No one could have guessed who claimed first place!
I just finished Season 2 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and my urge to make custom fanart stickers of Frieren has hit an all-time high. Season 3 is officially set to premiere in October 2027—mark your calendars and get ready to tune in!
I looked up the results of the 3rd official character popularity poll hosted by Weekly Shōnen Sunday. The total votes exceeded 12.7 million, hitting an all-time record, which just proves fans’ love for this series only keeps growing stronger. Later, I stumbled onto a forum thread that blew up the fandom: Himmel the Hero, who’d claimed first place two polls in a row, failed to secure his three-peat crown, surrendering the top spot to an surprise contender character who hadn’t even cracked the Top 30 last time.
Let me start by gushing about Himmel, our two-time number one. This hero’s charm completely swept me off my feet. I still remember the scene from Season 1 where Frieren and Fern head into the mountains to hunt a Phantom Demon. These monsters can read the deepest longing buried in someone’s heart, conjuring perfect illusions of beloved deceased people—exact copies in appearance, voice, and demeanor—to prey on people’s grief and wear down their resolve. If you waver even for a second, the phantom will strike and devour you.
Frieren spots Fern ensnared by a phantom disguised as the monk Heiter and rushes to intervene, only to be stopped by a voice from behind her, belonging to an illusion of Himmel. When Frieren turns around, she does not immediately strike down the phantom. To me, this moment reveals a profound shift in her heart. She’d always thought she could stay perfectly composed against such illusions, yet Himmel had quietly settled into the softest, most vulnerable corner of her soul.
I’d assumed the thousand-year-old elf would only hesitate for a split second before cutting the phantom down without mercy. But the illusory Himmel speaks just two words to her: “Do it.” That single sentence sent chills running down my spine. Even as a mere illusion, a trap crafted by an enemy, he refuses to become a burden to his companions and prioritizes Frieren eliminating the monster above all else—this is exactly how the real Himmel would act. I adore this character so deeply.
Now let’s break down the full Top 10 rankings from the 3rd poll:
10th. The Purchased Skull
You read that right—a skull made it straight into the Top 10. It’s officially replaced the Mimic Chest as the poster child for Frieren’s impulsive shopping sprees.
9th. Northern Plateau Demon Warrior
I was instantly captivated by this character the first time she appeared. Most demons in the series rely heavily on magic, yet she fights purely hand-to-hand. Plus her eye-catching eye patch design won over countless fans.
8th. Fern
Fern held a steady spot in the Top 3 for the first two polls, so seeing her drop to 8th place really tugs at my heartstrings. Looking back, Season 2 gave her far fewer standout scenes, though that won’t stop her loyal fans from voting for her regardless.
7th. Stark
Stark’s ranking has stayed consistent across every poll, much like his own personality. He’s got an absurdly high pain tolerance; no matter how terrified he is, he always pulls through to win the fight. His brutal, near-death duel with Gauen against the Four-Blade Demon was absolutely spectacular—they barely survived after slaying their foe together.
6th. Serie
Season 2 dedicated plenty of screen time to Serie, showcasing countless sides of her character, which rocketed her straight to 6th place this round.
5th. Mahat of the Golden Land
Mahat stands as the most powerful member of the Seven Sages of Destruction. Even though he barely appeared in either Season 1 or 2, he consistently lands in the Top 10 every poll. I believe his ranking will climb even higher once the Golden Land arc takes center stage in Season 3.
4th. Frieren
This series is literally named after her, yet she couldn’t even break the Top 3! Do you all even realize she’s the main protagonist?!
3th. Aura the Guillotine
A demon who only made one brief appearance in Season 1, Aura’s overwhelming aura hooked countless viewers instantly. She’s clung firmly to the Top 3 across all three polls, truly a pride of demonkind. Her fans affectionately nickname her “the Violinist”.
2th. Himmel the Hero
The fandom’s running jokes sum up everyone’s fondness for him perfectly: “He’s just dead, not unloved” and “He’s gone, yet he appears in every episode.” Fans are endlessly attached to the Himmel who lives on in Frieren’s memories.
1th. Genau
Genau first debuted as the cold, stoic examiner for the Mage Exam in Season 1, so most viewers barely paid him any mind back then. But when he unfurled his Black Golden Wings in Season 2, I was utterly stunned—he wields wing magic that lets him fire his feathers like volleys of arrows. Driven by unshakable resolve, he fought side-by-side with Stark to defeat the Four-Blade Demon, even after both were left critically wounded and on the brink of death. This massive contrast between his quiet introduction and explosive heroism earned him the most votes, catapulting him from complete obscurity last poll all the way to the number one throne. What an incredible underdog story…
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