During a special event held in TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku On October 11, 2025, voice actress Ayana Taketatsu —who plays Aura the Guillotine in Sousou no Frieren— expressed his surprise at the great popularity that the character achieved, despite his brief appearance in the series.
At the talk organized as part of a special screening of the anime, Taketatsu was the only cast member present on stage. There she confessed to feeling nervous but grateful: “I'm very surprised. I didn't expect to have so much prominence or for Aura to receive so much attention. Without realizing it, the character became huge, merchandise came out and began to generate conversation on networks. I'm full of gratitude.”
The interpreter also commented that the public's affection for a character who only appeared in three episodes from the first season. “I can't keep up with everything that's happened with Aura,” he added with a laugh.
Who is Aura the Guillotine?
Aura was one of the most remembered villains of Sousou no Frieren. Known for her magic that forced enemies to obey her orders, she was defeated decades ago by Himmel and reappeared after his death to confront Frieren again. However, the elf managed to reverse her spell and forced her to take her own life in one of the most shocking scenes of the series.
The phenomenon of Sousou no Frieren
Sousou no Frierencreated by Kanehito Yamada (story) and Tsukasa Abe (art), premiered in September 2023 and established itself as one of the highest-rated anime of the decade. Its first season featured 28 episodes and ended in March 2024. second season is scheduled to be released on January 16, 2026continuing the journey of Frieren, Fern and Stark towards Aureole, the land where the souls of the dead rest.
Who is Ayana Taketatsu?
Ayana Taketatsu is a renowned seiyuu with an extensive career in anime and video games. He has played characters like Azusa Nakano in K-On!, Leafa in Sword Art Onlineand Nino Nakano in Gotoubun no Hanayome. On this occasion, her interpretation of Aura stood out for the firm and serene tone that contrasted with the violence of the character, consolidating her as one of the most memorable villains in recent anime.
Did you expect Aura to achieve so much popularity? What other Frieren character would you like to see return next season?
