Reviews

BEASTARS, Vol. 18 by Paru Itagaki

aspasia17's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

tabathaaaa_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

aitorfmg's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Una continuación de todo lo que hace brillar a Beastars junto con tenues señales a futuro de problemas de ritmo. El trasfondo de la Gran Guerra Carnívora y la ballena se siente acelerado, pero sobre todo, desconectado del resto de la trama. Aprecio el lore, no así su implementación a corto plazo.

Por fortuna, el resto del volumen es Beastars en estado puro. Cherryton, lugar de origen y conflicto durante la primera parte de la serie, ha caído ante la ausencia de sus justicieros. Ya pendía de un hilo en tomos anteriores la estabilidad de la cohabitación interespecie, así que un recordatorio de que el sistema es mayor que el individuo no está de más. La vuelta a Cherryton permite recuperar a personajes algo olvidados para perfilar algo más su viaje. El trío Bill, Pina y Aoba comparte un capítulo precioso sobre la bondad inherente a los felinos y la búsqueda de un mundo mejor desde dentro. Mientras tanto, Jack protagoniza un arco de personaje relacionado con el peso de las expectativas como cánido (otro golpe en la mesa de worldbuilding). Además de servir de puente ideal para el trasfondo del mundo de Beastars, señala uno de los grandes problemas de la educación: el estrés provocado sobre el alumno por la absurda cantidad de materia y la presión de los exámenes. Se habla sin tapujos de suicidio (en unos códigos que permiten acceder naturalmente), ansiedad e inhibición sentimental. Legoshi se erige como un puntal emocional para Jack y una muestra clara del mensaje de la serie: conectar con los demás para lidiar con los problemas individuales.

La trama de Legoshi avanza en paralelo con la de Melon. En este último caso, Melon cada vez se define más como un instigador del caos que, simbólicamente, señala los problemas de la convivencia interespecie. Aprecio el worldbuilding del Día Encarnado, que además presenta a los integrantes del Mercado para futuros volúmenes.

Rouis es la tercera arista del triángulo argumental. Tras la pérdida de su pata y el conflicto introspectivo del volumen 11, queda clara su postura: acepta su rol como herbívoro, esto es, presa de carnívoros, pero no deja atrás su necesidad de mostrar fortaleza. Así lo demuestra la millonada en el cartel durante su paseo por el Mercado Negro.

Se delinea la recta final de la serie. Rouis y Legoshi compartirán el rol de beastars; para ello, Legoshi debe aprender a controlar su fuerza. La introducción aquí de Qüe tiene tanto de bueno como de malo. Por una parte, complementa a Hal como un ejemplo de mujer fuerte e independiente codificada en lo masculino. Por la otra, es la vía por la que se presenta el extrañísimo concepto de las quimeras imaginarias. Itagaki ha llevado quizás un poco lejos la simbología. La diatriba entre percepción física y percepción mental de un individuo suele llevar a conflictos y, por mucho que las quimeras muestren visualmente (recordemos que estamos en un medio visual) esa dualidad, hay algo de artificioso en sus formas. Dependerá de lo que se haga a futuro con ello.

Frase memorable:
"He ido perdiendo posibilidades, oportunidades, partes del cuerpo y del alma... Y, aun así, considero que estoy en mi mejor momento. Creo que eso es lo que significa "vivir"".

serenedancer's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

urmomslibrary's review

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

jessann235's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

4.75

mewpasaurus's review

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fast-paced

4.0

sprucewillow's review

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dark funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

There was a lot in this volume. Many stories to follow. Enjoyable! Some of the light-hearted stuff provides balance for some of the darker and more intense stuff that seems to be coming soon...

And huh, "beastars" is mentioned once again. I often forget the beastar is a thing. I thought it would hold more weight in this series, but I realize it's kind of a bit of an overarching theme rather than a consistent plot line.

My favorite moments:
- Jack returns! Although the relationship between him and Legoshi is already strong, it gets better! Legoshi howls at the moon for him!!! so sweet
- Pina makes an appearance and he is as beautiful as ever. Why's he always drawn so good? Literally, I love the full page when Legoshi initially sees him again...
- Interaction between Louis and his father. It's awkward and the "we're not blood related" hits hard
- Louis marching through the black market with the sign around him and Legoshi running after him because he wants to talk is super funny
- Man, y'know I'm not a huge fan of Kyu? I understand her place in the story and how she will be related to Legoshi (being a rabbit, and now Legoshi is aware of his rabbit attraction...). I just... hm. I did not like how immediately after she was introduced, the cover page for the following chapter was her in a sexy outfit/pose. Reminds me that this is a shonen series....

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abby_rh's review

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rosewelsh's review

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4.0

Oh man, this volume really dives into the realism of Beastars and how society has shaped students' futures. In order to hide out for a bit, Legoshi heads back to Cherryton Academy and stays with his best friend Jack the Labrador. When he gets to the Academy he realizes so much has changed since he was kicked out. Herbivores and Carnivores now attend classes separately and the carnivore students feel free to talk about going to the Black Market and eating the same species as their Herbivore friends. Jack is an elite student, one of only five, and all are dogs. He talks to Legoshi about how dogs are the only animal bred for intelligence and how bioengineering of domesticated dogs, like him, has caused them to be bred for their uses rather than letting them be who they want. It gets pretty heavy as Jack seems to be one of the few people who knows the real history of their world because he's elite, and he is clearly bogged down and depressed by learning about the real world.

This volume is bonkers. We get a lot of Legoshi and Louis (my king!) which is wonderful but gosh, this series just gets darker and darker. We meet some characters who were locked up with Louis back in the day, 3 and 9, and how they have taken to being fighters in order to survive. I don't know what is going on with Legoshi but he clearly has a thing for rabbits judging by his dealings with Kyu, the fighter female rabbit, through the end of this volume. It's badass and I am terrified of her but also in awe of her skill.

There's another shorter section regarding the Black Market and the civil war of sorts that breaks out monthly among the different gangs. Everything is business as usual until Melon jumps in and takes control and he is absolutely terrifying and bonkers. Some people are going to die violent, violent deaths soon.
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