Starting its comicalization in 2018 on the digital comic and novel platform Tapas, the bestselling novel The Beginning After the End quickly became the number one Tapas Original in North America. It has since been translated into 6 languages, topped the trending charts of online publishers around the world, and received high praise in Korea and China. Upon its 2020 launch in Japan on the digital manga and novel platform Piccoma, it surpassed 20 million likes in just one year and won the the “Piccoma AWARD 2021,” a prize given to “guaranteed entertaining works.” With over 1.5 billion cumulative views worldwide, this popular series set upon its path to finally set to be adapted into an anime.
After a mysterious death, King Grey is reborn as Arthur Leywin on the magical continent of Dicathen. Although he enters his second life as a baby, his previous wisdom remains. He begins to master magic and forge his own path as the years go by, seeking to correct the mistakes of his past life. As someone who loves reincarnated characters in manwha and manga, I knew that I would be riding the hype train for the highly anticipated series based on the beloved web comic created by TurtleMe.
King Grey, a king who did many nefarious deeds in his lifetime awakens…in a body that doesn’t belong to him, with a name that doesn’t belong to him and in an unfamiliar world. Simply out, he’s been reborn, now in his second life starting as a little babe named Arthur. Yet, he’s starting off this life with the knowledge of his past life. We are treated with a thrilling montage to demonstrate the power and acclaim of the King. He’s powerful, he’s ruthless, and he’s made enemies each step of the way. He’s a terrifying man to behold and now it appears that his reign has ended?
As first episodes go, getting an idea of the setting and world building of The Beginning After the End happens and gives audiences a simple but thorough lesson on where Grey, now Arthur, now resides. Of course, this episode features some pretty wholesome moments of the now young character being loved on by doting parents and his hilarious attempts to gain agency, as a baby. As the young character with an old soul observes, it is interesting for him and us to observe and see what does exist in this newer life versus his past one. Seeing how a family interacts with each other, seeing a marketplace in full swing, and seeing how the people of this land defend themselves and move forward in combat are all threads in the tapestry in this new life for the former king.
Animation wise, there hasn’t been much in the area of spectacular visuals as of yet, but that won’t deter me from watching more. Some of the visually flashier scenes in this episode tend to be action-based ones where young Arthur gets a glimpse of the world he quickly wants to grow up and be a part of. He’s eager to learn about the lay of the land, how warriors fight, what knowledge can be contained in books: all with his plan to grow stronger. Little Arthur has a front seat to seeing people gifted with talents that not only look intriguing but seem incredible to have on the battlefield. Some of my favorite scenes from this episode lean into the comedic flair with little Arthur putting on the charm to get what he wants or making a plan to do something out of the ordinary. These scenes bring much needed laughter and light to the story we’re watching of a man previously known for bringing doom and gloom.
The Beginning After the End seems to set the scene for the series with a slower paced, emotionally building story about starting over and being blessed with a newer, more whole start. This first episode sheds light on King Grey, young Arthur’s previous life, and hints what was missing from his upbringing while marveling at this young man’s current and new life. I love the juxtaposition of the silliness and ordinary feels of baby Arthur’s young life with his older self internally musing with the vocal narration throughout. While his voice is somber and aged, I did love the continual reminders of him vocally being exasperatingly stating that his infant body was a prison in his quest to gain more (bodily) agency each day.
“The appeal of a fresh slate for a character that we’re not quite sure deserves redemption is introduced to us in this first episode of The Beginning After the End. While not action heavy or with spectacular animation as of yet, it promises future action, character development and daring choices starting off with a strong emotional foundation here, first.”
Verdict
Look beloved, we are entering a golden age of anime adaptations of web comics and manhwa. TBATE has an established fan base who have had concerns on the adaptation when it comes to the studio animating it (Studio A-CAT, by the way) since news of the anime first hit the scene a while ago. Some having little faith in the studio who hasn’t produced many viral popular anime, predict the animation and thus the adaptation to be “mid” (for the clueless elders in the chat, that’s not a good thing) and that it will be a lackluster attempt with this premiering anime adaptation.
To those concerns: I believe that the animation quality is consistent, at least in this first episode. I appreciate that as we’re getting introduced to the beginning of this new epic via anime. For the old and new fans alike, perhaps all we need is a consistent animation style to continue and evolve for further episodes and further important arcs that are coming. (Yet, perhaps all anime fans know how it feels to have bait and switch like that of watching the quality of the more recent Uzumaki anime being fumbled.)
The appeal of a fresh slate for a character that we’re not quite sure deserves redemption is introduced to us in this first episode of The Beginning After the End. While not action heavy, it promises future action, character development and daring choices starting off with a strong emotional foundation here, first. For a long-awaited series that birthed not just a light novel series, a comic version too–knowing that the anime adaptation now exists is sure to bring fans to watch. I will say that I am a little disappointed that with TBATE’s popularity, a two-episode premiere wasn’t in the works here (think back on Solo Leveling‘s anime debut) to really set the stage on a such a beloved and underrated web comic that has fascinated fans everywhere.
The Beginning After the End premiere will be on April 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM PT, though Crunchyroll.
Visit the Official The Beginning After the End Anime Website
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