Entertainment

The world of anime continues to inspire incredible artistry, and the latest example comes from St. Petersburg, Russia, where a cosplayer known as Axilirator has captivated fans with a breathtaking portrayal of Frieren, the titular character from the popular anime series “Sousou no Frieren,” also known as “Provozhayushchaya v posledniy put’ Frieren” (Провожающая в последний путь Фрирен). The cosplay, shared on VKontakte, has quickly gained attention for its meticulous detail and striking resemblance to the elven mage.

“Sousou no Frieren,” based on the manga written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe, premiered in September 2023 and quickly became a fan favorite. The story follows Frieren, a powerful elf who, after defeating the Demon King alongside her companions, embarks on a journey to understand humanity and the fleeting nature of life. The anime, produced by Madhouse, has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following, with an IMDb rating of 8.9 out of 10 and an 8.7 out of 10 on Kinopoisk as of May 2025 .

Axilirator’s cosplay perfectly captures Frieren’s ethereal beauty and powerful presence. The character is described as appearing as a young woman with long, silver hair, green eyes, and the pointed ears characteristic of elves. The cosplayer’s attention to detail, from the intricate hairstyle to the accurate recreation of Frieren’s attire, has been widely praised by fans online. The images showcase a remarkable likeness to the anime character, bringing Frieren’s world to life in a tangible way.

Frieren’s backstory, as depicted in the series, adds depth to the cosplay’s appeal. As a member of the hero Himmel’s party who defeated the Demon King, Frieren has lived for centuries, witnessing the rise and fall of civilizations. Her long lifespan has left her somewhat detached from human emotions and motivations, leading her on a quest to understand the value of fleeting human lives.

The popularity of “Sousou no Frieren” extends beyond the anime itself, with a manga series ongoing since April 2020 in Weekly Shonen Sunday, published by Shogakukan . The series currently comprises 14 volumes with 137 chapters as of April 2025. A second season of the anime is also in development, building on the success of the first, which aired from September 2023 to March 2024, licensed by Crunchyroll and Muse Communication .

Axilirator’s work is part of a growing trend of dedicated cosplayers bringing beloved anime characters to life. Her Frieren cosplay joins a vibrant community of artists who celebrate the artistry and storytelling of Japanese animation.

As anticipation builds for the second season of “Sousou no Frieren,” fans can expect continued engagement with the series and its characters. The success of the anime and manga, coupled with the creativity of cosplayers like Axilirator, ensures that Frieren’s story will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.

What are your thoughts on this stunning cosplay? Share your opinions in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow anime fans!

In 1939, as Europe braced for war, a North Dakota pastor delivered a compelling address seeking to foster understanding of a community often overlooked: the “Russia Germans.” Rev. Salomon Joachim, of Zion Lutheran Church in Beulah, North Dakota, presented “Toward an Understanding of the Russia Germans” to the Western Conference of the Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church, offering a detailed portrait of a people who had, for nearly two centuries, navigated life as strangers in a strange land. His speech, rich with historical context and cultural observation, provides a fascinating glimpse into the experiences of this significant group of immigrants and their contributions to American society.

Joachim’s presentation, rooted in the data from the 1930 United States Census, highlighted the substantial presence of Russian Germans in the Dakotas and beyond. At that time, 103,532 Russian Germans resided in the United States, with North Dakota boasting the largest German-speaking population within the state. The address wasn’t simply a demographic report, however; it was a plea for empathy and recognition of a community that had overcome immense hardship to build lives and contribute to their latest home.

A History of Resilience and Adaptation

Joachim meticulously traced the origins and journey of the Russia Germans, acknowledging their unique history. He noted that by 1930, South Dakota had a foreign-born population of 22,617, with the children of Russia German immigrants numbering 64,455. He identified early settlements in North Dakota around Coldwater, Ashley, and Zeeland, beginning in 1884, with expansion continuing westward until the onset of World War I. The heaviest concentrations of settlements in North Dakota were found in counties including McIntosh, Emmons, Logan, Mercer, Sheridan, Grant, Adams, Dickey, and Stutsman.

Joachim’s admiration for these immigrants was palpable. He described them as individuals who had been “forgotten and despised by [their] traditional fatherland, cursed and defamed by [their] own blood,” yet who persevered to achieve “influence, power, and wealth against titanic odds.” He emphasized their unwavering commitment to tradition and custom, and their remarkable ability to thrive despite facing adversity. He argued they were, in fact, “more German than a German,” possessing a legitimate pride in their accomplishments.

The Creation of a Unique Identity

A particularly fascinating aspect of Joachim’s address was his exploration of the Russia German language. He explained how the diverse German dialects spoken by settlers from various provinces in Germany – Swabian, Low German, and High German – had coalesced over time into a distinct linguistic identity. He invited listeners to appreciate the “soft, rolling, musical tongue” of those from Sarata (Bessarabia), the “slow, surrounded ending” of words from Rohrbach (Beresan District), and the “broad, accented words” of colonists from Arzis (Bessarabia), each representing a unique “greeting from home.”

Beyond language, Joachim underscored the central role of faith in Russia German life. He described how even in the earliest stages of settlement, when homes were little more than “grass-huts,” the Church was established as a necessity. The Lord’s Day was meticulously observed, with families preparing both spiritually and materially for worship. He detailed the communal aspects of religious life, with lay readers leading services when a pastor was unavailable, and the church serving as a hub for education, baptisms, marriages, and funerals.

A Legacy of Labor and Perseverance

Joachim highlighted the Russia Germans’ significant contribution to society through their dedication to manual labor, particularly agriculture. He described them as “tillers of the soil, farmers, [and] producers of food,” who were willing to cultivate land in challenging environments – the semi-arid regions of Russia, Siberia, the Americas, and Canada. He noted their industriousness, quoting the proverb “Arbeit, komm her, ich fress dich auf” (“Approach, work, I shall devour you”), which encapsulated their relentless work ethic. A 1937 National Geographic article, according to Joachim, affirmed their ability to revitalize abandoned territories through “thrift, industry, and sheer love of work.”

Joachim concluded his address with a call for greater understanding and empathy. He lamented that systemic efforts to comprehend the Russia Germans’ “peculiarities, [their] weaknesses, and [their] strengths” had been lacking. He expressed hope that through patience and a willingness to learn, a deeper connection could be forged, allowing for a more complete exploration of their “souls.” He observed that the descendants of these pioneers were becoming fully integrated into American life, contributing to the “warp and woof of the nation’s fabric.”

Nearly a century after Joachim’s address, his words remain a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and appreciating the contributions of immigrant communities. Further research into the history of the Russia Germans, and the preservation of their stories, continues through organizations like the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection at North Dakota State University. The ongoing work to document family histories and photographs ensures that the legacy of this resilient community will not be forgotten.

To learn more about supporting the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, contact Jeremy Kopp at [email protected] or 701-231-6596, or visit ndsu.edu/grhc. You can also reach Michael Miller at [email protected] or 701-231-8416.