Frieren: Beyond Journey's End has become a huge hit internationally, but Kazunori Oshima, the Editor-in-Chief of Weekly Shonen Sunday, initially had doubts about the series. He admitted in an interview that he didn't expect it to succeed, saying, "I wish the elf girl were a bit more charming," which he later recognized as a "really off-base comment" given Frieren’s current popularity. Despite his initial skepticism, the series has thrived since its 2020 debut, selling over 20 million copies and winning prestigious awards. The recent anime adaptation by Madhouse, which started airing in September 2023, has also received critical acclaim. Oshima now acknowledges the incredible work of creators Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, reflecting on his early misjudgment with some regret. He emphasizes their dedication and humility, noting that even after the anime's success, the team remains focused on discovering new stories and writers.