Studio A-Cat has stepped into the manhwa adaptation scene with The Beginning After the End (TBATE), following the massive success of Solo Leveling. With a popular source material and an engaging fantasy world, TBATE has everything needed for a great anime. However, does the first episode live up to expectations? While the premiere does an excellent job at storytelling, the animation has left fans divided.
The episode starts by introducing King Grey, a ruthless ruler who met an untimely demise. His death, however, is not the end of his journey. Instead, he is reincarnated into the fantasy world of Dicathen as Arthur Leywin. Retaining memories of his past life, Arthur quickly realizes he is in a world where magic exists.
The episode does an excellent job of establishing the three major kingdoms of Dicathen—Darv, Elenoir, and Sapin—while also explaining the basics of magic. Arthur learns about Mana and how it can be used either as an Augmenter or a Conjuror. His curiosity and intelligence shine through, making it clear that he is no ordinary child. The balance between world-building and character development is handled well, keeping viewers engaged without overwhelming them with excessive exposition.
A Strong Introduction to TBATE’s World
What makes the premiere episode truly stand out is its focus on Arthur’s family. Unlike many isekai anime that gloss over familial relationships, TBATE takes the time to show Arthur’s deep connection with his parents. Having lived a cold, emotionless life as King Grey, Arthur is both fascinated and touched by the love and care his parents show him.
His narration throughout the episode adds depth to his character, giving viewers insight into his thoughts and emotions. The moment he realizes what it means to have a real family is especially poignant. This emotional aspect of TBATE sets it apart from typical reincarnation stories and lays a strong foundation for Arthur’s growth.
We still don't know what this was. pic.twitter.com/6xIXB4W0en
— The Beginning After The End (@TBATE_TV) April 2, 2025
Despite its strong storytelling, TBATE’s biggest flaw in Episode 1 is its animation quality. Fans were already skeptical after watching the trailer, and unfortunately, their concerns were justified. Many scenes feel static, with too many still frames that make the episode feel sluggish at times. Even when the sound of rustling leaves is present, the lack of movement makes the scene feel lifeless.
Is TBATE Worth Watching?
While the animation during fight sequences is slightly better, there aren’t enough action scenes in this episode to fully judge how well Studio A-Cat handles battles. Given that TBATE will feature numerous intense fights in future episodes, fans can only hope that the animation quality improves as the series progresses.
Despite its animation flaws, TBATE’s first episode delivers a compelling start. The storytelling, character interactions, and world-building make it worth watching, and fans of the manhwa will likely appreciate how well the series captures the essence of the source material. While the animation is disappointing, the emotional depth and engaging narrative make up for it—at least for now.
The Beginning After the End Episode 1 is now available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
