A special 3rd anniversary screening event for the TV anime Sousou no Frieren, based on the manga by Yamada Kanehito and Abe Tsukasa, was held on September 26 at TOHOシネマズ Hibiya in Tokyo. Eight episodes from Season 2 were screened, followed by a stage talk featuring Tanesakai Atsumi (Frieren), Ichinose Kana (Fern), Kobayashi Chiaki (Stark), Niigaki Tarusuke (Genau), and Ueda Reina (Methode).
Birthday Surprise for Tanezaki Atsumi
Before the talk began, Ichinose Kana surprised Tanezaki Atsumi with a bouquet of flowers to mark her birthday on September 27. The audience joined in singing Happy Birthday, filling the venue with warmth. Tanezaki, visibly moved and surprised, noted it was the first time she had been celebrated at a Frieren event around her birthday. The bouquet’s color scheme subtly evoked Himmel, a detail fans quickly noticed.
Three Years of Frieren, and a Look Back at Season 2
Tanezaki reflected on a post she had seen the day before from the show’s PR team, recalling their excitement when they first saw the opening footage three years ago. “I was nervous back then too, and I realized the staff must have been just as nervous — it really got to me,” she said. Kobayashi added that he was moved by how fans had maintained such consistent passion for the series through three years of change in the world.
Discussing the screened episodes, Ichinose praised Episode 29, “Well, Let’s Go,” for its warmth and the subtle teamwork it showcased. Ueda said Episodes 31 and 32 — covering Fern and Stark’s date — were her favorites: “I was so invested in Fern, I kept thinking, ‘Please, just notice her!’ (laughs). When it finally became clear they both cared for each other, I nearly cried.”
As the story shifted into the “Revolte of Divine Arts” arc from Episode 34 onward, Niigaki noted the tonal shift: “The second half starts from a place where all the warmth and everyday life that had been so lovingly depicted is gone. That tension hit immediately.”
The Party as “Family”
Tanezaki praised Ueda’s performance as Methode, saying every line and movement made her excited. Ueda explained her approach: “Methode has qualities I simply don’t have — her build, her analytical mind. I worked hard to tune into those parts of her that I couldn’t just imitate.” Ichinose added that even though Fern and Methode don’t share many lines, the scene where they fight a demon together conveyed a profound sense of mutual trust.
Kobayashi revealed he had been ill during the recording of the Stark-and-Genau battle scenes and couldn’t record alongside Niigaki. “I came in right after recovering, so my mental state was pretty close to Stark’s battered condition in the story,” he said with a laugh.
Reflecting on Episodes 37 and 38, the season’s final chapters, Tanezaki reached for the word “family” to describe the party’s bond. “Even while spending time with the new party, I kept thinking of the hero’s party. The bond is invisible, but it’s always there inside you — that’s what Season 2 kept reminding me of.”
Genau Takes No. 1 — Celebrated with “Digaddonacht”
Genau topped the manga’s official character popularity poll, a result that surprised even Niigaki himself. “I was genuinely shocked. Genau is a very particular kind of character — I didn’t expect so many people to vote for him. I’m really happy,” he told the audience. Tanezaki, whose Frieren placed fourth, quietly let her disappointment show to the crowd’s amusement.
The venue then erupted as cast and audience together shouted “Digaddonacht” — Genau’s signature spell — to celebrate Niigaki’s win. Niigaki delivered a live performance of the spell to the delight of everyone present.
Season 3 Countdown Begins
The event also announced a countdown illustration project leading up to Season 3’s broadcast, with artwork by character designer Kojima Keisuke. When the first countdown illustration was projected on screen, Tanezaki, Ichinose, and Kobayashi immediately performed a spontaneous live voice session, stunning the audience.
Tanezaki also asked Niigaki about his approach to playing Genau — a character described as “cool on the surface but warm underneath” — and Niigaki’s earnest answer prompted enthusiastic nodding from Tanezaki, who called the recording sessions “high-calorie” in the best possible way.
Closing the event, Tanezaki expressed admiration for the final scene of Season 2, which briefly glimpses the Golden Land, and conveyed her love for the entire cast and crew before sharing her hopes for Season 3 with fans.
Sousou no Frieren Season 3, “Golden Land Arc” (黄金郷編), is set to air on Nippon TV in October 2027.
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