Anime fans were surprised to see two major titles pause their broadcast schedule this week: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Jujutsu Kaisen. The reason? A programming adjustment tied to Winter Olympics coverage in Japan.
Olympics Broadcasting Disrupts Regular Anime Slots
Major sporting events like the Winter Olympics often take priority on Japanese television networks. When large-scale global events air, networks temporarily adjust or replace their usual programming — including weekly anime broadcasts.
This scheduling shift is not unusual. High-profile events such as the Olympics, World Cup, or national specials frequently cause temporary delays in anime episodes, especially for prime-time series.
Why It Feels Frustrating for Fans
For many viewers, it can feel surprising — or even ironic — that highly anticipated anime episodes are postponed for sports programming that may not attract the same level of attention among anime-focused audiences.
However, from a network perspective, global sporting events still carry strong advertising value, sponsorship commitments, and long-standing broadcast agreements. Even if certain demographics prefer anime, television scheduling decisions are based on nationwide audience metrics and contractual obligations.
What This Means for the Series
The break is temporary, and both series are expected to resume their normal release schedule the following week. These short pauses do not affect overall production plans, but they can build additional anticipation among viewers.
For fans eagerly waiting for the next developments in Frieren’s emotional journey or the high-stakes battles of Jujutsu Kaisen, the delay may be inconvenient — but it’s simply part of how seasonal broadcasting works in Japan.
In the meantime, this brief hiatus offers the perfect chance to revisit previous episodes or catch up on missed story arcs before the series return.
