Episode 2 of “The Beginning After The End”, released on April 9th, highlights Arthur Leywin's power and shows that familial love is capable of healing the coldness, inherited from the boy's previous life, which is still present in his heart.
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Arthur reveals the immensity of his power right in the first episode. However, it is in the second episode, making it clear that his talent goes beyond expectations, that his parents decide to train him with an experienced mentor. Thus, at the beginning of the episode, the Leywin family travels to the floating city of Xyrus so that Arthur, now 4 years old, can begin his formal education in magic.
Beyond his power, Arthur feels something more in this episode; the kindness and love of his current family dispel the coldness and seriousness that marked his past life. The contrast between his rigid kingly voice, which narrates some scenes of the boy's inner thoughts, and the high-pitched, cheerful voice of a child, makes the work funny and interesting.
However, before he can understand his feelings, Arthur witnesses an attack on his family, and the end of the episode is enough to convince the viewer to watch the next one.
The fight scenes in "The Beginning After the End" may be a problem for viewers of the film
Since the announcement of A-CAT as the studio that would be in charge of the animation, there has been discontent among fans. The original work, a web novel written by TurtleMe, is acclaimed and has won over many readers. Therefore, the announcement of the adaptation brought hope for a successor to Solo Leveling, an anime based on Chugong's manhwa, which achieved immense success.
However, entrusting the animation of "The Beginning After the End," an adaptation so eagerly awaited by the public, to a studio that doesn't have many successful anime to its name was, at the very least, a disastrous mistake, and unfortunately, episode 2 came to confirm this.
The fight scenes lack dynamism, often opting for static shots that significantly break the immersion. Furthermore, in a universe where magic is used and powerful enemies are present, the battle scenes need to stand out and invest in fluid movements, which was not the case in this adaptation.
The life of King Grey: there's still much to explore
Despite its drawbacks, there's no denying that the plot of "The Beginning After the End" is captivating. The episodes alternate between King Grey's past and his present, reincarnated as Arthur Leywin. Interestingly, there are significant differences between the past and present worlds, such as mana and technology. At one point in episode 2, the character criticizes the primitive means of transportation in his current life.
There is still much to be explored about the past life of King Grey, who, so far, has shown himself to be ruthless and proud. Now, all that remains is to wait for the next episodes and hope that the plot lives up to the fans' expectations.
