The first season of the critically acclaimed anime Frieren: Beyond Journey's End wrapped up last March, and fans are already buzzing for Season 2, set to drop in January 2026.
Yesterday (October 11), a special offline event celebrated the two-year anniversary of the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End anime. Making her debut at such a massive gathering, voice actress Ayana Taketatsu, who brings the fan-favorite 'Aura the Guillotine' to life, shared her excitement over the anime's massive success. She dished on fun behind-the-scenes stories from recording and her personal take on the character, even recreating Aura's iconic lines live on stage, sending fans into a frenzy!
Even though 'Aura the Guillotine' only graced three episodes of Season 1, her undeniable presence ignited a massive buzz. She even snagged second place in the official second popularity poll, trailing only Himmel! Taketatsu reminisced about landing the role: "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End was already a huge phenomenon, and I'd heard so much about it. Getting to voice such a popular character from the original manga was truly thrilling!"
Describing her take on the character, Ayana Taketatsu explained: "Aura is a 500-year-old demon—cold, cunning, and pretty distant from human emotions. Since she's not one to get swept up by feelings, I aimed for a calm, sly, and rational delivery."
Taketatsu also spilled a little behind-the-scenes secret from the recording booth: "I initially delivered the line 'Himmel is gone, isn't he?' with a bit of a provocative edge. But the director pulled me aside and said, 'No malice. Just state it calmly, like a simple fact.'"
She chuckled, adding: "The vibe in the studio was actually super chill—totally not what you'd expect when recording an anime with 'killing scenes' (laughs)!"
When asked about her most unforgettable scene, Taketatsu pointed to: "The moment Frieren commands Aura to 'commit suicide.' As she lifts her weapon to her neck, her hair loosens and slowly snaps—that visual was just stunning. The anime didn't explicitly show the beheading; instead, it portrayed it with such artistic grace. That understated yet powerful execution made Aura an unforgettable character for so many."
As for her "favorite character," Taketatsu gushed: "I absolutely adore the master-disciple pair of Frieren and Fern! Fern is so sweet and age-appropriate when she's on her own, but then she turns into this total mom-figure when she's with Frieren—that contrast is just adorable." And if she could have any magic? She chuckled, wishing for "magic to find lost items," admitting she's constantly misplacing things.
Did she ever expect Aura to blow up like this? Taketatsu confessed: "Not at all! Her popularity just kept skyrocketing, and I honestly couldn't keep up. It was such a pleasant surprise and made me incredibly happy."
▼ When the official second popularity poll dropped in 2024, Aura snagged second place, prompting Ayana Taketatsu to post her congratulations.
Finally, she wrapped things up by thanking her fans: "It was an absolute blast to finally be part of a Frieren: Beyond Journey's End event. It brought back so many amazing recording memories. I'm genuinely touched that Aura is still so beloved by everyone two years on. I hope you all keep following Frieren and the gang on their journey and continue to shower the series with your support!"
With Season 2 of the anime hitting screens in January 2026, countless fans have been eagerly awaiting its arrival. Get ready for the premiere!
via： Oricon news