When speaking of the biggest anime series in the world, one title that always comes to mind for many fans immediately is Attack on Titan, also known as Shingeki no Kyojin. The series first premiered in 2013, with its first season being a huge hit. Ever since, Attack on Titan has gone on to achieve greatness with subsequent seasons and movies. Now, in 2025, however, Attack on Titan isn’t talked about like it used to, and this is largely down to the fact that the story wrapped up recently.
A new anime has risen in popularity and even managed to beat Attack on Titan in popularity, and this series is none other than Frieren. Frieren began 10 years after Attack on Titan, but immediately after, it took the number 1 spot on MAL, while Attack on Titan’s peak, Season 3 Part 2, sits at #4.
Attack on Titan is Popular, But It Was Outclassed by Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Attack on Titan is Ranked Lower on MAL
- Frieren Takes The #1 Spot
Attack on Titan captivated millions of fans immediately after its premiere. After all, the anime features an incredible story with quite a dark and gruesome side. This incredible anime has 4 anime seasons and is one of the best-rated, and most-watched shows ever. On MyAnimeList, one of the biggest websites to rate anime, it has different scores, based on different seasons. The first season is rated 8.56, which is not bad at all. This puts it at the number 118 spot. The peak of the series, Season 3 Part 2, is rated 9.05, and it takes the #4 spot overall.
However, a newer anime, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, which started the same year Attack on Titan’s anime ended, has it beat in that department, at least. Frieren did the impossible and it dethroned not only Attack on Titan, but also Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood from its #1 spot on MAL. FMA had maintained this position for over a decade. Frieren is the newly crowned number 1, with a score of 9.29.
“What are you doing? Stand up, dad. Did you forget what you came here to do? To avenge your little sister eaten by dogs. For your comrades. Dina. Kruger. To avenge them. You keep moving forward. Even if you die. Even after death. Aren’t you the one who started this story?” -Eren Yeager
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Is Going to Be Reignited in 2026
- Frieren Season 2 is Coming Soon
- Season 2 Is Scheduled for A January Release
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End season 1 was a major hit, both in Japan and abroad. However, it has been quite some time since season 1 finished airing. It ended in early 2024, and it has been well over a year since.
This brings back memories. We journeyed to all sorts of places. Everything seemed so brilliant and new. And you were always there in those beautiful memories. — Himmel
“Because the current is so strong, if we focus too much on it, only that aspect becomes emphasized as anime’s defining characteristic. Before it gets to that point, I feel it’s important to share anime’s diverse appeal with the world. I have a desire to create works that can draw the world’s attention through a variety of approaches.“ — Keiichirou Saitou, Frieren’s Director
Fans will be happy to know that Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 already has a release window announced. Frieren Season 2 will drop in January 2026, which is not that far ahead anymore. It will drop alongside JJK Season 3, so it’s going to be quite an exciting start to 2026. Undoubtedly, fans hope for Frieren Season 2 to deliver even more quality and surpass even Season 1 in the process.
The Frieren manga was on a hiatus, but the series recently returned with a new chapter, marking the end of the break. Fans can read the Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End manga online on Viz Media. Meanwhile, when it comes to the anime, fans can find season 1 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End with all its episodes available to watch on Crunchyroll while awaiting season 2.
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