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Solo Leveling May Have Won Anime of the Year, But 1 Show Deserved the Accolade So Much More

By Hannah Diffey

Published 7 days ago

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Custom Image by Ana Nieves

Anime of the Year awards are often driven as much by momentum as merit and in 2024, Solo Leveling swept the top honor with fanfare, energy, and plenty of action-packed flash. Its victory was not exactly unexpected because it was the buzziest show of the year, riding the hype train of a beloved webtoon and an avalanche of fan . But beneath all the applause, a quieter, more masterful series stood in its shadow in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. While Solo Leveling was good, Frieren was transcendent.

And that is the problem. These awards, determined largely by votes and popularity, sometimes crown the loudest voice rather than the strongest contender. Solo Leveling dominated conversations, especially as fans eagerly anticipated its second season, which many voters erroneously factored into their decision-making. But the Anime of the Year title was meant for works released in 2024, which was Solo Leveling’s first season only. On that criterion alone, it falters. Meanwhile, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End delivered an exquisite, complete experience in every episode. It did not just entertain; it moved people. And that should have made it the true champion.

Solo Leveling Was Flashy, But Fundamentally Incomplete

Solo Leveling’s Shiny but Shallow First Season Was All Visuals and Little Plot

Solo Leveling — Custom Image by Ana Nieves

There is no denying that Solo Leveling turned heads with its explosive visuals and fast-paced battles. It was, without question, one of the most talked-about anime of 2024. Adapted from a hugely popular manhwa, the anime brought Sung Jinwoo’s ascension to godhood to life with slick direction and blockbuster-style fight choreography. For many fans, the power fantasy and stylish animation were enough to earn their vote. But that is exactly where the issue lies, because it was all surface-level appeal.

Solo Leveling imagery-1

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What many overlooked was that Solo Leveling’s first season was essentially an extended prologue. While visually stunning, it lacked the emotional and narrative depth to stand on its own. Character development was minimal, stakes were thin, and the story had not yet evolved into the high-stakes epic fans of the webtoon knew. The real meat of Solo Leveling lies in its later arcs with the Monarchs and even a little bit in season 2, which did not air in 2024 and therefore should not have influenced its Anime of the Year candidacy.

If voters had judged Solo Leveling solely on its 2024 content, its victory would look far less secure. The narrative pacing was uneven, and much of the season was spent on repetitive dungeon crawls with little introspection. Compared to other contenders that offered complete, emotional arcs, Solo Leveling felt like a flashy appetizer rather than a full-course meal. The hype was earned, but the accolade was not.

Frieren Delivered a Masterclass in Storytelling and Emotion

The Soul of Anime in 2024 Lived in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

On the other hand, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End was an absolute triumph in storytelling, execution, and emotional resonance. It told a complete and deeply moving story, one that transcended the fantasy genre with its contemplative tone and subtle character work. Where Solo Leveling was all adrenaline, Frieren was poetry in motion that was quiet, graceful, and profound. It did not need high-octane battles to leave an impression; its strength came from its humanism and emotional maturity.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End follows the elf mage Frieren after the defeat of the Demon King, as she sets out to understand the humanity of her fallen comrades and of herself. That simple premise allowed for profound exploration of grief, memory, and time. Each episode was carefully constructed to draw viewers into the world’s rich emotional landscape, giving space for reflection rather than spectacle. And in doing so, Frieren managed to touch hearts in a way few fantasy anime ever have.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End was a cohesive, emotional experience and the kind of anime that lingers with viewers long after the credits roll.

Not only did it succeed narratively, but it also excelled technically. The animation by Madhouse was nothing short of spectacular. Every landscape was lovingly drawn, every magical battle beautifully rendered with subtlety and finesse. The soundtrack was poignant and atmospheric. The voice performances were nuanced and powerful. Altogether, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End was a cohesive, emotional experience and the kind of anime that lingers with viewers long after the credits roll. It was not just good. It was art.

A Flawed System Crowned the Wrong Winner for Anime of the Year

How the Voting System Failed Frieren and Award Systems Cannot Keep Up with Artistic Greatness

Frieren Beyond Journey's End - Frieren crying at Himmel's funeral

Ultimately, the fact that Solo Leveling won Anime of the Year is more a reflection of the system’s flaws than the relative quality of the contenders. Fan-voted awards have always been a double-edged sword because they democratize recognition, but they also open the door for popularity to trump excellence. In this case, Solo Leveling rode the wave of its massive preexisting fanbase, many of whom conflated season 1 with what they knew was coming later. That skewed the results unfairly.

This is not to say Solo Leveling was a bad anime. It was a well-made action series with promise. But Anime of the Year should recognize the show that delivered the most complete, emotionally powerful, and well-crafted experience within the eligible year. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End checked every box. It had widespread critical acclaim, unmatched animation quality, and the highest ratings across major platforms like MyAnimeList and AniList. The fact that it lost to a technically incomplete story speaks volumes about how hype can distort judgment.

The fact that Frieren: Beyond Journey's End was overlooked despite being widely considered one of the best anime of all time is a disservice not only to the show itself but to the medium as a whole.

If award shows truly want to reflect the best of what anime can be, they need to look beyond buzz. Popularity is important, but it should not be the only metric. The industry needs to value artistry, depth, and innovation. In that regard, Frieren did not just deserve a nomination, it deserved the crown. The fact that Frieren: Beyond Journey's End was overlooked despite being widely considered one of the best anime of all time is a disservice not only to the show itself but to the medium as a whole.

Frieren Was the Anime of the Year, Whether the Awards Say So or Not

Frieren Will Be ed Long After Solo Leveling’s Hype Fades

Frieren, Himmel, Eisen and Heiter leaning on a rock in an official visual from the Frieren anime adaptation, with Himmel looking directly at Frieren while the other look toward the sky.

At the end of the day, awards are symbols, not absolutes. And while Solo Leveling may wear the official badge of Anime of the Year, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End will be ed by many as the true masterpiece of 2024. Its emotional resonance, masterful storytelling, and artistic elegance gave viewers something lasting. It was not the flashiest, and it did not dominate social media trends, but it moved people. It made them think. It made them feel. That is the kind of impact that defines great anime.

The main cast of Frieren

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As the years , the hype around Solo Leveling season 1 may fade, especially as stronger seasons arrive. But Frieren: Beyond Journey's End will likely remain a benchmark and a title ed for its quiet brilliance and lasting impression. It did not need hype to earn its place in anime history. It carved that place with depth, grace, and soul. And that, more than any award, is the highest honor an anime can achieve.