As with past installments, Kinema Citrus returns to animate Season 4. The studio’s distinctive visual flair is evident in the newly released teaser, which highlights sweeping landscapes, powerful new enemies, and intimate moments of reflection for Naofumi and his allies. The new season looks ready to build on the darker themes introduced previously, promising maturity, depth, and high-stakes storytelling.
What Season 4 Has in Store for Naofumi
The Rising of the Shield Hero
It’s been a long journey for Naofumi Iwatani since the anime’s debut in 2019. From betrayal and exile to redemption and leadership, the Shield Hero’s evolution has kept fans invested through each season. With the trailer’s release, we now get our first look at new threats and allies , as well as the political undercurrents that will define the next phase of his adventure.
A key visual released alongside the trailer depicts Naofumi seated on a throne, surrounded by both loyal companions and mysterious new faces. This imagery hints at a shift from survival to governance, where leadership, trust, and diplomacy will be just as crucial as battlefield prowess. The visual’s tone suggests a more layered and strategic chapter in Naofumi’s journey.
New Characters, Bigger Stakes, and Deeper Lore
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Two new characters will debut in Season 4— Werner , a winged warrior from Siltvelt, and Jaralis , a lion-like demi-human. Their introductions signal a broadening of the series’ world-building, with new regions, alliances, and cultures likely to come into play. Takeo Otsuka and Jiro Saito will voice Werner and Jaralis, respectively, bringing even more talent into the mix.
Adapted from Aneko Yusagi’s original light novel series, The Rising of the Shield Hero has always blended raw emotion with isekai spectacle. Season 4 aims to heighten both by exploring the growing burden of Naofumi’s responsibilities and the evolving threat of the Waves. With new characters, powerful adversaries, and internal conflicts brewing, this season could be the most impactful one yet.
While The Beginning After The End has faced vocal criticism in Western fan circles, the anime’s reception in Japan tells a different story. Originally adapted from the beloved manhwa by TurtleMe, TBATE follows King Grey as he reincarnates into a magical world, learning to harness mana and discover a new life centered on family, growth, and power.
Ever since its teaser dropped during IGN Fan Fest, the anime has walked a rocky path. Fans were quick to point out rough animation and sparse combat scenes in the preview clip, setting expectations low. However, the actual release has created a divide—some viewers continue to critique the visuals, while others are drawn in by the narrative’s emotional weight and world-building.
TBATE Climbs Streaming Charts in Japan
The Beginning After the End
Despite its 5.5/10 rating on IMDb, The Beginning After The End is performing impressively in Japan. According to Netflix Japan, it currently ranks 6th among all TV series and 3rd in anime , just behind One Piece and Fire Force . Over on D-Anime and U-Next Japan, it’s sitting in the #2 spot , narrowly edged out by The Apothecary Diaries . Even on Prime Video Japan, TBATE ranked 9th overall in the April 13–19 window.
This stark contrast in reception highlights Japan’s enduring love for isekai, where a well-paced story often carries more weight than pristine animation. Despite its flaws, TBATE’s characters, magic system, and thematic depth are clearly resonating with Japanese viewers, marking it as more than just a seasonal experiment.
Fan Criticism Remains, But Loyalty Endures
The Beginning After the End
Even with its top-tier rankings abroad, The Beginning After The End hasn’t completely avoided scrutiny. Western fans continue to voice frustration, with some even creating fan-made animations to reimagine key scenes. These efforts underscore both the disappointment in A-Cat Studio’s execution and the deep-rooted love for TurtleMe’s story.
That said, Crunchyroll still lists TBATE with a 4.1/5.0 rating , suggesting that even Western viewers are divided rather than unified in dislike. With shows like Solo Leveling setting a new animation bar this year, TBATE stands as a contrasting example—one where story and lore manage to sustain interest despite technical shortcomings.
