4 days ago
Anime "The Beginning After the End": Kana Ichinose Reveals the Secret to Tessia's Charm
By Tomoya Kashiwamura, Animate Times - 30 minutes ago - 17:00 | All
Animate Times brings you interviews with staff, cast members, and artists involved in the anime "The Beginning After the End."
In this installment, we spoke with Kana Ichinose-san, who plays the role of Tessia Eralith, an elven girl saved by Arthur and the princess of the Elenoir Kingdom. She shares her thoughts on portraying Tessia, her experience working with Natsumi Fujiwara (who plays Arthur), and her favorite scenes so far.
TV anime "The Beginning After the End" is based on the hugely popular reincarnation adventure fantasy in North America, China, and Korea. It has been airing since April 2025.
The story follows Grey, once a ruthless and powerful king, who is reincarnated as a baby named Arthur. Raised with love by his parents and those around him, Arthur develops a desire to become strong to protect his family. This reincarnation adventure fantasy showcases his growth as he utilizes the knowledge and abilities from his past life.
After spending three years training alongside Princess Tessia in the Elven Kingdom of Elenoir, Arthur's day of departure has finally arrived. What awaits Arthur on his journey, and what are the feelings of Tessia and others who have spent time with him? The story has begun to unfold as we move into the latter half of the series.
Tessia's Childhood: Straightforward and Innocent, Her Growth Brings Endearing Tsundere Moments with Arthur
──Please share your thoughts on "The Beginning After the End."
Ichinose: It's a story about someone who retains their memories from when they were a king and starts life anew, walking a fresh path with family and companions. I found it to be a work that skillfully intertwines elements of battle, family love, and fantasy.
──Could you tell us what you think about Tessia, the character you're playing, and what aspects of her you find appealing?
Ichinose: Tessia is a bright, energetic, and adorable girl. It's cute how she can't honestly say she's scared when she's frightened, instead just silently gripping Arthur's sleeve. Her inner monologues revealing her panic in those moments are also endearing. She's free-spirited, which makes her very child-like, and I feel she's a character with many charming qualities.
──What are the aspects you focus on when portraying Tessia? Were there any direction or advice you received before or during recording?
Ichinose:Like Arthur, Tessia also grows and develops gradually, so during the audition, we had lines for different ages. When Tessia first meets Arthur, she's quite young, so I focused on expressing her innocence, straightforwardness, and carefree nature in my performance.
As she grows older, her tsundere (hot-and-cold) side becomes more prominent. There are scenes where she gets angry at Arthur, but I believe this is actually a form of affection stemming from how close they've become. Their interactions become even more endearing because of this.
Arthur's Caring Nature and Voice Actor Natsumi Fujiwara's Performance Create a Sense of Comfort and Reassurance
──What do you think about Arthur? How do you feel interacting with him?
Ichinose: Arthur is quite caring. Even after being separated from his parents, he stayed with Tessia to escort her home. Despite his own difficult situation, he adjusted to Tessia's pace and remained with her until the end. I think that's why Tessia has grown so attached to him.
While interacting with Natsumi Fujiwara, who plays Arthur, I felt a sense of reassurance and comfort. It was as if I could sense the inherent warmth at Arthur's core.
──Are there any behind-the-scenes stories or anecdotes from the recording sessions?
Ichinose: I heard that TurtleMe, the original author, lives in America and participated remotely in the voice recording sessions despite the time difference. The staff and cast members were all excited, saying things like, "We'd love to have an event someday in the author's region!"
──Could you share your thoughts after watching the anime?
Ichinose: At first, Arthur was just incredibly cute and healing to watch. His big, round eyes and chubby little hands were adorable. It was heartwarming to see Arthur grow up surrounded by his parents' love. Then there's Grey, who had never known parents or love before. Watching him struggle with his own feelings as he gradually accepts this affection and discovers what's truly important in life was really touching.
──Looking back on the first seven episodes, what are your impressions? Are there any episodes or scenes that particularly stand out to you?
Ichinose: I love how Tessia sometimes acts tough with her grandfather and father. It really shows that they're family, regardless of their royal status. And the way her grandfather dotes on Tessia is just so sweet. These moments really highlight their family bond beyond their royal duties.
As Arthur's Adventure Reaches Its Midpoint, Stay Tuned to See How Their Journey Unfolds!
── Besides Tessia, who is your favorite character? Please tell us why as well.
Ichinose: I'm quite fond of Grandpa Virion. I admire how he trusts what he sees with his own eyes rather than relying on preconceptions. He has a strong core and a sense of composure that I find admirable. I think it's because Tessia was raised by such a warm-hearted person that she's able to live so freely and vibrantly.
──If you were to be reincarnated as a baby with your current knowledge and memories intact, like Arthur, what would you want to do?
Ichinose: Being a child opens up more opportunities for challenges, so I'd like to try things I haven't done before. There are so many new experiences you can have when you start over as a child with adult knowledge.
──Please share a message for all the viewers who have been watching up to this point.
Ichinose: We've reached the halfway point so quickly, but I hope you'll enjoy the series until the very end. Please continue to follow Arthur and the other characters on their journey! It's been an amazing ride so far, and there's still so much more to come. I'm excited for you all to see how the story unfolds!
[Article by Kazuyuki Nagai]
About "The Beginning After the End"
Synopsis
The story follows the strongest king in history, Gray. Although he possesses unparalleled power, wealth, and fame, there is no one who stands by his side…and he trusts no one. One day, Gray suddenly meets his death and is reincarnated as a powerless infant named Arthur in a world of magic.
Surrounded by a loving family and companions, Arthur starts to experience joys in this new life that he never knew in his previous one. However, during a journey, his family is attacked by bandits...
Thus begins his second life, filled with love and adventure!
Cast
Arthur Leywin: Natsumi Fujiwara
Grey: Makoto Furukawa
Tessia Eralith: Kana Ichinose
Jasmine Flamesworth: Chiaki Omigawa
Reynolds: Yamato Kinjo
Alice: Rena Maeda
Durden: Shinya Takahashi
Adam: Taihi Kimura
Helen: Miyu Ogura
Angela: Riko Akechi
Sylvia: Shiori Izawa
(C)「最強の王様」製作委員会
※Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
