[Spoiler Review] Anime 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' Season 2 Episode 31 'A Place I Like'
[Spoiler Review] Anime 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' Season 2 Episode 31 "A Place I Like"
Episode 31, which aired on January 30, 2026, was in a word, "the most adorable slice-of-life episode." As if the tension of the first-class mage exam never existed, this long-awaited episode puts the spotlight on Stark and Fern's relationship.
Overall Impression: A Luxurious Pause Where Clumsy Kindnesses Overlap
The star of this episode was undoubtedly Stark.
The story begins with memories of a secret hot spring with his master Eisen, then moves to a peaceful interlude in the hot spring district of the fortress city Heise. Notably, in place of flashy magic battles, the episode was colored by emotionally rich music and beautiful background art of the hot spring town. The exotic melodies vividly enhanced the brief respite for Frieren's party. Though lacking in delicacy, Stark's "quiet kindness" — caring for his companions more than anyone — shone through, making us viewers feel warm inside.
Episode 31
The opening memory of Stark's master Eisen and their secret hot spring quietly laid the foundation for this episode's theme of "a place I like." Even amidst harsh training, the time spent with his master was clearly a precious treasure to him.
The stage then shifts to the hot spring district of the fortress city Heise. Frieren's "tantrum" episode depicted here made me involuntarily smile. Despite being a long-lived elf, she occasionally shows a childlike side. The way Fern and Stark gently admonish yet ultimately watch over her with warmth makes their current group feel like a true "family."
What captured viewers' hearts most was likely the sequence following Fern's words, "Please pay attention to me." Stark, sensitively picking up on Fern's loneliness and displeasure, stumbles through asking her on a date on impulse. What started as a joke turned into a clumsy but earnest effort to make her happy — embodying the "luxurious hesitation" that makes this series so special.
The exchange between the two the day before, with Fern unable to be fully honest yet clearly pleased — their awkward kindnesses intersecting in a scene with few words conveyed the flutter of excitement to us viewers as well.
Next Episode Prediction: Someone's Homeland
Basking in this warm afterglow, the next episode, Episode 32, is titled "Someone's Homeland."
Having narrowed the emotional distance at this "place they like" — the hot spring town — the party now heads toward what is a "lost homeland" for someone.
Fans of the source material will recognize the fortress city Vaise — the hometown of Denken, who fought alongside them during the first-class mage exam arc. Given how beautifully the peaceful hot spring town of Heise was portrayed, the contrast with Vaise — a city of death turned to gold — promises to be profoundly heavy yet beautiful.
How will the shadow of Macht, one of the Seven Sages of Destruction who rules the Golden City, creep in? How will the "kindness for others" that Stark showed this episode be tested in a harsher fate? With anticipation and a touch of tension, I look forward to the next broadcast.