The Beginning After the End is an American web novel series written by TurtleMe and illustrated by Fuyuki23. It began serialization on Tapas in January 2017. A webtoon adaptation, also illustrated by Fuyuki23, began serialization on Tapas in July 2018. Yen Press is publishing the webtoon in English; as of August 2024, six volumes have been released. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio A-Cat is set to premiere in April 2025 on Fuji TV's +Ultra programming block.
Premise
It follows the life of the late King Grey after his untimely and mysterious death. Reborn as Arthur Leywin, he seeks to correct his past mistakes in the vibrant new continent of Dicathen, a world of magic and fantastical creatures. Equipped with the knowledge of a powerful king in his mid-thirties, Arthur navigates his new life as the magic-wielding child of two retired adventurers and gains purpose through each of his new experiences—something he lacked in his previous life. When a kind dragon sacrifices her life to protect him, Arthur resolves to live a sincere, kind, and courageous life with those he loves. With the help of a lost elf princess and the Elven Kingdom of Elenoir, Arthur begins his long journey to find his true place in the world.
As the years pass, Arthur becomes more and more comfortable in this world, positioning himself as a young, but respected figure. However, deja-vu strikes as a war brews between Dicathen and the Vritra, a clan of banished deities now ruling over a faraway continent. Arthur must rise as a leader, despite his fear of becoming the war-hardened monster he once was in his past life. As the war rages on, Arthur discovers that he was not reborn to this world by chance… nor was he the only one.
Written by Korean-American writer Brandon Lee, better known as TurtleMe, and illustrated by Fuyuki23, the web novel began serialization on Tapas on January 18, 2017. An executive of Kakao Entertainment, Tapas' parent company, said the series was specifically created for the North American market.[3][4]
Volumes
The Beginning After the End: Early Years (volume 1)
The Beginning After the End: New Heights (volume 2)
The Beginning After the End: Beckoning Fates (volume 3)
The Beginning After the End: Horizons Edge (volume 4)
The Beginning After the End: Convergence (volume 5)
The Beginning After the End: Trascendence (volume 6)
The Beginning After the End: Divergence (volume 7)
The Beginning After the End: Ascension (volume 8)
The Beginning After the End: Amongst the Fallen (volume 8.5)
The Beginning After the End: Reckoning (volume 9)
The Beginning After the End: Retribution (volume 10)
The Beginning After the End: Providence (volume 11)
TBA (volume 12)
Webtoon
A webtoon adaptation of the web novel, also illustrated by Fuyuki23, began serialization on Tapas on July 7, 2018.[4] Fuyuki23 ceased illustrating the webtoon in June 2023.[5] At New York Comic Con 2021, Yen Press announced that they would be publishing the webtoon in print.[6] As of August 2024, six print volumes have been released.[7]
An anime television series adaptation was announced at New York Comic Con on October 19, 2024. The series is produced by Studio A-Cat and directed by Keitaro Motonaga, with Takamitsu Kōno writing series scripts, Masami Sueoka designing the characters, and Keiji Inai composing the music. The first season is set to premiere in April 2025 on Fuji TV's +Ultra programming block. Crunchyroll will stream the series.[14][2]
Reception
Mel Lake of Multiversity Comics praised the main character's journey, particularly its psychological aspects. Lake also praised the artwork, particularly its fight scenes, backgrounds, and faces.[1] Vanessa Piña of Screen Rant compared the series to Solo Leveling, while also describing its aesthetic and storytelling as "distinct".[15]
