Let me tell you about the first time I stumbled across The Beginning After The End. It was 2 AM, my eyes were burning from scrolling through Tapas, and bam – there it was. The cover art grabbed me, but what really hooked me was how Arthur Leywin's journey felt familiar yet completely fresh. Now, years later, I still refresh the page every Tuesday waiting for new chapters. Crazy how a story about reincarnation can feel so real, right?
If you're reading this, you're probably like me – obsessed with TBATE, or just discovering this incredible world. Either way, I'm dumping everything I've learned as a hardcore fan into this guide. No fluff, just real talk about why this series stands out in the crowded isekai genre.
What Exactly is The Beginning After The End?
At its core, TBATE follows King Grey – a powerful but lonely ruler who gets reincarnated as Arthur Leywin in a magic-filled world. Sounds like your standard isekai setup? Nah. TurtleMe (the author) flips the script by making Arthur actually struggle. He's not OP from day one. I remember reading early chapters thinking "When's he gonna unleash god mode?" but the pacing is brilliant. His growth feels earned.
Core Ingredients That Make TBATE Special:
- Reincarnation done right – No cheats, no instant mastery
- Magic system with consequences – Using aether nearly kills Arthur multiple times
- Family bonds matter – His relationship with his parents? Actually makes you feel things
- Villains with depth – The Vritra aren't just evil for evil's sake
What surprised me most was how the comic adaptation (by Fuyuki23) elevated the story. The novel's great, but seeing Arthur's mana core visualized? Chills. Though I'll admit – sometimes the comic skips inner monologues I loved in the novel. Trade-offs, I guess.
Where to Read TBATE Legally (Support the Creators!)
Look, I get it. Waiting for official releases is torture. But after seeing TurtleMe talk about piracy nearly killing the series early on? Yeah, we gotta do right by the creators. Here's where to get your fix:
| Platform | Format | Latest Chapter | Release Schedule | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapas | Comic & Novel | Comic Ch. 198 (as of Nov 2023) | Every Tuesday | Free w/ wait or ink |
| Amazon Kindle | Novel Volumes | Vol 10: Transcendence | Irregular (complete volumes) | $6.99 per volume |
| TurtleMe's Patreon | Early Novel Chapters | Ch. 425+ (months ahead) | Weekly | $10-$25/month |
Personal confession: I used to read fan translations before realizing how much it hurt the team. Now I do Tapas free waits for comics and Patreon for novel spoilers. That middle ground keeps me sane!
Breaking Down the TBATE Timeline
New readers get confused about the arcs – trust me, my cousin dropped it twice before I explained the structure. Save yourself the headache:
| Arc Name | Chapters | Key Events | Arthur's Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years | Novel 1-30 / Comic 1-40 | Reincarnation, Sylvia's sacrifice | 3-8 years old |
| Academy Days | Novel 31-100 / Comic 41-95 | Xyrus Academy, Tessia romance | 12-14 years old |
| War Begins | Novel 101-200 / Comic 96-150 | Elven forest attack, Arthur "dies" | 17 years old |
| Realmheart | Novel 201-300 / Comic 151-190 | Aether training, asura politics | 18-19 years old |
| Current Arc | Novel 301+ / Comic 191+ | Alacrya conflict, legacy reveal | 20+ years old |
That "death" fake-out in the war arc? I threw my phone. Still not over it. But what comes after is pure fire – Arthur's aether abilities make his old magic look like party tricks.
Major Characters You Need to Know
TBATE's cast is huge, but these five matter most:
The Non-Negotiable TBATE Starter Pack
- Arthur Leywin – MC, reincarnated king, aether user (my personal favorite obviously)
- Tessia Eralith – Elf princess, Arthur's love interest (controversial opinion: she gets too much hate)
- Regis – Weapon manifestation, comic relief that steals every scene
- Sylvie – Dragon bond, Arthur's "daughter", emotional core of the story
- Nico Sever – Reincarnated rival, complex villain with ties to Arthur's past
Can we talk about Regis? Started as a moody weapon, became the funniest character. When he called Arthur "Princess" during training? I woke up my cat laughing. That balance is why The Beginning After The End avoids being grimdark nonsense.
Novel vs Comic: Which Version Wins?
This debate splits the fandom. After reading both twice? Here's my brutally honest take:
| Version | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Novel |
|
|
Hardcore lore fans Fast readers |
| Comic |
|
|
Visual learners Newcomers |
My solution? Read the comic first, then dive into the novel when cliffhangers destroy you. The war arc hits different when you see Arthur's injuries visualized though.
Why Fans Are Obsessed (Including Me)
Let's cut through the hype – TBATE deserves its popularity. After binging hundreds of isekai stories, here's what sets it apart:
⚠️ Personal Rant: I'm tired of overpowered MCs with zero struggles. Arthur's constant setbacks? Refreshing! When he failed his first mana core test at the academy, I actually cheered. Finally, a protagonist who earns his power.
The magic system seals the deal. It's not just "shoot fireballs" – there are consequences. Remember when Arthur overused aether and his body started crystallizing? That permanent damage makes victories feel real.
And the themes... man. Reincarnation isn't just a plot device here. Watching Arthur reconcile King Grey's loneliness with his new family? That's the good stuff. Makes you think about second chances in your own life.
Where the Story Might Go (Spoiler Territory)
⚠️ Warning: Minor spoilers ahead! Skip if you're new.
Caught up? Let's speculate. That legacy reveal in chapter 400 changed everything. My theories:
- Agrona's Endgame – He's not just conquering continents. Dude wants to rewrite reality itself. Scary.
- Tessia's Return – No way she stays possessed forever. But will she be the same?
- Sylvie's Sacrifice – This one hurts. Her egg form can't last. Big resurrection coming?
The real mystery? Those djinn ruins. Arthur's discovering their aether tech could break the series' power scale. Hope TurtleMe handles it carefully.
Honestly though, I'm most excited for Grey's memories resurfacing. That moment when he remembers Nico's betrayal? Chills.
Your Burning TBATE Questions Answered
Q: Do I need to read the novel if I follow the comic?
A: Not required, but highly recommended. The comic skips inner thoughts that add SO much depth. Start from novel volume 5 after comic chapter 175.
Q: Why did Arthur's hair turn white?
A: Major spoiler! It's permanent damage from overusing aether during the Victoriad. Symbolizes how far he'll go to protect others.
Q: Is TBATE finished?
A: Nope! Novel's in final arc (est. 20% left). Comic adapts about 60% of current novel content. We've got years of content left!
Q: What order should I experience TBATE?
A: My recommended path: Comic ch1-60 → Novel vol 4-5 → Comic ch61+ → Novel ch 250 onward. Avoids spoilers while maximizing payoff.
Common Mistakes New Readers Make
Watching book clubs tackle TBATE taught me what trips people up:
Don't Do These Things!
- Skipping the early chapters – Yes, kid Arthur seems slow. But his family setup CRUCIAL later.
- Ignoring side characters – Elijah? Kathyln? They become pivotal. Take notes!
- Assuming power scaling – Arthur loses fights. Often. That's the point.
Biggest mistake? Rushing. This isn't a speedrun. Savor Sylvia's sacrifice. Sit with Arthur's failures. The emotional payoff depends on it.
Also – avoid wiki spoilers like plague. That "Nico is Grey's old friend" reveal? Ruined for me by a careless Google search. Still bitter.
Final Thoughts From a Veteran Fan
After four years following The Beginning After The End, here's my unfiltered take:
The series isn't perfect. Some arcs drag (looking at you, school tournament), and TurtleMe overuses certain tropes. But when it hits? Nothing compares. That two-chapter sequence where Arthur awakens his aether core? Masterpiece.
What keeps me obsessed is how real the relationships feel. Arthur and Sylvie's father-daughter dynamic destroys me. His complicated bond with Tessia? Messy and human. Even Regis' sarcasm hides genuine care.
💡 Pro Tip: Join the Tapas comment section after new chapters. Theories there are wilder than Asura politics. Just avoid spoilers!
Whether you're a newbie or fellow addict, this world stays with you. That moment when you realize "the end" in the title refers to King Grey's death being just... well, the beginning? Chills every time.
So dive in. Take your time. And when you hit the war arc? Have tissues ready. You've been warned.
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