‘Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' Season 2 Trailer Unveiled by Crunchyroll, Sets January 2026 Release
The reveal took place during a Crunchyroll-hosted panel at downtown LA's Peacock Theater, where fans got their first look at the anticipated return of the acclaimed fantasy series. The streaming platform secured rights for all territories excluding Asia, though India and the Indian subcontinent are included in the deal, with plans for a simulcast from Japan.
More from Variety
Anime Expo Flexes the Art Form's Global Muscle with 100,000 Fans Gathering in Downtown L.A.
TikTok Partners With Japanese Female Pro-Wrestling League Sukeban for Anime Expo 2025 Fan Experience (EXCLUSIVE)
Crunchyroll Drops 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle' Trailer, Launching the Franchise's Three-Part Cinematic Finale
The panel featured key talent including Japanese voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi, who voices Stark and is known for 'Hell's Paradise,' producer Yuichiro Fukushi from 'One-Punch Man,' and composer Evan Call, who previously worked on 'Violet Evergarden.' Each spoke about their experiences on the series and about the upcoming season.
Fukushi revealed that Tomoya Kitagawa will direct Season 2. Kitagawa previously contributed storyboards and directed multiple episodes in the first season. Season 1 director Keiichiro Saito, known for 'Bocchi the Rock!,' will oversee the new season as supervising director.
The creative team for Season 2 includes assistant director Daiki Harashina ('takt op. Destiny'), series composition by Tomohiro Suzuki ('One-Punch Man'), and character design by Takasemaru ('Violet Evergarden'), Keisuke Kojima ('100 Meters'), and Yuri Fujinaka, who worked on key animation for 'SPY x FAMILY CODE: White.' Concept art will be handled by Seiko Yoshioka, who contributed background art to 'Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo,' while Call returns to compose the music.
Based on the ongoing manga by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe, the series is produced by animation studio Madhouse, the powerhouse behind 'Yu Yu Hakusho,' 'Trigun,' 'Cardcaptor Sakura,' 'Death Note,' 'One-Punch Man' Season 1, and 'Overlord.'
The first season proved a critical darling, earning nominations for Anime of the Year and taking home wins for Best Drama, Best Director, Best Background Art, and Best Supporting Character at the 9th Annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards earlier this year.
The story follows immortal elven mage Frieren who, decades after defeating the Demon King with her human companions, embarks on a reflective journey to understand humanity and confront her regrets about not forming deeper bonds with her now-deceased friends.
The series features an ensemble voice cast including Atsumi Tanezaki and Mallorie Rodak as Frieren, Kana Ichinose and Jill Harris as Fern, and Kobayashi alongside Jordan Dash Cruz as Stark, among others in both Japanese and English versions.
Watch the trailer here:
Best of Variety
Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gizmodo
28 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
Prepare to Celebrate 60 Years of ‘Star Trek' With Nacelle's Nostalgic Figures
Star Trek turns 60 next year, and the franchise is preparing to celebrate in style, especially with a brand new show on the way in Starfleet Academy. But outside of streaming, you'll be able to celebrate in style with Nacelle's new line of Star Trek action figures, which will dedicate a whole wave to the original series next year—and io9 has your first up-close look at one of them. As previously (and exclusively) revealed by io9 this past Friday, the third wave of Nacelle's Star Trek line is set to release in 2026. While Nacelle made waves announcing its Trek line by eschewing the typical process of making a Captain Picard and Captain Kirk and then calling it a day—with wave one including an eclectic mix of deep-cut characters, from Tuvix, to Weyoun, to Admiral Jellico—wave 3 of the series will buck that trend and go all in on the original Trek as an anniversary celebration. All the main crew and then some will be part of the wave, including Kirk, Spock, Scotty, Chekov, Sulu, Doctor McCoy, Nurse Chapel, Yeoman Rand, and a mystery two-pack being kept under wraps. And, of course, that lineup wouldn't be complete without Enterprise's premiere xenolinguist and communications officer, Nyota Uhura, who you can see below in all her action figure render glory, teased at SDCC during Nacelle's panel, but making its online debut here on io9! As you can see, at least one of Uhura's accessories will be a classic phaser rifle—but you can expect her to come with a few more, based on Nacelle's plans for their other Trek figures. We'll at least need a separate teeny-tiny communication earpiece, or an alternate head of her using it, for sure! Wave 3 of Nacelle's Star Trek line is expected to launch some time in 2026. However, if you're like me and yearn to own a Weyoun action figure, you can preorder wave 1 now, due for release in late 2025. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.


Geek Girl Authority
28 minutes ago
- Geek Girl Authority
SDCC 2025: Step Into a Parallel World in PEACEMAKER Season 2 Trailer
Highlights The cast and crew of Peacemaker took to SDCC 2025 to unveil the official Season 2 trailer, which you can watch below. Peacemaker James Gunn also revealed the new tune for the show's opening credits. Make your peace with the eight-episode second season's arrival next month. Peacemaker It's time to get the gang back together. SDCC 2025 saw the unleashing of the Peacemaker Season 2 official trailer during a fun-filled panel. Said panel consisted of co-head of DC Studios, executive producer, writer and director James Gunn, alongside stars John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, Frank Grillo, Sol Rodriguez and Tim Meadows. RELATED: Catch up with our SDCC 2025 coverage About Season 2 Here's a synopsis for Season 2 per Warner Bros. Discovery: 'In Season 2, Peacemaker discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.' The trailer sees our titular lead (John Cena) reckon with society not viewing him as a hero, even after our merry band of misfits saved the world last season. However, he discovers a parallel dimension where he's hailed as a hero and his life is significantly better. Of course, if something's too good to be true, it most likely is. Additionally, Peacemaker and Harcourt's (Jennifer Holland) complex dynamic takes a turn for the romantic as the team scrambles to bring him home. Economos (Steve Agee) partners with an unexpected character: Judomaster (Nhut Le). Beyond that, Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) barrels down the path of vengeance after Peacemaker killed his son in The Suicide Squad . RELATED: Read our Peacemaker recaps Gunn also told congoers at Peacefest, an event in celebration of Peacemaker Season 2, that Foxy Shazam's 'Oh Lord' will be the track used for the opening credits. Foxy Shazam then performed that song for attendees. The Cast and Crew John Cena, Danielle Brooks (Adebayo), Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma (Vigilante), Steve Agee and Robert Patrick (Auggie Smith/White Dragon) return for Season 2. New cast members include Frank Grillo, David Denman, Sol Rodriguez (Sasha Bordeaux) and Tim Meadows (Langston Fleury). Gunn penned all eight episodes of the season and directed three. Greg Mottola, Peter Sollett and Althea Jones also direct. Peacemaker Season 2 premieres on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, only on HBO Max. Before you go, check out the official trailer below: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: LEOTA ADEBAYO Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.


New York Times
29 minutes ago
- New York Times
Joan Anderson, Unsung Heroine of Hula Hoop History, Dies at 101
In 1956, Joan Anderson, a Los Angeles housewife and onetime model, flew to Australia, her home country, to visit her parents. When she arrived, she realized that a curious fitness craze had taken hold. 'Everywhere I would go, everybody was giggling,' Ms. Anderson said in 'Hula Girl,' a 2018 documentary. 'I asked what was going on and they said, 'Oh, everyone's doing the hoop.'' The 'hoop,' she discovered, was an exercise ring, made of wood, that was swiveled around the waist and hips. 'Everyone was having such fun,' she added, 'I thought, 'I'd like to do that, too.'' Back in Los Angeles, Ms. Anderson asked her mother to mail her one of the rings from Australia, and it soon brought joy to the Anderson household. Her children played with it. Ms. Anderson swerved it around her hips for friends at dinner parties. When someone told her that it looked as if she was 'doing the hula,' the traditional Hawaiian dance, Ms. Anderson was struck with inspiration. She named the object the hula hoop. What transpired next would place Ms. Anderson at the center of what she described as an American tale of shattered dreams and promises, a business deal made on a handshake, and, eventually, a lawsuit. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.