Scan barcode
notreallyricky's review
dark
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
geekwayne's review
4.0
'Beastars Volume 1' created by Paru Itagaki is a manga about a really odd boarding school.
The boarding school is filled with anthropomorphic animals who are divided in dorms by predator and prey. The school has a tension because of this that is ramped up when a popular drama student is killed, probably by one of the predator students. Legoshi, a large grey wolf, is the prime suspect. Still, the show must go on, and the big play (about the grim reaper) that the students are preppeng for must go on with a new lead in the show.
This is a curiously odd story that makes me ask questions, like 'if a student is murdered, why is the play still happening?' but I liked this strange world and I would like to read more about it. I especially liked the sense of danger that the prey animals were feeling. I also really liked the art and character design.
I received a review copy of this manga from VIZ Media in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
The boarding school is filled with anthropomorphic animals who are divided in dorms by predator and prey. The school has a tension because of this that is ramped up when a popular drama student is killed, probably by one of the predator students. Legoshi, a large grey wolf, is the prime suspect. Still, the show must go on, and the big play (about the grim reaper) that the students are preppeng for must go on with a new lead in the show.
This is a curiously odd story that makes me ask questions, like 'if a student is murdered, why is the play still happening?' but I liked this strange world and I would like to read more about it. I especially liked the sense of danger that the prey animals were feeling. I also really liked the art and character design.
I received a review copy of this manga from VIZ Media in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
sleepingnerd's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, this was neat!!
I watched the anime soon after it came out (sometime around 2019? Maybe the start of 2020?) and I liked it a lot, not only due to the cinematography, animation and style but also because the story was very interesting. Lately, I’ve been getting more into furry art, and the second season dropped, so it seemed like a good time to finally read this.
I can already see this manga series will have lots of complex conflicts to explore, and I’m here for it. The whole thing about instinct and the inner demon, Haru’s bullying, the debate of what is your true nature, the discrimination/prejudice... hell yeah. Legoshi is also a dear (even if he won’t stop saying weird shit), and I kind of love Louis even if he’s an asshole. I’m very interested in Louis and Legoshi’s dynamic and relationship, actually, because it seems that they both see each other beyond all their bullshit. I’m also very excited to see more of Haru because I love her and how unapologetic she is. Finally, Jack is precious and the best friend.
So yeah!!! This was all sorts of fun, even if I didn’t completely settle in on the story yet. I’ll be definitely continuing this!
I watched the anime soon after it came out (sometime around 2019? Maybe the start of 2020?) and I liked it a lot, not only due to the cinematography, animation and style but also because the story was very interesting. Lately, I’ve been getting more into furry art, and the second season dropped, so it seemed like a good time to finally read this.
I can already see this manga series will have lots of complex conflicts to explore, and I’m here for it. The whole thing about instinct and the inner demon, Haru’s bullying, the debate of what is your true nature, the discrimination/prejudice... hell yeah. Legoshi is also a dear (even if he won’t stop saying weird shit), and I kind of love Louis even if he’s an asshole. I’m very interested in Louis and Legoshi’s dynamic and relationship, actually, because it seems that they both see each other beyond all their bullshit. I’m also very excited to see more of Haru because I love her and how unapologetic she is. Finally, Jack is precious and the best friend.
So yeah!!! This was all sorts of fun, even if I didn’t completely settle in on the story yet. I’ll be definitely continuing this!
spaceman5000's review
5.0
Wow, this book has a lot to unpack. On the surface it seems to be a furry high school drama with anthropomorphic animals, but there's an extremely dark layer underneath all of it. The main plot line is that an Alpaca got murdered by a carnivore and no one knows who killed him. The characters are all worried and concerned, but it's not clear if there's actually an investigation going on or what. The allegory of a high school full of animals is obvious and there are definite social classes to the animals, jocks, nerds, etc... but the real story here is the dark underbelly of desire and acting out your desires.
For example, the main character is a wolf; a carnivore who desires to kill and devour. Does that mean he should? He doesn't seem to want to, but his desire almost overwhelms him at times. Is giving into your primal desires wrong? Is that what separates humans from animals? Should you feel guilty for desiring?
I was pretty unsure of this when I started reading it, but by the middle of the book, I was hooked. I'm not a huge fan of the artwork, but I got over it quickly. Great story and I'll be certain to read the rest.
For example, the main character is a wolf; a carnivore who desires to kill and devour. Does that mean he should? He doesn't seem to want to, but his desire almost overwhelms him at times. Is giving into your primal desires wrong? Is that what separates humans from animals? Should you feel guilty for desiring?
I was pretty unsure of this when I started reading it, but by the middle of the book, I was hooked. I'm not a huge fan of the artwork, but I got over it quickly. Great story and I'll be certain to read the rest.
drone232's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
5.0
give_me_a_moose's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rakoerose's review
4.0
Finally getting around to the manga after watching season one three times, and enjoying the little differences! Paru’s style is so interesting and I love the way they draw all the different animal types.
“I’ll be fine. It’s always been like this. I’m used to being feared and hated. I’ll survive.”
Legoshi’s introversion and struggle to live his own way is super interesting. He’s the total opposite of how others expect or even want him to be. Quiet, caring, and attentive. I almost wonder if the way he fights against his “instincts” is supposed to be a representation of how you think is not as important as how you act? That intrusive thoughts don’t define you?
It’s just interesting! Not to mention Louis and his whole thing makes for a bit of chaos as they clash together.
As an aside, I love the way Paru shows each character’s emotion. Their facial expressions are just so evocative and I find myself chuckling at how extreme they are sometimes. That’s a drama for you! Everything blown up to extremes.
Definitely will be continuing in this series, and I eagerly anticipate more of the anime too!
“I’ll be fine. It’s always been like this. I’m used to being feared and hated. I’ll survive.”
Legoshi’s introversion and struggle to live his own way is super interesting. He’s the total opposite of how others expect or even want him to be. Quiet, caring, and attentive. I almost wonder if the way he fights against his “instincts” is supposed to be a representation of how you think is not as important as how you act? That intrusive thoughts don’t define you?
It’s just interesting! Not to mention Louis and his whole thing makes for a bit of chaos as they clash together.
As an aside, I love the way Paru shows each character’s emotion. Their facial expressions are just so evocative and I find myself chuckling at how extreme they are sometimes. That’s a drama for you! Everything blown up to extremes.
Definitely will be continuing in this series, and I eagerly anticipate more of the anime too!
lili718's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jaspilite's review
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.5