Fans of the popular fantasy series The Beginning After the End can mark their calendars, as a new teaser trailer and visual have confirmed that the highly anticipated second season of the anime adaptation will premiere in April 2026. The announcement was made alongside the reveal of a new key visual and teaser trailer, building excitement for the continuation of King Grey’s journey as Arthur Leywin. Crunchyroll has confirmed it will exclusively stream the new season.
A Return to Dicathen: What to Expect in Season 2
The upcoming second season will continue the adventures of King Grey, reborn as Arthur Leywin, in the magical continent of Dicathen. The teaser hints at bigger battles, new foes, and an original story created in collaboration with Studio A-Cat, promising to delve deeper into the lore of the world. The trailer reportedly showcases Arthur’s hair turning white as he unleashes immense power against a colossal monster, suggesting a significant power-up or transformation for the protagonist. Other teaser visuals have included a smiling Arthur holding a mask, Jasmine embarking on an adventure with him, and the introduction of Elijah and Lucas as new group members.
Story So Far: King Grey’s Reincarnation
The premise of The Beginning After the End follows the life of the late King Grey, who, after an untimely and mysterious death, is reborn as Arthur Leywin. Retaining his memories and wisdom from his past life as a powerful king, Arthur navigates this new world of magic and fantastical creatures. His journey is one of self-discovery and a quest to correct past mistakes, forming new relationships and finding purpose he lacked in his previous existence.
The first season depicted Arthur’s early life, his awakening as a mage at a remarkably young age, and his initial encounters with the magical and political landscapes of Dicathen, which comprises the human nation of Sapin, the dwarven nation of Darv, and the elven nation of Elenoir. A key turning point involved a kind dragon sacrificing her life to protect him, inspiring Arthur to live a sincere and courageous life.
Production Details and Returning Staff
Studio A-Cat, which produced the first season, will return to handle the animation for The Beginning After the End Season 2. Keitaro Motonaga (known for The Kingdoms of Ruin) is directing the anime, with Takamitsu Kōno responsible for series scripts and Masami Sueoka designing the characters. Keiji Inai is composing the music. Original creator TurtleMe is also involved with the anime adaptation as an executive producer and story supervisor, expressing his excitement for viewers to see more of Arthur’s journey.
The main voice cast is expected to return, including Natsumi Fujiwara as Arthur Leywin, Makoto Furukawa as King Grey, Kana Ichinose as Tessia, Chiaki Omigawa as Jasmine, Gen Sato as Elijah Knight, and Shoya Chiba as Lucas Wykes.
Addressing Fan Feedback and Expectations
The first season of The Beginning After the End anime, which aired from April to June 2025, initially faced some criticism regarding its animation quality. However, creator TurtleMe addressed these concerns, acknowledging that creative differences are part of large collaborations and expressing belief in the team’s best efforts. The decision to package the final 12 episodes of what was initially planned as a 24-episode run into a second season was seen by some fans as an opportunity for improved quality and consistency.
The anticipation for Season 2 remains high, with fans eager to see how the narrative unfolds and how Arthur continues to develop his powers and navigate the brewing war between Dicathen and the Vritra, a clan of banished deities.
The Origin Story: Web Novel and Webtoon Success
The Beginning After the End originated as an American web novel series written by TurtleMe and illustrated by Fuyuki23. It began serialization on Royalroad in October 2015 before migrating to Tapas in January 2017. The web novel concluded its run in August 2025, with 11 volumes released.
A webtoon adaptation, also illustrated by Fuyuki23, began serialization on Tapas in July 2018. Yen Press publishes the webtoon in English print, with seven volumes released as of March 2025 and more planned for later in 2025 and 2026. The webcomic has garnered immense popularity, accumulating over 150 million views worldwide and serving as a gateway for many readers into the webcomic genre.
The anime adaptation represents another significant milestone for the series, bringing its rich fantasy world and compelling narrative to a broader audience. Crunchyroll, which streamed the first season, will continue to be the exclusive platform for the second season globally. The series is known in Japan under the title Saikyō no Ōsama, Nidome no Jinsei wa Nani wo Suru? (The Strongest King, What Will He Do in His Second Life?).
