The Beginning After the End manhwa, often shortened to TBATE, is one of the most beloved fantasy webtoons in the world. Written by TurtleMe and illustrated by Fuyuki23, it tells the story of a king who gets a second chance at life — and this time, he intends to get it right. If you are looking for manhwa with deep worldbuilding, an overpowered-but-thoughtful protagonist, and gorgeous art, this guide covers everything you need to know before diving in.
What Is The Beginning After the End?
The Beginning After the End started as a web novel by TurtleMe (Brandon Lee) serialized on Tapas in January 2017, and the webtoon adaptation launched in July 2018. Unlike most manhwa, which originate in Korea, TBATE is an American series created specifically for the global webtoon market — yet it reads with all the polish, pacing, and spectacle of the best Korean titles.
The series follows King Grey, the most powerful ruler of his world, who dies mysteriously in his late thirties and is reincarnated as Arthur Leywin, a baby born to two retired adventurers on the continent of Dicathen. Arthur retains all the memories, combat knowledge, and ruthless pragmatism of his former life as a king — but this time, he is surrounded by people who love him, something he never experienced before. The story is as much about Arthur learning to be human as it is about him becoming the strongest mage alive.
Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free)
Arthur’s journey begins in the small kingdom of Sapin, one of three nations on Dicathen alongside the dwarven nation of Darv and the elven kingdom of Elenoir. As a toddler, Arthur secretly teaches himself magic using his past life’s mastery of ki, and by age two he can already cast spells that would humble veteran mages. But Arthur’s true trial begins when he is separated from his parents during a journey and ends up lost in a monster-infested forest.
There he meets Sylvia, an ancient dragon in disguise, who becomes a mentor and grandmother figure to him. Sylvia’s sacrifice to save Arthur sets the emotional core of the series: Arthur, who once executed people without blinking as King Grey, resolves to become someone who protects rather than destroys. This promise drives everything that follows.
As Arthur grows, he reunites with his family, saves the elf princess Tessia Eralith from slavers, trains at the prestigious Xyrus Academy, and rises through the ranks of adventurers and mages. Behind the personal story, a larger conflict brews: the Vritra, a clan of banished deities ruling a distant continent, are preparing for war against Dicathen. Arthur finds himself pulled toward leadership in a war he fears will turn him back into the monster he once was — and he discovers his rebirth was no accident.
Main Characters
Arthur Leywin (formerly King Grey): The protagonist. A former tyrant king reborn as a prodigy mage. Arthur’s defining trait is his internal conflict between the ruthless efficiency of King Grey and his desire to live a kinder life. His growth across the series is one of the best character arcs in webtoons.
Sylvie: A mysterious mana beast who hatches from an egg Sylvia entrusts to Arthur. Sylvie becomes Arthur’s closest companion, growing from a small fox-like creature into something far more significant. Her loyalty and evolving powers make her a fan favorite.
Tessia Eralith: The elf princess of Elenoir whom Arthur rescues as a child. Tessia is headstrong, talented, and Arthur’s childhood friend — and later, much more. Her own magical development parallels Arthur’s journey.
Reynolds and Alice Leywin: Arthur’s parents, both retired adventurers. Reynolds is a boisterous swordsman and Alice a rare emitter-type healer mage. They provide the warm family life that King Grey never had, and their relationship with Arthur is the emotional heart of the early story.
Sylvia Indrath: The ancient white dragon who saves Arthur and sets him on his path. Though her time in the story is brief, her influence echoes through every volume.
Jasmine Flamesworth and the Twin Horns: An adventurer party that befriends the Leywin family. Jasmine, a skilled scout, becomes one of Arthur’s early mentors and a beloved supporting character.
The Magic System: Mana, Cores, and Beyond
One of TBATE’s greatest strengths is its carefully constructed magic system. Mages in Dicathen awaken mana cores — internal reservoirs of magical energy that can be refined from black to red, orange, yellow, silver, and finally white. Each stage unlocks greater power and new capabilities. Arthur, thanks to his past-life ki mastery, develops his core at an unprecedented rate and eventually discovers techniques nobody else knows, including the ability to manipulate mana while simultaneously absorbing it from the environment.
Later in the story, the system expands dramatically with the introduction of aether (also called vivum), a purer, more fundamental force than mana that only a handful of beings can wield. Aether arts allow feats like time manipulation and fate-weaving, and Arthur’s journey to master them drives the cosmic-scale conflicts of the later arcs. The progression feels earned: every power-up comes with training, sacrifice, and consequences, which is why leveling-up fans adore this series.
The Webtoon vs. The Novel
Both versions of the story are worth your time, but they differ in meaningful ways. The web novel, complete at over 450 chapters across multiple volumes, goes deeper into internal monologue, worldbuilding, and the later war arcs. The webtoon adaptation condenses and streamlines the story with stunning visuals — Fuyuki23’s art is widely considered some of the best in the industry, with fluid action sequences and breathtaking fantasy landscapes.
Note that Fuyuki23 stepped away from illustrating the webtoon in 2023, and the art style shifted afterward. Most readers agree the story’s quality carries it through, but it is worth knowing going in. The webtoon has completed six seasons and continues, while the novel is fully complete, so novel readers know exactly how the story ends.
Anime Adaptation
TBATE received an anime television adaptation produced by Studio A-Cat, which aired its first season from April to June 2025 on Fuji TV’s +Ultra block, with a second season following in 2026. Crunchyroll streamed the series internationally with an English dub. The anime covers Arthur’s early years, from his rebirth through his time at Xyrus Academy. Reception has been mixed compared to the webtoon — fans praise the story but note the animation doesn’t always match the manhwa’s visual spectacle. If you are an anime-first fan, the webtoon is absolutely worth picking up afterward for the superior art and deeper story.
Where to Read The Beginning After the End Manhwa
The official English webtoon is serialized on Tapas, where new episodes release regularly and the full back catalog is available. Tapas offers free episodes on a schedule as well as paid fast-pass options. Yen Press publishes the print volumes in English, with over eleven volumes released — perfect for collectors. The complete web novel is also available on Tapas. Always read on official platforms to support TurtleMe and the artists; it also guarantees the best translation quality.
For a broader overview of the series’ publication history, characters, and adaptations, see the Beginning After the End Wikipedia page, and if you enjoy Arthur’s power-progression journey, check out our list of manhwa like Solo Leveling for your next read.
Why TBATE Stands Out
What elevates The Beginning After the End above typical power-fantasy manhwa is its emotional core. Arthur is not just getting stronger — he is learning what strength is for. The series asks whether a person defined by conquest can become someone defined by love, and it answers that question across hundreds of chapters of war, loss, and growth. The family dynamics, the mentor relationships, and Arthur’s bond with Sylvie give the spectacular battles their weight.
The worldbuilding is equally impressive. Dicathen feels like a real place with history: the tensions between humans, elves, and dwarves; the mystery of the ancient mages; the cosmic horror of the Vritra and the deities behind them. TurtleMe layers mysteries that pay off hundreds of chapters later, rewarding careful readers. Combined with top-tier art and one of the most satisfying protagonist arcs in the medium, TBATE earns its place as a modern classic.
Reading Order and Tips for New Readers
Start with the webtoon on Tapas from episode 1 — the early chapters establish Arthur’s family and the emotional stakes that make everything later matter. Don’t skip the slower early arcs; the academy and adventurer chapters build the supporting cast that the war arcs depend on. If you finish the available webtoon episodes and can’t wait, the web novel continues far beyond and is complete, so you can read the entire story today. Avoid spoilers in fan communities, as the series has major twists involving Arthur’s past life, the true nature of his rebirth, and the identity of key antagonists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Beginning After the End manhwa finished?
The web novel is complete, but the webtoon adaptation is ongoing with new seasons still releasing. The anime has aired two seasons covering the early story arcs.
Who is the main character of The Beginning After the End?
Arthur Leywin, the reincarnation of King Grey — a former tyrant king reborn as a magical prodigy on the continent of Dicathen.
Where can I read The Beginning After the End manhwa officially?
On Tapas for the digital webtoon, and in print via Yen Press English volumes. The web novel is also officially available on Tapas.
Is there a The Beginning After the End anime?
Yes. Studio A-Cat produced an anime adaptation that aired in 2025 with a second season in 2026, streaming on Crunchyroll with an English dub.
How many chapters does TBATE have?
The web novel is complete at over 450 chapters. The webtoon has released 200+ episodes across six seasons and is still ongoing.
Is TBATE similar to Solo Leveling?
They share DNA — an overpowered protagonist, a clear power-progression system, and spectacular action — but TBATE leans more into emotional storytelling, family dynamics, and high-fantasy worldbuilding, while Solo Leveling focuses on dungeon raids and the System.
