Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Interview: Atsumi Tanezaki, Kana Ichinose, and Chiaki Kobayashi on Growth, Trust, and Why “Humans Are Difficult”

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 is now airing, bringing the acclaimed fantasy series back to screens worldwide. In this interview, Atsumi Tanezaki, Kana Ichinose, and Chiaki Kobayashi speak candidly about their initial fears, the evolution of their performances, and the growing trust between Frieren, Fern, and Stark.

The second season of the television anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End airs every Friday at 11:00 PM. Less than two years after the first season received widespread acclaim both in Japan and internationally, the sequel was announced. We asked the three lead cast members how they felt when they first heard the news.

Based on the manga currently serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday, the series is a post adventure fantasy depicting the journey after the hero’s party defeats the Demon King. The story follows the elven mage Frieren as she travels through a world without the hero, forming new bonds and embarking on new adventures.

“More Scared Than Happy” About Season 2

――Season 2 was announced less than two years after Season 1. As viewers, many were surprised at how quickly it happened. How did you feel when you heard the news?

Chiaki Kobayashi
The response from around the world was incredible, so somewhere in my heart I thought another season would probably happen. When it was confirmed, I was not that surprised. But of course, I was very happy.

Kana Ichinose
I also thought it might continue someday. As long as the original manga kept going, I hoped the anime would too. But when we were officially told, it suddenly felt real. I started wondering how far into the original story Season 2 would go, and that made me excited.

Atsumi Tanezaki
I was happy as well, but because Season 1 was truly wonderful, I honestly felt more scared than happy. There is pressure in creating something that meets the expectations of viewers around the world. I felt we needed to approach Season 2 with the same level of focus and passion as before.

Struggles With Acting in Season 1

――Were there moments in Season 1 when you struggled with your approach to acting?

Chiaki Kobayashi
Stark first appeared in Episode 5, so I joined midway through. When I started recording, I wondered how much of my own interpretation of Stark I should bring. Should I try to align myself as closely as possible with their performances? I struggled with that balance. I listened carefully during the first half of the episode and kept thinking about what to do. In the end, I realized I would not know until I stood next to them at the microphone. I decided to trust the director and sound director to guide me if adjustments were needed.

Kana Ichinose
After Stark joined, Fern’s sharper side became more noticeable. I kept thinking about how far I should push that aspect of her personality. But thinking about it alone just made me go in circles. So I decided to value the atmosphere in the recording studio and simply try it. What came out was different from what I had imagined, and that made me realize how special it is when something is born naturally in the moment.

Atsumi Tanezaki
I also struggled at home with the tone and atmosphere of my performance. But ultimately, I felt I would not understand until I interacted with everyone at the studio. There is a line that Himmel says, and Nobuhiko Okamoto often mentions it too, about the importance of a certain indefinable feeling. After recording Episode 1, I realized that “somehow” is important. The atmosphere in the studio really matters.

Growing Trust in Season 2

――In Season 2, what did you focus on in your performances?

Chiaki Kobayashi
For me, it was trust. More time has passed in the story, and they have fought side by side, entrusting their backs to each other. Even in small exchanges with Fern, Stark does not get as overly nervous or discouraged as he did in Season 1. I wanted to express the natural conversations that come from traveling together for a long time.

Kana Ichinose
I wanted to portray Fern as an ordinary girl in a good way. In battle scenes, she shows the strength she has cultivated. But in daily life, she is a little awkward and not always honest. I wanted to emphasize that natural, unembellished charm. Even after becoming a First Class Mage, Fern is still Fern.

Atsumi Tanezaki
For Frieren, I try not to put too much force into either her body or my acting. She has lived for a thousand years, so perhaps she is relaxed in many ways. I did not consciously change anything. It felt natural. Perhaps that “somehow” quality is one of the key elements of this series.

Subtle Changes in Relationships

――In the latter half of Season 1, many new characters appeared. Were there any memorable interactions?

Chiaki Kobayashi
After the first stage of the First Class Mage Exam, there is a scene where Wirbel approaches Stark and says, “You are pretty great.” Stark tends to admire older men like an older brother. He is friendly and people gather around him easily. So seeing him flustered and shouting in confusion at Wirbel was actually rare.

Kana Ichinose
When Sein joined and the party became four members, his presence changed things. He has a bit of a fatherly presence. Because of that, there were moments when Fern felt more childlike. She does not quite go so far as to depend on him, but she unconsciously relies on him, especially when it comes to Stark.

Chiaki Kobayashi
When Fern is with Frieren, she naturally takes on a motherly role. But with someone even more reliable around, maybe a new side of her emerged.

Atsumi Tanezaki
During the First Class Mage Exam, many characters appeared. Frieren remains composed no matter who she speaks to. But through interacting with so many people, I realized how much she constantly thinks about Fern. Even when she does not say it directly, Fern is always on her mind. When I was acting, I noticed, “She is always thinking about Fern.”

Chiaki Kobayashi
Even when she is speaking with Serie, Fern is indirectly present.

A Realistic Awkwardness Between Fern and Stark

――Compared to Season 1, have you felt changes in the trio’s dynamic or the tempo of your exchanges? Especially between Fern and Stark, there are moments that make viewers want to say, like Sein does, “Just start dating already!”

Chiaki Kobayashi
The longer they travel together, the more aware they become of each other. When they were just casually talking, they had a naturally good atmosphere. But as they started noticing more things, a slight awkwardness appeared. That feels very realistic to me.

Kana Ichinose
Sometimes Stark says something intentionally, and Fern goes along with it. It almost makes you want to cheer for them. When I reread the original manga after recording, their relationship feels adorably frustrating. That awkwardness suits them. Part of me wants them to stay this way, and part of me understands what Sein means.

Chiaki Kobayashi
As relationships grow closer, you become more aware and considerate. Stark has grown and now thinks more about Fern’s feelings. But that same growth can make things more complicated when it comes to becoming something more special. It is interesting.

――From Frieren’s perspective, do you sense any change in her relationship with the two of them?

Atsumi Tanezaki
Frieren would probably not be thinking, “Just start dating already.” She likely just hopes they stop fighting. Her advice to Stark can be surprisingly accurate, but sometimes that advice ends up making Fern feel unsettled. At that point, maybe it would have been better not to interfere at all. Humans are difficult.

Source : ORICON NEWS