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https://blacknerdproblems.com/the-beginning-after-the-end-episode-2-review/

The Beginning After the End introduces a simple but intriguing premise: after a mysterious death, King Grey is reborn as Arthur Leywin on the magical continent of Dicathen. Although he enters his second life as a baby, his previous wisdom remains. He begins to master magic and forge his own path as the years go by, seeking to correct the mistakes of his past life.

The appeal of a fresh slate for a character that we’re not quite sure deserves redemption is introduced to us in the very first episode of The Beginning After the End. While not action heavy or with spectacular animation as of yet, it promises future action, character development and daring choices starting off with a strong emotional foundation here, first.

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The time skip of skipping young Arthur–the former King Grey in this new life–to a four year old is a welcomed one as it moves along the story in a way that keeps up with the pacing of the original story. After his explosive awakening, the kid’s potential is realized by his father, and a decision is made to bring Arthur to new opportunities. In doing so, we see a new side of Arthur’s parents: adventurers who reunite with their old party. This second episode of The Beginning After the End begins not quietly but with intent and great promise. 

Animation wise, more of the combat this episode expanded to actual creatures and beasts providing more of a view of this new world’s dangers. This is a plus as audiences are granted more glimpses of how the warriors and those who make up traveling parties of this land use their talents. It is a learning experience for young Arthur to have a front seat to seeing the abilities he will encounter as he grows and who to emulate as he one day becomes great in this life. I was worried about the combat scenes being more static and simple but later scenes do pick up the pace in a variety of shots and animated sequences and this made for better watching, thankfully. 

Anime fans will be treated with a very fun and very obviously memed to hell and back reference to one of Shonen Anime greats–in an adorable training montage of little Arthur. There’s a load of surprises in this episode for our young protagonist personally in his development and for the narrative of the series. The older King Grey’s monologuing via his narration of what sets the two worlds apart: the more technologically advanced place of his past and this newer one that seems more simple but with charm brings a needed balance and tone that hopefully continues through the series. 

The episode opens and ends with parallels of Grey and now Arthur’s lives: weaving an constantly evolving emotional thread about sacrifice, duty, and family that is easy to follow and digest as a viewer. As I stated in my review of the first episode, I still think that The Beginning After the End could have greatly benefited from a two-episode premiere. Doing so could have debuted the series with a stronger foundation for the story for audiences to connect with, especially for those who were on the fence about watching more or weren’t content with the lack of a flashier starting episode.

I do know that this second episode has me set to watching to watch more and that, itself is a success on its own with the stack of worthy anime titles this season. I believe that the biggest pull that this anime adaptation has is its dedication to the heart of the story making sure that comes across first. The-still-consistent-and-getting-better-with-each-episode-so-far animation is second to complimenting the story so many of us have been emotionally invested in and I’m fine with that (so far at least). I know adapting The Beginning After the End for anime was a momentous task and we’re all one step closer to see this adaptation get closer to hopefully proving why more manhwa deserve the anime treatment and why Solo Leveling success can’t just be a fluke.

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The Beginning After the End is streaming on Crunchyroll with new episodes simulcast weekly.

Visit the Official The Beginning After the End Anime Website

April is here, see what on our site’s Crunchyroll 2025 Spring Season Preview!

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The post Sacrifice, Duty, and Family: ‘The Beginning After the End’ Episode 2 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/the-legacy-of-black-beauty-pageants/

The current conversation surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has made a disturbing shift, with important headway being reversed or erased. Now more than ever, it’s crucial for us to immerse ourselves in the legacies that celebrate our Black identity – including the legacy of Black beauty pageants. These pageants not only served as a platform for Black women to showcase their beauty, intelligence, and talents but also became a cornerstone of Black empowerment and cultural celebration.

The Miss America pageant of 1921 inaugurated what would be a long journey toward inclusivity in the world of beauty. It took nearly five decades before Black women were even allowed to participate. This was not an oversight; it was an explicit institutional stand. The pageant rules in 1937 blatantly stated contestants must be “in good health and of the white race.” Such a rule spoke volumes of a society that centered whiteness, as well as the biases and segregation.

It would be nearly 50 years before Vanessa Williams would be crowned the first Black woman to win the Miss America title in 1984. In 2019, Black Women held crowns in five major beauty pageants.

The history of Black beauty pageants is united in the broader context of Black empowerment in America, particularly during times when mainstream society marginalized or excluded Black people. Black beauty pageants provided a space where Black women could express their individuality, challenge harmful racial stereotypes, and redefine beauty on their own terms — far from the Eurocentric beauty ideals that dominated American culture.

The inception of Black beauty pageants can be traced back to the early 20th century, but the most notable and defining moment occurred in 1968 with the creation of the Miss Black America Pageant. This event was a direct response to the exclusion of Black contestants from mainstream beauty pageants such as the Miss America Pageant, which, at the time, upheld a narrow and racially exclusive standard of beauty. In a country where Black women were systematically denied opportunities to participate in mainstream beauty contests, the Miss Black America Pageant offered a revolutionary alternative.

Founded by J. Morris Anderson, a journalist and activist, the Miss Black America Pageant was a clear and powerful statement against the racial and beauty norms of the era. The pageant created a platform for Black women to be recognized and celebrated for their beauty, grace, and intellect, regardless of societal prejudice. Miss Black America was not just about physical beauty; it was about strength, intelligence, social awareness, and the embodiment of Black pride. The pageant highlighted the diversity of Black beauty, showcasing women with various skin tones, hair textures, and body types, dismantling the notion that there was only one acceptable standard of beauty. They also showed that Black women could be intelligent, articulate, ambitious, and multifaceted, qualities that were overlooked in the mainstream.

The first Miss Black America, Saundra Williams, won with her Afro and curvy figure, which was a distinct contrast from “the white stereotype” of typical pageant winners. Williams wore a bright yellow jumpsuit and performed an African-inspired dance. Williams held her title with pride as she stated, “This is better than Miss America.”

The significance of Black beauty pageants cannot be overstated when considering how they served to challenge the deeply ingrained racial stereotypes of the time. For centuries, Black women were often portrayed in negative and one-dimensional ways in pop culture. They were either stereotyped as the “mammy” figure, subservient and maternal, or as hypersexualized.

As the years passed, Black beauty pageants continued to evolve, with many of them growing into important cultural events. These pageants provided Black women with a unique space to embrace and celebrate their heritage, reinforcing the message that Black beauty is not just an aesthetic but a cultural force to be reckoned with. For example, the Miss Black USA Pageant, founded in 1986 by Karen Arrington, continues to play a significant role in promoting the empowerment of Black women by focusing on academic achievement, community service, and personal growth.

In today’s climate, where the gains made in DEI efforts are under severe threat, we have to remember the legacy of Black beauty pageants and their role in how they have reshaped societal norms. The lessons they impart — of empowerment, resilience, and cultural pride — remain deeply relevant, especially as many institutions attempt to erase or downplay the importance of diversity and inclusion. The celebration of Black beauty and talent in all its forms is not just an aesthetic celebration but an act of resistance, a reminder that Black women have always been at the forefront of change and culture.

Just when we think things are getting better, we get reminded how society still grapples with race and identity. Black beauty pageants were never just about a crown or a title. They were about empowerment, about creating space for Black women to define themselves and their worth. They were about showcasing the excellence that Black women, even when the world chose not to see it. These are the things we must keep alive, despite the current circumstances. Black is beautiful and always will be.

The post The Legacy of Black Beauty Pageants appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

https://nerdist.com/article/hugh-jackman-wolverine-8-hour-long-breathing-exercise-video/

Are ambience videos still a thing? We have to admit, we still do love Halloween ambience videos when that time of year comes around. But Marvel Studios is sure hoping they are still popular. Because they’ve just released a “Breathing Exercise” ambience video of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine to their official YouTube channel. It’s just Logan, in his yellow costume from Deadpool & Wolverine, staring into the camera and breathing heavily. For over 8 1/2 hours. Although if you fast forward to about the hallway mark, there’s an Easter egg for X-Men comics fans. You can watch this bizarre “Breathe With Wolverine” video right here:

It’s been almost a year since the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, which slaughtered the box office last year. It seems odd that Marvel is releasing a video promoting Hugh Jackman as Wolverine so long after the film’s release. Unless, of course, they are preparing the fandom for the announcement that Hugh Jackman is returning for Avengers: Doomsday. With so many of the original X-Men characters returning for Doomsday, their star player almost certainly is too, right?

As for the Easter egg in the middle of the video, it’s Hugh Jackman’s Wolvie recreating the “Come get some” pose with his finger and claws out. This is a recreation of the iconic cover by Frank Miller to Wolverine #1 from way back in 1982. We have to admit, it looks a bit weird, but it’s also fun to see that very popular image come to life. We’re not sure if we need any more breathing exercise videos from any other Marvel heroes anytime soon, however. But if they do decide to make some, we feel it’s probably Deadpool’s turn. Although honestly, we think it should go to Groot. We are very on board for a soothing Groot breathing exercise in these stressful times.

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The post Hugh Jackman Appears as Wolverine in Bizarre 8 Hour Long “Breathing Exercise” Video appeared first on Nerdist.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/this-may-not-be-lumon-approved-but-heres-the-history-of-kier-in-severance/

After simmering at Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Production for nearly a decade, AppleTV+’s series Severance proved to be a massive success. Naturally, Apple did what any company with a successful television project does and renewed the series for a second season (concluded a few weeks back) followed by an order for Season 3. The whole show toys with the ideas of constructed identities, free will, and late-stage capitalism — the latter of which dictates that we shouldn’t let our personal lives affect our work performance.

We won’t really dive into the specifics of the show; if you’re already reading these lines, there’s more than a good chance that you know what Severance is and what it’s about. But we will point out that the series really leans into what that late-stage corporate culture looks like, especially in regard to its most mysterious figure — Lumon’s founder, Kier Eagan, who is basically deified by the employees and the company.

This isn’t by accident; massive companies tend to develop cult-like environments, especially when they’re led by individuals with intense, almost messianic personas. Take Apple as an example. When the founder becomes the brand, devotion to them becomes part of the job. Add a carefully curated language, like “We’re not just building software, we’re changing the world,” and you’ve got a message that would further inspire loyalty and devotion. It sure sounds better than “We’re optimizing ad delivery.” Anyway, back to the topic at hand: who exactly is Kier Eagan in Severance?

Kier Eagan is the founder of Lumon Industries and the central yet mysterious figure in Severance. Though worshiped with cult-like devotion within the company, he’s represented through art in the series — mostly through the series of paintings, sculptures, and audio recordings. He’s so revered by the employees that he’s treated as their leader, savior, mentor, and friend, despite being none of those things for a very long time. Yet, despite his death, his influence still looms large and shapes the company’s operations, as well as the lives of its employees.

There aren’t many things known about Kier Eagan’s childhood, but there are plenty of stories and portraits throughout the series that allude to his early life. Sadly, there aren’t any resources that would provide Lumon employees with the means to verify any of those stories. The only resources that are available are those carefully selected and provided by Lumon and its management, which further seek to deify the company’s founder for the purposes of manipulation and control of its employees.

Kier was born in 1841 to parents who shared a “close biological relationship,” which made him prone to afflictions like easy bruising and illnesses like tuberculosis. This was all commemorated in various art throughout the show. Despite his illnesses, Kier also exhibited a strong work ethic; he got his first job at 12 years old, stuffing chairs for a furniture tycoon, Edgar Willit, a mean and sadistic employer who often beat his employees with the leg of a dresser. Kier walked seven miles to and from his first job each day.  

He also had a twin brother, Dieter, who suddenly began to decay and turn into sap, moss, and other woodland detritus after he “spilled his lineage” during their escape into the wilderness beyond their father’s ether mill, as described in the Fourth Appendix of the Compliance Handbook. Kier walked away from his brother’s suffering until he reached Woe’s Hollow, where he claimed he encountered the Temper known as Woe. He later entered Scissor Cave and tamed the Four Tempers, though Kier himself referred to the cave as “of his own mind.”

Later, while working as a stew-man at an ether company, he met his wife, Imogene — an event portrayed by The Courtship of Kier and Imogene, displayed in the Optics and Design department of Lumon Industries. He then spent some time in the military as a doctor, which gave him the idea of creating and selling his own medical salves, eventually leading to the foundation of Lumon Industries in 1865. Though the company’s beginnings were humble, Kier’s wealth of experience and strong work ethic soon brought enormous success and growth to Lumon.

During his tenure as the company’s CEO, from 1865 to 1939, Kier believed that the person’s work was a reflection of their deeper values and character. His speeches and lines were recorded and appear to form the base of Lumon’s employee code of conduct, which aims to educate employees on how to live, be more industrious, and be more diligent in their efforts. In addition to the Four Tempers that he claimed he tamed, Kier also laid out core principles that he expected Lumon employees to live by.

And while those principles formed the core of his belief system, the series doesn’t explain whether or not he followed his own principles to a T.  Still, the current rhetoric at Lumon clearly portrays Kier as an infinitely wise, prophetic messiah who deserves endless worship and reverence. In the end, Kier remained the CEO of Lumon until the day he died. Even his death remains a mystery, as the series doesn’t even specify the circumstances of his death, apart from the fact that he was 98 years old at the time of passing.

In the end, the history of Kier Eagan remains shrouded in mystery, and for every fact we know, there appear to be two facts we don’t. Not only that, but it’s really difficult to know what is and isn’t true about Lumon’s founder. Still, one thing is certain: as long as Lumon exists, so too will the legend of Kier Eagan, half-man, half-myth, all corporate. And if the past is any clue, Kier’s not just rolling in his grave — he’s probably workshopping new corporate policies from it.

The post This May Not Be Lumon-Approved, but Here’s the History of Kier in ‘Severance’ appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.