Damn, it has been so long since I watched the original series… I forgot how heartwarming it was.

I like the idea of telling how Lawrence met Holo through a story within the story. (Also, if you’re a fan of the series, you probably noticed right off the bat whom Holo was telling that story to.) And, overall, the first episode left me pleased - it was just the right amount of detail for me, while focusing on their relationship.

This is one of those series that I always meant to get around to watching, but never actually took the time to do so. So, I am going in pretty much blind to this series other than what I have picked up over the years through exposure to the wider anime community. All that said, this first episode was pretty great.

Just as Frieren’s journey is paused, another journey begins. I am really looking forward to this series over the next 25 episodes. If I had to choose a screenshot to nominate for this premiere episode, it is probably this one (@rikka@ani.social):

There was some nice, gentle world building happening this episode. I am sure that the rules around her abilities and transformation are going to play a role at some point down the line. I am curious to know whether they are going to continue the story within a story aspect that this episode started with. I almost got the feeling that the beginning portion there was a bit of a nod to fans of the source or previous series, but that this aspect won’t continue going forward. Instead, I expect it will just be a linear narrative from here on. However, I could be wrong! We will find out next week!

Really good. Closer to the book as I remember it.

Also, one of the few shows I’d love to hear a dub of given how good the original dub was. I’ve been listening to the audiobooks of the LNs (which have the same VAs as the dub) and they’re great fits for Kraft and Holo.

This looks like a good production with lovely art and animation.

I’m not at all familiar with the source material, or previous adaptations.

Character intros, with some melancholy tone about the end of Holo’s old life.

Lawrence’s attitude seems a bit casual, considering he’s a medieval tech level person talking to a god, or spirit of great power.

I never got into the original so I’m giving the story another try this time around, and it just seems very slow so far. I did enjoy the visuals and especially Holo being framed as intimidating (a nice change of pace compared to how other anime would introduce a naked goddess). But, I think my biggest gripe with the show currently is that it feels like we didn’t get to know either of our main characters very well. Holo’s got the beginnings of characterization (she’s homesick and feels unnecessary in the changing world), but Lawrence is barely a presence in the show. I know people call the original a masterpiece and it seems like fans are happy about this new one, so I’ll give it some time to cook, but if it stays like this it might just not be for me.

With just the premiere to go off of, I can’t bring myself to give this more than a 3/5, but hopefully it’s just ramping up.