by The official social media account for the hit manga “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” recently stirred excitement by sharing a stunning collaboration illustration created before the anime adaptation aired. The artwork, originally released in 2023, quickly went viral again after being reposted alongside an announcement from Weekly Shonen Sunday.
Fans flooded social media with reactions such as “So nostalgic,” “This is divine,” and “How is this artwork even real?” — proving that the crossover still holds a special place in readers’ hearts.
A Rare Collaboration Between Two Iconic Series
The illustration features an unexpected yet charming pairing: Frieren, the ancient elf mage, gently holding Conan Edogawa, the child detective from Detective Conan. In the image, Conan places a flower on Frieren’s head, creating a heartwarming and slightly humorous moment.
What makes this artwork particularly special is its origin. It was created by connecting the covers of Issues 41 and 42 of Weekly Shonen Sunday — forming one continuous illustration across two magazine covers. At the time, this was an unprecedented collaboration between two ongoing Sunday series.
Notably, the artwork predates the broadcast of the Frieren anime, making it a fascinating snapshot of the series’ popularity before its explosive global success.
Why the Illustration Was Shared Again
The repost coincided with promotional announcements for the podcast program “Shonen Sunday’s Speech Bubble.” The show features major manga creators discussing their work and industry insights.
Upcoming episodes include appearances by two legendary artists:
- Gosho Aoyama — creator of Detective Conan
- Rumiko Takahashi — creator of MAO, Inuyasha, and many other classics
A special joint conversation between the two — reportedly their first public discussion together — is scheduled for release, generating significant anticipation among manga fans.
Creators’ Reactions to the Collaboration
When the illustration was first published, both creators expressed surprise and honor at the crossover.
Gosho Aoyama reportedly commented that it might be the first time two Shonen Sunday works had been connected in this way — humorously noting that the characters were “hugging each other tightly.”
Artist Tsukasa Abe, who illustrates Frieren, also shared astonishment at seeing Frieren holding Conan, describing the opportunity as both humbling and deeply meaningful.
Why Fans Find the Pairing So Fitting
Many fans pointed out a humorous similarity between the two characters:
Both appear childlike yet possess mature minds.
- Frieren looks young but has lived for over a thousand years
- Conan appears as a child but retains the intellect of a teenage genius
This contrast between appearance and actual age made the pairing feel oddly perfect, sparking comments like:
- “They both look like kids but think like adults.”
- “Characters with huge age gaps between appearance and reality!”
- “They actually have something in common lol.”
Others praised the technical quality of the illustration, marveling at the composition, balance, and emotional tone.
Continued Popularity of “Frieren”
Since its anime debut, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has become one of the most critically acclaimed fantasy series of recent years. Its introspective storytelling, beautiful art, and themes of memory and time have resonated with a global audience.
Revisiting early promotional artwork highlights how the series’ reputation has grown from a respected manga to a worldwide phenomenon.
Podcast Availability
Episodes of Shonen Sunday’s Speech Bubble featuring Gosho Aoyama are already available on major platforms such as:
- Amazon Music
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts
Fans eagerly await Rumiko Takahashi’s episode and the highly anticipated joint discussion.
Why This Collaboration Matters
Crossovers between major manga series are rare, especially when they involve flagship titles from the same magazine. This illustration serves as both a celebration of Shonen Sunday’s legacy and a testament to the enduring popularity of its authors.
For longtime readers, it’s a nostalgic reminder of the magazine’s rich history. For newer fans, it offers a delightful “what if” moment between two iconic worlds.
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