Scan barcode
8bitlapras's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
marcys_books9's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
So Beastars has finished its run, but there is still content to be enjoyed. Many people, including myself, are waiting for the second season of Beastars to come out on Netflix, but there is also this anthology to enjoy as well.
This is a collection of short stories, with different characters, but set in the Beastars world. It was interesting to learn that some of these stories were written before Itagaki wrote Beastars, and you can tell. This definitely feels like the foundation of a bigger story waiting to be developed, and I think that’s why I enjoyed it more. I loved seeing where the world building began, how Beastars was created from this collection of stories, and how certain character arcs came to be. You can even see Legoshi in one of the panels. It was fascinating to see Itagaki’s process, knowing her little drabble’s would spawn into a larger and fascinating story.
However, on their own, the stories needed more time and development because the world is too interesting to not develop further. I had a few I really liked, such as the story with the the Fox and the Chameleon, the Lion and the Bat, and the Camel and the Wolf. The problem is that Beastars is a much more superior version, so these short stories aren’t enough to stand on their own, but as a companion piece it’s a nice addition to your Beastars collection. I definitely recommend this to any Beastars fan who aren’t ready to let the story go.
So Beastars has finished its run, but there is still content to be enjoyed. Many people, including myself, are waiting for the second season of Beastars to come out on Netflix, but there is also this anthology to enjoy as well.
This is a collection of short stories, with different characters, but set in the Beastars world. It was interesting to learn that some of these stories were written before Itagaki wrote Beastars, and you can tell. This definitely feels like the foundation of a bigger story waiting to be developed, and I think that’s why I enjoyed it more. I loved seeing where the world building began, how Beastars was created from this collection of stories, and how certain character arcs came to be. You can even see Legoshi in one of the panels. It was fascinating to see Itagaki’s process, knowing her little drabble’s would spawn into a larger and fascinating story.
However, on their own, the stories needed more time and development because the world is too interesting to not develop further. I had a few I really liked, such as the story with the the Fox and the Chameleon, the Lion and the Bat, and the Camel and the Wolf. The problem is that Beastars is a much more superior version, so these short stories aren’t enough to stand on their own, but as a companion piece it’s a nice addition to your Beastars collection. I definitely recommend this to any Beastars fan who aren’t ready to let the story go.
softrosemint's review against another edition
3.0
i read this in the middle of reading the main series so the comparison between paru's start and her development up to now was very interesting. in fact, even going through the stories included in beast complex, one can see her development in terms of draftsmanship, storytelling and panelling.
it is clear she has put a lot of thought and love in this concept and that is commendable. it is always inspiring to see someone who is so clearly passionate about their work.
it is clear she has put a lot of thought and love in this concept and that is commendable. it is always inspiring to see someone who is so clearly passionate about their work.
usernamewanted24's review
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
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
4.0
Cool stories can’t want for the English translations of vol 2 and 3
moontickler's review
5.0
Paru Itagaki is perhaps one of the greatest new voices in storytelling because of her intimate understanding of relationships of all different kinds of intimacy. I've never read another author's work that quite captures the nuance of the world she has created. There are so many similarities to our own world in the disadvantages all of the animals face, the fears they harbor, and the issues in society they struggle over. But there are just as many unique social mores and behaviors that are crafted specifically to flesh out the world of Beast Complex/Beastars, and I highly commend her for such an undertaking which has been handled with all of the sensitivity and nuance I would expect. Can't recommend any of her works enough!
ivnka's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Paru Itagaki can give me her to-do list and I will read it religiously.
My lil ☆ for this short story collection:
- The Lion and The Bat 3☆
- The Tiger and The Beaver 5☆
- The Camel and The Wolf 4☆
- The Kangaroo and The Black Panther 5☆
- The Crocodile and The Gazelle 5☆
- The Fox and The Chameleon 5☆
My lil ☆ for this short story collection:
- The Lion and The Bat 3☆
- The Tiger and The Beaver 5☆
- The Camel and The Wolf 4☆
- The Kangaroo and The Black Panther 5☆
- The Crocodile and The Gazelle 5☆
- The Fox and The Chameleon 5☆
booksmellers's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
whysoserious006's review
5.0
This book is absolutely worth every penny!
A collection of short stories which were so wholesome, and I loved every single one of the characters <3 It was also really interesting to see more parts of the Beastars world.....
A collection of short stories which were so wholesome, and I loved every single one of the characters <3 It was also really interesting to see more parts of the Beastars world.....
librarianryan's review
3.0
This was a weird collection of shorts. It is a spin off of Beastars, which I have not read yet. I think this might be better after reading at least one of those books. These stories look at the differences between the Carnivores and the Herbivores, or the predators and the prey. There seems to be no mention of the Omnivores, but maybe that is for later. This feels very adult, and could make for interesting discussions. My favorite story is this edition is the Happy Happy Cooking Show - where a Gator is teamed up with a Gazelle to host a good eats show.
nightwing's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
These are all short stories set within the Beastars universe, if you haven't read those, go check it out! I think this is still somewhat easy to follow, but it's still better to read the Beastars manga, or the first couple of volumes in order to better understand the conflicts within the world.
Overall, I really enjoyed the stories and Paru's artwork! I hope we get more like this, I love the Beastars world and its complex machinations. I also like how Paru, despite having similar creatures like a tiger and a wolf from Beastars appear in Beast Complex, they're still unique enough to be their own characters instead of carbon copies of the Beastars cast.
The Lion & The Bat: A lion with high aspirations and great long-term goals is shaken to the core thanks to the words of a small bat. Very sweet story
The Tiger & The Beaver: A story focusing on two children who are determined to stay friends despite their differences. Oh man, this one was so bittersweet. Great, but bittersweet.
The Camel & The Wolf: A camel is about to write a scathing article on predators until a beautiful wolf sweeps him off his feet. The art style with the camel was fantastic, he truly looked like a nervous, broken down newspaper reporter. Definitely an odd story, but the camel's style was awesome.
The Kangaroo & The Black Panther: A kangaroo owns an inn and a young panther buys a room. The kangaroo's deadpan snark was hilarious. Can't believe he literally told his friend to buy him at the black market if he ever ends up in there, wow. A tragic story, but still interesting.
The Crocodile & The Gazelle: A gazelle is an assistant chef on a cooking show...she's not happy about the new chef because he's a predator. A lighthearted romp that was pretty entertaining, great banter between the two.
The Fox & The Chameleon: A fox deals with bullies and is frustrated by the stereotypes while a chameleon learns what it means to not blend in. A sweet story, the fox's frustrations with the bullies was relatable.
These are all short stories set within the Beastars universe, if you haven't read those, go check it out! I think this is still somewhat easy to follow, but it's still better to read the Beastars manga, or the first couple of volumes in order to better understand the conflicts within the world.
Overall, I really enjoyed the stories and Paru's artwork! I hope we get more like this, I love the Beastars world and its complex machinations. I also like how Paru, despite having similar creatures like a tiger and a wolf from Beastars appear in Beast Complex, they're still unique enough to be their own characters instead of carbon copies of the Beastars cast.
The Lion & The Bat: A lion with high aspirations and great long-term goals is shaken to the core thanks to the words of a small bat. Very sweet story
The Tiger & The Beaver: A story focusing on two children who are determined to stay friends despite their differences. Oh man, this one was so bittersweet. Great, but bittersweet.
The Camel & The Wolf: A camel is about to write a scathing article on predators until a beautiful wolf sweeps him off his feet. The art style with the camel was fantastic, he truly looked like a nervous, broken down newspaper reporter. Definitely an odd story, but the camel's style was awesome.
The Kangaroo & The Black Panther: A kangaroo owns an inn and a young panther buys a room. The kangaroo's deadpan snark was hilarious. Can't believe he literally told his friend to buy him at the black market if he ever ends up in there, wow. A tragic story, but still interesting.
The Crocodile & The Gazelle: A gazelle is an assistant chef on a cooking show...she's not happy about the new chef because he's a predator. A lighthearted romp that was pretty entertaining, great banter between the two.
The Fox & The Chameleon: A fox deals with bullies and is frustrated by the stereotypes while a chameleon learns what it means to not blend in. A sweet story, the fox's frustrations with the bullies was relatable.
More...