Sousou no Frieren 3rd Anniversary Screening Teases Golden Land Arc

Frieren Cast Marks 3rd Anniversary at Season 2 Pickup Screening

On September 26, 2026, the ‘Anime 3rd Anniversary Season 2 Pickup Screening’ for the TV anime Sousou no Frieren was held at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya in Tokyo. The event featured a specially compiled selection of episodes from Season 2, followed by a stage greeting with Tanezaki Atsumi (Frieren), Ichinose Kana (Fern), Kobayashi Chikahiro (Stark), Shingaki Tarusuke (Genau), and Ueda Reina (Methode). The stage greeting was also live-viewed at eight other cinemas.

Surprise Birthday Celebration for Tanezaki Atsumi

As the five cast members took the stage, the audience erupted in applause. Early in the event, they surprised Tanezaki, whose birthday fell on September 27. The cast sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and Ichinose presented her with a bouquet. Tanezaki said, ‘I never imagined this, so I was really surprised. Thank you!’ The bouquet, arranged in blue and white by a florist who happened to be a Frieren fan, made her comment, ‘It feels like being with Himmel!’ Warm applause followed.

Looking Back on Three Years Since the First Episode

September 2026 marked three years since the first episode aired in September 2023. Tanezaki said she was moved by an official X post recalling the excitement when the opening aired on TV. ‘I thought, it has been three years. I remembered being nervous then, and that it started on Friday Road Show,’ she said. Ichinose said, ‘It felt like no time at all, yet also like it has only been three years. Even when the anime was not airing, we had many chances to be involved, and we appeared at overseas events. Japanese fans’ passion is very high, but overseas fans are also passionate, and I felt so many people support us.’

Kobayashi added, ‘The world changed over these three years, but Sousou no Frieren itself expanded a great deal. With hundreds of anime produced every year, there are people who continue to love this work. The passion of the work and the fans never stops being high, which is rare. I am moved every time I feel that.’

Madhouse Unveils 3rd Anniversary Visual

A 3rd anniversary visual by animation studio Madhouse was revealed. It shows Frieren and the others celebrating with the ‘ridiculously huge hamburger’ that appeared in Season 1. Tanezaki noted, ‘In the window behind Frieren and the others, the Hero Party is reflected: Fern and Heiter, Stark and Eisen, and though the one paired with Himmel is not visible, their positional relationships are irresistible.’

Season 2 Talk: Family-Like Teamwork and the Fern-Stark Date

The event then moved to a discussion of the Season 2 episodes screened that day. The talk covered the three characters in Episode 29, ‘Jaa Ikou ka’ (Then Let’s Go), and the Fern and Stark date episodes in Episodes 31 and 32. Tanezaki said, ‘The three’s episodes, whether they are coordinating in a pinch or going through everyday life, feel like family to me.’

Ichinose said, ‘The three’s coordination, teamwork, and interactions looked even more detailed. Personally, I have always said I love the Stark and Fern date episodes, and there are awkward moments between them that are so charming. I think there were many gentle interactions like that.’

Kobayashi said, ‘In Episode 29, the Season 2 opener, Frieren and Fern were in a serious pinch, and Stark held both of them under his arms to protect them. That scene gave me a sense that the three were starting their journey again. It was an episode that symbolized that beginning.’

Genau and Methode Enter the Story

Shingaki and Ueda play Genau and Methode, who appear in the intense battle episodes from the middle of Season 2. Shingaki said, ‘I was thinking how much I love this work’s relaxed flow of time. I forgot about the gap that was coming and just enjoyed it.’ Ueda said, ‘I enjoyed watching the date episode and kept empathizing with Fern. When they finally shared their feelings at the end, I almost cried because it was such a special date.’

The conversation then turned to the ‘God Technique Revolte Arc,’ where Genau and Methode were memorable. The two first appeared in Season 1’s First-Class Mage Exam Arc and became central to the story in Season 2. Shingaki said, ‘In the first half, people’s lives and daily activities were depicted with such love and depth. But the Revolte Arc begins from the point where those things have been lost. I thought that if the loss is not carefully portrayed, it would be hard to convey how great the love was when those things existed. I kept that in mind.’

Ueda said, ‘I felt the atmosphere changed completely in the episodes where we appear. I sensed tension that a very severe and harsh battle was about to be depicted. I also felt the story would involve how, because something was lost in the past, there are things we can cherish now. I resolved to approach it with focus.’ When asked about the difference in atmosphere at the recording studio compared to the first half of Season 2, Tanezaki recalled, ‘Despite the story, including Miki Shinichirou-san as Revolte, it was quiet but warm.’ Shingaki said it was ‘like watching a real party,’ and Ueda said, ‘There was a natural atmosphere.’

Frieren, Fern, Methode vs. Stark and Genau

The battle against Revolte and the demons was split into two groups: Frieren, Fern, and Methode, and Stark and Genau. Tanezaki praised the three’s fight: ‘I had so much fun with that scene. Methode’s lines and movements, everything excited me! I saw so many things beyond what I imagined, and it was wonderful!’ Ueda responded, ‘I am happy! I performed Methode thinking she herself was excited. She enjoyed the battle and magic. Methode is a very honest person, so maybe her excitement and thrill spread to others.’

Ichinose said, ‘Fern and Methode normally compete over Frieren in daily life, but in this scene they trust each other with their lives in battle. I really felt that Fern believed Methode would shoot there. Personally, Methode’s expression in that moment was thrilling. It is a scene I love.’ Regarding Stark and Genau’s coordination, Kobayashi said, ‘They trusted each other with their lives. In an instant, Stark deliberately took a hit, and Genau understood immediately. There were so many heated scenes.’ Shingaki added, ‘Their coordination did not feel like their first time fighting together. It was cool. In a life-or-death moment, Stark and Genau’s distance closed sharply, and I think that is why they were able to defeat Revolte in the end.’

Episode 37 and Episode 38: Bonds with Himmel and the Hero Party

The final stretch of Season 2 included Episode 37, ‘Himmel’s Autobiography,’ and the finale, Episode 38, ‘Beautiful Scenery,’ both memorable for connecting Himmel’s journey with the present one. Asked again about Frieren’s bonds with Himmel and the Hero Party, Tanezaki said, ‘In the story, there are moments when Frieren remembers the Hero Party while with the new party. But even when that is not shown, I think Frieren is probably remembering the Hero Party. Some things do not change, and some things do change. Bonds are invisible, but they are always inside you and never disappear. I felt that a lot in Season 2.’

Season 3: Golden Land Arc Set for October 2027

The talk then turned to Season 3, ‘Golden Land Arc,’ scheduled to air in October 2027 on Nippon TV. Asked about her feelings before recording, Tanezaki said, ‘The final scene of Season 2 showed a glimpse of the Golden Land, along with Evan Call’s score ‘The Golden Land.’ When I saw that image and heard the music, I could not help thinking, it is a year away, but I must face it with resolve.’ Ichinose said, ‘The Golden Land Arc is popular in the original work, so I am nervous, but I will do my best!’ Kobayashi said, ‘I am at the stage of letting my imagination grow as a fan about the composition and cast. I think it is a story that can be enjoyed from many angles, with slow and fast tempos intersecting and eras crossing.’

Countdown Illustrations and Live Voice Performance

With one year left until Season 3, a countdown illustration project was announced: ‘Sousou no Frieren Season 3: Golden Land Arc Broadcast Countdown Illustrations.’ Starting with this day, one year before broadcast, animators involved with the series will draw illustrations at nine months, six months, three months, two months, and one month before the premiere. The first illustration is by Kojima Keisuke, one of the character designers. When it appeared on screen, Tanezaki, Ichinose, and Kobayashi performed a live voice recording of the lines written in the illustration, earning a big round of applause.

Genau’s Popularity Poll Win and Photo Session

In the photo session near the end of the event, the screen showed an illustration by original creator Abe Tsukasa of Genau, who won first place in the 3rd character popularity poll held on the original work side in spring. A panel of the illustration also appeared, and a ‘Genau two-shot photo session’ with Shingaki began. Shingaki said of learning the poll result, ‘I never thought he would get so much support, but I was really happy that so many people watched the anime.’ Since Genau’s specialty is the magic to manipulate black-gold wings, ‘Digadonahat,’ the packed audience shouted ‘Digadonahat—!’ as he showed off the ‘Digadonahat pose.’

Final Messages from the Cast

At the end, the cast shared messages. Ueda said, ‘Fighting together in Season 2 was so much fun and so reliable, and I felt secure that this group would definitely be all right. I am sure Season 3 will have a story woven by these three, and action scenes as well. I want to watch over it, and I hope you will too.’

Shingaki said, ‘I was very happy to have the chance to look back on Season 2 with everyone. We are always absorbing and releasing so many things, so it was a very high-calorie recording site, but each session had a lot of accomplishment. Talking with everyone here reminded me of that. I hope Genau and Methode can meet this party again someday, and I look forward to Season 3.’

Kobayashi said, ‘Season 2 was packed with highlights unique to animation, carefully expanding pauses and depictions on top of the original’s charm, from the relaxed atmosphere to the dramatic Revolte battle. I felt the theme of the passage of time was deeply portrayed, such as the Hero Party’s traces overlapping as the three’s bonds deepen. As a fan, I am already excited about what Season 3 will show. I hope you continue to support it.’

Ichinose said, ‘Season 1 and Season 2 had many meetings and partings, and Season 3 will introduce new demons, so I am very nervous. But until broadcast, I will carefully reread the original work and walk the three’s journey step by step in recording. The broadcast is one year away, but I would be happy if you continue to support Sousou no Frieren together.’

Finally, Tanezaki said, ‘Together with the staff who create the amazing animation and promote it, and with the cast and everyone in the TV anime Sousou no Frieren party, we will do our best to deliver a good Season 3. Please continue to support us.’ The stage greeting celebrating the 3rd anniversary with fans ended to great success.

Listed Home Video and Manga

The source listing includes Sousou no Frieren and Sousou no Frieren (15) (Shounen Sunday Comics), with the manga volume priced at ￥583. Prices and availability are as of the article’s publication.

Product	Price
Sousou no Frieren	Price and availability as of article publication
Sousou no Frieren (15) (Shounen Sunday Comics)	￥583 (Price and availability as of article publication)

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