REVIEW: ‘The Beginning After the End’ Episode 1

The Beginning After The End Episode 1 offers a totally new lens for those coming into the anime only familiar with the novel series or Travis Baldree’s audiobook narration. The Beginning After The End by Turtleme has had visual adaptations, most notably the webtoon, but nothing quite like this.

Seeing the world of Dicathen brought to life in motion adds a different texture to the story, especially for fans who’ve only imagined it through prose. It’s not just a translation of familiar scenes into animation—it’s a tonal and emotional reintroduction to Arthur Leywin’s journey, one that feels surprisingly fresh even for longtime readers.

The Beginning After The End Episode 1 opens with the death of King Grey and his reincarnation as Arthur Leywin, setting the stage quickly before settling into the meat of his early life. Most of the episode takes place with Arthur still a baby, navigating his new world with the mind of a seasoned warrior-king. That contrast fuels the humor and the heart. Watching him fumble through crawling, stumble into basic magic, and silently grumble at his own helplessness is equal parts adorable and ridiculous—in the best way.

The new world Arthur is born into—Dicathen—is a sprawling, magic-rich continent filled with adventurers, mythical creatures, and a rigid hierarchy of power. Magic isn’t just decoration here; it defines status, survival, and the social fabric of the world. While The Beginning After the End Episode 1 keeps the scope fairly small, focused on Arthur’s home and family, there’s a sense of something much larger just outside the frame. That slow reveal of the world’s depth mirrors the way the novel unfolds through Arthur’s perspective, making each discovery feel personal and earned.

The Beginning After The End Episode 1 keeps the scope small to start.

What really sells it is the character work. Arthur’s parents, Reynolds (Yamato Kinjo) and Alice (Rena Maeda), are introduced with warmth and strength, already forming the emotional backbone of the story. Their love and presence ground Arthur, setting up one of the core themes of the series: what it means to start over, not just with power but with purpose.

Visually, The Beginning After the End Episode 1 is sharp. Studio A-Cat may not have the name recognition of some of the industry’s heavy hitters. That said, the animation here is clean and confident, especially when showing Arthur’s past as King Grey. The tone strikes a solid balance between emotional sincerity and fantasy charm once Arthur enters his new world under Keitaro Motonaga‘s direction. It doesn’t overextend itself trying to wow with action—instead, it builds its world patiently through character perspective, much like the novel does.

The Japanese cast delivers strong performances across the board. Makoto Furukawa voices Grey (Arthur’s inner voice) with just the right mix of gruffness and dry bewilderment, channeling the mindset of a grown king trapped in a baby’s body. There’s frustration, confusion, and a rough-around-the-edges quality to his internal voice—but that only makes the baby antics land harder. It’s hilarious and weirdly endearing to watch someone so capable internally grumble through all that comes with being a baby.

Character moments are given a chance to breathe and settle.

With the source material already fourteen volumes deep, there’s a lot of ground for the anime to potentially cover after its 24-episode first season. And while it’s still unclear how far this first season will go, The Beginning After the End Episode 1 lays strong groundwork. It doesn’t try to cram too much in. Instead, it lets the character moments breathe and offers just enough intrigue to hook new viewers.

Ultimately, The Beginning After the End Episode 1 is a faithful adaptation so far that understands the value of pacing and restraint.  Like The Legend of Vox Machina, this adaptation is proof that powerful fantasy storytelling doesn’t have to follow traditional pipelines. It just needs a good story, a team that understands it, and a medium that amplifies its emotional beats.

After one episode, The Beginning After the End feels like a win—for longtime fans and first-timers alike. Whether diving into the anime, the webtoon, or the novel series, there’s no wrong way to enter this world. But the anime might be the most charming way to start.

The Beginning After the End Episode 1 premieres on Crunchyroll on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.