The Beginning After The End | TBATE Anime review

The Beginning After The End

 The Beginning After The End—or TBATE, as it's widely known—has long been one of the most beloved titles in the web novel and manhwa community. With its compelling protagonist, rich world-building, and emotional depth, it stood apart from the sea of typical isekai stories. Fans, myself included, didn’t just follow Arthur Leywin’s journey for the flashy fights or magical setting—we followed it because it had heart. So when news of an anime adaptation broke, the excitement was electric. It felt like TBATE was finally getting the recognition it deserved.

But with great anticipation comes even greater expectations. TBATE isn’t just another isekai, and it shouldn't be treated like one. This adaptation had the potential to redefine how web novels are brought to life in anime. Instead, what we’ve gotten so far feels… off. While it’s still early, the first impression is crucial—and this one doesn’t quite sit right.

This review isn’t coming from a place of hate. It’s coming from someone who has followed the story for years and truly wanted this adaptation to shine. So let’s dive into what’s really going on—both the good and the frustratingly bad.

Animation & Art Style

For a series as beloved and visually rich as The Beginning After The End, the animation and art style should have been one of its strongest pillars. Unfortunately, based on what we've seen so far—especially from the trailers—the quality falls well short of what fans were hoping for. Simply put, it doesn’t look or feel like a project that understands the scale and soul of TBATE.

The character designs are overly simplified, lacking the finer details that made the manhwa so visually appealing. Arthur, in particular, feels like a generic fantasy protagonist rather than the layered character readers have come to admire. The fluidity of motion, the fight choreography, and the magical effects all feel safe and underwhelming—like the studio is just checking boxes instead of trying to elevate the material.

There’s a distinct lack of cinematic direction. Scenes that should feel epic or emotionally charged look flat and uninspired. For a story that blends magic, martial arts, and high-stakes emotion, the visuals should be dynamic and expressive—but what we’ve seen so far barely scratches that surface.

It’s not just about polish—it’s about passion. And from a visual standpoint, TBATE’s anime doesn’t yet reflect the passion fans have poured into this series for years. It feels like a missed opportunity to create something truly standout in the fantasy anime space.

Story & Pacing

If there’s one thing The Beginning After The End doesn’t have to prove, it’s the strength of its story. Adapted from a top-tier web novel and an incredibly popular manhwa, the source material is already tried and tested. The world-building, character development, and emotional arcs have captivated millions of readers worldwide. So as long as the anime doesn’t stray too far from that foundation, the story itself should still hold up.

From what we know, the anime is planning a 24-episode season covering the early arcs. That’s a solid episode count, and it gives hope that the pacing won’t be rushed like many other adaptations. If the team follows the original structure and doesn’t skip or compress key moments, it could still deliver a satisfying narrative experience—especially for viewers who are experiencing TBATE for the first time.

In fact, if you’re someone who primarily watches anime for the story and don’t care much about visual flair or production value, this adaptation might actually work for you. The plot is still compelling, and Arthur’s journey is as interesting as ever. That said, I’d still strongly recommend checking out the manhwa. It offers far more emotion, visual impact, and depth than the anime currently seems able to deliver.

Main Characters and Voice Cast

1. Arthur Leywin

   • Description: The protagonist of the series, Arthur is the reincarnation of King Grey, born into a world filled with magic and monsters. He embarks on a journey to live a better life, protect his loved ones, and grow stronger.

   • Japanese Voice Actor: Natsumi Fujiwara

     • Notable Roles: Damian Desmond (Spy x Family), Chihiro Komiya (Shonen Maid)

2. King Grey

   • Description: Arthur’s former self in a previous life. A powerful king who, despite his wealth and strength, lived a cold, unfulfilled life—until he was given a second chance through reincarnation.

   • Japanese Voice Actor: Makoto Furukawa

     • Notable Roles: Saitama (One Punch Man), Banri Tada (Golden Time)

3. Tessia Eralith

   • Description: An elf girl and the daughter of the elven royal family. Though initially shy due to past trauma, she is cheerful and strong-willed, especially around Arthur.

   • Japanese Voice Actor: Kana Ichinose

     • Notable Roles: Suletta Mercury (Gundam: Witch From Mercury), Fern (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)

4. Jasmine Flamesworth

• Description: A calm and composed adventurer and augmenter. She's part of the Twin Horns party and plays a key role in Arthur’s early development as an adventurer.

• Japanese Voice Actor: Chiaki Omigawa

• Notable Roles: Anri (Birdie Wing), Naomi Tanizaki (Bungou Stray Dogs WAN!)

5. Reynolds Leywin (Arthur’s Father)

   • Description: A former adventurer and Arthur’s father. Reynolds is a strong, grounded figure who teaches Arthur about strength, discipline, and what it means to protect your family. He’s a warm but firm parent, offering guidance in Arthur’s early life.

   • Japanese Voice Actor: To be announced (Not officially revealed yet)

6. Alice Leywin (Arthur’s Mother)

   • Description: Arthur’s kind and caring mother, a former healer who gave up her profession to raise her family. Alice brings emotional warmth and comfort to the Leywin household, playing a vital role in shaping Arthur’s values and compassion.

   • Japanese Voice Actor: To be announced (Not officially revealed yet)

7. Eleanor Leywin (Ellie)

   • Description: Arthur’s younger sister. While she appears later, Ellie quickly becomes a beloved part of Arthur’s life and gives him even more reason to grow stronger and protect his family.

   • Japanese Voice Actor: To be announced

8. Virion Eralith

   • Description: Tessia’s grandfather and the former King of the Elves. He’s a seasoned warrior and brilliant instructor who later becomes one of Arthur’s most influential mentors.

   • Japanese Voice Actor: To be announced

9. Sylvie

• Description: Arthur’s bond—a mythical creature with a deep connection to him. Sylvie starts off cute and innocent but becomes one of the most important characters as the story progresses.

• Japanese Voice Actor: To be announced

As of now, the official English dub cast has not been announced. Fans are eagerly waiting to see which voice actors will take on these beloved roles for the English-speaking audience.

Why Fans Are Disappointed

Perhaps the biggest letdown surrounding The Beginning After The End anime isn't even about the visuals or production value—it's about how the fanbase feels the series is being handled. For years, TBATE has stood out from the flood of typical isekai stories. It’s not just about reincarnation and magic—it's about emotional growth, family, trauma, identity, and legacy. It had a soul. And that’s exactly what made it special to so many fans.

But judging by the trailers and the early promotional materials, it feels like TBATE is being treated like just another isekai. Generic music. Generic visuals. Generic direction. It’s as if the studio didn’t even try to capture what made this story resonate so deeply with readers. Instead of honoring its uniqueness, they seem to be packaging it in the same formulaic style we’ve seen a hundred times before.

That’s where the true disappointment lies—not in what’s been done wrong technically, but in the sense that the adaptation lacks respect for its roots. The hype wasn’t just about seeing Arthur animated—it was about seeing this emotional journey finally get the treatment it deserved. The fans didn’t want a cookie-cutter product. We wanted something that felt made for us—the ones who stuck with the story for years.

Conclusion

The Beginning After The End had the potential to be one of the biggest anime releases of the year—backed by a loyal fanbase and an amazing source material. But what we’ve seen so far makes it feel like just another average isekai adaptation, not the meaningful, character-driven story that fans fell in love with. While the story and pacing might still hold up thanks to the solid foundation of the web novel and manhwa, the animation quality and overall direction leave a lot to be desired.

If you’re completely new to TBATE and only care about story, you might still enjoy it. But for long-time fans, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this adaptation doesn’t respect the heart of the original. This wasn’t just a fantasy-action tale—it was personal for many readers. And unfortunately, that feeling hasn’t made its way into the anime… at least not yet.

We can only hope the series improves as it progresses. Until then, if you want the real experience, read the manhwa or dive into the web novel—you’ll understand why fans are so passionate about this world.