The Beginning After the End is one of the most popular isekai webtoons outside Japan, written by TurtleMe (Brandon Lee's pen name) and illustrated by Fuyuki23. The web novel began on Tapas on January 18, 2017, the webtoon launched on July 7, 2018, and by August 2026 Yen Press had released 11 print volumes.
The anime is produced by Studio A-Cat and airs on Fuji TV's +Ultra block: season 1 premiered April 2, 2025 with 12 episodes, and season 2 ran from April to June 2026 with 12 more episodes. Crunchyroll streams both the Japanese and English dub versions.
Quick Facts
- Author: TurtleMe (Brandon Lee); illustrated by Fuyuki23
- Publisher: Web novel on Tapas (since January 18, 2017); webtoon since July 7, 2018; print published by Yen Press
- Scale: 11 print volumes by August 2026
- Studio: Studio A-Cat; season 1 (April 2, 2025, 12 episodes); season 2 (April–June 2026, 12 episodes); Crunchyroll
- Reception: Over 40,000 (some sources say over 50,000) petition signatures demanding a redo
Story
The protagonist was once King Grey, who died mysteriously at age 38, then was reincarnated as Arthur Leywin in the magical world of Dicathen. Carrying a king's knowledge and experience, Arthur gradually discovers his reincarnation was not random, and seeks to correct the mistakes of his past life.
The story blends an isekai coming-of-age journey with the psychological journey of an old soul in a child's body.
Behind The Scenes
The source is praised by critics for the protagonist's psychological journey and the webtoon artwork, but on adaptation, Studio A-Cat was criticized for static animation lacking movement, with many comparing it to a PowerPoint presentation. A petition started March 31 calling for a redo passed 40,000 signatures, with some sources citing over 50,000.
Experience
Story and characters
The most praised aspect is Arthur's psychological journey, an adult mind reliving childhood, along with the depth of the Dicathen worldbuilding.
Animation quality
This is the biggest weakness: the combat scenes, the most exciting part of the source thanks to its power fantasy, are seen as static and unimpressive in the anime, drawing a strong fan backlash.
Strengths
- A deep psychological journey for the protagonist
- Well-built Dicathen world
- A very popular webtoon source with a large fanbase
Weaknesses
- Static animation, unimpressive fight scenes
- Over 40,000 fans signed a petition demanding a redo
- Unclear whether future seasons will improve animation
What Critics Say
Critic and fan reaction is sharply split: praise for the story and character journey, but strong criticism of the animation quality. The petition demanding a redo, passing 40,000 to 50,000 signatures, is one of the largest technical-quality backlashes against a recent isekai anime.
Who Is It For
For fans of the original webtoon who want to watch the adaptation despite knowing the animation is limited, or those who prioritize story over visuals. If you watch anime mainly for spectacular action, you may be disappointed.
OtaHub Score
Verdict
The Beginning After the End has a notable isekai story, but the anime adaptation falls short due to animation quality, making it a case of good content held back by visuals. OtaHub scores it 7.5/10.
FAQ
How many anime seasons does it have?
Two seasons, season 1 in 2025 and season 2 in 2026, each with 12 episodes.
Why is there a petition demanding a redo?
Fans felt the animation was too static, especially in fight scenes.
What is the source material?
A web novel and webtoon by TurtleMe, illustrated by Fuyuki23.