The Beginning After the End Anime: Reactions, Controversy & Author’s Opinion

The Beginning After the End debuted with high expectations

The Beginning After the End anime is based on the web novel and webcomic by TurtleMe. The series debuted with high expectations, fueled by the original work’s massive success — generating around $500,000 per month and accumulating over 61.8 million global reads.

Negative reaction on social media

However, the first episodes of the adaptation sparked a wave of criticism, especially on social media. Fans expressed disappointment with the animation quality, comparing it to PowerPoint presentations — referencing low-budget productions like Blue Lock’s second season.

In response, an online petition was launched calling for the cancellation of the current version and the production of a new adaptation by a different studio. The petition has already surpassed 42,000 signatures, making it one of the most significant backlash movements of the year in the anime world.

Mixed reviews on official platforms

Despite the backlash on social media, the anime is performing fairly well on official streaming platforms. On Crunchyroll, the series has an average rating of 4.3/5 based on over 30,600 reviews — suggesting a more positive reception among casual viewers.

On MyAnimeList, however, the score is lower, around 6.2/10, reflecting an audience with stricter standards for animation and direction quality.

This gap between informal criticism and platform data raises questions about the true scale of the dissatisfaction.

Amid the controversy, TurtleMe — creator of the series — decided to speak out through a Reddit post. In an emotional message, published shortly before his appearance at Sakura-Con, the author thanked fans for their support over the years and reflected on his journey with the series. He emphasized that he had been involved in every step of the novel and webcomic, but that his role in the anime was limited. “In the anime industry, it's rare for the author to have an active voice in the creative process,” he noted.

TurtleMe stated that everyone involved — including Crunchyroll, Tapas, and Studio A-Cat — gave their best. Even so, he acknowledged that creative differences are inevitable and asked for the community’s understanding. “Like a story, a pet, or a child, we don't want it to disappear when things get tough — we face it and move forward,” he wrote. During the convention, he reiterated that he understands fans’ frustration but asked for patience and hope for the upcoming episodes, leaving room for potential improvements as the season progresses.

He also admitted that, while some aspects of the animation fall short, there is room for growth as the story continues.

This situation brings up important discussions about the role of streaming platforms like Crunchyroll in the quality control of the shows they license and co-produce. The involvement of Tapas and Studio A-Cat — a studio known for lower-budget productions — has also come under scrutiny, with fans questioning why such a popular and profitable title didn’t receive a more fitting adaptation. Many argue that a major player like Crunchyroll should have guaranteed higher technical standards.

The controversy highlights the recurring challenges in adapting popular works to animation, where high expectations can be difficult to meet. Despite the mixed reception, The Beginning After the End is still airing, and the journey of protagonist Arthur Leywin may yet win back the audience’s trust — whether in this version or through a future reinterpretation.

In the meantime, discussions about quality, author involvement, and the role of streaming platforms continue to spark debate within the anime community.

See you in the next article!