The anime version of The Beginning After the End (TBATE) was expected to be one of the biggest series this year. But since its release in March 2025 on Crunchyroll, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. While a lot of people are watching it, many fans of the original web novel and webcomic are unhappy with how the anime turned out, especially when it comes to the visuals.
Now, TBATE’s creator, TurtleMe, has spoken directly to the fanbase. In a long post shared on the r/tbatenovel subreddit, he talked about the current situation, how anime production works, and what he hopes people will keep in mind.
From a One-Person Project to a Multi-Studio Production
TurtleMe started The Beginning After the End back in 2017 as a web novel on Tapas. It later became a popular webcomic in 2018 and has continued to grow over the years. The anime was produced by Studio A-Cat with support from Tapas and Tappytoon. A lot of people were excited to finally see it animated.
In his Reddit post, TurtleMe opened by thanking fans for their support over the years. He acknowledged the recent criticism, saying, “Things have gotten loud,” and made it clear that he appreciates both the positive and negative feedback.
Animation Has Been a Major Issue for Fans
A big reason for the backlash is the animation quality. Longtime followers, especially fans of the webcomic, have pointed out that the anime doesn’t match the high-quality visuals they were used to. Screenshots comparing the two have been circulating across Reddit, Twitter, and other platforms.
There’s also been a growing number of petitions, including one with more than 40,000 signatures asking for the anime to be canceled and remade. Others are calling for the studio to be replaced. So the response has been strong and coordinated.
Limited Control in Anime Production
TurtleMe explained that, unlike with the novel and webcomic, he didn’t have control over every decision for the anime. He said, “It’s very rare for the creator to have a say in deciding the ins and outs when it comes to the inception of an anime.”
He went on to explain that this is something new for him, since he’s used to managing the story closely. In the anime space, there are multiple groups involved, from studios to licensing platforms to financial backers, so the final version ends up being shaped by many people, not just the original author.
Support Through Tough Moments
In the post, TurtleMe used a simple comparison to explain how he views the situation. He said that if you care about something, whether it’s a story, a pet, or something else, you don’t give up on it when things go wrong. Instead, you support it and help it improve.
He reminded fans that the webcomic also had a rough start. Early episodes were shorter than expected and faced complaints too. But over time, things got better thanks to community support. He’s asking fans to give the anime the same chance.
Respect Matters in Online Feedback
One of the clearest messages from the post was about how people talk about the anime online. TurtleMe said, “I’m not asking you to like something you don’t,” but added that people should still be respectful.
He talked about how being part of a fanbase brings responsibility. A fan community can build up a series, or bring it down. And while strong opinions are understandable, how those opinions are shared matters.
Some Viewers Are Enjoying It
Not all of the feedback has been negative. According to some sources, people who are new to TBATE and don’t have past expectations have actually enjoyed the anime. They’ve praised the pacing and characters.
This shows a clear split in the audience. Longtime fans are comparing the anime to what came before, while newer viewers are seeing it with fresh eyes. That difference in perspective has shaped much of the ongoing discussion.
Season 1 of the TBATE anime is still going. It’s planned for 24 episodes, and the viewer numbers on Crunchyroll are reportedly strong. There hasn’t been an official announcement for a second season, but if interest remains high, it wouldn’t be surprising.
TurtleMe also mentioned he’ll be at SacraCon soon, where he plans to share a small update about the series. That alone has gotten people talking and wondering what might be next.
Source: Reddit
