After waves of criticism and divided fan reactions following the controversial anime adaptation, TurtleMe, the creator of “The Beginning After The End” (hereinafter referred to as “TBATE”), has finally broken his silence. Speaking candidly for the first time since the anime’s release, he shared insight into the production challenges, his limited role in the adaptation, and issued a heartfelt plea for respectful feedback and ongoing support from fans.
Divided Reactions and Major Criticisms
Despite being hyped as one of the biggest anime titles of 2025, the TBATE anime adaptation hasn’t quite lived up to the sky-high expectations of its fanbase. Premiering on Crunchyroll in March 2025, the anime quickly gained traction, but the amount of criticism, especially from longtime fans of the original web novel and webcomic, was even more significant.
The backlash mostly targeted the animation quality, which many deemed underwhelming, with some even claiming it fell drastically short of the vibrancy and dynamism of the webcomic illustrations. In particular, side-by-side comparisons between anime frames and webcomic panels are circulating online, petitions demanding a remake or a change in animation studio have amassed tens of thousands of signatures, and hashtags like #FixTBATEAnime have trended on social media platforms.
TurtleMe Addresses Anime Controversies
In response to the backlash, TurtleMe clarified the realities behind anime production and his limited authority in decision-making. He explained that in the anime industry, original creators rarely have significant control over key production choices.
The author also clarified that anime production is a multi-stakeholder process, involving production studios, licensing companies, and investors. As such, the final product is shaped by many elements beyond the author’s reach. While he acknowledged the current criticisms, TurtleMe also expressed his gratitude to fans for their continued support over the years.
Additionally, though TurtleMe acknowledged the flaws in the anime adaptation, TurtleMe asked fans not to abandon the story, stating, “As with anything you love–whether it’s your pet, your story, or even your child–when faced with challenges, you don’t wish for it to be gone and have a do-over. You support it through difficult times and push it up so that it can become something that you can cherish because of all of the trials and tribulations you’ve overcome together.”
His words not only called for patience but also reflected his hope for the anime’s future development. He reminded fans that the “TBATE” webcomic also faced harsh criticism in its early days, but thanks to feedback and support, it gradually improved in quality. He hopes the anime will be given the same opportunity to evolve and deliver a better experience in future episodes.
“Whatever feelings you have for the anime, I am thankful for all of the people behind the scenes who have given me this opportunity, and I’m thankful for all of you for helping make this happen in the first place. You’ve stuck through TBATE at its highs and lows, and so I ask for your support now”, the author said, before asking fans to be respectful of the adaptation.
“Please continue being the rock that gave TBATE the time and chance to be where it is today. I’m not asking you to like something you don’t, but please be respectful and set an example in the vast ocean that is the internet”, he wrote.
Looking Ahead: Hope for a Brighter Future
The Beginning After The End is not only a storytelling success but also a cultural phenomenon within the webcomic and anime communities. While the anime adaptation may have fallen short of expectations for now, TurtleMe’s transparency and optimism have given fans hope that improvement is possible. With continued fan support and constructive feedback, there is still a chance for The Beginning After The End to become a standout success—not just in manga and webcomics, but in anime as well.
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