I just finished watching the first season. I really loved the vibe of the show up until the exam, but then I felt it really shifted in tone.
Suddenly it felt like a shonen anime. A lot of time was spent introducing a vastly larger set of characters who ultimately didn’t seem like they mattered all that much.
There was a much greater emphasis on action and combat rather than a focus on characters and their relationship and Frieren’s/Fern’s connection to it all. Previous episodes frequently skipped combat entirely, only showing its conclusion (which was very refreshing).
There was also hardly any comedy, which was very common for the rest of the show. Instead, it got very serious, especially with people getting killed in the exam.
The pacing also just felt off - many previous episodes jumped entire months or even years, while the exam episodes might not even last a whole day.
I much preferred the start of the show and was a bit disappointed by this direction at the end. Am I alone in this thinking?
It still was done very well though. I can’t wait to see what next seasons will have in store. I’m sure we’ll get more chill and more fights and possibly something more.
Very well is quite the understatement it seems. I think it is well deserved for the first part, though I find the second part much less original. But it is very good yes. Also can’t wait for season 2! Unfortunately might take a while.
For now no news about S2 is reassuring because the worst thing that could happen would be rushed 12 episode series by J.C. Staff… Let me just hope Madhouse is working on another masterpiece.