Why Frieren’s Director Handed Over the Reins for Season 2
Keiichiro Saito opens up about stepping aside as director for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’s second series, revealing the personal reasons behind his decision and what fans can expect from the new creative team.
Keiichiro Saito, the creative mind behind the first series of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, has shed light on his decision to step back from directing the much-anticipated second instalment. The fantasy anime, adapted from Kanehito Yamada’s ongoing manga and boasting a flawless Rotten Tomatoes score, is set to return with fresh episodes in January 2026. This time, however, Tomoya Kitagawa will be steering the ship, having previously directed several key episodes in the initial run.
Reflecting on the transition, Saito shared in an interview,
“When we worked together on the first season, I felt that Kitagawa-san had solid ideas and techniques. Even during the first season, I was unable to keep up with the things that I should have been looking after, so I asked Kitagawa-san to help me out. I couldn't think of anyone else to ask, so I asked Kitagawa-san.”
Saito’s candour reveals the toll the workload took, prompting him to pass the baton to someone he trusted implicitly.
Changing of the Guard
Kitagawa, who previously helmed episodes 2, 8, and 25, now takes on the lead role for the upcoming series. Saito, meanwhile, remains involved as assistant director, ensuring a degree of continuity behind the scenes. The new director expressed confidence in the team, noting,
“We have many main staff members, such as art director, colour designer, cinematographer, and editor, as well as directing and animation staff who continue to participate, so they are very reliable, and we also have some new members.”
The blend of familiar faces and fresh talent suggests a careful balance between innovation and consistency.
The first series wrapped up after a six-month run, leaving viewers with Frieren and Fern heading north to Aurole. Fern, now a First Class Mage, had just passed her exams, while Frieren found herself banned from the Magic Association for a millennium—a rather unique predicament, even by fantasy standards.
What Lies Ahead
The next chapter promises new adventures as Frieren embarks on a journey through unfamiliar territories with her companions. Director Yuichiro Fukushi, speaking at AnimeExpo 2025, hinted at what’s to come:
“Frieren will travel to new lands with her new party. We’ll explore fresh dynamics, new combat situations, and all of the characters' changing mindsets. It’ll be exciting to see how their roles develop and how Frieren grows through these experiences.”
The focus appears to be on character evolution and shifting group dynamics, rather than simply retreading old ground.
For those eager to catch up, the first series is currently available for streaming on Hulu and Netflix in the US. The second series, trimmed to just ten episodes, is set to debut on Crunchyroll in January. In the meantime, there’s no shortage of other anime to keep on your radar while you wait for Frieren’s return.