The Beginning After The End (TBATE) is known for a lot of things: an immensely popular web novel, and soon, in 2025, an eagerly awaited anime adaptation directed by Keitarō Motonaga at Studio A-Cat. Written by TurtleMe, the story follows King Grey, a man who had everything: strength, wealth, and status, but lacked fulfillment.
After his death, he is reincarnated into a world of magic and monsters, reborn as Arthur Leywin. Unlike many protagonists in isekai stories, Arthur is self-aware from birth, an element that immediately sets The Beginning After The End apart from other Isekai peers.
Merging science fiction and fantasy: Why TurtleMe created The Beginning After The End
TurtleMe’s approach to the genre has always been deliberate, avoiding common Isekai pitfalls while emphasizing strong character-driven storytelling. His philosophy behind writing The Beginning After The End was heavily influenced by personal escapism, as he made it clear that he wanted fantasy, and not technology, to be the core of the narrative.
During an interview with Anime News Network at New York Comic Con 2024, he elaborated on his inspirations, writing choices, and the impact of Arthur’s past life on his new journey, stating:
So I wanted to visit a new world alongside Arthur while also being the creator of this world. So while the sci-fi aspects had roots in King Gray, the fantasy was really the focus. Basically, I wanted things to be less technology focused, and more magic-focused.
By doing so, TurtleMe ensured that Arthur’s journey was driven by personal growth and discovery rather than an overreliance on past-world knowledge. While the isekai genre often focuses on fantasy worlds, the contrast between King Grey’s old world and Arthur’s new one adds a compelling layer to the narrative.
As Arthur compares his old existence with his new one, it also reinforces the overarching theme that, emotional fulfillment outweighs material success. Therefore, understanding this thought process offers deeper insight into why the story resonates with so many fans worldwide.
The psychological growth of Arthur Leywin: A deeper dive
Unlike many Isekai protagonists who start their new lives as fully formed adults, Arthur experiences childhood in his reincarnated world, allowing for a more nuanced exploration of his psychological transformation. TurtleMe explained why the story spends significant time on Arthur’s early years, stating:
I always wanted to keep things more upbeat. I think, compared to a lot of other isekai stories where the main character gets born again, I do focus on Arthur’s childhood quite a bit longer.
The novel also includes key time skips, such as Arthur awakening his powers at the age of three and then later training as an adventurer. These moments highlight the differences between his past life as an isolated ruler and his new life as a more emotionally connected individual.
His early years serve as a vital foundation, reinforcing his character arc from an emotionally detached king to someone capable of genuine relationships. Moreover, another distinctive aspect of The Beginning After The End is its intentional avoidance of overused isekai tropes, most notably, the harem trope.
The plot focuses on one major romantic relationship rather than spreading emotional ties among several love interests, enabling more in-depth growth and meaningful exchanges. This decision plays a crucial role in shaping Arthur’s growth and emphasizes his emotional journey over typical power-fantasy elements.
Knowing these inspirations behind the story’s creation gives fans a deeper appreciation for Arthur Leywin’s journey as they eagerly await the anime adaptation in 2025. Whether presented as an anime, or web novel, The Beginning After The End never fails to captivate viewers with its distinct fusion of escapism, introspection, and adventure.
The Beginning After the End manhwa is available to read on Tapas and WEBTOON.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
