The Beginning After The End (also known as TBATE), a hugely successful web novel that became a comic and now an anime, has hit a major bump. Just days after its April 2, 2025, premiere, the anime is already being criticized heavily by longtime fans. A Change.org petition is now live, calling for the anime to be cancelled and completely remade by another animation studio.
The petition has been getting a lot of attention. Fans say the show looks rushed and low-budget, and they’re not happy with how the story is being told either. Considering how popular the original material is, over 62 million views on Tapas and making almost $500,000 a month globally, expectations were sky-high. But what fans got was not what they were hoping for.
“The Animation Feels Like a PowerPoint”
That’s the main complaint making the rounds. Fans are saying the anime doesn’t really “move.” Instead of actual animation, it relies on still images with slow camera pans. People are comparing it to a PowerPoint slideshow, especially during scenes that were supposed to be full of magic and action.
For a story that’s all about magic battles and fantasy powers, that’s a huge letdown. The criticism isn’t just about a slow start either, viewers claim the animation got even worse in Episode 2.
One fan commented on the petition page that the anime feels like a “primitive PowerPoint presentation,” saying that the lack of movement and weak visuals are ruining what should have been an awesome fantasy adventure.
There’s more. Viewers also feel like the storytelling is too heavy on narration. Instead of showing scenes with proper buildup and emotion, the anime explains everything through voice-over, character thoughts, plot points, and more. It makes the show feel slower, less exciting, and harder to connect with.
This method of storytelling pulls viewers out of the world. For a fantasy anime where immersion is key, that’s another strike against it.
Petition Details: “Stop Before It Gets Worse”
The petition on Change.org is detailed and direct. It was created by a passionate fan who says they feel “disrespected” by how the anime turned out. They call the adaptation a “smear” on the reputation of the series and want it stopped before it damages the story’s name any further.
The petition doesn’t just call for cancellation, it also suggests practical fixes. The creator recommends handing the project over to a better animation studio and even floats the idea of a fan-funded remake. They’ve also addressed the petition directly to TurtleMe, the author of the original series, hoping he’ll step in and help fix things.
At the time of writing, the petition already has more than 400 signatures, and it’s still growing.
Studio AAT Facing Heavy Criticism
The anime is produced by Studio A-CAT, with Kitar Moanaga as director and Takameitsu Chuna writing the script. Masami Suyoka handled the character designs and Kiji Enai composed the music. It airs on Fuji TV’s Plus Ultra programming block and streams worldwide on Crunchyroll.
Given the people involved and the popularity of the source material, fans expected a polished product. But many now feel that Studio A-CAT wasn’t the right choice for such a beloved story. Some are guessing that the production was rushed or done on a limited budget, while others feel the studio just didn’t understand the heart of the series.
The petition is directly asking TurtleMe (real name Brandon Lee) to intervene. It’s unclear how much influence he actually has over the anime, but fans are hoping he’ll use whatever power he has to either stop the current version or push for changes.
Authors don’t always have control over adaptations, especially in anime, where production committees make most of the calls. But the fans clearly see him as someone who can make a difference.
This isn’t the first time fans have used Change.org to organize around an anime project. With more than 551 million users, the site is often used for social, political, and entertainment-related causes. It’s a legit tool for gathering support and putting pressure on decision-makers.
Source: Change.org
