The Beginning After the End receives a lot of criticism; however, it managed to secure a place in the top 10 Crunchyroll ranking. Here's all about it.
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SUMMARY
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The Beginning After the End season 2 premiered on April 1, 2026. The anime, based on the web novel by TurtleMe, secured a position on the Crunchyroll top ten list for April 6, 2026, in the US, immediately following the release of its first episode. This sudden increase in viewership is a big surprise for viewers.
The first episode of the new season debuted to heavy criticism because it still had really bad animation quality. Yet, the viewership numbers seem to contradict the general consensus among fans and critics. However, there are many reasons why this is the case. Let’s dive into the details.
| TITLE | The Beginning After the End |
| CREATOR | TurtleMe |
| STUDIO | A-Cat |
| RELEASE DATE | April 1, 2026 |
| IMDb RATING (As of April 7, 2026) | 5.90 / 10 |
| MAL RATING (As of April 7, 2026) | 6.12 / 10 |
| WHERE TO WATCH | Crunchyroll |
The Beginning After the End Enters Crunchyroll Top 10 in the US
The Beginning After the End entered the top ten most-watched programs on Crunchyroll (overall top 10 from Amazon Channels) in the United States on April 6, 2026 (via FlixPatrol). It landed at the ninth position just three days after the season premiere. While this definitely shows that a lot of viewers are watching this anime, the actual state of this adaptation makes this specific entry stand out.
The first season of the anime itself was so bad that, for the die-hard fans of this story, it’s better to pretend that the anime never existed in the first place. The season first aired last year, and immediately found itself among the worst anime of that season – not because the story is bad – but because the studio A-Cat simply animated the anime as if it were a PowerPoint presentation.
Furthermore, the most baffling thing about it securing a rank in the top ten most-watched programs on Crunchyroll is the fact that it sits above Sentenced to be a Hero, which was arguably one of the best anime in Winter 2026. However, it could be attributed to the fact that Sentenced to be a Hero Season 1 has already ended.
Why The Ninth Rank Is Not Surprising
Despite the contradiction between the poor animation and the high streaming numbers, the ninth-place ranking outcome makes sense due to several factors.
First, the original source material maintains a massive, dedicated following. TurtleMe’s web novel and the subsequent webtoon adaptation are widely loved by the fans of the Isekai genre. The fanbase continues to support the story (however bad the animation is), ensuring a standard level of viewership. And even if the production is horrible, the journey of Arthur is quite interesting. Furthermore, there was still some optimism for Season 2, which made viewers watch the first episode.
Second, hate-watching is a documented trend within the anime community. When a show becomes infamous for bad animation or bizarre production choices, some audience watches the episodes specifically to critique and discuss the flaws online. Calling this anime a PowerPoint presentation is a big meme within the anime community. This active criticism generates engagement, which directly translates to streaming numbers on platforms like Crunchyroll.
However, the primary reason for the initial increase in viewership will remain the fundamental curiosity for season two. Fans waited for the second season to be released. Viewers wanted to see the next phase in Arthur’s journey. The desire to witness the continuation of the story, combined with the initial hope that the studio might have improved the animation quality, brought the viewers to the premiere.
When did The Beginning After the End Season 2 come out?
Episode 1 of The Beginning After the End Season 2 aired on April 1, 2026, just as the Spring 2026 season kicked off.
Where to watch The Beginning After the End Season 2?
The primary streaming service to watch The Beginning After the End Season 2 is Crunchyroll.
What narrative events occur in Season 2, Episode 1?
The episodes focused on Arthur and Jasmine investigating a crystallized village near the Beast Glades. Arthur defeats an Arachne beast to break the curse. The episode concluded with their return to the guild.
What are your thoughts on this anime getting a spot in the top 10 of the Crunchyroll ranking? Let us know in the comments.
The Beginning After the End Season 2 is streaming on Crunchyroll.
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