The Beginning After the End has the ingredients to become a major fantasy anime, but it has not got there yet. It has a huge source story, strong platform support and two seasons behind it. It also has a divided audience, so the answer depends on what happens next.
A Popular Source and a First of Its Kind
The anime adapts TurtleMe’s web novel and webcomic, which began on Tapas. Tapas has described it as the first anime adaptation of an American web novel and webcomic. The story follows King Grey, a powerful ruler who is reborn as Arthur Leywin in the magical continent of Dicathen.
Two Seasons and Strong Platform Backing
Studio A-Cat produced the series, with Keitaro Motonaga as director. Season 1 aired from April to June 2025 with 12 episodes. Crunchyroll announced Season 2 before the first finale, and a senior Crunchyroll executive called it a top fantasy series on the platform. Season 2 then aired from April 1 to June 24, 2026, also with 12 episodes. Crunchyroll streams it worldwide outside Asia, including India, with English and French dubs.
What Season 2 Changed
Season 2 gives Arthur a new design and follows him as an adventurer alongside Jasmine Flamesworth. It adds new characters such as Brald, Vio and Samantha. The story also expands the threats Arthur faces, which supports the case for a bigger franchise.
The Caveats
Reception has been mixed. After the first episodes, some viewers criticised the animation and pacing, and an online petition even called for the show to be cancelled. The production also changed plans along the way: it was first described as two seasons totalling 24 episodes, then reorganised so the first run ended after 12 episodes and the next run was branded Season 2.
What Needs to Happen Next
For breakout status, the series likely needs a clear renewal and consistent quality. No official Season 3 announcement appears in the coverage reviewed for this article. Manhwa adaptations such as Solo Leveling Season 2 raised expectations for animation quality, and fans will measure this series against them.
Sources: Wikipedia, Anime News Network, Anime Corner, Animation Scoop.