frieren: beyond journey's end vol 3 by kanehito yamada

Frieren continues to battle the powerful demon just outside the city, while Fern, her apprentice, and Stark take care of the two henchmen still in the city. Between the two battles, Fern and Frieren manage to fool their demon enemies by using a “dishonest” trick Frieren’s master taught her, which had kept her alive in the face of many demon battles. The group then travels to the north, where Frieren learns she will need to test for a mage's certification before she’ll be allowed to travel any farther north.

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This story is perfectly paced and has achieved balance between being laid back and being intense. Much of the characterization and development is still told through flashbacks, and we get a major one in this volume that shows a very young Frieren meeting her human master for the first time, and receiving the initial part of her training. There are still a few flashes to the heroes and their first journey to the North, which really provide depth to a seemingly cold heroine in Frieren. Fern really takes on a lot of Frieren's characteristics while battling, so I would really like to see her become her own fighter and not feel and sounds just like Frieren.

Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12

Reviews of previous volumes in this series: vol 1, vol 2

Publisher: VIZ Media
Publication Date: March 8, 2022​
ISBN: 9781974727247 (Paperback)

Tags: Rating: 8/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Fantasy, VIZ Media