For fans of action-packed fantasy manga and manhwa, two series have been dominating discussions in recent years – The Beginning After The End (TBATE) and Solo Leveling. Both stories feature powerful protagonists in richly-developed fantasy worlds, but which one comes out on top? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of these two beloved series to see how they stack up.
Overview of The Beginning After The End
The Beginning After The End, written by TurtleMe and illustrated by Fuyuki23, follows the story of King Grey, a powerful ruler who is mysteriously reincarnated into a fantasy world as Arthur Leywin. Armed with the knowledge and experiences from his past life, Arthur must navigate this new magical realm filled with dangerous creatures and complex political intrigue.
TBATE blends elements of isekai, fantasy, and coming-of-age stories as readers follow Arthur’s journey from childhood to adulthood. The series explores themes of redemption, family, and the responsible use of power as Arthur strives to protect those he cares about and uncover the truth behind his reincarnation.
Overview of Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling, written by Chugong and illustrated by Jang Sung-rak (Dubu), tells the tale of Sung Jin-Woo, a weak “E-rank” hunter in a world where monsters threaten humanity. After nearly dying in a dungeon, Jin-Woo awakens to find he has gained a unique ability to “level up” like a video game character, allowing him to become increasingly powerful.
The series follows Jin-Woo’s meteoric rise from the weakest hunter to potentially the strongest being on the planet. Solo Leveling is known for its stunning action sequences, intricate world-building, and satisfying power progression as Jin-Woo faces ever-greater challenges.
Comparing Storytelling and Character Development
The Beginning After The End
TBATE excels in its long-term character development and intricate plot. Readers get to watch Arthur grow from a precocious child into a formidable young man, with his relationships and personality evolving in believable ways. The series takes its time to flesh out supporting characters and build a complex political landscape.
One of TBATE’s strengths is how it handles Arthur’s past life memories. While he retains knowledge and maturity beyond his years, the story shows how growing up in a new world and family genuinely changes him. This adds depth to Arthur’s character arc as he struggles with the weight of his past and the desire to live differently in his new life.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling opts for a faster-paced narrative focused primarily on Jin-Woo’s growth in power. While there is character development, it’s more centered on how Jin-Woo’s newfound strength changes his outlook and relationships. The story excels at building anticipation for each new challenge Jin-Woo faces.
The series shines in its action sequences and power progression. Readers get a visceral thrill from watching Jin-Woo overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and gain new abilities. While the supporting cast isn’t as deeply developed as in TBATE, they serve their roles well in highlighting Jin-Woo’s journey.
World-Building and Fantasy Elements
Both series create rich fantasy worlds for their stories to unfold in, but they approach world-building in different ways.
The Beginning After The End
TBATE presents a more traditional high fantasy setting, complete with elves, dwarves, and magical beasts. The magic system is well-developed, with different elemental affinities and techniques that characters must train to master. The story gradually expands its scope from Arthur’s immediate surroundings to encompass entire continents and otherworldly threats.
One of TBATE’s strengths is how it integrates magic into the fabric of society. Readers get to see how different magical aptitudes affect social structures, education, and warfare. The series also explores the consequences of introducing modern knowledge into a fantasy world through Arthur’s past life experiences.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling takes place in a modern world where supernatural gates have opened, unleashing monsters and awakening humans with special abilities. The story focuses heavily on the “hunter” system and the dungeons that appear around the world. Jin-Woo’s unique leveling ability sets him apart in this already fantastical setting.
The series excels at creating a sense of mystery around the origin of the gates and the true nature of Jin-Woo’s powers. As the story progresses, it expands to include international politics and godlike beings, raising the stakes dramatically. The blend of modern technology with supernatural elements gives Solo Leveling a distinct flavor in the fantasy genre.
Art Style and Visual Storytelling
Both thebeginningafterend.net and Solo Leveling are known for their high-quality artwork, but they have distinct visual styles that contribute to their storytelling.
The Beginning After The End
Fuyuki23’s art for TBATE features clean lines and expressive characters. The style leans towards a more traditional manga look, with detailed backgrounds that bring the fantasy world to life. Action scenes are dynamic, though they tend to focus more on the impact and consequences of battles rather than extended fight sequences.
One of TBATE’s visual strengths is how it portrays the passage of time. Readers can clearly see how characters age and change throughout the story, adding to the sense of an epic, long-running narrative.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling’s art by Dubu is often praised as one of the manhwa’s strongest points. The style is sleek and modern, with bold lines and a cinematic approach to panel composition. Action scenes are a particular highlight, featuring intense, detailed illustrations that convey the power and speed of the combatants.
The series makes excellent use of color to set mood and highlight important moments. Jin-Woo’s shadow abilities are particularly striking, with inky blacks contrasting against vibrant backgrounds. The art does an excellent job of conveying the scale of the threats Jin-Woo faces, from towering monsters to godlike entities.
Themes and Character Motivations
While both series fall under the broad category of action fantasy, they explore different themes and character motivations.
The Beginning After The End
TBATE delves deep into themes of redemption, responsibility, and the nature of power. Arthur’s past life as a king gives him a unique perspective on leadership and the consequences of one’s actions. The story explores how he tries to use his second chance at life to become a better person and protect those he cares about.
Family plays a central role in TBATE, with Arthur’s relationships with his parents and sister forming a core part of his character development. The series also tackles themes of prejudice and social inequality through its exploration of human-elf relations and the treatment of those with lesser magical abilities.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling focuses more on themes of personal growth, overcoming adversity, and the responsibilities that come with great power. Jin-Woo’s journey from weakest to strongest serves as a wish-fulfillment fantasy for many readers, but it also explores the isolation and pressure that come with such rapid advancement.
The series touches on themes of loyalty, both to family and to one’s country, as Jin-Woo navigates the complex world of international hunter politics. There’s also an underlying theme of humanity’s place in a world filled with supernatural threats, and what it means to be truly “monstrous.”
Fan Culture and Reception
Both The Beginning After The End and Solo Leveling have garnered passionate fanbases, but their reception and impact on manga/manhwa culture have differed.
TBATE has built a dedicated following, particularly in the Western market where it originated. Fans praise its long-term character development and intricate plot. The series has inspired extensive fan theories and discussions about its world-building and future plot developments.
Solo Leveling, on the other hand, has become a cultural phenomenon, particularly in South Korea. Its popularity has helped drive the global rise of Korean webtoons and has inspired numerous similar “leveling” stories. The series’ striking art and satisfying power progression have made it a favorite for fan art and cosplay.
Conclusion: Which is Better?
Ultimately, declaring one series “better” than the other comes down to personal preference. The Beginning After The End offers a more traditional fantasy epic with deep character development and world-building. Solo Leveling provides an adrenaline-pumping power fantasy with stunning visuals and intense action.
For readers who enjoy complex political intrigue, long-term character growth, and exploring the consequences of power, TBATE may be the better choice. Those who prefer fast-paced action, visually spectacular battles, and a more video game-like progression system might lean towards Solo Leveling.
Both series have their strengths and have made significant impacts on the world of manga and manhwa. Whether you prefer Arthur’s journey of redemption or Jin-Woo’s rise to power, both The Beginning After The End and Solo Leveling offer compelling fantasy stories that have captivated readers worldwide.
What’s your take on these two popular series? Have you read both The Beginning After The End and Solo Leveling? Share your thoughts on which fantasy story you think comes out on top and why!
