English Dub Review: The Beginning After the End “The King Says Goodbye”

Overview

Arthur completes his training and prepares to be reunited with his family…

Our Take

After a reasonable 3-year timeskip, we return to see Arthur and Tessia undergoing intense training under the watchful eye of Virion. Arthur, in particular, reaches a pivotal milestone when he’s guided to awaken a mysterious force within him—something that even surprises Virion due to its deep-rooted origins. Around the same time, Arthur unexpectedly takes on a new, adorable responsibility that adds both emotional warmth and a new layer of mystery to his journey.

Much of the episode’s proceedings put focus on wrapping up Arthur’s time in the elven lands, offering some surprisingly heartfelt goodbyes and revisiting familiar faces. There’s also a brief but meaningful reconnection with former rivals, and small comedic beats help balance out the otherwise heavy transitions. Character interactions, particularly between Arthur, Tessia, and others, continue to shine with subtle emotional nuance even if some pacing choices feel a bit rushed.

Overall, this episode marks a clear turning point. The story shifts gears as Arthur sets out on the next chapter of his life, leaving behind his forest sanctuary for a world brimming with new challenges. While the animation and direction still have room to grow, there’s no denying the charm of the new addition to Arthur’s life and the emotional groundwork laid for what’s to come. Despite a few jarring visuals and rushed moments, the episode manages to strike a satisfying balance between character development and plot progression, especially with that post-credits scene that left me wanting to see more!