Isekai anime and web novels have long been plagued by a common trope: the harem. It has become a staple in the genre, often overshadowing character development in favor of superficial romantic entanglements. However, The Beginning After the End (TBATE) distinguishes itself by consciously avoiding this cliché.
Written by TurtleMe, this series started as a web novel, evolved into a popular webcomic, and is set to receive an anime adaptation in 2025, under the direction of Keitaro Motonaga at Studio A-Cat. Recently, at New York Comic Con 2024, TurtleMe was interviewed by Anime News Network, where he revealed how one of his key writing decisions was to steer clear of the harem trope.
The Beginning After the End: A unique Isekai experience
The Beginning After the End follows King Grey, a man who has achieved power, wealth, and prestige, yet finds himself emotionally empty. After his assassination, he is reincarnated into a world filled with magic and monsters, taking on a new identity as Arthur Leywin.
With this second chance at life, Arthur strives to experience the love, family, and personal growth he lacked in his previous existence. During the interview with Anime News Network, TurtleMe explicitly stated his stance on harems, stating:
Right off the bat, I can tell you I didn’t want a harem. Not that I have anything against harems, but I did want to really focus on the interpersonal relationship with one person and I think the more people that the main character has to juggle, the lesser those interactions feel.
While TBATE shares common isekai elements, such as an overpowered protagonist and a medieval fantasy setting, it sets itself apart by prioritizing character development over indulgent wish-fulfillment fantasies. TurtleMe highlights a major flaw in harem-driven narratives: the dilution of meaningful relationships.
By focusing on a single romantic lead, he ensures deeper emotional connections and allows the story to explore Arthur’s growth in a more personal and relatable way.
How does TBATE stand out in a saturated market?
Many isekai protagonists are surrounded by multiple love interests, which often results in shallow, repetitive interactions. In contrast, Arthur Leywin’s relationships are carefully crafted to contribute to his development. His connection with Tessia Eralith, for instance, is given the space to mature naturally, making it feel more authentic.
While power progression and world-building are important elements of TBATE, they take a backseat to Arthur’s journey as a person. TurtleMe’s writing consistently prioritizes his protagonist’s emotional growth over game-like mechanics or power fantasies.
Many isekai harems rely on fanservice and exaggerated romantic tension to keep audiences engaged. TBATE, however, focuses on a realistic and meaningful portrayal of relationships, making Arthur’s bonds with his friends and family more compelling.
Therefore, TBATE is a testament to the idea that quality storytelling can thrive without falling into the pitfalls of overused clichés. With its anime adaptation set for 2025, fans are eager to see how TBATE‘s nuanced storytelling will translate to the screen.
Moreover, given Keitaro Motonaga’s experience as a director, there is hope that the anime adaptation will maintain the same depth and emotional weight of the original The Beginning After the End manhwa that makes its story so compelling.
The Beginning After the End manhwa is available to read on Tapas and WEBTOON.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
