Listen, I completely understand why Solo Leveling created the amount of buzz it did—the action sequences were phenomenal, not to mention Jin-Woo’s transformation from an unlikable bum to a total badass. But comparing it to another fantasy web novel turned anime, The Beginning After the End, there is room for debate.

It is The Beginning After the End (TBATE) and not Solo Leveling that deserves a better adaptation treatment. And why so? It is because the story feels more meaningful, the characters are more likable, and the world is more immersive. Solo Leveling, on the other hand, leans heavily into being an action story, which, of course, is catered towards a certain audience.

Arthur and his family | Credit: A-Cat Studios

I mean, yeah, it looks cool, but at the same time, it’s too flashy. TBATE is so much more than that—it has heart, yet its anime isn’t getting much attention. Perhaps it’s those flashy power-ups that sell more than a story compelled by quiet moments and sentimental reflections.

The Beginning After the End vs Solo Leveling: A battle of two compelling manhwa

Arthur Leywin’s journey from a reincarnated king to a young child finding where he fits in the world is something that sticks with you. TBATE’s story is more than just leveling up—it also describes the journey of a man resurrected, given all his former life’s regrets, and the obligation to start a new life.

Arthur is not concerned with stats, he is simply trying to figure out how to protect his family and make amends—this is what makes every battle and choice have significance behind it. Comparing the story to that of Solo Leveling, Jin-Woo is essentially playing an RPG while TBATE feels real, full of repercussions.

You want Arthur to succeed, but you share in his defeats as well. Solo Leveling is enjoyable, don’t misunderstand me, but it generally comes down to “who is he going to punch next?”

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If The Beginning After the End gets an anime adaptation that does justice to these emotional moments and those magic fight scenes, it has the potential to be the next big thing.

The Beginning After the End has characters that just hit you in the feels

Then there are the characters in TBATE, and they feel so real with that emotional value. Arthur is not an infallible hero; he has flaws and doubts himself, but he continuously tries to do right for people who are important to him. And the other characters?

Tessia has a fire of her own, Virion is that grumpy old man you can’t help but love, and even the ‘villains’ have moments that make you go, “Oh, I can see why you feel that way.” You don’t typically find moments like that with the ‘supporting cast’ in Solo Leveling; they are just kinda there to sing praises of Jin-Woo.

A still from The Beginning After the End| Credit: A-Cat Studios

Which isn’t bad, but it also doesn’t make them hit you in the feels. TBATE’s characters have such a bittersweet quality to them; the friendships, the rivalries, the slow-burn romance, it all makes each scene matter.

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It almost feels like Solo Leveling had an outright, “we want to make this cool,” approach. TBATE could do both: action and emotional impact. It has more potential to touch people emotionally, and it would let all of its characters shine.

Solo Leveling and The Beginning After the End are available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
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