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The anime adaptation ofThe Beginning After the Endcontinues to make waves online, dividing fans over its pacing, animation, and faithfulness to the source material. With the release of the third episode, it becomes clear that some important details about Sylvia’s encounter with Arthur Leywin, as depicted in the webcomic, did not make the cut.
For context,Sylvia is a mysterious beingwho saves Arthur Leywin after he falls from a cliff while trying to save her mother from the bandits. She looks like a humanoid basilisk clad in body armor, oozing with menacing vibes. Despite her appearance, she is gentle and dignified, looking after Arthur as if he were her own child.
This article contains spoilers fromThe Beginning After the Endanime and webcomic.
episode 1
chapter 12
First Novel Appearance:
chapter 8
While the anime adaptation doesn’t provide any explanation for why Sylvia is in the narrow zone between the Beast Glades and the Elshire Forest, the webcomic fills in the gaps. According to Sylvia, no one knows about her hiding place because she constantly wards off anyone who dares come close,making Arthur the firstof the many outsiders to ever enter her domain. The mysterious being has been by herself because she no longer has anyone in her life. Just like Arthur, she was completely isolated, quietly hoping for some good company.
“I am here alone simply because I have no one left to be with."—Sylvia
Worse, Sylvia had many enemies relentlessly coming after her, desperately wishing to obtain something important from her. And before Sylvia found herself in the crevice of the cave, she had fought these enemies. She managed to escape, but the battle left her with a severe wound in the chest. However, in the anime, Sylvia’s wound almost looked like her heart rather than her wound.
How Sylvia Meets Arthur for the First Time
The fast pacing of TBATEepisode 3 omits the events that happen directly after Arthur falls from the cliff. In the webcomic, Arthur wakes up next to the deceased mage who attacked him and her mother. Suddenly, he hears a dignified voice coming from Sylvia, but refuses to follow her until she reveals that she’s the only one who can take him home to his family. Upon reaching the cave, Arthur initially thinks Sylvia is a sentient cluster of rocks. Naturally, he’s also horrified upon seeing Sylvia’s form, which has a different design in the anime adaptation.
Why Sylvia Saves Arthur Over the Bandit Mage
A lot of intimate conversation between Sylvia and Arthur isoverlooked in episode 3, including the mysterious being’s reason for saving Arthur instead of the deceased mage. As it turns out, Sylvia is deeply moved by Arthur’s courage and sacrifice to protect his mother at the cost of his life. She also reveals that she’s probably just seeking company after feeling so lonely, though she never fully understands the reason behind her actions.
Why Sylvia Dies
Before Cadell attacks Sylvia in the cave, she is already on the brink of death, contrary to what the anime shows. In the webcomic, Sylvia’s wound quickly worsens the more she spends her power and energy on creating a portal that would take Arthur home. Basically, she is sacrificing herself so that Arthur can reunite with his family.
“My last battle with my enemies before I was able to escape left me with this wound."—Sylvia
To finish the portal, Sylviachanges into her dragon formdespite knowing that her enemies, including Cadell, will be able to track her hiding place once she transforms. Cadell, on the other hand, wants something from Sylvia, and most likely it’s the mysterious-looking stone or egg she handed over to Arthur before they parted ways.
Sylvia Wishes For Arthur To Call Her Grandma
By the end of the third episode, Arthur is the one who decides to call Sylvia “Grandma,” but in the webcomic, it is Sylvia who demands that Arthur call her grandma just once. It’s a small detail, but the anime interestingly switches it up a bit. Arthur initially refuses to give in to Sylvia’s wish, hoping that they can go through the portal together. However, Sylvia says goodbye to Arthur and pushes him through the portal. At that point, Arthur understands what Sylvia wants to hear from him, and he calls her “Grandma” for the first and last time, ultimately granting her final wish.
“As the fearsome figure clad in dark armor walked away, I couldn’t help but think how lonely she appeared."—Arthur Leywin
All in all, therushed pacing ofThe Beginning After the Endepisode 3 overlooks key details about Sylvia and her relationship with Arthur that anime-only viewers need to know to gain a more profound understanding of what’s truly happening. It would have been better if these events were adapted across at least two episodes to provide more context.
