The anime adaptation of TurtleMe’s popular web novel and webcomic, “The Beginning After The End,” has announced two new additions to its cast. Gen Sato and Shōya Chiba will be lending their voices to the series, adding to the already stellar lineup.
New Cast Members Announced
The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the anime revealed that Gen Sato will be voicing the character Elijah Knight, while Shōya Chiba will be playing Lucas Wykes. These characters are set to appear in the 12th episode of the first season, which aired on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
- Gen Sato as Elijah Knight: Sato is known for his roles in various anime, showcasing his versatility as a voice actor.
- Shōya Chiba as Lucas Wykes: Chiba has an impressive resume, with notable roles in popular anime series.
About “The Beginning After The End”
“The Beginning After The End” (TBATE) is an American web novel series written by TurtleMe and illustrated by Fuyuki23. The story follows King Grey, a powerful ruler reborn as Arthur Leywin in a world of magic and fantastical creatures.
Story Premise
King Grey, despite his unparalleled power, wealth, and fame, lived a life of solitude, trusting no one. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets his death and is reincarnated as Arthur Leywin, a seemingly powerless infant in a world brimming with magic.
Reborn on the continent of Dicathen, Arthur seeks to rectify the mistakes of his past life. Surrounded by a loving family and companions, he begins to experience joys he never knew in his previous existence. Equipped with the knowledge and experience of a powerful king, Arthur navigates his new life, mastering magic and seeking purpose in each new experience.
Arthur’s Journey
As Arthur grows, he becomes more comfortable in his new world, establishing himself as a respected figure despite his young age. However, a looming war between Dicathen and the Vritra, a clan of banished deities ruling a distant continent, threatens his newfound peace. Arthur must rise as a leader, confronting his fear of reverting to the war-hardened monster he once was.
Throughout his journey, Arthur discovers that his reincarnation was not accidental and that he is not the only one reborn into this world. With the help of allies, including a lost elf princess, he embarks on a quest to find his place and protect those he loves.
Key Elements of the Story
- Reincarnation: The story revolves around the concept of reincarnation, with King Grey being reborn as Arthur Leywin.
- Magic and Adventure: Arthur’s new world is filled with magic, monsters, and perilous adventures.
- Personal Growth: Arthur seeks to correct his past mistakes and live a more fulfilling life.
- War and Leadership: Arthur must rise as a leader to protect Dicathen from the Vritra.
Anime Adaptation Details
The anime adaptation of “The Beginning After The End” was officially announced at New York Comic Con on October 19, 2024. Produced by Studio A-Cat, the series is directed by Keitaro Motonaga, with Takamitsu Kōno writing the series scripts, Masami Sueoka designing the characters, and Keiji Inai composing the music.
Production Team
- Director: Keitaro Motonaga
- Series Composition: Takamitsu Kōno
- Character Design: Masami Sueoka
- Music: Keiji Inai
- Studio: Studio A-Cat
Broadcast and Streaming
The first season of the anime premiered on April 2, 2025, on Fuji TV’s +Ultra programming block and AT-X. Crunchyroll is streaming the series, making it accessible to a global audience.
Theme Songs
The opening theme song for the anime is “Kingsblood,” performed by Kala, while the ending theme song is “Mahiru no Tsuki” (Midday Moon), performed by Seiza.
Episode Count and Season 2
The first season is slated for a total of 12 episodes. Crunchyroll announced that the season would conclude with episode 12 on June 18, 2025, and that the second season would premiere in Q2 2026.
Cast (Japanese)
- Arthur Leywin: Natsumi Fujiwara
- Grey: Makoto Furukawa
- Tessia Eralith: Kana Ichinose
- Alice Leywin: Rena Maeda
- Sylvia: Shiori Izawa
- Virion Eralith: Keiichi Sonobe
- Jasmine Flamesworth: Chiaki Omigawa
- Helen Shard: Miyū Ogura
- Reynolds Leywin: Yamato Kinjo
- Adam Krensh: Taihi Kimura
- Angela Rose: Riko Akechi
- Durden Walker: Shinya Takahashi
- Alduin Eralith: Kentaro Tone
- Elijah Knight: Gen Sato
- Lucas Wykes: Shōya Chiba
Cast (English Dub)
- Arthur Leywin: Amber May
- Grey: Christopher Wehkamp
- Tessia Eralith: Abigail Blythe
- Alice Leywin: Colleen Clinkenbeard
- Reynolds Leywin: Jessie James Grelle
- Sylvia: Lydia Mackay
- Adam Krensh: Nick Huber
- Ellie Leywin: Gillian Lange
Reception
“The Beginning After The End” has garnered a significant following, with over 1.5 billion cumulative views worldwide. The web novel and webcomic have been praised for their engaging story, well-developed characters, and unique take on the reincarnation trope.
Popularity
The series quickly became the number one Tapas Original in North America and has been translated into multiple languages. It has also topped the trending charts of online publishers around the world and received high praise in Korea and China. In Japan, it surpassed 20 million likes in just one year and won the “Piccoma AWARD 2021.”
Critical Acclaim
While the anime adaptation’s animation has received mixed reviews, the storyline has been praised for its emotional depth and compelling world-building. The premiere episode effectively sets up the massive world of Dicathen and introduces viewers to the complex characters and their motivations.
Shōya Chiba: A Notable Career
Shōya Chiba, born on August 29, 1995, is a Japanese actor, voice actor, and singer. He began his career as a child actor and has since become a prominent figure in the anime industry.
Notable Roles
Chiba is well-known for his roles in several popular anime series, including:
- Kotarō Azumi in “Tsuki ga Kirei”
- Kiyotaka Ayanokōji in “Classroom of the Elite”
- Shinei Nouzen in “86”
- Kou Minamoto in “Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun”
- Tahōmaru in “Dororo”
Other Works
In addition to his anime roles, Chiba has also voiced characters in video games, drama CDs, and multimedia projects. He is also a member of the Kiramune unit SparQlew and debuted as a singer in January 2024 with his first EP, “Blessing.”
Anime vs. Webcomic
The anime adapts the story of King Grey, who is reincarnated as Arthur Leywin in a magical world, with the anime adaptation directed by Keitaro Motonaga at Studio A-CAT. The webcomic is based on the web novel series of the same name, and it currently has over a hundred chapters, with the webcomic being in volume 4 of the web novel.
Final Thoughts
With the addition of Gen Sato and Shōya Chiba to the cast, “The Beginning After The End” anime continues to build excitement among fans. The series promises to deliver an engaging and emotional story, with stunning visuals and a captivating world. As the first season progresses and the premiere of the second season approaches, viewers can look forward to more adventures and revelations in the magical world of Dicathen.
