One of the biggest fantasy webcomics around is about to go quiet. TurtleMe, the author behind The Beginning After The End, says the comic adaptation will go on hiatus after Chapter 259 as its longtime home, Tapas, prepares to shut down.
Chapter 259 is scheduled for October 29. After that, TurtleMe says he doesn't yet know what happens next.
A Platform Closure Leaves A Fantasy Epic In Limbo
TurtleMe's statement explains that Tapas' closure affects all of its original productions, and The Beginning After The End is one of them. "I don't have answers yet about what comes next. I'm still working to get them, and I'll keep pushing until I do," he wrote.
Kakao Entertainment announced in September that it would close the North American platform, and Tapas has since confirmed that the service ends on March 31, 2027. Even with months left before the lights go out, the comic's production is stopping now, which suggests TurtleMe and his team can't continue until a new arrangement is in place.
The Story So Far
For SFF readers who haven't followed it, The Beginning After The End is a reincarnation fantasy. King Grey, a ruler from a world where strength decides everything, dies and is reborn as Arthur Leywin in Dicathen, a continent of magic, dragons, elves, dwarves and monsters. With his past life's memories intact, Arthur grows up determined to protect the family and friends he never had in his first life.
The story mixes classic fantasy staples like mana cores, beast companions and magic academies with a much larger war between continents and the godlike Asura beings that rule over them. That blend of coming-of-age adventure and epic-scale conflict is a big reason the series built such a loyal following.
TurtleMe first wrote the story as a web novel, and the comic adaptation has since become one of the most popular fantasy webcomics published in English. The series also received an anime adaptation in 2025, introducing Arthur's journey to a wider audience.
A Familiar Wait For Fans
TurtleMe was candid about the frustration. "I know this isn't the first time we've been here," he wrote, noting that the series has had more ups and downs than anyone would like. The comic has gone on extended breaks before, including a three-month hiatus in 2024.
He also struck a determined tone. "This is just another hurdle, and I'm confident my team and I will overcome it," he said, adding that he will keep doing everything in his power to continue the comic.
Reaction online has been mixed. Plenty of readers have thanked TurtleMe for being upfront, while others are frustrated that the story is pausing again in the middle of a major arc.
What Readers Can Do Now
TurtleMe thanked fans who have been spending their remaining Ink, Tapas' in-app currency, on the series over the last few weeks. He encouraged anyone with Ink left over to use it on their favorite creators as a way to support them during the shutdown.
Tapas itself stopped selling Ink on October 1. According to its official end of service notice, readers can keep spending any Ink they still have until the platform closes on March 31, 2027, so anyone holding a balance has a few months left to use it.
There's no word yet on whether the comic will continue on another platform or with a different publisher. TurtleMe has promised an update as soon as he has news to share, so fans will want to keep an eye on his official channels after Chapter 259 arrives.
Will you keep waiting for the comic to return, or is this the moment to switch over to the original novel?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.