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 season, with Tomoya Kitagawa taking the lead. Find out what led to this big change and what’s next for the much-loved fantasy anime.
Keiichiro Saito, the creative mind behind the first season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, has shed light on his decision to step back from directing the upcoming second season. The fantasy series, adapted from Kanehito Yamada’s ongoing manga, has been a hit with punters and critics alike, boasting a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. With the next chapter set to air on 16 January, fans have been curious about the change in leadership behind the scenes.
Tomoya Kitagawa, who previously directed episodes 2, 8, and 25, will be taking over the director’s chair. Saito, reflecting on the transition, shared in an interview with Mantan Web,
‘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.’
Changing of the Guard
Despite stepping down from the top job, Saito isn’t leaving the project entirely. He’ll stay on as assistant director, ensuring some continuity for the team and the story. Kitagawa, now at the helm, spoke about the crew’s makeup, saying,
‘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 first season wrapped up after a six-month run, following the journey of the elf Frieren and her mate Fern as they headed north to Aurole. Fern had just earned First Class Mage status, while Frieren found herself banned from the Magic Association for a thousand years—no small feat, even for an elf.
What’s in Store for Season 2
The next season promises fresh adventures as Frieren sets off with a new group. Director Yuichiro Fukushi, speaking at AnimeExpo 2025, teased,
‘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.’
Season 2 will be a shorter run, with just 10 episodes lined up. The show will be available to stream on Crunchyroll from 16 January, while the first season can still be found on Hulu and Netflix for those keen to catch up or rewatch.
Looking Ahead
With a new director steering the ship and a mix of familiar and fresh faces on the production team, the next chapter of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is shaping up to be one to watch. For anime fans looking to fill their watchlist, this series remains a standout in the fantasy genre.