So far, The Beginning After the End has changed up several things from the original webcomic. Itโs moved things around, added new context to Arthurโs past life, and altered certain moments in the story. However, this episode marks the biggest departure from the source canon to date. And it all has to do with Arthur putting an arrogant little nobody in his place.
The Auction House Changed a Bit
For those who donโt remember, the reason the Helstea family is so rich is because they run the Helstea Auction House. Every year, they host a massive auction where adventurers, nobles, and even royals show up to bid for rare artifacts, weapons, and even monsters. And since they let them stay in exchange for Reynolds heading security, the Leywins get an invitation to the auctionโฆwith the other people.
Even before the episode starts, the anime is already making some changes to events, and not always for the better. In the webcomic, Arthur approaches Mr. Helstea beforehand and asks him to try and get him some gear he wants. In addition, the Leywins get to stay in a private box with the Helsteas, which will eventually lead to them meeting the Sapin Royal Family. Not only does the conversation not take place here, but for some reason, the anime sees fit to have the Leywins sit below, with everyone else. It might be so that what happens next makes more sense, but itโs going to aggravate plenty of fans.
What happens next, though, is the biggest change from the webcomic, and it revolves around poor little Sylvie.
Arthur Almost Crashes Out
So, as the Leywins are busy watching the auction, Sylvie gets bored like most little kids would, and wanders off. Arthur goes to look for her, because heโs a good dad, and thatโs when he finds her being bothered by this shady-looking man in a robe who works for the Royal Family. This mage takes one look at Sylvie and decides โI want her,โ and starts running his mouth, demanding Arthur give her to him. Arthurโs response: โNot for sale!โ And then the man has the audacity to say โKid, I work for the royal family! I could you and your entire family out on the streets if I say the word to the king!โ
Arthurโs response? Unleashes the Conquerorโs Haki.
While similar events did happen in the webcomic, they took place in the private box. And Arthur got a lucky break by passing the blame off on some random intruder. In the anime, though, he gets no such luck, and his Dad gets in trouble for it! Itโs not a major story change and doesnโt do much in the grand scheme of things, but longtime fans are gonna be frustrated with it. The comments on YouTube seem to say so.
Arthur Unleashes Za Warudo
At any rate, the Kingโs attempts to get Sylvie from Arthur are largely the same here, and Arthurโs retort of โhow much would you ask for your kidsโ is still cool. He rightfully sees Sylvie as his adoptive daughter, and like any good parent, he ainโt giving up his kid.
And when the dumb court mage escalates by trying to kill him, Arthur pulls off the โZa Warudoโ technique and lays down the law.
Arthur shows off his time-stopping power! ๐ฅ (via The Beginning After the End) pic.twitter.com/qQUbTalHtF
In any event, the mage gets fired from his job, and the King covers everything up and bribes Arthur to keep quiet, just as what happens in the webcomic. However, the ending to the episode differs thanks to certain parts of the story being moved around. It may not make sense right now, but hopefully, the next episode will clear some things up.
Six days; that is all the time the world has left before the first users of Hapna start dying. Time is running out for the majority of humanity, and Lazarus still has no idea where Dr. Skinner could be. Yet all is not lost, as the team might have not just one, but two possible leads they can use to track down Skinner. One of them requires Leland to face his past, while the other reveals an astonishing connection to another member of Lazarus: Axel.
With less than a week before Hapna becomes fatal, society is starting to break down. People are starting to break out in fevers from Hapna, hospitals are being overwhelmed, and governments are shutting down. No sense in remaining active if most of humanity dies. And herein lies a slight problem with how the story of Lazarus is going: the lack of time.
Skinner claimed that he has the cure for Hapna on him, hence the entire purpose of Lazarus is to find him in time. However, even if they find him now, mass-producing the cure in time will be next to impossible. Millions of people are going to die before they get their hands on it. Maybe the story will pull off something amazing, but unless the cure can be spread via aerosol form, people are going to die. And one of the team might be among them.
Wait, Leland is HOW RICH!?!
In any case, Lazarus might have a real breakthrough on their hands. That pill that Chris found at Skinnerโs estate wasn’t the cure for Hapna. What it was was an antiplatelet medication used by people who have had artificial heart transplants. They realize that Skinner must have gotten surgery after going into hiding, yet finding no records of it, the team starts looking into a rumored clinic for the elite that does procedures in exchange for high amounts of money. That’s when Leland comes in to help them, revealing he has a secret he’s kept from everyone.
It turns out that Leland comes from money. He’s the illegitimate child of a deceased aristocrat whose family he’s on poor terms with. To make things even more awkward, as the only surviving son, the family rules say that he’s the head of the family, much to the anger of his older half-sister. Their reunion is an incredibly tense one, and one that Doug and Axel have to see firsthand at his own request.
Family can often be messy, especially in situations as complicated as what Leland grew up with. However, in a nice change of pace, the older sister isn’t just upset about Leland being the heir instead of her. She’s also upset at how little he’s tried to get to know his family. With the world on the verge of ending, people want to get their priorities straight. So, Leland agreeing to spend a few days with her is, honestly, a very touching thing.
In the end, Leland’s sister pulls through, and she gets him to see Skinner’s doctor, who confirms that he did get an artificial heart. Normally, that comes with a stream of data they can track but, Skinner being Skinner, he encrypted it. Furthermore, it doesn’t lead them to Skinner, but Eleina figures out that it’s being monitored by their old friend, Popcorn Wizard, in Pakistan. That leads her and Doug to head to Pakistan on another lead. As they do so, though, Elenia starts to show signs of a fever.
Uh-oh.
Axel Could be the Key to Everything
As promising as that lead might be, there’s another one that might be even more promising.
Remember the incident where Chris faked her death? The Schiphol Airport incident. Official reports say that it was a bio-chemical attack by terrorists, but as Hersch and Abel, the head of the NSA discover, that was a lie. In reality, government incompetence led to a shootout between INSCOM and Airport security, with Skinner caught in the middle. The firefight wound up unleashing an airborne, prototype version of Hapna. That is what killed everyone, and it left Skinner a changed man.
If you recall, INSCOM are the ones who hired that assassin to kill Axel for unknown reasons. Those reasons might have become a lot clearer in this episode, though. As it turns out, that same Hapna prototype was tested on prison inmates. And out of all of those inmates, only one managed to survive: Axel Gilberto.
Axel is in Trouble
This revelation could change everything. When a disease is threatening a large population, such as humans, there’s often going to be a small number of people with a natural immunity. Is it possible that Axel is immune to Hapna? Or was it just a fluke? Either way, it’s enough to get Hersch to send Axel looking for the prison doctor responsible for the test. Unfortunately, that’s when the INSCOM assassin, Soryu, makes his move.
This is not good. Not only would the death of Axel mean killing off the main protagonist, but if Axel really is the key to curing Hapna, then INSCOM could be dooming mankind to extinction. With the preview for the next episode showing a full-on battle about to take place, it could be the most important episode of the series. No matter what, Axel cannot die.
If a show gets to the point where even it wonders why things arenโt going fast enough, then you know something is wrong. Ten days are left before the first people to take Hapna start dying, and Lazarus is no closer to catching him. And now, theyโve come under the scrutiny of the US Government, which is looking to shut them down. And whatโs worse, some of them are willing to go off the books and hire the second coming of Vicious to take care of one of them.
So, after their excursion to rescue Chris in the previous episode, the people in charge of Lazarus are not happy. From their perspective, the team, whose sole job is to find Dr. Skinner, has just been messing around. Thus, they bring Hersch and her boss before a committee to complain about them not doing their jobs.
While the audience knows that Lazarus has been looking for Skinner this whole time, it would make sense why the US government is losing patience. This is essentially the show calling itself out for the fact that itโs made little headway in advancing the overall plot, something that fans are already doing on social media. The suits even bring Leland in to have him testify against his teammates, though he doesnโt take the bait. However, as Axel and Doug themselves discuss, there is a very real chance that they could get silenced after they fulfill their job. And theyโre right to think that, as we soon learn.
Everything gets put on the back burner, though, as Skinner decides to up the ante with another announcement (Start at 20:12):
Skinner Changed the Game
This completely reframes the entire mission. If they donโt find Skinner, he will die, and so will any chance of curing Hapna. It might not make sense for Skinner to not take the antidote, but given how he seems to view humanity as a problem, heโs holding himself to those standards. That, and even if only a handful of people survive, the world will be very empty for thousands of years.
Though Lazarus might already have the cure for Hapna in there possession. As Chris is getting dressed, she finds the pill that she took from Skinnerโs home. I guessed it was either a clue to his whereabouts or a flat-out cure, but the fact that itโs being brought up now means itโs important. It could be the key to solving everything.
There are bigger concerns now, though, as members of the government are after someone from Lazarus: Axel.
Vicious Has been Reborn
For some unknown reason, members of INSCOM see Axel as a threat. Perhaps it has something to do with how he wound up in prison in the first place, but apparently, itโs enough for them to warrant hiring a black-ops assassin to take him out. And the final minutes of the episode are dedicated to exclusively showing how dangerous he is in what can only be described as the second coming of Vicious.
If Axel is the modern-day Spike Spiegel, this assassin is Vicious. And if he is after Axel, then Lazarus is going to have a hard time.
This entire episode was, for all intents and purposes, meant to set the show up for the final act by raising the stakes. There are only ten days left before Skinner dies, the US Government goes after Lazarus, and now thereโs an assassin after Axel. The stakes have been raised to new heights. Hopefully, the last four episodes will see the team finally make headway!
Last year, I stepped away from going to a lot of anime conventions due to personal reasons; the biggest one being disposable income. Being an anime fan is expensive. From Crunchyroll subscriptions to budgeting for anime conventions, we nerds kick out at LEAST $10k-$20k in disposable income a year. I’m surprised we can’t even write that off on our taxes, unless you’re claiming your hobby as a business expense. I guess that’s why many fans decided to become professional cosplayers, anime content creators, and even voice actors; cuz’ at least you get paid to be a guest at the con! (At least the voice actors and professional cosplayers do.)
So yeah, I did step away from the scene for a bit, but now I’m back with a brand new bag! As much as I like going to big name conventions; like Otakon and Zenkaikon, I’ve decided to stay local, and go to smaller anime conventions. This past weekend I pulled up to a small anime convention in Bethesda, Maryland (about an hour from my house). It was held at the Silver Spring Civic Center, and it was called…HanaCon.
HanaCon 2025
When Aaron and I stepped into the place, it did kind of remind me of Khromakon only because of the venue space. Last time I talked about the difference between Classic and Modern anime conventions, so if I were to grade HanaCon based off of that, I’d say this convention has a classic feel with a modern twist. With both Aaron and I being ‘Certified Uncs’ in the anime community, larger conventions are rather overwhelming and crowded as hell! So we decided to shop local, and came to this convention.
Despite the size, there was actually a good amount of programming for its debut year. One new thing that I saw at this convention, that I didn’t really see at other small local conventions, is The Maid Cafe. They’re a staple in the mid-size and large conventions, and have grown in popularity within convention culture. While we didn’t get the chance to go to any panels, most of our time was spent in the Dealer’s Room. A lot of the vendors were local to the DMV, and even some of our Baltimore friends were there! (Shout-out to Crystal Soul Cosplay!) We even stopped by a few of the cosplay guest tables to get a couple pictures, and chop it up about anime and nerd stuff, cuz’ why not?
Of course an anime con can’t be an anime con without a rave party, and DJ Taylor Senpai did just that! Once all the panels were over, many of the attendees headed over to the Moonlight Overdrive Dance Party. The area kind of reminded me of a high school dance with an EDM theme, as the song selection had a little bit of everything (including EDM). I danced a little bit to some of the tracks (including Cupid and Boots on the Ground), and by doing so, I was gassed after 3 minutes…but still had fun. If my brother and his dance crew were there, they would’ve shut the party down!
HanaCon Lobby
So in conclusion; HanaCon is a really cool anime convention, and now that it’s making its way to Towson, MD next year as a 2-day convention, it’ll be twice as good! Will Club BASSMODE be there and throw an official afterparty for them? Only time will tell. With Stellar Con and Miryokucon now back in Baltimore, plus a brand new Anime/Horror themed convention called KurayamiCon (is pullin’ up Halloween 2026), the Baltimore Anime Con Scene is BACK and better than ever!
When you’re a kid, there are few things as scary as the expectations of your parents. The pressure can make some kids crack from trying to meet it. Other kids choose to rebel against their parents expectations, especially if said parent happens to be of the abusive kind. Fortunately, Mr. And Mrs. Helstea are not bad parents. Unfortunately, as Arthur Leywin sees for himself, just because theyโre good parents doesnโt mean they donโt saddle their daughter, Lilia, with the stress of expectations.
Itโs time for the King to have an intervention.
Poor Lilia’s Insecurities
The episode starts off with Arthur in the middle of an intense training session as heโs trying to master Sylviaโs powers. However, using what is essentially โZa Warudoโ is not something that a kid can fully master, much to his frustration. His concerns, though, take a backseat as his family (and Mrs. Helstea and Lilia) take him out to get a makeover. The entire experience serves as a means for Arthur to bond with his family while also revealing just how valuable the beast core Sylvia gave him really is. If people knew he had the beast core of a dragonโฆletโs just say that he would be the most wanted person alive.
Besides the trip serving as a way to introduce Arthur to the value of what he has gotten, it also serves as a means for him to get to learn Lilia better. And thanks to his past-life xp, heโs able to realize just how much pressure the girl has put upon herself. Her parents, being good parents, want the best for her and hope that she does great things in life. And attending the Xyrus Academy could be the key to doing that. Unfortunately, thereโs a mathematical formula at work that is not helping things:
Liliaโs insecurity over not having a mana core+envy at Arthur already having one+parental expectations and unintentional pressures+chance they could pay her way into enrollment=DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN.
Waitโฆwhy does Lilia sound a lot like Norn Greyrat?
I Got Norn Flashbacks
When it comes to this episode, the anime changes several things from the story in the webcomic to focus more on the plight of Lilia. Whether intentional or not, this makes what Lilia is going through feel similar to the issues that Norn Greyrat from Mushoku Tensei would undergo. Both are unintentionally overshadowed by someone better than them; both donโt like having to meet others’ expectations or what they think are otherโs expectations. And both initially have negative feelings towards the main protagonist. Lilia is just more subdued about it.
Arthur, having grown to understand people better, realizes how bad things could get if they arenโt resolved now. So, he does something about them. Itโs just that it isโฆmorally questionable.
This is Not what happened in the Comic
In a major departure from the webcomic, Arthur has Lilia pretend to run away to stay with the Elves like he did, even having a note written. He only did this so that Lilia could see how much her parents cared about her, and to his credit, it does help them work things out. However, itโs still a little messed up to emotionally manipulate people like that.
In any event, Arthur says that heโs going to help Lilia gain her mana core, and he follows through on it. Using the same methods he perfected as a baby, heโs able to teach Lilia (and Ellie) how to start assembling their coresโฆand it works. It will take a few years, but Lilia will eventually be able to use Magic!
This was a really sweet episode of TBATE, as it shows just how far Arthur has come since being reborn. Heโs better able to understand other people and relate to them, and thanks to that, heโs got a loving home, family, and now another friend in the form of Lilia. Thereโs just one problem: when Tessia finds out, things could getโฆugly. But thatโs not for a few years!
Of all the things we could eventually learn about the members of Lazarus, being a former Russian spy was never considered. Yet that is exactly what happens in the latest episode of the series as Chrisโ life is put in danger thanks to her past. And with there only being a limited amount of time before things get worse, Lazarus has to put their search for Skinner on hold to mount a John Wick/Jason Bourne/James Bond-style rescue attempt. At the very least, though, this episode does capture the feel of those gritty spy movies fairly well.
Chris Worked for WHAT?!?
At the end of the last episode, Chris was returning from her part in the teamโs latest attempt to find Dr. Skinner when she ran into someone who knew her. The next time we see her, sheโs held captive on an abandoned oil rig in the Barents Sea by Russians. Apparently, Chris had once been a Russian spy, but after faking her death, she defected to the United States. However, she had to leave her handler/likely lover, Inga, behind, much to her fury. Either ignorant or uncaring of the fact that Chris is trying to help save humanity, Inga goes rogue to get revenge. Thus, Lazarus has to put everything on hold to rescue their teammate.
On the one hand, it feels rather frustrating that the search for Skinner gets put on the back burner for this episode. With less than two weeks left before people start dying, time is not on their side. On the other hand, the fact that all the members agree to this rescue mission demonstrates how tight-knit theyโve become. Even Axel, the most laid-back of the team, immediately wants to rescue Chris. If Axel wants to do that, then thatโs a sign that things have gotten serious!
This is Just Like John Wick!
Thankfully, despite being a side-quest in the grand scheme of things, this episode more than makes up for it with the overall plot and action. It feels very much like something out of a modern action movie like John Wick or Jason Bourne. From the way that Chris manipulates her captors to escape on her own to how Lazarus mounts their daring and high-tech rescue, the entire thing feels on point. The fact that theyโre up against Russian Special Forces only helps to highlight how much danger theyโre in, as the members experience several close calls. Even the ever-lucky Axel could end up dead if he makes one wrong move.
The true highlight of the episode, though, comes during the climax. Just as Chris looks home-free, Inga has her at gunpoint and dead to rights. For a moment, you canโt tell if Chris will make it out in one piece or not, but then she and Inga have a heart-to-heart about her decision to leave so she could keep Inga safe from their leaders. The reveal that they were lovers is played very much for drama, and for a moment, Inga wavers. Tragically, one of her own men then shoots her before being killed by Axel, leading Inga to die in Chrisโ arms. Itโs a very emotional moment, and one you would never expect from someone like Chris. By the time the oil rig starts going up in flames, you can tell that Chris is emotionally exhausted by what happened, but also grateful that her team came to save her. The fact that Axel says he doesnโt care about her past only serves to emphasize how close theyโve all gotten.
As big a distraction as this rescue op was, this might be the best episode of the series to date. However, the clock is still ticking, and they only have 12 days left before Hapna turns lethal. They need to start getting more leads soon, or things are going to get ugly!
Everyone, we have found our Chopper, and he is adorable.
In 2023, the live-action adaptation of One Piece premiered on Netflix, and despite what many fans feared, it didnโt stink! In fact, it was one of the most faithful and enjoyable live-action adaptations of an anime that many had ever seen. Thus, it was inevitable that Netflix would end up green-lighting a second season as the Straw Hat Pirates finally leave the East Blue behind for the Grand Line. That means the show would be heading into the vaunted Alabasta Saga, which would introduce us to fan-favorite characters like Crocodile, Vivi, Nico Robin, and many more. However, there is one character that fans have been concerned about more than anyone else: Tony Tony Chopper.
A blue-nosed reindeer that ate a Devil Fruit, granting him sentience, Chopper serves as the Straw Hatโs doctor and one of its most popular members. Beloved by fans for his adorable appearance and sweet nature, heโs one of the most marketable members of the cast, and the subject of tons of merchandise. Given how picky fans can be with using CGI (Ugly Sonic), people were naturally worried about what Netflix would do to Chopper. And when Netflix put out an ad saying there would be a big announcement at their annual Tudum festival about One Piece, everyone knew what was coming.
And we were right. We got our first-ever look at the live-action/CGI version of Chopper.
So far, reactions to the Netflix Chopper has beenโฆmixed. Some people are saying itโs as bad as Ugly Sonic. Others are saying that they could make him cuter. Others are going to be upset no matter what Netflix does, though. And while he could be made to look cuter, Netflix got one thing right about Chopper: his personality.
In the span of the short teaser, we see Chopper act just like how he does in the anime and manga. His shy and childish nature (because he is still a kid), his love of compliments, and his expressive face are all present. While itโs a little sad that they donโt get his English VA, Brina Palencia, to voice him, Mikaela Hoover captures the spirit of the character. Plus, itโs likely the Japanese subs will use her seiyuu, so there is that.
In addition to the reveal of Chopper, Tudum also confirmed that the show will be returning in 2026. For those who canโt wait, not to worry! LEGO is making sets based on the Netflix show set to come out later this summer. Either way, thereโs plenty to look forward to in the coming months.
At long last, Arthur Leywin is home! It took him three years and more solo traveling than most eight-year-olds, but it was worth it to get back to his family. And more importantly, he finally gets to meet the sibling that he almost died trying to protect. The only question is, what will Arthur do now?
That, and just how cute can his baby sister possibly get?
Family Reunion
Thanks to that post-credits scene at the end of the last episode, the anime jumps the gun on Arthurโs reunion with his family. It doesnโt change much, but it does take away some of the inherent heartwarming nature that such a reunion entails. That, and it spoils the fact that Arthur now has a little sister.
Meet Eleanor Leywin, Arthurโs baby sister of about three or four years old. And like most kids at that age, sheโs adorable and impressionable, innocently repeating curse words her dad uses without understanding why theyโre bad for someone her age. Once her parents explain that Arthur is the big brother she never met, though, Ellie quickly warms up to Arthur, as well as Sylvie. Who, if she sees Arthur as her papa, makes Eleanor her aunt.
Arthur tells his family everything that happened to him while he was awayโฆto an extent. He lies about meeting Sylvia out of respect for her desire to tell as few people as possible. Given how someone was out to kill Sylvia, the fewer people who know for now, the better. That, and itโs doubtful most adults would believe that Arthur was saved by a talking dragon.
What Will Arthur Do Now?
At any rate, the main points of focus for the episode beyond the Leywin family reunion are Arthurโs growth and what his future will be like. Through exposition, the anime reveals the different stages behind the Mana Core that serves as the heart of the use of magic in TBATE. And thanks to his training arc, Arthur is already close to being on his Dadโs level. Since Reynolds is a more restrained version of Paul Greyrat, Arthur finds himself immediately dragged into a sparring session with his old man out back. And, while the special effects for the magic remain subpar, the fighting animation continues to show improvements.
No, really. Arthur and Reynoldsโ friendly bout is not that badly animated. No use of still images to convey the illusion of combat; just actual combat. And, again, while the way the anime chooses to animate magical auraโs is still an eyesore, it makes up for it by confirming what last episode shouldโve had us suspecting: Arthur can potentially learn how to use all four basic elements. Heโs basically like the Avatar!
All of this is also witnessed by the wealthy Helstea family, old friends of the Leywinโs who allowed them to move in with them in exchange for Reynolds helping guard the auction house they own. And as soon as Mr. Vincent Helstea sees what Arthur can do, he gets the idea of enrolling him in Xyrus Academy. AKA TBATEโs version of Ranoa University or Hogwarts.
Which brings us to the second main focus of the episode: Arthurโs future. Heโs only eight years old, but even ignoring his past life, heโs already got more life experience than other kids his age. Whatever he wants to do, heโll excel at it. However, enrolling in a school like that will mean that he canโt spend as much time with his family, and he just reunited with them. Considering how Arthur devoted his first life to his rise to being a king, itโs likely that he wonโt want to let his time with his family go to waste. However, there might be another option that heโs considering. And, as fate would have it, it seemingly gets introduced at the end of the episode.
Did the Anime Skip Stuff Again?
It should be noted that Arthur does eventually reunite with the Twin Horns Party in the webcomic like he does in the anime. However, that reunion doesnโt take place until after Arthur has already settled back in with his family, and after several other events already take place. The fact that the anime moved this up means theyโve either rearranged the order of some events, or theyโre skipping over some. If itโs the latter, then that bodes ill for the story, as some of those events are important plotwise. Given how Iโve stuck with TBATE thus far, though, Iโm willing to continue giving it the benefit of the doubt. With the show starting to show some promise, it would be a shame if it were to fail now.
This was a nice episode, overall. Getting to see Arthur reunite with his family and meet his baby sister was a very sweet moment. Getting to see Sylvie and Eleanor bond, though, was downright adorable to look at!
I don’t think there’s a lot to say about this topic that hasn’t already been said before. If you’re an anime fan, you’ve probably been to a few of them. If you’re a casual fan, you might have heard about them from a friend, and attended at least one of them. If you’re a non-anime fan, then this won’t be of any interest to you. What am I getting at you ask? It’s simpleโanime conventions!
Anime conventions have been a part of anime culture since…anime became popular. It’s basically Disneyland for geeks and nerds who fell in love with the medium. They were also a place where you can meet new friends, talk about your favorite shows, have silly debates, and engage in fandom activities that were created by the fans themselves. To a lot of OG fans and con attendees, that’s what’s missing from a lot of modern anime conventions. Back in the 2000s the con scene was much different compared to how it is now; from your Yoai paddles and glomping complete strangers, to shouting out dead memes and the occasional โButt-scratcherโ. It was the ‘Wild West’ in terms of what was deemed appropriate, and acceptable.
Now those days are gone, and have been replaced with a more modern ‘Family-Friendly’ atmosphere, in terms of how anime conventions are marketed towards a broader audience. There’s even been one convention that tried to ban cosplay. You heard meโBAN COSPLAY!! Image going to an anime convention, and you can’t even cosplay ANY of your favorite characters (even if they aren’t wearing any skimpy clothing). What is the point?! I got a lot more to say about conventions; from how they used to be when I first started going, to how they are now. So check it! Classic vs. Modern Anime cons!
Otakon 2016 (Baltimore, MD)
For this post I’m gonna break down what I mean by ‘classic’ and ‘modern’ anime conventions. I’ll be comparing both of them on these attributes; Structure, Programming, Nightlife, Budget, and Sense of Community. Let’s kick it off with the first one.
[STRUCTURE: Classic vs. Modern Anime Cons]
A lot of us don’t think about it but the way an anime convention is structured, determines its longevity in the convention circuit. This boils down to the location of where its held, how accessible it is, what amenities are available, and the cost of badges. Being an anime convention organizer, these are the logistics that you have to take into account; on top of promoting, marketing, and advertising your convention to the public.
With classic anime conventions, the only places you had that wouldn’t break the bank, were hotels. Hotel-based anime conventions are how ALL anime conventions started out as. You rent out a large ballroom and 2 or 3 side rooms for panels and games, then work out a contract with the general manager where they would give you a room block deal, for attendees who wanted to stay the night. The cost of a weekend badge was probably $50 or less, and the amenities were pretty good…if the con was at a really good hotel. OG fans and attendees loved this type of structure, because the con experience felt more personable and intimate.
As anime got bigger and popular, so did anime conventions. Now they take on a more modern structure, where they still have to make sure they keep track of the logistics I talked about earlier. Some modern conventions do use the classic structure, while others are ran from large convention centers. Depending on the convention some of the aminities they have are actually pretty good, as with a bigger venue comes better programming (sometimes). Marketing and advertising are pushed to the max (which is usually the result of a larger budget), and the convention experience is dependent on the attendee themselves. Of course in terms of money, you’ll spend 10x less at a classic anime convention, than a modern one.
Zenkaikon 2019 VA Panel
[PROGRAMMING: Classic vs. Modern Anime Cons]
If the structure of an anime convention is its foundation, then the programming is the bones and muscle. The program itinerary is an important part of the convention experience, next to the lifeblood which is the attendees themselves. Back in the 90s and 2000s the programming for anime conventions, was facilitated by anime fans themselves. Because it was more fan-driven, it lead to a lot of creative programming for fans; such as AMV contests, karaoke sessions, VHS/DVD anime screenings, LARP sessions, and club meetups. Also keep in mind that no one under the age of 18 even went to anime conventions back then, which is why there was a lot more 18+ programming to be found at classic conventions.
Programming for modern cons is much different because a lot of it is industry-driven. While its cool to see some promotional trailers for the latest anime at your favorite convention by FUNimation and dem’, I feel like fan-driven content from fan-driven panels have become less common around these parts. Its even effected the amount of 18+ content and panels you see at modern anime conventions; where its become either less numerous and sanitized, or pushed out due to the ‘Family-friendly’ model that modern anime conventions have moved towards.
As a DJ, this has even effected how I look at the nightlife aspect of classic and modern anime conventions. Which, is what I’m gonna talk about!
Otakon’s Otakurave 2015
[NIGHTLIFE: Classic vs. Modern Anime Cons]
I know this is an aspect that some nerds don’t care about too much, but if you’re among the group that likes to party, there was a COMPLETE difference between classic and modern anime conventions! For this segment I’m going to go by conventions of the mid 2000s and early 2010s.
Anime convention nightlife of the mid 2000s was something special. Many nerds weren’t old enough to go clubbing, so what did classic anime conventions do? They turned either a ballroom, or a main hallway into a classic 90s-style nightclub. This was also when the ravers came to anime conventions; you wouldn’t find them anywhere near the con, until the sun went down. This was also when rave parties started being incorporated into anime conventions. Also, they didn’t let just anybody into the rave, they actually had staff act as bouncers, and they checked your ID (not your badge) before you could enter the function. Classic anime convention raves were basically a kid-free zone, where party animals and controlled degeneracy ruled the dancefloor.
Modern conventions have this too, however some of their in-house raves don’t hit the same. What do I mean by this? I’ve been to a modern anime convention rave a few years ago in PA, and saw nobody in my age group there. In fact the only people that were there, had to be no older than twelve! (Who let’s middle schoolers in an 18+ rave?!) They were mostly girls, in the tightest of shorts, throwing ass on each other! I wasn’t on EDP timing, so I had to dip! (I’ve gone to other 18+ modern con rave parties and had ass thrown on me from cosplay and rave girls, plus we were of age and they were one-off twerks.)
Some anime conventions don’t even have in-house raves at all, in fact they outsource to local third party promotions in their area. For AnimeNYC and other Midwest conventions; they got SonicBoomBox, Sexy Nerds, Otakus With Attitude, and more. All I can say for classic and modern anime cons in terms of the nightlife is…just be careful. These areas are usually where anime fans and weebs get drunk, and when that happens, a lot of bad things (can) happen. I could go on about this, but I’d rather move on.
Running a con is expensive!
[BUDGET: Classic vs. Modern Anime Cons]
While structure and programming are vital to the foundation of an anime convention, revenue is what truly keeps it alive. Anime conventions are expensive enough as it is when you’re an attendee, now image if you had to throw one of your own…?
Everything I sad in the structure part of the post costs money; the hotel block, the venue, the guests, and the entertainment. Back in the 90s and 2000s you could throw a decent 2 or 3-day convention at a hotel for about $15-20K. You’d have basically all the local amenities and good programming, plus a couple of dub voice actors as well for meet-n-greets and autographs. (This is also when I said a weekend pass was $50 or less for cons back then.)
If you look at how much a modern anime convention badge costs now, especially in 2025, you’d probably question if that anime convention is even worth the hype to go. There’s no way a weekend badge at a modern convention, should cost that same price as a pair of Jordans, or Beyonce tickets! Badge prices shot up after Covid because of two years of lost revenue for anime conventions. Even so, some nerds will still pay it! (Plus a lot of modern anime conventions have a 7 or 8-figure budget, so they can bring out big name voice actors, and Japanese bands.)
All of these things are important, but the one that really brings this all home, is this…
Us at my Club BASSMODE DJ & Cosplay Party!
[SENSE OF COMMUNITY: Classic vs. Modern Anime Cons]
Let’s not beat around the bush here. Out of the four attributes that I spoke about when it comes to classic, and modern anime conventions, this one is the MOST important! This is the one that can make or break the overall anime convention experience. If I were to be 100% honest on this one, I’d say that classic anime conventions did it better!
Back then there was a greater sense of community within the anime community. It was easy to make friends who loved anime as much as you did. Everyone loved each other and didn’t bicker about common nonsense debates; such as powerscaling, waifu wars, etc. It felt more tightly knit as well as organic and real, plus if you were a cosplayer, it felt like fun and not a competition. It was more than just fans coming together because of their love and passion for anime, it felt like family.
All of that changed when anime became mainstream. Modern anime conventions (especially the BIG ones) do not have that same sense of community, like they did 20 years ago when they were grass-roots cons. It’s not to say it isn’t there, it just…doesn’t hit the same. Now that anime conventions have become more industry-driven, and have taken the Family-Friendly approach to become more marketable to big sponsors, the original sense of community they once had…becomes irrelevant.
In the past 15 years that I’ve gone to anime conventions; I’ve seen them grow, and I’ve seen them go. Some organizers are passionate about the community, while others are in it for the money. These are the attributes and aspects of anime conventions that can either make them famous for the right reasons, or infamous for the wrong ones. Right now I no longer go to large anime conventions anymore; even if they may have more to offer in terms of programming, guests, and entertainment. It’s probably why I stay local, and if you’re a local anime fan, be sure to support your local anime convention.
For older fans like myself we were there when anime was an underground niche. The same could be said for anime conventions, as they were birthed from the small local anime clubs that they started. As anime grew so did anime cons, and though they’re no longer the small niche nerd spaces they once were, there will always be small cons that carry classic vibes.
Three years have passed since Arthur Leywin got separated from his parents and wound up in the Kingdom of Elves. Three years since he was taken in by the former King of the Elves, Virion, as his student. And three years since he started training his Mana Core and trying to master the Beast Will that Sylvia left him. As much as Arthur wanted to see his mom and dad again, those three years were worth it, as he’s gotten stronger in that time! All that strength, though, isn’t going to matter much if he can’t handle his toughest challenge yet: trying to get Tessia to let him leave.
That, and he now has a kid.
Arthur is Pretty Much a Jinchuuriki Now
Thanks to the kindness of former King Virion, Arthur was able to live in the safety of the Elves of Elenoir. He’s still only eight years old in his current life, but thanks to his training, he’s stronger than any eight-year-old would normally be. Just as important, though, is the fact that Tessia’s been able to train alongside Arthur, allowing the two’s friendship to continue to remain strong. To his dismay, though, Arthur has gotten to the point in his life where she’s showing her haughty side more often. I.E. she’s constantly waking him up in the morning and making him food, all while saying he should be grateful a beautiful girl is doing these things for him. Yet, as the anime notes, her ego isn’t unjustified, as she’s proven to be as much of a prodigy with magic as Arthur, gaining her own mana core at age nine.
This episode primarily serves as the stage upon which the story can provide more details about how magic works in the world of TBATE, and it’s here where the anime starts to show off more of what helped to inspire the world it exists in. Virion’s explanation of how magic is broken into four basic elements takes a page from Avatar: the Last Airbender. That series is set in a world where certain people can bend the four classical elements, and while it’s possible for anyone in TBATE to use all four, it’s so rare it might as well be unique. In addition, the explanation about what a Beast Will draws a lot from Naruto. Like Naruto, TBATE includes people who can gain the powers of a powerful monster and use them for themselves, though in this case, they’re called Beast Tamers. And since Arthur got his Beast Will from Sylvia, a dragon, his is extremely powerful. The good news is that all the training he’s done means he’s no longer in any danger of dying.
The bad news? He’s…now a parent.
No, Really. Arthur has a Child Now
In case people forgot, Sylvia gave Arthur two other things besides her Beast Will before she died. One was one of her feathers, and the other was a stone. Fast forward three years, and Arthur discovers that that “stone” was actually an egg…and it just hatched.
While some viewers might share Arthur and Tessia’s sentiment that Sylvia’s newborn daughter, Sylvie, is adorable, the anime ultimately does her, and Sylvia, a little dirty. After biting and leaving that mark on him in the webcomic, Sylvia gains the ability to mentally communicate with Arthur. Yet, for whatever reason, the anime either neglected or forgot to show what Sylvie was thinking, forcing viewers to guess what she’s thinking. As a result, this deprives the show of some of the humor that this moment had in the webcomic. I.E. Sylvie first calling Arthur mama, and then papa, and how freaked out she gets when Tessia insists of cuddling her.
The cute and adorable little dragon Sylvie has arrived! โบ๏ธ๐ฅฐ๐
There are many characters in fiction whose verbal communication is deliberately rendered unintelligible to the audience. Two major examples would be Chewbacca and R2-D2 from Star Wars. The cast can usually understand them, but it’s up to viewers to guess for themselves what they’re saying. In Artoo and Chewie’s case, it’s fun. In Sylvie’s case, though, it’s an issue that’s keeping us from getting to know her better. Hopefully, this was a one-time thing and we’ll soon get to hear what Sylvie’s thinking in future episodes.
By the end of the episode, the Elves have finished the preparations to send Arthur to the human kingdom, so it’s finally time for Arthur to reunite with his family. Thus, he and Sylvie get a big send-off from everyone they’ve met and known in Elenoir, with one initial, and notable, absence: Tessia.
So, Who Ships Arthur and Tessia?
The Beginning After the End makes it no secret that it takes a lot of inspiration from Mushoku Tensei, with Tessia being a combination of the three women who fall in love with Rudeus. And just like Sylphie, Tessia’s reduced to tears at the prospect of her first and only friend going away. That being said, Tessia handles it rather well for an eight-year-old, understanding that Arthur has his own family that misses him. More importantly, while the two go their separate ways for now, it’s all but stated that they will see each other again when they’re older, meaning Tessia has another chance of seeing Arthur.
The Beginning After the End is now seven episodes in, and while it’s no Mushoku Tensei, it feels like the anime is slowly improving. The animation could be better, with one person on TikTok even proving they could do better in under an hour. But it feels like the series is at its best when it’s not focused on the big action scenes, with the slower moments of this episode proving to be just as good.
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