Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by “Talha”
A subtle, almost accidental drawing of Frieren looking up, the titular elf mage from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, has ignited a viral art challenge that’s taken the anime and artists community by storm and started the Frieren Trend.
Last time in our fan art series, we covered Luffy’s Gear 5 fan art. In this article, though, we’ll explore what exactly this “Friangle” art trend is, how it began, and why it resonated so deeply. We’ll also provide context on Frieren itself, dive into what fans are saying on Reddit, spotlight standout fan-art remakes, and examine how this trend doubles as a quiet stand against AI-generated art.
What is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End?
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Japanese: Sōsō no Furīren) is a fantasy manga and anime series written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe. The anime adaptation, produced by Madhouse, first aired in September 2023, wrapping its first season in early 2024, with a second season scheduled for January 2026.
The story follows Frieren, an elf mage who once traveled with a heroic party that defeated the Demon King. Because elves live far longer than humans, Frieren outlives her human companions. Fifty years later, she reunites with them, only to be confronted with their mortality and her own emotional distance. Struck by the fleeting nature of human life, she begins a new journey, taking on a human apprentice named Fern, seeking to learn more about magic and connection.
Frieren herself is characterized as reserved, wise, and emotionally subtle: she rarely wears her feelings on her sleeve, but her long life gives her a unique perspective on loss, memory, and the passage of time. Fans and critics alike have praised the series for its calm, reflective tone and its meditation on what happens after the epic quest ends.
The Origin of the Frieren Trend: “Friangle”
The viral trend began with a single Reddit post in r/Frieren titled “Friangle.” A user (SpaceDev1) shared a sketch of Frieren’s face from a very challenging, low-angle perspective.
The name “Friangle” is a playful mix of words (Frieren + angle), and it stuck.
That original drawing, which many thought was “wrong” or distorted, quickly became meme-worthy. But more than mockery, the post inspired a wave of empathy, humor, and artistic experimentation. Other artists on r/Frieren and beyond began redrawing Frieren from that same angle, embracing the challenge.
What made this especially powerful was how many replies on the thread weren’t dismissive; they were full of encouragement, advice, and shared frustration about how hard that perspective is to nail. As one commenter put it: “You don’t realize how hard it is to draw this angle until you actually try.”
How Fans Are Talking About It
The broader reaction from fans has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. On the original “Friangle” thread, people praised the artist for daring to try such a difficult perspective, and many encouraged others to take a shot at it too. Even when acknowledging the awkwardness or imperfections, they applauded the humor and vulnerability behind the post:
“That angle is genuinely this hard to achieve … You started an amazing art trend with tons of artists attempting to recreate it too.”
Another thread focused on the structural techniques behind drawing such a tricky angle. One contributor broke down how to think in 3D (using primitives like spheres and cylinders) rather than flat 2D shapes, recommending systems like Loomis to help rotate and visualize the head in space. That kind of advice was praised by many as generous, especially for beginner artists.
Still, not everyone was entirely enthusiastic: some users cautioned against mocking the original drawing as “just a mistake.” As one comment put it:
“People and artists alike are redrawing the angle… it is genuinely a difficult angle… Overall it is not funny to make fun of OP for trying and doing art.”
On another thread, a user wrote: “I hate this but a.i. could never,” thus signaling a deeper sentiment beyond jokes. That thread also underlined how many artists see this as a learning moment: not just to recreate a meme, but to engage in real practice and growth.
Standout Remakes and Fan Art
This challenge has inspired a wave of creative reinterpretations. Here are a few of our favorites.
A structural breakdown by u/calisthymia: an especially helpful piece where they deconstruct how to draw the “facial triangle” and rotate it in 3D.
OC versions from other artists: dozens have shared their own takes. For instance, one user posted:
“[OC] My take on the difficult angle art challenge. It was a pretty hard angle to draw ngl.”
Colored version of the low-angle Frieren; another artist colored their own version, addressing shading, proportions, and stylization.
A more refined redraw by danraz0r; titled “The Infamous Head Angle,” this version polishes the anatomy and makes the skewed perspective feel more natural.
Each of these remakes has become part of a broader conversation about perspective, vulnerability, and the willingness to learn through imperfection.
Frieren Fan Art by Famous Artists
Many famous animators also contributed to the trend.
Kenichiro Aoki
The key animator of One Punch Man seasons 2 and 3.
Akira Yasuda
Ex-Character designer of Capcom.
Satoru Akahori
Original Creator of Saber Marionette.
Kamo Kamen
Original character designer of “Courage Explosion Burn Braveburn”.
Toshinao Aoki
Pokémon Trading Card Game Artist.
Yuu Yamashita
Storyboard Artist, Character Designer, and Key Animator of Frieren.
Aiu
Key Animator of Frieren.
Kazuaki Mouri
Notable projects: “Fly! Isami”, “Earth Defense Family”, “Dolly Hunter Rem”, “Pokemon (The Movie: Sun & Moon)”, “Mr. Ajikko”
John Fountain
Father and Storyboard Artist of various cartoons from our childhood, including the Fairly OddParents.
Even the English Voice Actor of Frieren changed her Profile Picture in X to the fan art by Spacedev1.
Why Frieren Trend Matters
At first glance, the “Friangle” might look like just a meme, but it’s also a meaningful rejection of perfectionism, especially in a world where AI-generated art is increasingly common.
The original post wasn’t about making a flawless drawing. It was about sharing a flawed attempt, owning the humor, and inviting others into the process. Many fans have praised that sincerity.
Rather than shaming the artist, the community responded with structural guides, constructive tips, and encouragement. That kind of peer-to-peer feedback is deeply human and difficult for AI to replicate.
While the drawing isn’t perfect, its imperfection is part of what gives it heart. For many, the fact that this is hand-drawn — painfully and imperfectly — is part of the charm, and a reminder that art is a journey.
By turning what could have been harsh criticism into a positive meme and a challenge, the community reclaimed the narrative. The Frieren meme didn’t become a joke at the artist’s expense; it became a joyful invitation.
Final Thoughts
The viral Frieren trend born from a single awkward sketch, has blossomed into something more than a meme; it’s a movement. It celebrates the messy, difficult, and human side of drawing, especially when tackling perspective challenges. It’s about community, growth, and sharing the struggle.
Beyond just being funny, the “Friangle” trend has become a quiet romantic statement: a love letter to authentic craftsmanship in a fast-moving digital age. In embracing the imperfect angle, artists and fans alike are pushing back against speed, polish, and AI shortcuts, reminding us that part of the magic of art is in trying.
It’s a viral drawing challenge featuring Frieren, the main character from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, drawn from a dramatic low angle. The perspective creates a distorted, triangular face shape—leading fans to nickname it the “Friangle.”
The trend originated from a single low-angle sketch posted by a Reddit user, which quickly went viral due to the unusual perspective. Artists began recreating the angle, analyzing it, and posting their own stylized versions across Reddit, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
The name combines Frieren + triangle, referencing how the extreme upward angle compresses her facial features into a triangular shape. This simplified geometry became a running joke and artistic challenge among fans.
Because:
The angle is notoriously hard to draw, even for experienced artists.
It became a fun test of anatomy, foreshortening, and stylization.
Fans enjoy seeing wildly different interpretations—from serious redraws to comedic distortions.
The Frieren fanbase is already very active online, making the trend spread faster.
The low-angle forces:
Foreshortened eyes, nose, chin, and neck
Overlapping facial planes
Perspective exaggeration
A typically unflattering geometry that must still look “on model”
This makes it a challenge in both realism and stylized anime proportions.
