Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Season 1 Episode 28 Recap, Review & Ending Explained

It Would Be Embarrassing When We Met Again

Episode 28 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End begins with Denken visiting Serie to see if he’ll pass as an Imperial Mage. Serie acknowledges Denken’s current strength. She wishes she met him during his younger years. Although she mentions that his current state doesn’t interest her, she revokes her claim seconds later. Then, Serie questions Denken about the idea of fighting her. 

Do Denken, Ubel, and Land pass the exam?

Denken says he only thought about the idea of fighting Serie briefly before abandoning the idea. Serie tells Denken that he passed because Denken still has the fire hidden within himself. Denken departs and Ubel enters the room. Serie passes her on the spot. Ubel questions Serie’s decision but Serie says there’s no need for them to chat. 

Ubel departs and Lands enters the room. Serie is puzzled by Land’s arrival. She claims that the real Land isn’t in front of her now. Another Land arrives and claims to be the real Land. Serie tells Land that the real Land never left his hometown and is having tea. We cut to a brief scene of Land having tea by himself. The Land clone is shocked that Serie uncovered the truth about him. Despite his ploy, Serie passes Land and he departs.

Do Wirbel and Methode pass the exam?

Wirbel enters the room next. Serie compliments Wirbel on his battling prowess and achievements. Also, she knows he knows that he can’t defeat her. Wirbel feels people who’d pick a fight with individuals they can’t defeat wouldn’t make it as second-class mages. Serie asks Wirbel what his favorite spell is. Wirbel says he doesn’t have a favorite or least favorite spell. He admires magic as a killing tool. Serie passes Wirbel and he departs. 

Methode enters the room. Serie asks Methode to share her opinions on Serie’s appearance. Methode says Serie looks cute and small. Serie wonders what’s wrong with this year’s test-takers and passes Methode. 

What happens after Serie’s examination concludes?

After that, Serie departs, regroups with Sense, and apologizes for the wait. Scharf tells Wirbel he’s upset that he didn’t pass the exam. Wirbel says he has a chance to pass next year. After that, Fern tells Frieren she passed and Frieren congratulates her. Denken spots the girls nearby and thanks Frieren and Fern for helping him make it this far. 

He plans to visit a certain grave in his hometown. Later, Fern visits Stark a bakery, and asks Fern to choose between pretzels or cookies. Fern wants the cookies. Before she grabs one, she spots Laufen reaching out for one, with Denken observing the two from behind. After both groups purchase their sweets, they head outside to discuss things. 

What happens when Laufen, Denken, Fern, and Stark head outside?

Denken reflects on his history with sweets and asks Stark to grab a dessert. Stark grabs a dessert and eats it. He asks Fern who Denken is and Fern tells Stark that Denken’s an Imperial Mage. Stark apologizes to Denken for speaking to him casually. Denken tells Stark that he’s okay with anyone speaking to him casually. He reveals that he doesn’t have any grandchildren or children. 

Denken informs Fern and Stark about his wife’s passing and her role in society. He says he needed wealth and influence because he felt it was the only way to save his wife. Denken only views magic as a tool to resolve political disputes. He asks Fern to thank Frieren for showing him the “fun” behind magic. Denken reveals he became a mage because he was inspired by the tales he read up on regarding Frieren’s time with the Party of Heroes. 

Fern tells Denken he should share this intel with Frieren himself. We shift to Frieren wandering AuBerst with a stack of grimoires in her hand. Suddenly, a woman drops a stack of fruit and Frieren observes her. Wirbel helps the woman with her issue and visits Frieren at a bench. 

What happens during Wirbel’s conversation with Frieren?

Wirbel asks Frieren why she didn’t help the woman out. Frieren says she thought about helping her a little bit. Wirbel comments on Frieren’s thought process and Frieren comments on Wirbel’s actions. She knows he tried to kill Fern’s party during the first test, so she had a slight hunch that he wasn’t the nicest of guys.

Frieren brings up Fern’s comments about Wirbel and Wirbel says he wouldn’t doubt Fern feeling that way. Wirbel feels one of Fern’s partners (likely Ubel) should’ve perished during the first exam. He feels murdering this person would secure a brighter world for everyone. Wirbel says he’d do anything to protect his hometown. Also, he wanted to become a first-class mage to learn a spell that’d help him slaughter more demons. 

Other than that, Wirbel says he’d like to help anyone in need. Frieren asks why and Wirbel shares tidbits regarding his hometown and Himmel’s connection to it. Wirbel says he read up on Himmel’s battles and tales as a kid. As for the adults and elders, Wirbel says they hardly discussed Himmel’s worldly tales. Wirbel says they discussed how Himmel defeated the monsters attacking their village and how he guarded several of their merchants. 

Nonetheless, Wirbel says the village elders were happy to share tales about Himmel. After Himmel’s passing and his village’s destruction, Wirbel realized the tales about Himmel that interested him didn’t have anything to do with his village. Wirbel feels if Himmel didn’t arrive at his village, he doubts that his village would remain there. 

Frieren asks Wirbel to sum up what he said to her. He says that Himmel’s least exciting adventures guided him here. Wirbel spots Scharf and Ehre nearby, signaling to him that it’s time to go. He tells Frieren that she should cherish each of her encounters. He tells her that death isn’t the only goodbye in life and departs.

What happens in Frieren’s flashback with the Party of Heroes?

We enter a flashback involving Himmel, Frieren, Eisen, and Heiter. They’re carrying storage units somewhere with someone but a horde of sheep are in their way. Heiter asks Frieren if she can use her magic to get them across, but Frieren says she doesn’t want to feel alone. Eisen asks Himmel why they’re helping people carry things and not continuing their travels to the Demon King’s Castle. 

Himmel agrees that the task they’re partaking in is insignificant, but he doesn’t want to ignore people who need assistance, especially if they’re in front of him. Frieren looks into the sky and tells Himmel that the world has changed. 

Do Frieren and Stark attend the privilege ceremony with Fern?

Frieren returns to the Inn and regroups with Fern and Stark. Fern tells Frieren that she and the others will receive their privileges tonight from Serie. Also, Fern says she can bring a few guests. Fern suggests they all attend the event. Fern brings Frieren and Stark with her to the event. One of the workers tells Fern that Frieren can’t attend the event because Serie says she’s been banned for a thousand years. 

Additionally, Frieren can’t enter any of the Continental Magic Association facilities either. Fern argues against Serie’s judgment but Frieren admits she rubbed Serie the wrong way and compares her to a child. Frieren says she’ll wait outside and Stark says he’ll accompany Frieren too. 

What happens to Frieren and Stark while they’re outside the privilege ceremony?

Later, Frieren and Stark hear the evening bell and Frieren feels everyone’s received their privileges. Meanwhile, Frieren admits that Fern’s grown a lot since they first journeyed together. She feels Fern will become a more famed mage than her one day. Lernen greets Stark and Frieren. He apologizes to Frieren for the trouble Serie caused her and the others. 

Frieren says it’s okay and asks Lernen if he can see the fluctuations in her mana. Lernen gives Frieren a stern look, signaling to her that he can see it. Lernen admits he’s a battle-hardened individual. He feels if he had fought the Demon King alongside Himmel and the others, he’d gone down in history as one of the famous heroes too. 

Frieren asks Lernen what he wants from her. Lernen mentions Flamme and the legacy she left behind. He wants to be remembered like Flamme and doesn’t want her to feel lonely. He says he’s willing to go down in history as an infamous person by killing Frieren. Lernen starts firing spells at Frieren and Frieren shields herself from his spells. 

Unfortunately, one of Lernen’s attacks grazes her shoulder. Lernen tells Frieren he wants to fight her, but Frieren says she doesn’t want to battle him because it’d waste her time. Also, she says Serie will remember him.

What happens after Frieren’s short fight with Lernen?

We cut to a flashback involving Serie and Frieren. Frieren brings up Flamme’s favorite spell and Serie acknowledges that Flamme was a failure to her. Despite her talent, Flamme never reached Serie’s heights for her. Serie claims she took on many students after Flamme. Although she feels they never reached Flamme’s caliber, Serie says she can remember each of their personalities and favorite spells.

Serie admits she doesn’t regret taking on any of her students. In the present, Frieren can’t believe Serie couldn’t tell her students how she truly felt about them. She and Stark wander over to Fern, who tells Frieren and Stark that she got her privilege. Frieren tells Fern that she wants to get her injury healed at a local church. Alone, Lernen reflects on Frieren’s words and feels he and Serie are awkward individuals.

How does Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 1 conclude?

The next day, Stark bids farewell to everyone in town, including the elderly fellow. Before Stark and the others leave AuBerst, Frieren asks Fern what spell she asked for. Fern spins around and Frieren smells her. Fern tells Frieren that she asked for a spell that’ll make her clothes clean. Frieren pats Fern on the head and praises her for her choice. Fern tells Frieren that Serie didn’t look pleased with her when she asked for this spell. 

Lawine and Kanne greet Frieren and the others. They thank Frieren for helping them get far in the first-class mage exam and bid the three farewell. Fern reflects on how quick that goodbye was and Frieren recalls a time when she asked Himmel about quick goodbyes. Himmel says he’s certain they’ll meet with that person again if they continue their travels. 

Also, he says tearful goodbyes aren’t their style. Himmel says it’d be embarrassing to cry since he feels they’ll meet this person again. We receive a montage of most of the characters chatting or exploring different areas. Then, we return to following Frieren and her allies. Frieren recites Himmel’s remarks and Fern questions Frieren’s comment. 

The season closes with the showrunners promising the audience that Frieren and her party’s journey to Ende will continue down the pipeline. 

The Episode Review

After 28 episodes, the first saga of Frieren and her party’s journey came to an emotional halt. This chapter was wonderfully executed from beginning to end. It gave fans closure on the final participant’s fates, fleshed out characters like Wirbel and Lernen, and offered action junkies, a short but well-animated battle between Lernen and Frieren. 

Character development and action aside, this episode has some nice comedy and slice-of-life scenarios too. From Stark and Fern’s discussion with Denken and Laufen to Serie’s response to Fern’s privilege request, there are portions sprinkled within this chapter that will make audiences chuckle. With how much praise the anime receives every week, it makes sense for Madhouse Studios to ensure audiences that Frieren’s journey won’t end here. 

While it may be a long wait, we’re certain fans will welcome Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 with open arms. Hopefully, it won’t end up like other promising shows like The Promised Neverland or Tokyo Ghoul: RE. By and large, this was a magnificent end to this powerful and refreshing fantasy anime.