REVIEW: ‘The Beginning After the End’ Episode 2 — “The King, Under Attack”

The Beginning After the End Episode 2 does more than continue Arthur’s story—it deepens it. By peeling back the layers of who King Grey once was and how Arthur is slowly becoming someone else entirely, the anime starts to carve out a real emotional identity. What could have just been a worldbuilding episode ends up being something much more—an exploration of power, potential, and the people who help shape both.

One of the best additions this week is the deeper glimpse into King Grey’s past life. The novel holds much of that back for later, but the anime wisely brings it forward. Those early flashbacks paint a more vivid—and honestly, more brutal—picture of the kind of person Grey (Makoto Furukawa) used to be. Cold, isolated, and emotionally hollow. That added context strengthens the contrast with Arthur’s new life and gives more weight to the choices he’s making now.

The present-day story pushes forward as Arthur (Natsumi Fujiwara), now four years old, is showing so much talent that his father, Reynolds (Yamato Kinjo), admits he can’t train him alone. What follows is a vulnerable moment between father and son and the introduction of Reynolds’s and Alice’s old adventuring party—each with distinct fighting styles and magical specialties. It’s a smart way for The Beginning After The End Episode 2 to broaden the world and showcase the magic system in action without needing a lore dump.

The Beginning After The End Episode 2 expands its world while avoiding too much exposition. 

But it’s not just about what Arthur can do—it’s how people respond to who he is. The party members, some of whom are known for being cold or emotionally guarded, begin to open up around him. Not because of his raw power, but because of how he carries himself.

Even at four years old, Arthur’s presence has a quiet gravity. There’s something in his demeanor—his attentiveness, his curiosity, his emotional control—that draws people in. It’s a subtle but powerful part of his character arc: watching someone who was once closed off and ruthless begin to connect with others truly and, in doing so, build a new identity. Not King Grey reborn—but Arthur Leywin, formed by the people around him.

The variety in how magic is used also gets a great showcase in The Beginning After The End Episode 2. Each member of the adventuring party demonstrates a different style, from raw strength to elemental finesse, which makes the world feel flexible and alive.

It’s a strong display of worldbuilding through action—letting viewers learn about magic just by watching it happen. It’s the slow build that will make the anime’s biggest moments feel much more epic in comparison, but it will certainly help the viewer know how far the story has come.

A four-year-old is The Beginning After The End Episode 2’s action star.

And then there’s the cliffhanger. The tone of The Beginning After The End Episode 2 slowly builds from light and hopeful to something more dangerous, more unpredictable. Even in a world without skyscrapers or metal airships, Arthur’s life is far from safe. This place is unforgiving, and the episode’s final moments remind viewers that strength isn’t optional here—it’s essential.

Structurally, The Beginning After The End Episode 2 ends in exactly the right place. It moves quickly through a few chapters’ worth of content but still lets moments breathe. It respects the pacing of the original while giving just enough to make each scene land. That balance—between emotional weight and fantasy momentum—is where the show really shines. The story of Arthur Leywin is a marathon, not a sprint, and the anime certainly respects that.

Ultimately, The Beginning After The End Episode 2 adds texture for longtime fans while remaining totally accessible to newcomers. The adaptation doesn’t just mirror the books—it elevates them. With every episode, Arthur’s world gets more vivid, and his character gets more layered. If this pace holds, The Beginning After the End could end up being one of the strongest fantasy anime of the year.

The Beginning After the End Episode 2 is streaming on Crunchyroll, with new episodes every Wednesday.