Pearl Earring!" There were also comments expressing anticipation for parodies with other famous paintings, such as "Soon, we'll see Frieren pouring milk over everything..." as well as comments marveling at this unique collaboration, such as "A fan art-style creation of 'fine art' through 'manga' as an official collaboration... Has anything like this ever happened before?"

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