Author Information
Jia-Ling Sun, National Changhua University of Education, TaiwanZong-Jian Huang, National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan
Abstract
This study explores how the Japanese anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End portrays the process of female individuation through a Jungian psychological lens (Jung, 1968), focusing on themes of mourning, loss, self-healing, and emotional reconnection. At the outset of the narrative, Frieren experiences the extinction of her elf tribe and the death of her human mentor, resulting in emotional detachment and repression—phenomena closely aligned with Jung’s concept of the "shadow." Over time, through prolonged adventures and the formation of new bonds, Frieren confronts her suppressed grief, particularly following the death of her cherished companion Himmel, which initiates her self-exploratory journey. The analysis aligns the anime’s narrative arc with Jung’s individuation theory (Jung, 1968), Worden’s Four Tasks of Mourning (Worden, 2009), and Murdock’s Heroine’s Journey model (Murdock, 1990). Frieren’s process demonstrates how, through relational support and inner confrontation, she integrates both anima and animus elements, internalizes Himmel’s virtues, and achieves a higher level of emotional wholeness. Utilizing Labov’s narrative structure model (Labov, 1972), this study systematically interprets Frieren’s psychological transformation. Findings reveal that anime narratives, especially those with profound emotional arcs, possess significant potential for psychological insight and therapeutic resonance. Through Frieren's journey, the research invites viewers to find meaning and resilience amid the inevitability of loss and change.
Paper Information
Conference: ACP2025Stream: General Psychology
This paper is part of the ACP2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
Full Paper
View / Download the full paper in a new tab/window
To cite this article:
Sun J., & Huang Z. (2025) An Exploration of Individuation, Mourning, and Self-Healing Processes in the Anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Through Jungian Psychology and Narrative Analysis ISSN: 2187-4743 – The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences 2025 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 407-422) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2187-4743.2025.32
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2187-4743.2025.32
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress