The Beginning After the End Anime: Story, Characters, & Season 2 News

The Beginning After the End anime tells the story of King Grey, a powerful ruler in a world of high technology and martial arts who died lonely and unfulfilled. He is reincarnated into the magical world of Dicathen as Arthur Leywin.

Unlike most infants, Arthur retains the sharp mind and strategic wisdom of a king. He begins training his "mana core" before he can even walk, eventually setting out as a young adventurer named "Note." As he grows, Arthur must navigate the deep racial tensions between humans, elves, and dwarves, all while a mysterious, darker threat from across the sea—the continent of Alacrya—begins to stir. His second life is no longer about ruling through strength, but about protecting the family and friends he never had in his first life.

The series has a massive global following, particularly among fans of the original webtoon and light novel.

1. Detailed Magic System

The progression of mana cores (from black to white) and the elemental deviations (like Arthur’s ice and lightning) provide a clear and satisfying power-leveling experience.

2. Emotional Redemption

Arthur’s struggle to be a "good son" to Reynolds and Alice while carrying the guilt of a former king’s cold heart adds significant emotional weight.

3. The "Grey" Backstory

The anime occasionally flashes back to Arthur's previous life, showing the tragedies that shaped him, which makes his current triumphs even more meaningful.

4. Visual Evolution

While Season 1 (produced by Studio A-Cat) faced mixed reviews for its pacing, it successfully captured the wonder of Arthur’s early years and his meeting with the dragon, Sylvia.

The anime is officially returning to adapt the highly anticipated "Xyrus Academy" and "War" arcs.

The Beginning After the End Anime Release Date

Season 1 concluded in June 2025. Following the finale, The Beginning After the End Season 2 was officially greenlit for an April 2026 premiere on Crunchyroll.

Season 2 Teaser

A post-credits clip from the Season 1 finale revealed Arthur’s "teenager" design, signaling a time skip that will lead into his enrollment at the elite Xyrus Academy.

The Beginning After the End Manga

While often called a manga, the the beginning after the end manga is technically a Webtoon (adapted from the light novel). It has released over 200 chapters and remains one of the most popular titles on the Tapas platform.

If you enjoy the "reincarnated as a genius child" trope and high-fantasy world-building, here are some excellent anime like the beginning after the end:

• Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation: The series that popularized the modern reincarnation-from-birth trope; shares a near-identical start but explores more adult themes.

• The Faraway Paladin: Features a boy raised by undead heroes in a ruined world, focusing on traditional high-fantasy values and growth.

• Wise Man’s Grandchild: A more lighthearted take on a reincarnated genius who uses modern science to revolutionize magic.

• A Returner's Magic Should Be Special: Features a protagonist returning to his past to save the world, focusing on strategic magic use and school academy life.