No manhwa adaptation anime has sparked as much debate as Solo Leveling in 2025. After its first season won Anime of the Year at Crunchyroll’s annual awards, discussions about its quality and value spread widely. While it’s understandable that popular anime like One Piece and Dandadan have surpassed Solo Leveling, the surprising twist is that Crunchyroll’s sixth most popular anime is actually The Beginning After the End, which is even more popular than Solo Leveling.
How The Beginning After the End Outranked Solo Leveling on Crunchyroll
While Solo Leveling stirred controversy after winning Anime of the Year, The Beginning After the End has sparked even more debate. Fans of the manhwa expressed disappointment with the anime’s pacing and visuals, feeling it fell short of their expectations.
The controversy grew so intense that even the author of The Beginning After the End responded to complaints about the chosen animation studio. Given all this, it’s puzzling how the series managed to surpass Solo Leveling, which generally received positive feedback and boasts a passionate fanbase.
One likely factor is timing. The final episode of Solo Leveling season 2 aired on March 30, while the first season finale of The Beginning After the End aired on June 18, making the latter feel fresher to viewers.
Another explanation could be that Solo Leveling season 2 created such a buzz upon release that everyone eager to watch it did so immediately. Meanwhile, fans waiting to catch up on The Beginning After the End might be boosting its ranking as it climbs to Crunchyroll’s sixth spot.
Despite Criticism, The Beginning After the End Remains Popular
Despite the backlash, The Beginning After the End anime still achieves very high ratings, especially in Japan, showing it continues to capture audience attention.
However, it’s hard to deny that Solo Leveling is the stronger anime in most respects. Its story, pacing, and animation are well executed, making it engaging even for critics. Of course, it has its flaws, but Sung Jinwoo’s story is told with professionalism and confidence that goes beyond just winning fan favor.
While The Beginning After the End’s popularity on Crunchyroll might confuse some, the real test will be whether it can maintain a strong fandom. Fans eagerly await Solo Leveling season 3, but only time will tell if The Beginning After the End season 2 can achieve the same success.
According to Screenrant