Arthur Leywin

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Lore & Background

Arthur's existence bridges two lives: his previous identity as King Grey, who was assassinated by his own advisor at age thirty-eight, and his current life as the son of retired adventurers. His reincarnation into Dicathen was orchestrated by the deity known as the 'God of Fate' (or similar entity), not by Sylvia's will. There are no other reincarnated individuals from Earth in the same sense. His early resolve to live kindly stems directly from the dragon's self-sacrifice, shaping his character against the backdrop of a world filled with fantastical creatures and complex magic. As years pass, Arthur grows into a respected young figure, yet he faces an internal struggle as war brews between Dicathen and the Vritra clan of banished deities. He fears becoming the war-hardened monster he once was, forcing him to balance his leadership duties with his desire for peace.

In Their Own Story

The narrative follows Arthur's transition from a child with an adult king's mind to a leader facing an inevitable war. Initially content in Dicathen, the arrival of conflict between the continent and the Vritra changes everything. The story reveals that his rebirth was neither accidental nor solitary, hinting at deeper conspiracies involving other reincarnated individuals. Arthur must rise as a leader despite his trauma from his past life as King Grey. His path takes him through alliances with the Elven Kingdom of Elenoir and encounters with diverse factions, all while managing the looming threat of a war that could reshape the world he has come to love.

Reader's Guide

Arthur Leywin serves as the protagonist whose journey is driven by his dual nature as King Grey and Arthur Leywin. He balances the wisdom of a thirty-eight-year-old king with the physical growth of a child in a magical world. His primary motivation shifts from mere survival to protecting those he loves, inspired by the dragon's sacrifice. Key turning points include his integration into the Elven Kingdom of Elenoir and his preparation for war against the Vritra clan. Fans should note that while he seeks to avoid becoming a monster again, the narrative forces him to confront leadership roles during an escalating conflict. His story is one of redemption, emphasizing sincerity and courage over the ruthlessness of his past life.

Did You Know?

• The webtoon adaptation was originally published in English on Tapas, and also published in Korean on Naver Webtoon.
• Fuyuki23 ceased illustrating the webtoon in June 2023, not 2022.
• Season 1 of the anime's episode count has not been officially confirmed as 12; no such announcement was made from the start.
• A kind dragon sacrificing her life for Arthur is the pivotal moment that defines his resolve to live a sincere and courageous life.
• As of February 2026, exactly ten print volumes of the webtoon had been released by Yen Press.

Origins and Narrative Premise

The story begins with King Grey, who died at age thirty-eight after a mysterious death. Reborn as Arthur Leywin in Dicathen, he retains his memories but seeks to correct his past errors. Raised by retired adventurers Reynolds and Alice, Arthur's life changes when a kind dragon sacrifices herself to save him, leading him to vow a sincere and courageous existence. He allies with a lost elf princess and the Elven Kingdom of Elenoir to find his place in the world. As time passes, he becomes a respected young figure until war threatens between Dicathen and the Vritra clan. This conflict forces Arthur to confront his fear of returning to his old self while discovering that his rebirth was intentional and shared by others.

Publication History and Adaptations

The web novel, written by TurtleMe and illustrated by Fuyuki23, began serialization on Tapas in January 2017. A webtoon adaptation, also illustrated by Fuyuki23, started on July 7, 2018, specifically targeting the North American market before Fuyuki23 ceased work in June 2023. Yen Press announced print publication at New York Comic Con 2021, releasing ten volumes by February 2026. The anime adaptation, produced by Studio A-Cat and directed by Keitaro Motonaga, aired from April to June 2025 on Fuji TV's +Ultra block. Originally planned as a twenty-four episode season, it was condensed to twelve episodes, with Season 2 airing from April to June 2026. Music is composed by Keiji Inai, with themes performed by Kala, Seiza, Six Lounge, and 22/7.

Key Characters and Factions

Arthur's circle includes his family: Reynolds, Alice, Eleanor, Sylvie, Boo, and Regis. At Xyrus Academy, he interacts with the Twin Horns (Jasmine Flamesworth, Durden Walker) and members of various houses like Indrath, Helstea, Eralith, Glayder, and Greysunders. Antagonists include the Vritra Clan (Agrona, Khaernos, Orlaeth, Exeges, Oludari, Kiros), as well as factions like Alacryans, Lances, Scythes, Titans, Thyestes, and Asclepius Clans. In the anime, Arthur is voiced by Natsumi Fujiwara (Japanese) and Amber May (English), while King Grey is voiced by Makoto Furukawa and Christopher Wehkamp respectively.

Critical Reception and Cultural Impact

Critics have praised *The Beginning After the End* for its psychological depth and artistic quality. Mel Lake of Multiversity Comics highlighted the main character's journey and commended the artwork's fight scenes, backgrounds, and faces. Vanessa Piña of Screen Rant described the series as distinct from *Solo Leveling* in aesthetic and storytelling. However, Alex Trent of Game Rant reported that 40,000 fans signed a petition demanding an anime remake due to disappointment with the animation quality. Despite this, the franchise has expanded significantly from a 2017 web novel to a multi-season anime with ten print volumes by early 2026.