Saikyou no Ousama, Nidome no Jinsei wa Nani o Suru? (The Beginning After the End) [Season 1 Episode 3]

Episode 3 Review: The Beginning After the End – A Step Forward, But Still Stumbling

The Beginning After the End (TBATE) has been a divisive anime since its debut, with fans of the original manhwa and newcomers alike split over its adaptation quality. Episode 3, titled “The Strongest King’s Second Life: What Will He Do?”, attempts to deepen the story and character dynamics, but does it succeed? Let’s break it down—with a little help from what the community is saying.

The Good: Character Chemistry and World-Building

One of the highlights of this episode is the introduction (or rather, the proper reveal) of Sylvia, the mysterious dragon-like figure who takes an interest in Arthur. Fans on MyAnimeList pointed out that her presence adds much-needed intrigue to the story.

“The most important part of this episode is Sylvia’s character appearance. Yeah, she’s in her dark armor form, but it’s still a character appearance. It’s still early in the season, but they have some character chemistry.”

Sylvia’s interactions with Arthur hint at a deeper connection—one that might explain why she’s drawn to him despite his reincarnated state. The episode also delves into Arthur’s magical growth, showing him mastering new techniques under her guidance. For viewers who care more about the lore than flashy fights, this was a solid step forward.

The soundtrack also got some love:

“The OST was very good in this episode once again too.”

Music can make or break a scene, and TBATE’s score seems to be one of its stronger points, helping to elevate moments that might otherwise feel flat.

The Bad: Animation Woes Continue

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the animation. Or, as many fans have dubbed it, the “PowerPoint presentation.”

“Animation: slideshow presentation. I don’t know why studios think this is a great idea. I mean sure it could save lots of time, but quantity over quality doesn’t work for anime.”

While Episode 3 showed some improvement—particularly in the magical effects—the CGI-heavy fight scenes and stiff movements left much to be desired. One fan joked:

“Finally, the anime has some movement, guys!!! But it’s just bad 3D CGI movement, bruh. THIS MANHWA DESERVE BETTER!!!!”

The criticism isn’t unfounded. For a story with such rich source material, the lack of fluid animation is a letdown. Even fans who enjoyed the episode admitted:

“Animation was a bit better with the effects, but the CGI wasn’t too great. 7/10.”

The Ugly: Pacing and Adaptation Choices

Another point of contention is the pacing. Some fans felt the episode rushed through key moments, particularly Arthur’s emotional shift toward Sylvia.

“Why did he cry when meeting Sylvia? In the manhwa, that doesn’t happen. He’s a grown man—why would he cry from seeing a monster like that if he’s killed so many in his past life??”

This change in characterization rubbed some the wrong way, making Arthur seem less like the hardened king he’s supposed to be and more like a typical isekai protagonist.

Others questioned the episode’s structure:

“What they’re trying to convey here can’t be done in 1 EP. Right. Like they rushed that whole thing.”

With only so much runtime, TBATE seems to be struggling to balance exposition, action, and emotional beats—something that could hurt its long-term appeal.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth Watching?

If you’re a fan of the manhwa, Episode 3 might leave you conflicted. The story is moving forward, and Sylvia’s introduction is promising, but the execution—especially the animation—is holding it back.

For newcomers, the episode offers enough intrigue to keep you hooked, but don’t expect Demon Slayer-level quality. As one fan put it:

“It wasn’t as bad as the first two episodes. But not great. And did it feel rushed too, y’all?”

At this point, TBATE’s anime is a mixed bag. It has potential, but whether it can rise above its shortcomings remains to be seen.

Rating: 6.5/10 – A step in the right direction, but still far from greatness.

What did you think of Episode 3? Let us know in the comments—and here’s hoping the animation team steps up their game soon!